Go for the Gold!
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. It recognizes the hard work of Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors who demonstrate leadership that has lasting effects in their community. Since 1919, Girl Scouts have been given the opportunity to earn this prestigious award, and those who complete the journey change their own lives and the lives of others in amazing and significant ways. Someone once described the Girl Scout Gold Award as being "what you really want to be remembered for" in Girl Scouting. For many, the leadership skills, organizational skills, and sense of community and commitment that come from "going for the Gold" set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship.
In the summer of 2009, GSUSA released new guidelines for achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award. The GSNETX staff attended training last fall and is now implementing these new and exciting guidelines. Girls are welcome to use the old guidelines if they choose, but we strongly encourage girls to use the new guidelines. Due to our desire to switch completely over to the new guidelines, a deadline has been implemented:
Girls working on their GS Gold Awards under the old guidelines have until April 15, 2011 to submit a proposal to GSNETX. All projects under the old guidelines MUST BE COMPLETED by September 30, 2011.Girls who have not begun their prerequisites under the old guidelines are encouraged to start under the new guidelines.
To view the two different guideline click on the links below:
GS Gold Award Round Tables
Another great way to get familiar with the new guidelines is through our Gold Award round tables. These informal, come and go events allow girls to meet members of the GS Gold Award Committee, get general information about the Gold Award, get ideas for possible projects, and ask any burning questions they may have about the process. No pre-registration required. Check the calendar for upcoming dates!!
Take Action Community Partners Fairs
Take Action projects are part of the new Girl Scout Gold Award guidelines. Take Action Community Partners Fairs are available to give girls an opportunity to research community agencies for consideration in determining their Take Action Projects. Click here to check the calendar for upcoming dates!>
The Betty Richardson Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship
GSNETX offers Girl Scouts who are graduating HS seniors and who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award the chance to apply for scholarship funds for study at an accredited institute of higher education. The Betty Richardson Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship encourages girls to remain in Girl Scouting, is a source of interest to potential donors, and helps girls reach their full potential as women by encouraging further education. The scholarship was established to honor a former president of Tejas Council, one of GSNETX’s legacy councils. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is April 1 of the girl’s senior year of high school. Click here to download the Betty Richardson Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Application.