Girl Scout Bronze Award TOOLKIT

Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. � 110 Ring Road West � Garden City, NY 11530 T 516.741.2550 � F 516.741.2207 � www.gsnc.org

Junior

Welcome to the Girl Scout Bronze Award, your leadership adventure where you earn the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve! As you and your Girl Scout troop or team plan and complete your Bronze Award Take Action Project, you will develop more confidence, meet new people, and have the kind of fun that happens when you work with other Girl Scouts to make a difference in the world.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award Take Action Project defines an issue in the community, and takes a look at the root of the problem in order to find long-term solutions.

Take the Take Action Quiz to find out how much you really know about Take Action projects, and start thinking of ways you can make the world a better place.

Take Action for the Bronze Award Trainings for Leaders and AdultsBronze is girl led, but leader guided. Come learn the difference between community service and Take Action projects. Training dates can be found at gsnc.org/programs.

Girl Scout Bronze Award Pre-RequisitesYou may begin working on the prerequisites as soon as you bridge to or register as a Girl Scout Junior.l Be a registered Girl Scout Junior (4th or 5th grade)l Complete one Junior Journey-this means completing all 3 awards within the journey, concluding with a Journey Take Action project

JOURNEY CHOICESl It’s Your World—Change It! (Agent of Change)

l It’s Your Planet—Love It! (Get Moving)

l It’s Your Story—Tell It! (aMUSE)

l Engineering: Think Like an Engineer

l Computer Science: Think Like a Programmer

l Outdoor STEM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist

l Outdoor

When the Pre-Requisites are completed, what do you do next?Please use the Girl Scout Bronze Award Guidelines for Girl Scout Juniors to ensure all key components of a Bronze Award Take Action Project are met. Each girl needs to work in the Guideline booklet to help come up with the project idea and plan.  

Highly Recommended!

Girl Scout Bronze Award Steps1.  Build your Girl Scout Junior team • Bronze is worked on as a troop/team • Each girl needs to be responsible for one specific piece of the project, so she can gain leadership skills • Independent Girl Scouts need to build a team to work with her

2. 20 hour project • Each girl needs to log 20 hours, some hours will be a group effort, but each girl needs a leadership component of the project to own and run

3. Explore your community • What communities do you belong to? How can you improve something in your community to make the world a better place? • Or stay within your Girl Scout community • Become detectives and discover what issues/problems are in your community that you can choose to tackle

4.  Choose your Girl Scout Bronze Award Take Action Project • Define your issue • Ask “why” this issue is happening? This question makes you look at the root causes of your issue • Sometimes there are many root causes, pick one to develop into your Take Action project • Research topic and see what other solutions are out there to help jump start your thinking

5.  Make a plan • What is your solution? • Who is your audience? • Who can you partner with in the community to help with the project? • Where will it take place? • When? (create a timeline) • Can we think of ways to make this project carry on? (How could you make the project sustainable?)

Sustainable - At the Junior level, to achieve the sustainability component, the girls should understand what sustainable means and what would need to happen to make the project continue. As they advance to Silver & Gold they actually plan for their projects to carry on-Girl Scout progression!

6.  Put your plan in motion • Create a list of tasks and deadlines • Figure out who will be doing what (girls can volunteer for each task) • Each girl keeps a detailed “Hour Log”

7.  Spread the word • Make sure you thank everyone who has helped with the project • Put your story together so you can share it • How to spread the word is detailed in the Guideline Booklet

Girl Scout Bronze Award TOOL KIT

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Completion Process:Bronze Award Projects are not council approved. They are leader approved.

The troop leader using the Girl Scout Bronze Award Approval Checklist for Leaders approves the Bronze Award Take Action Project. It is important for leaders to understand what a Take Action project is, in order to approve Bronze Award projects. They are NOT community service projects (example: collections and donations) or an accumulation of volunteer hours.

If a troop leader has questions about whether a project is appropriate or should be approved, she/he may contact the service unit awards coach or customercare@gsnc.org with Bronze Award in the subject.

