Girl Scouts’ leadership pathway just got a major glow-up and a few things are changing:
- Leadership Awards are now the official prerequisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.
- One Leadership Award earned at your program level fulfills the prerequisite for each of the Highest Awards.
- Additionally, the Bronze Award is now a prerequisite option for the Silver Award, and the Silver Award is a prerequisite option for the Gold Award.
- One Journey may still be used to meet the Highest Award prerequisite requirements through October 1, 2026.
Why Were the Awards Refreshed?
Inspired by Juliette Gordon Low’s courage and character, the refreshed awards create a clearer, more modern path to leadership. They focus on long-lasting skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence.What Are the New Leadership Awards?
The Leadership Awards are a new set of skill-building experiences for Girl Scouts in grades 4–12. They focus on four areas of leadership: personal, peer, teaching, and community advocacy, and they are designed to be flexible.
Each award is designed to help Girl Scouts explore their interests, build practical skills, and focus on things that matter to them. And the best part? Earning one Leadership Award at your program level now fulfills the prerequisite for the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award. Girl Scouts can earn them during troop meetings, at camp, at events, or individually.
Which Awards Are Retired?
Leader in Action (LiA) are retired as of July 2025. Cadettes can still get hands-on experience with younger Girl Scouts through the refreshed Program Aide award.The previous Silver and Gold Torch award (based on holding a leadership position for a term )is also retired. Updated Torch awards now focus on teamwork and leading peers in more flexible, accessible ways.
Journeys will officially be retired on October 1, 2026. In their place, Juniors through Ambassadors can now earn the Leadership Awards.
The current Global Action award will also retire in 2026. Juniors – Ambassadors can earn the new Global Action Award, and Daisies and Brownies will have other opportunities to explore global themes, like through World Thinking Day and the Democracy badges.
My Girl Scout already started on one of the Journeys and/or a Leadership Award using retired guidelines. Now What?
Starting in October 2026, Journeys will be retired. Until then, Girl Scouts may continue completing Journeys, and any finished Journey will remain valid and will continue to count toward the Highest Awards.Girl Scouts can apply the Leadership Awards as a prerequisite regardless of whether they were earned using the retired or new guidelines.
A Closer Look at the New Leadership Awards
Below is a quick guide to each award category to help you understand what each award is all about!
Personal Leadership
True North Award
Available for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and AmbassadorsThis brand-new award helps Girl Scouts discover their values, build confidence, and understand what matters to them. It’s all about staying true to yourself and taking courageous steps to make a meaningful impact.
Prerequisite for the Highest Awards when earned at your level.
Peer Leadership
Silver Torch Award
Available for CadettesLearn how to shine as part of a team. Cadettes build teamwork skills, support group goals, and explore how to motivate and inspire others.
Gold Torch Award
Available for Senior/AmbassadorGrow into a leader who guides with purpose and heart. Girl Scouts practice bringing people together, collaborating, and turning ideas into real impact.
The Silver Torch counts as a prerequisite for the Silver Award—and the Gold Torch for the Gold Award.
Teaching Leadership Awards
Junior Aide
Available for JuniorsPlan and lead one fun, inclusive activity for younger kids. This award builds confidence and helps Girl Scouts discover their unique leadership style.
Program Aide
Available for CadettesLead multiple activities—including a full meeting—for younger Girl Scouts. Cadettes practice being thoughtful role models while building real planning and leadership skills.
Volunteer in Training (VIT)
Available for Senior/AmbassadorGuide younger Girl Scouts by leading two full meetings. Teens learn how to create meaningful experiences, support growth, and make younger kids feel included.
Counselor in Training I (CITI)
Available for Senior/AmbassadorLearn the basics of camp leadership by supporting campers, assisting staff, and leading songs, games, and activities. It’s all about growing confidence and becoming a role model at camp. Contact your local council to locate CIT programs.
Counselor in Training II (CITII)
Available for AmbassadorTake leadership at camp to the next level by planning activities, supporting staff, and practicing real-world leadership skills like schedule management and conflict resolution.
Contact your local council to locate CIT programs.
The Junior Aid counts as a prerequisite for the Bronze Award, the Program Aide as a prerequisite for the Silver Award, and the VIT, CIT, and CITII as prerequisite options for the Gold Award.
Community Advocacy Awards
Take Action Award
Available for Junior–AmbassadorWork as a team to identify a local issue, understand what’s behind it, and develop a long-lasting solution that creates real change.
Learn how different communities around the world experience similar issues. Then create a project that makes a meaningful, globally connected impact.
Either award fulfills the prerequisite for the Highest Awards when earned at your level.
The Leadership Awards help Girl Scouts grow into confident, capable leaders, whether they love creativity, teamwork, teaching younger kids, or making change in their community. Along the way, they build skills like communication, planning, collaboration, and decision-making that last far beyond Girl Scouts.
With these awards now serving as the official prerequisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, they create a clear, connected leadership pathway where earning the Bronze Award can count toward Silver, and Silver can count toward Gold. That means each step builds on the last as Girl Scouts earn each of Girl Scouting’s highest honors.Global Action Award
Available for Junior–AmbassadorLearn how different communities around the world experience similar issues. Then create a project that makes a meaningful, globally connected impact.
Either award fulfills the prerequisite for the Highest Awards when earned at your level.
The Leadership Awards help Girl Scouts grow into confident, capable leaders, whether they love creativity, teamwork, teaching younger kids, or making change in their community. Along the way, they build skills like communication, planning, collaboration, and decision-making that last far beyond Girl Scouts.
If you want to learn more or explore which award is right for your Girl Scout, you can find additional details on the Leadership Awards landing page and in the full FAQs. These resources offer clear guidance, step-by-step information, and support to help every Girl Scout get started with confidence. If you have more individualized questions, reach out to your council staff.