First, the Gold Award is the highest award a youth can receive in the GSUSA. It can only be earned by a Senior Girl Scout (a girl between the ages of 14 and 18). It is intended to be an extension and combination of all that a girl has learned in her previous Girl Scout work.
The requirements are as follows (all work must be begun while a Senior Girl Scout):
1. Earn four interest project patches.
This can be any four patches within the five worlds of interest, which are Well-Being, People, Today and Tomorrow, Arts, and Out-of-Doors.
2. Earn the Career Exploration Pin.
The girl must write a resume, do some reading, and 1 of the following 5 options a) Plan a Career Fair, b) plan a Trips and Speakers Project, c) Carry out a Career Internship, d) Get a Paying Job, e) Start Your Own Business.
3. Earn the Senior Girl Scout Leadership Award.
In addition to some other leadership activities the girl must log at least 30 hours in 2 or more of the following activities (30 hours total, divided between the activities): Serve a term as an officer in a group; assist in the leadership of a group of younger children; plan and give a public presentation; serve in a leadership capacity for your council (board member/council committee member/ delegate to the National Council/ etc.); work with an adult who is in a leadership position with children or adults.
4. Earn the Senior Girl Scout Challenge.
Do a number of activities in each of the five sections: Developing Your Potential; Relating to Others: Developing Values for Living; Contributing to Society; Helping Others Know About Girl Scouting.
5. Do a Girl Scout Gold Award project.
Do these 5 steps in order:
1. Identify your personal talents and strengths that can be put into action through a Girl Scout Gold Award project.
2. Decide on an area you care about and would like to do something in to demonstrate your commitment to yourself, your community and the future. Develop an action plan that will require your commitment and effort over a period of at least 50 hours.
3. Identify the people with whom you will be working, including your leader, advisor, and/or adult partners.
4. At least 6 weeks before your project is to begin submit your plan to your Girl Scout Council office for approval.
5. After approval, carry out your project and upon its completion write a project report.
There is more info. available in the Girl Scout Gold Award booklet or from the council.
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