Pursuing one of the highest awards is something to be proud of! Whatever step and at whichever level you can always use support to make your project bigger and better. Here are a few resources to make sure you are able to make your project the best yet! Feel free to scroll through the resources or jump to a specific one using the links below.
Use this guide to help you understand if your project idea will qualify.
You submit your project propsal and track your progress throughout your Gold Award journey on this website. It is also how GSOSW starts and ends all Gold Award Projects.
To promote visability of Girl Scouts and the higher awards, all Gold Award Scouts must create a publicity release upon the completion of their project. Here is an easy template to get you started!
Made by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, this checklist is easy to read and gives a great outline to give you an idea of where to start and where you will finish. This is especially helpful to first time highest awards seekers. If you are not a part of GSGI be aware that you should double check your council's guidelines.
Made by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, this checklist is easy to read and gives a great outline to give you an idea of where to start and where you will finish. This is especially helpful to first time highest awards seekers. If you are not a part of GSGI be aware that you should double check your council's guidelines.
Made by Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, this checklist is easy to read and gives a great outline to give you an idea of where to start and where you will finish. This is especially helpful to first time highest awards seekers. If you are not a part of GSGI be aware that you should double check your council's guidelines.
Breathe. This project is big, but managable. There are lots of scouts that have come before you, and there will be lots after. Have faith in yourself and the confidence to reach your full potential. If you need more resources, look at different council's websites, blog posts, and other online resources (while following the internet safety pledge). All councils have the same main requirements even if they might have different internal processes. If you are stuck and looking for ideas, you don't have to just look for specifically Girl Scout projects! Look for any service projects. Look for general brainstorming worksheets. You are creative and resourceful, so use your ingenuity!
Remember that you are not alone! You are pursuing something that lots of people want to support you in. And, you are not the first or only scout to do so. Girl Scouts all across America, and even around the world, are working on their projects too. There are many councils and resources across them. If you need help, don't be afraid to reach out! Look on the connect page for more help on that side. Also don't hesitate to reach out to members of your community! You will be pleasantly suprised how much people want to help you help the community!
Shannon Shea is in charge of the Highest Awards for GSOSW. You can reach out to her with any questions at sshea@girlscoutsosw.org.
You can also reach out the GSUSA gold award team at goldaward@girlscouts.org
Annually awards 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. Highest Award winners make especially good candidates- you can even still be in progress when you apply! Apply online by April 15th for a chance to receive $10,000 to support your service work or higher education.
Use this database to search for other scholarships collected by GSUSA!
To qualify for a 2023 GSOSW scholarship, you must be—or be in the process of becoming—a Gold Award Girl Scout, and be graduating high school (or equivalent) in 2023. More information is located on the GSOSW Gold Award Scholarship page. Which is linked at the top of this page! This is the application. The Arlene Johns Scholarship: This scholarship has been established to recognize an outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout and allow her to continue her education. The scholarship awarded may be used for college, university, technical, vocational or trade schools and is not limited to schools in the State of Oregon. The Emerald Circle Scholarship: The Emerald Circle will grant scholarships twice annually to qualified Gold Award Girl Scouts. Funds are raised through donations. You can be a part of this exciting movement by donating to the scholarship fund. Contact us at answers@girlscoutsosw.org to learn more. The Luella and George Shaver Family Scholarship: This scholarship is given to an outstanding Girl Scout who best demonstrates the same qualities that Luella Shaver, a longtime, dedicated volunteer, showed in her life as a Girl Scout. The scholarship began in 1982 and is awarded each year to an exceptional graduating Gold Award Girl Scout. It is awarded for educational pursuits, such as college, vocational training and/or apprenticeship programs at an accredited school. The scholarship recipient is determined by a special committee and panel of judges, including Luella's daughters Mary and Zizi Shaver.
Makena K. was awarded a Fall 2021 Emerald Circle Scholarship—a local award just for Gold Award Girl Scouts—for $2,000! She was also awarded the 2022 Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award Scholarship, a national scholarship where one outstanding Gold Award Girl Scout per council whose project exemplifies the core components of the Gold Award is chosen for a scholarship. Go check out her project on the Projects page for some inspiration!