Gold Award

Change the world, Girl Scout

Gold Award Girl Scouts are rock stars, role models, and real-life heroes. How do they do it? By using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.

Seniors and Ambassadors who want to go for the Gold Award build a team of trusted adults, peers, and leaders in their community to guide them through challenges and support their success.

Plus? Nothing beats that feeling of seeing real, lasting, and sustainable change and knowing it was you who made it happen. It changes the way you see your place in the world—and how the world sees you.

You can become a Gold Award Girl Scout if you:

Are in ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade
Are a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador
Have completed the Silver Award or a Senior/Ambassador Leadership Award

Ready to change the world for good? Become a Gold Award Girl Scout.

How to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award

1. Learn about the Gold Award. toggle arrow

Create an account on Go Gold Online and begin learning about the Gold Award. Be sure to watch our video- All About the Gold, check out our Gold Award resources below, and talk with volunteers in your community or with USAGSO to answer any questions you may have.

2. Choose an issue and investigate. toggle arrow

Find an issue in your community or the world that you care about and learn everything you can about that issue. Be sure to identify a root cause and find at least three trusted sources that describe the issue and impact it has in the world.

3. Form a team. toggle arrow

Form a team by identifying experts and people in your community who can help you with your project. Be prepared to list your teammates in Go Gold Online, no matter how big or small a roll they have in your project.

4. Create a plan. toggle arrow

Create your proposal in Go Gold Online. Be sure to thoroughly answer every question and review the Gold Award Proposal Rubric or the Gold Award Proposal with Rubric Notes to make sure your proposal meets all the requirements.

Before you submit your proposal in Go Gold Online, be sure to upload any additional files and notify your project advisor and troop leader, who will need to sign off on the proposal before it is forwarded to USAGSO for review.

5. Present your plan. toggle arrow

Once your proposal has been received by USAGSO, allow up to three weeks for review and approval. USAGSO may also reach out to schedule a call with you at this time to discuss your proposal.

ACCESSIBILITY- All Girl Scouts are unique and USAGSO aims to make the Gold Award accessible to all members. Please contact overseashighestawards@girlscouts.org to request additional accomodations.

6. Take action. toggle arrow

Once your proposal has been approved, you are ready to take action! Work with your team and make your plans come to life.

Please note- if at anytime you need to adjust your project plans, send your proposed changes to overseashighestawards@girlscouts.org. Approval is required before you can continue your project. Projects that deviate from the approved proposals may not be approved to earn the Gold Award.

7. Educate and inspire. toggle arrow

It's time to tell your story! Prepare and submit your final report. Make sure to upload supporting files and report the outcome of your goals. We also encourage you to include a letter of sustainability from the person or organization that will continue your amazing work!

Final reports will be reviewed within 3 weeks. USAGSO may reach out this time with questions or to schedule a meeting to discuss your project.

When your final report is approved, you're officially a Gold Award Girl Scout! Celebrate and be sure to thank your project advisor, team, and other people who helped along the way!

Gold Award Resources

Your Guide to Going Gold
Gold Award Proposal Rubric
Gold Award Proposal with Rubric Notes (sample- proposals and final reports MUST be submitted in GoGold)
Gold Award Project Proposal (sample- proposals and final reports MUST be submitted in GoGold)
Gold Award Final Report (sample- proposals and final reports MUST be submitted in GoGold)
Project Advisor Guide
Parent/Caregiver Guide
Troop Leader Guide
Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Gold Award Trainings

Highest Award Prerequisites

Leadership Awards

Celebrate all the ways you lead–yourself, your team, and your community–with new & updated leadership awards.

Highest Awards FAQs

Going for your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award? Get answers to the most common questions to get started.