Highest Award Resources

Every Girl Scout goes above and beyond to make a difference in her community and the greater world. The skills and experiences she gains along the way set her up for special recognition through the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.

All three awards give girls the chance to do big things while supporting issues they care about.

Check out our important Highest Award & Recognition Deadlines below.

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IMPORTANT: All Highest Award paperwork must be submitted by September 30 of the year in which the Girl Scout bridges, based on their current Girl Scout highest award qualifying level. Please refer to the requirements for each award below to ensure your Girl Scout receives the appropriate recognition.

Bronze Award
Bronze Award recipients are recognized through Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois' website and social media only, as the Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony is reserved for Silver and Gold Award recipients only. We can't wait to see your Girl Scout go for Silver & Gold!

Silver Award
To be recognized at the spring Recognition of Excellence ceremony, Silver Award Final Reports must be submitted by January 31.

Silver Award recipients who meet the January 31 deadline will be eligible for recognition at Recognition of Excellence.

Gold Award
To be recognized at the spring Recognition of Excellence ceremony, Gold Award Girl Scouts must complete their Gold Award interview by February.

Gold Award Girl Scouts who complete the interview process and are approved by the deadline will be eligible for recognition at Recognition of Excellence.

Recognition of Excellence
Recognition of Excellence is our annual spring award ceremony honoring Girl Scouts who have completed qualifying Highest Awards and met the applicable recognition deadlines. Adult Awards, Trifecta Girl Scouts, Outstanding Graduating Girl Scout Scholarships, and Medal of Honor are all recognized at Recognition of Excellence.

Please note: Completing a Highest Award does not automatically guarantee an invitation to Recognition of Excellence. Girl Scouts must meet the applicable submission and/or interview deadlines to be eligible for that year's ceremony recognition. If the submission deadline is missed, Girl Scouts will be invited to the following year's ceremony.

Leadership Awards Update toggle arrow

The new Leadership Awards are about building real skills for real impact and having the confidence to turn your ideas into action. Whether you’re figuring out what leadership means to you, working with a team, leading a group, or stepping up to a challenge, these awards are designed to help you explore what leadership means to you—no pressure, just room to grow. Check out the image below to see what Leadership Award prerequisite your Girl Scout will need to begin the Highest Award process. Learn more.

Working on your Girl Scout Gold, Silver or Bronze Award Project?
See the GSofSI Highest Award Resources here:

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You can pursue your Girl Scout Gold Award if:

You're in high school (ninth through twelfth grade, or equivalent)
You're registered as a Girl Scout Senior or Girl Scout Ambassador
You have completed the Silver Award or a Senior/Ambassador Leadership Award.
You have completed GSofSI's Gold Award Training

Need to make a change to your project? Use this form to request a change in the scope of your Gold Award project if your initial project approval has already been given by GSofSI council staff.

Award Project Change Request Form

Would you like to do your Gold Award project at Camp Torqua? Great! Fill out this form to get started. All projects at Camp Torqua must be approved by the Highest Awards Program Manager prior to starting.

Highest Awards Project at Camp Torqua Form

Learn more about the Girl Scout Gold Award.

Silver Award Resources toggle arrow

You can pursue your Girl Scout Silver Award if:

You're in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade (or equivalent)
You're a registered Girl Scout Cadette
You have completed the Bronze Award or a Cadette Leadership Award
Attend Silver Award Training: Must be completed by one adult who will be working with the girls AND one girl who will be working on the project. All girls working on the project are encouraged to attend.

See below to access and fill out our new fillable forms and explore our resources!

GSofSI Forms:

Resources:

Need to make a change to your project? Use this form to request a change in the scope of your Silver Award project if intitial project approval has already been given by GSofSI council staff.

Award Project Change Request Form

Would you like to do your Silver Award project at Camp Torqua? Great! Fill out this form to get started. All projects at Camp Torqua must be approved by the Highest Awards Program Manager prior to starting.

Highest Awards Project at Camp Torqua Form

Learn more about the Girl Scout Silver Award.

Bronze Award Resources toggle arrow

You can pursue your Girl Scout Bronze Award if:

You're in fourth or fifth grade (or equivalent)
You're a registered Girl Scout Junior
You have completed a Junior Leadership Award

Girl Scout Bronze Award Final Report

Learn more about the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

ON TEMPORARY PAUSE, AS DECIDED BY AMERICORPS effective May 27, 2025.

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ON TEMPORARY PAUSE, AS DECIDED BY AMERICORPS effective May 27, 2025.

Maximize the power of being a Girl Scout! In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

Interested girl and adult members of Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois are encouraged to apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Interested members should use GSofSI's President's Volunteer Service Award Log sheet to record hours of service. Since eligibility and service restrictions apply, each interested member must read and understand the terms and award opportunities as listed here. Only one award can be issued during a single 12-month period.

Once required service hours have been achieved, submit the completed log sheet(s) through our online application. Once the log sheet(s) are received and reviewed by council staff, the member (or parent/caregiver if girl member) will be contacted through email by council staff.

For completed service during the October 1 through February 28 timeframe, the awardee will be recognized and issued their award during the Recognition of Excellence ceremony during that membership year. Service achieved during March 1through September 30 will be recognized during the ceremony the following membership year.

Questions? Contact Customer Care at 800-345-6858 or customercare@gsofsi.org.