Journeys Awards

Can girls earn new awards with the journeys?

Yes. Girl Scouts at each of the six grade levels have a chance to earn new official awards as they complete steps along the journey. The awards are designed to be worn on the Girl Scout uniform. Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes have the chance to earn several badges along the journey. Seniors and Ambassadors can mark their accomplishments at the culmination of a journey with a pin or iron-on.

The steps for earning the awards are clearly explained in the “how-to” books for volunteers created for each journey. Girls have information about the awards in their books, too. The journey books for girls and adults also have suggested reflection and ceremony ideas related to earning the awards. The goal is to provide opportunities for girls to fully understand and celebrate the achievement and growth the awards represent.

What is the LiA (Leader in Action) award for Cadettes?

Girl Scout Cadettes have an opportunity to put their skills to work assisting Girl Scout Brownies on their Quest. Brownies (and their volunteers!) will appreciate having Cadettes along on the journey – and Cadettes will benefit from having the opportunity to have a position of responsibility. The steps for Cadettes to earn the LiA are described in the Adult Guide for “Brownie Quest” and online at http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/insignia/lia.pdf.

Can girls still earn badges, apart from journey awards?

Girls are welcome to continue choosing and earning badges that represent their varied interests. Earning badges is an important tradition in Girl Scouting and it is here to stay! As adults and girls become more familiar with elements of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, they will be able to see how the Discover, Connect, and Take Action leadership keys can be integrated into earning other awards. Of course, no matter what activities girls do in Girl Scouting, the experience is always best when it incorporates the Girl Scout processes: Girl Led, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative Learning.

Can a journey activity be used to meet a badge requirement?

The new journey awards are based on participation in a whole series of inter-related activities and discussions tied to the intended outcomes and are woven throughout the book. So rather than each experience in a journey meeting a specific requirement, each contributes to the overall experience. So, journey activities cannot be counted as completion of a badge activity requirement. As has been the tradition in Girl Scouting, girls always learn best when they spend the additional time needed to meet various badge requirements.

Where are the awards worn?

The journey awards are official and girls wear them on the front of the sash or vest. At Daisy level, girls may add the journey awards to the front of their tunics, in a place of their choosing. If Daisies opt to wear the new Daisy vest, the journey awards will be worn on one side of the vest and the current Daisy Center and Petals can be worn on the other.

What is the future of badges?

Over the next several years, Girl Scouts of the USA will be updating some badges to ensure that all learning experiences tie to the national leadership outcomes intended for girls. The exact form the updated materials will take is part of the overall review and assessment process. Girls will have time to transition to new or updated badges. They will not “lose out” on activities they have begun or planned.

What about local badge activities and programs including Council’s Own or Troop’s Own Awards?

Locally created badge activities remain an important way to respond to the interests and needs of girls. The badges for “Council’s/Troop’s Own,” are official awards and are worn on the front of the uniform sash or vest.

Councils can begin adjusting local offerings by using the Girl Scout Leadership Experience as the “engine” for all programming, purposefully planning them based on the leadership outcomes intended for girls, and using the processes of Girl Led, Learn by Doing, and Cooperative Learning.

What is the difference between a badge and a patch?

Official GSUSA awards, including those earned by fulfilling requirements described in GSUSA level books, including the journeys, represent meaningful learning experiences for girls. Official awards, such as badges, are worn on the front of the sash or vest. Participation patches and other unofficial awards are worn wherever girls enjoy displaying them for fun.

What is happening with the PA (Program Aide), LIT (Leader in Training), and CIT (Counselor in Training) programs?

These programs are very much a part of Girl Scouts and will be updated within the next few years to reflect elements of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Current guidelines remain in effect during the transition period.

What is the future of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards?

The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards will remain the highest awards in Girl Scouting. New guidelines, more closely aligning the awards with the new Girl Scout Leadership Experience.