How many hours of involvement are needed to earn each of
the awards?
Each project is unique, so the time necessary to take the project
from planning to sharing to completion varies. The nature of the
project, the size of the team, and the degree of community support
will all affect the amount of time needed to complete a given project.
The focus should be on delivering a high-quality project rather than
the number of hours necessary to achieve it. However, after Journey
requirements are met, the suggested minimum number of work hours is:
- Bronze Award: 20 hours
- Silver Award: 50 hours
- Gold Award: 80 hours
Are troops allowed to work together toward an award?
Each award level has different group guidelines and a progression of
leadership development. For the Bronze Award, girls must work together
in a team setting. Girls can work individually or in small groups when
earning the Silver Award. Because the Gold Award represents the
highest achievement in Girl Scouts, girls must earn the Gold Award as individuals.
Are girls allowed to begin working toward their awards over the summer?
Yes. Girls can start working toward their awards after they bridge
or transition to the next Girl Scout level.
Can a girl earn her award if she moves after beginning her Take
Action project?
We encourage councils and Overseas Committees to be flexible and to
take girls’ best interests into account. Whenever possible, a girl
should continue to work with her council or Overseas Committee to
complete her project.
Can volunteers, council staff, and parents use the adult
guides?
Any participating adult working directly with girls toward achieving
their awards is encouraged to use the adult guides.
Are there different requirements for girls with disabilities?
No. The requirements are the same for every Girl Scout. Because work
toward Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards is to be done to the
best of a girl’s ability, there is no need to have special
requirements for girls with disabilities. Simply encourage flexibility
and engage advisors that will work with the girl individually.
Can you explain what you mean by “sustainable project”?
A sustainable project lasts after the girl’s participation ends. By
concentrating on education and raising awareness, girls can make sure
a project takes on a life of its own. Projects that involve hands-on
learning sessions and workshops, as well as those that include
collaboration with community groups, civic associations, nonprofit
agencies, local government, and/or religious organizations, are the
most likely to continue being relevant beyond a girl’s involvement.
Is there a unique definition of “sustainability” for each grade level?
The award guidelines provide girls with tools to explore the root
cause of issues, develop supportable project plans, and measure the
impact of their projects on their communities, target audiences, and
themselves. There is progression. Sustainability is encouraged but not
mandatory for Girl Scout Juniors working toward their Bronze Awards
and Girl Scout Cadettes planning their Silver Award projects. Girl
Scout Seniors and Ambassadors must make sure their projects are
sustainable in order to meet the Gold Award’s high standards of excellence.
Do you have any recommendations to help ensure girls initiate
high-quality award projects?
You can help ensure a girl is doing her best to create a
high-quality Take Action project by helping her and her project
advisor understand the difference between a one-time community service
opportunity and a sustainable Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award
Take Action project. The troop/group volunteer or council staff member
should work with the girl to ensure that her project meets the quality
requirements of the award.
How is project impact measured?
Referring to the matrix provided in the award guidelines, girls can
use “success indicators” to help identify project goals in relation to
their communities, target audiences, and themselves.