Leaders must complete the GSNC Bronze Award Final Report electronically. This is a time to reflect on the project with the girls as a troop/team. There will be a section to pre-order the Bronze Award pins, patches and/or certificates.

Please note: If final report is NOT submitted, the Bronze Award will NOT go on the girl’s Girl Scout record.

Multi-level Troops:Leaders can use their discretion on whether the girls will work on the Bronze Award as a troop.

Deadlines: The Bronze Award must be completed by the September 30th after the girls graduate from 5th grade.  Check with your service unit to see if they host a Bronze Award Ceremony and learn about deadlines.

Bronze Award Documents and Links Adults:• Girl Scout Bronze Award Adult Volunteer Guide• Highest Awards - At a Glance• Girl Scout Bronze Award Approval Checklist for Leaders

Girls:• Girl Scout Bronze Award Guidelines for Girl Scout Juniors• Bronze Award Final Report

Other Information:• FAQ Funding your Bronze Award• Difference Between a Take Action Project and a Community Service Project• What Not to Do for the Bronze Award 

Girl Scout Bronze Award TOOL KIT

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What is Take Action? Girls will create and carry out a Take Action project with every Journey they complete. Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards all require Take Action projects.

Overview of Take Action Take Action projects are different from community service projects. Take Action elevates projects. A Take Action project is a chance for girls to partner with others in their community to solve a problem. They learn about getting to the root causes of issues, mobilizing and engaging community members and volunteers, and striving toward creating lasting change in their world. An important component is to understand & address the cause of a problem.

Community Service-comes from the heart lService is a passive role where you help out on something that is already in place l Major decisions have been made and you are following some else’s directions l Collecting and donating items–a onetime fix of a problem l Beautification/renovation without an educational or awareness raising component

Take Action project-comes from the heart, but uses the head to develop long lasting impact l Leadership puts girls in an active role of decision making l Girls create a Take Action project based on their observations of a local issue l Tackle the root cause of this issue to make a long lasting impact, so project is sustainable l Girls develop their leadership skills by exploring their community, brainstorming, planning, organizing, and putting their plan in motion

What is the difference between Journey Take Action Projects and higer awards Take Action Projects? The only difference is the Journey Take Action Project is issue specific, the project must relate to the Journey and what the girls have learned. It can be completed as a Troop, but each girl needs a leadership role.

The Awards Take Action Project issue is of the girls’ choosing. The girls will need to identify an issue in their community that they want to improve or resolve. Tack-ling the root cause of their issue will help make a bigger impact on their community and sustain the project.

Take Action Projects

Service Project Take Action Project

Make first aid kits.

Holds a food drive.

Start a recycling project.

Donate items to a local shelter.

Donate books to a local school.

Promote healthy living through a community health fair.

Start a community garden that can provide fresh fruits and vegetables to the homeless.

Create a workshop to teach others about water conservation and have everyone make a rain garden or barrel.

Organize a volunteer recruitment & supply drive for a local animal shelter at your school, community center or church.

Organize a tutoring session at a local elementary school with senior citizens to help students learn to read.

The Journey Take Action Project should be looked at as a practice run for the Awards Take Action Project.

The girls will gain Leadership skills in developing this Journey Project. She will build upon these acquired

skills to complete a quality Bronze, Silver or Gold Award Take Action Project.

Bronze Award Approval Checklist for Leaders

Girl Scout’s Name:

Troop #:

Completed the following:

Yes No

Completed one Journey- including earning all three awards or Take Action badge

Agent of Change Get Moving aMuse

Engineering: Think Like an Engineer Computer Science: Think Like a Programmer

Outdoor STEM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist Outdoor

Completed the Girl Scout Bronze Award Guidelines for Girl Scout Juniors

Built Team-including community partners you worked with

Time Log attached

Bronze Award Take Action Project: Issue is defined

Project is Take Action-Not a collection/donation only project

Audience: ____ within GS ____ within community ____ combination of both

Did the project meet its goal?

Did the project make an impact on the community?

Did the Troop discuss how to make this project sustainable: last beyond the girls’ involvement?

