Gold Award Girl Scouts
Issues of the world, meet your match.
Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and the doers who take “make the world a better place” to the next level.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can she make a difference, but that she already has.
Seniors and Ambassadors who earn the Gold Award tackle issues that are dear to them and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond. Think of the Gold Award as a key that can open doors to scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, and amazing career opportunities.
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 two Senior or Ambassador Journeys OR earned the
Girl Scout Silver Award and completed a Journey
Girl Scout Gold Award Steps
Complete your Silver Award and one Senior/Ambassador Journey - OR - two Senior/Ambassador Journeys (including the Take Action Project) to hone the skills you'll need to earn your Gold Award.
Complete Gold Award Training. Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails requires that all girls interested in earning their Gold Award attend training prior to beginning their project. Training is 1.5 hours long. Contact us for information on the next scheduled Gold Award training.
Brainstorm to identify an issue you care about—then investigate it thoroughly.
Build your team and find a Project Advisor.
Create a plan and complete your Gold Award Project Proposal.
The Gold Award Committee will review your proposal, provide feedback, and work with you to improve your plan. The GAC meets every 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:30pm at the Girl Scout Council office. All paperwork needs to be submitted to council two weeks before the committee meets.
The GAC is committed to supporting girls in earning this prestigious award. Contact us to be put on the next agenda.
Once your project is approved, take action to carry out your plans!
Turn in your completed Gold Award Final Report and submit your photo to officially receive your Girl Scout Gold Award.
Gold Award projects should be submitted by September 30th of the Girl Scout year to be honored at the annual awards ceremony.
Graduating Seniors must have their Final Report submitted by August 1.
Reflect on your hard work, share your story, and celebrate your work!
The Benefits of Going Gold
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients do well in life! They rate their general success significantly higher than their peers and report greater success in reaching their goals in many areas.
Higher education and career
- Distinguish yourself in the college admissions process
- Earn college scholarships
- Enter the military one rank higher
Life skills
- Be seen as a role model and distinguished leader
- Master time management skills
- Make the world a better place
Community
- Use your vision for change
- Tackle an issue, locally or globally
- Establish a lifetime network
- Create your community legacy with a sustainable solution to a problem
Source: Girl Scouting Works: The Alumnae Impact Study, a report from the Girl Scout Research Institute, 2012
Gold Award Scholarship
The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails (GSNMT) Gold Award Scholarship was established to help Gold Award recipients further thier education. The scholarship is awarded to Girl Scouts who exemplify Girl Scouting ideals. Selections will be based first and foremost on the applicant’s contribution to society through service and her desire to continue this contribution through a life attitude of helping others.
By earning the Gold Award, you are also eligilbe to apply for many scholarships and awards. Click here to learn more!
Gold Award Forms and Resources
Project Advisor/Volunteer Forms & Resources
Interested in volunteering for the Gold Award Committee, being a Project Advisor or a volunteer to help girls Go For the Gold? Contact us!
Please refer to the Gold Award Guide or contact our Gold Award Liaison, Vanessa Wheeler, with any questions or concerns.
2019 Gold Award Girl Scouts
Dua H.
Pennies for Patients
Dua addressed the lack of awareness about leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers, and the lack of emotional support many patients do not receive through an outreach program focused on educating middle school students.
Lily M.
Rooting Out Homelessness: Community Gardening as a Transitional Tool
Lily built a community garden and developed associated educational materials to enhance the programs of Saranam, an Albuquerque-based charity that provides transitional housing and education to homeless families. Through this community garden, residents of Saranam will learn STEM, literacy, teamwork and life skills in an outdoor setting.
Paige A.
Go Gaga for Grace Park
Paige bult a Gaga Ball court for Grace Park. As a well utilized park for camping, there are many activities for children and adults, but not any that all age levels could enjoy together. The Gaga Ball court will bring generations together for years to come!
