Public GS Recognitions - Girl Scout Service Unit 527 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

GIRL SCOUT AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Girls participate in Girl Scouting in many ways. Under the guidance of a trained adult volunteer, girls mix and match activities and resources to suit their needs while giving back to their communities. They connect with each other and build self-esteem and confidence in their skills as they work on a range of projects and gain life experiences.

Their efforts are rewarded through Insignia.

The Highest Award for Junior Girl Scouts in the Bronze Award. The Highest Awards for Older Girls in Girl Scouting are the Silver and Gold Awards. The Silver Award is earned by Cadettes, while the Gold Award in earned by Seniors and Ambassadors.

The insignia on a girl's uniform are a record of her adventures and accomplishments as a Girl Scout. Insignia is the general term for all official items that girls and adults can wear on their uniforms.

Girl Scout insignia are broken into four categories:

Emblems: Girl Scouts of the USA, council, troop membership, and identification insignia. Includes such items as Girl Scout Membership pins, the council identification strip, and troop numerals.
Earned Level Awards: Earned by completing requirements or demonstrating understanding of a concept, as outlined in Girl Scout program books, including bridging awards, journey award, and Daisy through Ambassador level awards.
Additional Awards: Earned through requirements determined by GSUSA or by other organizations. Includes Girl Scout lifesaving and religious awards and the President's Award for Community Service.
Participation Patches and Pins: Supplementary insignia developed at the national or council level with a focus on participation. Some come with companion activity booklets. Includes American Flag Patch, fun patches, and the World Thinking Day Patch.

GSUSA has provided a comprehensive list of Insignia for Girl Scouts.

For highlights of Girl Scout Badges, click here.

PARTICIPATION PATCHES

Participation patches are also called "fun patches". These patches are given to a scout when she participates in an event.

GSUSA defines them as "supplementary insignia developed at the national or council level with a focus on participation."

These patches are not "earned", as are Legacy and Skill Building Badges. Therefore, a scout will wear participation patches on the back of her sash or vest, not on the front.

GSUSA has authorized several participation patches.

Several Girl Scout councils also have created participation patches, which are collectively known as "Council's Own" patches.

However, a troop leader may purchase participation patches from any source. Here is a non-exhaustive list of patch companies:

Advantage Emblem

Custom Patches Online