Bronze Award Project accomplishment is shared with the community

Budget

GS made a copy of Final Report form for her records

Made a copy of Final Report form for Leader’s records

Completed work and submitted paperwork before September 30 after 5th grade graduation

Date Submitted to Leader:

Date Original Final Report is Received by Council:

AdultVolunteerGuideGirl Scouts of Nassau County

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

As a Girl Scout troop/group volunteer, you will work with and inspire a team of Girl

Scout Juniors to make a difference in the Girl Scout or local community and help each

girl achieve the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can earn—the Girl Scout Bronze

Award. You and the girls will have fun along the way as you help them to bring their

own unique creativity to all they do and achieve.

This guide is designed as a companion for the girl guidelines for the Girl Scout Bronze

Award, which is posted on the Girl Scouts of the USA Web site at

http://www.girlscouts.org.

Girls earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award by completing a journey, and then creating a

Take Action project based on their observations of a local issue. As the girls pursue

their project, they put the Girl Scout Promise and Law into action. They also develop

an understanding of sustainability and gain an understanding of the wider world by

discussing how others may experience the same problem that their project helped

resolve.

Earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award involves the time it takes to complete a Girl Scout

Junior journey and a suggested minimum of 20 hours for each girl to build their team,

explore their community, choose and plan their project, put their plan in motion, and

spread the word to educate and inspire others.

Here are the steps that Girl Scout Juniors will complete to earn a Girl Scout Bronze

Award:

1. Go on a Girl Scout Junior journey.

2. Build your Girl Scout Junior team.

3. Explore your community.

4. Choose your Girl Scout Bronze Award project.

5. Make a plan.

6. Put your plan in motion.

7. Spread the word.

RESOURCES:

• Adult Guides for Junior journeys

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

• Volunteer Packet

• Safety-Wise

• Girl Scout Leadership Experience overview (online at www.girlscouts.org/gsle/)

• Corporation for National Service www.nationalservice.gov

• Leadership outcomes/Possible Indicators chart (page 14 of this guide)

Step 1: Go on a Girl Scout Junior Journey

Girls choose and complete a Girl Scout Junior journey. Help them reflect on what they

have learned. Here are a few coaching tips.

Questions for Girls Coaching Tips

1. HowdidyouusethevaluesoftheGirl

ScoutLawduringyourGirlScoutJunior

journey?

• Discusswhatthegirlsdidduringthejourneythatupheld

theGirlScoutPromiseandLaw.

• Discusshowgirlsusedresourceswiselyandhowthey

tookresponsibilityforwhattheysaidanddid.

2. Whatdidyoudiscoveraboutyourself? • Encouragethegirlstothinkabouthowtheydeveloped

theirsenseofselfandtheirabilities.

3. Whodidyouconnectwith? • Emphasizethevalueofworkingtogethertocreate

healthyrelationships.

• Helpthegirlsrecognizehowcooperationcontributestoa

project’ssuccess.

4. Howdidyoutakeactionandwhatdidyou

learn?

• Discusshowthegirlswentfromidentifyingcommunity

needs,creatingtimelines,andfindingresourcesto

implementingacreativeactionplanfortheirjourneyTake

Actionproject.

During the journey, did girls observe other ideas for making a difference for the people

or places they care about? Or, did a new opportunity stemming from their work on the

journey inspire them to pursue a topic that they hadn’t thought about before, but

realize is important to them?

Step 2: Build your Girl Scout Junior Team

Going for the Girl Scout Bronze Award is a team experience for a troop or group of Girl

Scout Juniors. If there are no Girl Scouts in a girl’s neighborhood, she can connect with

other girls her age, including non–Girl Scouts who may want to join Girl Scouts.

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

Team building skills are essential to leadership and for earning the Bronze award.

Playing games and doing activities as a team encourages cooperative learning, which

shows girls how to work through challenges and resolve conflicts as a group. Even

though the girls may know each other, encourage and help them identify their

individual and team strengths.

