For those of us who were Girl Scouts when we were younger (and heck probably those who weren’t), those colorful badges and patches that the girls earn still hold some wistful appeal. Adults can buy the unearned patches, of course, and you can see those purchases adorning Girl Scout shirts of all kinds.
In addition to the patches, there are actual adult recognitions available as well. There are two kinds of awards, earned and nominated. The earned awards generally recognize years of service and completion of training at the adult level. These awards are handed out in your neighborhood when you notify them of your eligibility.
Summary of Awards and Recognitions
Earned Awards
Numeral Guards: These guards are awarded in five-year intervals starting with year 5. To determine if you are eligible, count your years in Scouting, including years as a girl and years as an adult.
Years of Service Pins: These pins are awarded in five-year intervals for the number of years completed as an adult volunteer.
Three-Year Leader Pins: These pins are awarded after the first three consecutive years of leadership in your local Scout Council.
Leadership Development Pins: These pins are awarded to leaders who have completed all of the recommended training courses and who attend events beyond troop meetings.
Leadership Development Leaves: This award is an extension of the leader development pin and involves acquiring 10 additional hours of training for each leaf. Leaves start out green and can be traded in for silver and gold leaves as more hours are accumulated.
Nominated Awards
These awards require a nomination procedure:
Neighborhood Awards
* Outstanding Leader (retired)
* Outstanding Volunteer (retired)
* Volunteer of Excellence Pin
GSUSA Awards
* Appreciation Pin
* Honor Pin
* Thanks Badge
* Thanks Badge II
To receive these awards, an individual must be nominated and letters of endorsement secured. Details of the nominated individual’s service are also required. For example, on the "Volunteer of Excellence" application, a brief summary of the nominee's leader's achievements in four areas (program delivery, community service, training, and administration) is requested.
In addition to the patches, there are actual adult recognitions available as well. There are two kinds of awards, earned and nominated. The earned awards generally recognize years of service and completion of training at the adult level. These awards are handed out in your neighborhood when you notify them of your eligibility.
Summary of Awards and Recognitions
Earned Awards
Numeral Guards: These guards are awarded in five-year intervals starting with year 5. To determine if you are eligible, count your years in Scouting, including years as a girl and years as an adult.
Years of Service Pins: These pins are awarded in five-year intervals for the number of years completed as an adult volunteer.
Three-Year Leader Pins: These pins are awarded after the first three consecutive years of leadership in your local Scout Council.
Leadership Development Pins: These pins are awarded to leaders who have completed all of the recommended training courses and who attend events beyond troop meetings.
Leadership Development Leaves: This award is an extension of the leader development pin and involves acquiring 10 additional hours of training for each leaf. Leaves start out green and can be traded in for silver and gold leaves as more hours are accumulated.
Nominated Awards
These awards require a nomination procedure:
Neighborhood Awards
* Outstanding Volunteer (retired)
* Volunteer of Excellence Pin
GSUSA Awards
* Appreciation Pin
* Honor Pin
* Thanks Badge
* Thanks Badge II
To receive these awards, an individual must be nominated and letters of endorsement secured. Details of the nominated individual’s service are also required. For example, on the "Volunteer of Excellence" application, a brief summary of the nominee's leader's achievements in four areas (program delivery, community service, training, and administration) is requested.