Human Knots and Linda Lemon are great Girl Scout team-building games. Find out

about these and others at:

www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/activity_ideas/icebreakers.asp. Feel free to

substitute other team game challenges. After each game, have the girls discuss what

they learned. Support the girls in creating their list of team agreements, a reference

for them as they pursue the Girl Scout Bronze Award. Also help the girls keep track of

their individual hours from the start—each step counts.

In order for the girls to choose an issue area that they care about, they need to

identify and share their interests. Explore the girls’ interests with them and discuss

how those might help when the team chooses a project. Guide them as they answer

the questions in their guidelines and as they come up with suggestions for what they

could do to be a great team.

Step 3: Explore your Community

Girls’ communities may be their block, their neighborhood, or their school. By

exploring, the girls make observations about what they see and hear. Through

investigation, they are able to think about possible project ideas that will make a

difference.

As girls explore their community, they may find that these ideas will help improve life

for people in their neighborhood or local community. Encouraging girls to observe what

can be improved is a very important role you play. When girls explore their block,

neighborhood, or school, ask them to write down what they see and discuss it as a

group. This will encourage girls to think critically about what they see and come up

with ideas for how they can create positive change in their community.

Guide girls as they complete their Observation List in the girl guidelines.

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

The following are two examples of how an observation led to a Take Action project:

Example #1

Lucia and her Junior team were going after their Girl Scout Bronze Award, so they all

agreed to be extra observant of everything going on around them. Here’s what Lucia

observed and how it turned into their Take Action project:

1. First, Lucia noticed that cars whizzed down the street near their school. This

happened a few days in a row—it seemed to be a real problem.

2. Then, she heard on the news that in the last year there had actually been

several accidents in that same area.

3. The Junior team asked their troop/group volunteer to help them find out how

people in their community decided where stop signs were needed.

4. After a visit to both the police station and a local government office, here’s what

the Juniors did: They wrote a petition, asking for a new stop sign on the road

near their school, got local residents to sign it, and then presented it to their

local government officials. Result: A new stop sign, slower traffic, fewer

accidents, and safer kids! Plus, a stop sign is a permanent solution!

Example #2

Tanya and her Junior team also decided to be extra observant for a week or two. When

they got together to share what they observed, Tanya asked her friends, “Have you

ever noticed how hard it is for older people or people with disabilities to get around the

grocery store?” The team agreed that this was a problem that no one seemed to be

addressing. It seemed like a good challenge for their team! Here’s what they did:

1. First, they decided to visit the store together and just watch as people shopped.

This convinced them that some people could use a little extra help.

2. Then they met as a team and brainstormed how they could help and how they

could explain their project idea to the store manager.

3. Next, they met with the store manager. Here’s what happened next: The girls

got permission to team up during the peak holiday season and offer their

assistance to shoppers. Sometimes they would take a person’s grocery list and

go up and down the aisles to get products. Other times, they would walk around

the store with people and help them fill their baskets. In both cases, they helped

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

people get through the checkout line and out to their cars. To keep this project

going, they wrote a tip sheet about how other youth and volunteer groups can

do the same thing.

Step 4: Choose your Girl Scout Bronze Award Project

After the girls are finished exploring, discuss the Observation List they created. Guide

girls as they select the group’s top observations and ideas. It’s a great way for girls to

see how a simple observation can lead to a Take Action project.

Brainstorm with the girls where to get additional information for their top ideas.

Encourage girls to talk to people as well as search newspapers and magazines for

information. Plan a trip to a community meeting or other community event where girls

can connect with people who might be able to help. Girls may choose to do their

research online, if that is the case, discuss the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge

(www.girlscouts.org/internet_safety_pledge.asp) and encourage them to commit to

the pledge.

Hold practice interviews with the girls if they are nervous about talking to grownups or

other people they do not know. These interviews may make girls feel more confident

as they speak with others about their project. Promote a discussion about what the

girls learn from their Project Idea Chart in the girl guidelines. It includes girls’

observations, who they talked to, what they learned, and possible projects they could

do.

Before the girls choose the issue they would like to address, help them answer these

all-important questions:

• Why does this idea matter?

• Who will this idea help?

• What can we do to make a difference? Is that realistic.

Help girls finalize their choice.

Girl Scouts are part of a worldwide community of girls who are using their talents to

positively impact their communities. Invite girls to take some time to discuss how

people in other parts of the world might address the problem they have chosen. Later,

when girls finish their project, they can share their experience with people outside of

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

their community—maybe even long-distance neighbors, so that they too can learn

about the project.

Step 5: Make a Plan

Guide girls to continue taking the lead as they progress to planning out the specifics of

their project. As the girls discuss the project, use the following tips to walk them

through what they need to accomplish.

Questions for Girls Coaching Tips

1. Whatisourgoalfortheproject?

• Discusstheresultsthegirlshopetoachievewith

theproject.Askspecificallywhattheyhopeto

achieve/accomplish?

2. Whatstepsdoweneedtotaketoreachour

goal?

• Discusshoweachgirlcanpitchintohelptheteam

reachitsgoal.

3. Whatspecialtalentscaneachgirlusetohelp

maketheprojectasuccess?

• Encouragethegirlstothinkaboutthespecialskills

thattheypossessandcancontributetotheteam’s

project.

4. WhatdidwelearnwhenwedidourGirlScout

Juniorjourneythatwillhelpmakethisproject

runmoresmoothly?

• Askthegirlstothinkabouthowtheyapproached

theplanfortheirjourneyproject?

• Discusswhatworkedandwhatdidn’t,andhow

theymightapproachthingsdifferentlyforthis

project.

5. Whocanweaskforhelp? • Askthegirlstomakealistofpeoplewhotheythink

wouldhelpwiththeirproject.

6. Howcanwegetotherpeopleinvolved? • Suggestthatgirlscontactpeopletheymetduring

theircommunityexploration.Eachgirlcancontact

oneperson.

7. Whatsupplieswillweneed? • Suggeststartingwithalistofsuppliestheteam

alreadyhas.

8. Doweneedtoearnmoneyforourprojector

canwegetdonationsfrompeople?(Canwe

usethemoneyfromourcookiesalestofund

ourproject?)

• Explorewaystofindanduseresourcesthatdonot

requireearningmoney.

• AdheretotheguidelinesinyourVolunteerPacket

andSafety‐Wise.

9. Howmuchtimedoweneedtofinishour

project?Isthatrealistic?

• Recommendthatthegirlscreateatimelineanda

tasklisttofigureouthowlongeverythingwilltake

tocomplete.

• Ifthegirlsgetstuck,coachthembyaskingguiding

questions.(Forexample,whichpartoftheproject

doyouthinkwilltakethemost/leasttime?)

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

Once girls have an idea of their plan, encourage them to think about what they can

add that would help make a difference even after the project ends. Discuss how others

might be able to continue the project. Encourage the girls to go over the plan one last

time to make sure that it is realistic. Make suggestions on where girls can make

adjustments to the plan.

Before the team moves to the next step, go over the plan. Use the following checklist

to make certain the team’s plan covers all the bases. The answer to all of these

questions should be “yes” in order for you to approve the project. If you find any “no”

answers, encourage the girls to go back and re-think the plan a little more.

Do girls care about the issue? Are they excited about plan?

Has the team set their goals for the project? Can girls say what they want to do

and why it matters to them?

Have the girls thought about how they will get the supplies/resources and any

money earning to complete your project? (Refer to the Girl Scout Safety-Wise

manual and your council for information about money-earning).

Have the girls created a timeline for the project?

Does the project address a need in the Girl Scout or local community?

Does the project challenge the girls’ abilities and interests?

If girls are clear on what needs to be done, they’ll be ready to get started. If not, help

the girls talk about their project by using these open ended sentences:

We will make a difference by ____________________________________________.

We hope our project will help ____________________________________________.

When we’re done, we’ll know we made a difference because ____________________

____________________________________________________________________.

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

Step 6: Put your Plan in Motion

Encourage the girls to take pride in their plan, and get to it—having fun as they go! As

the plan unfolds, you might coach the girls to live the Girl Scout Promise and Law by

listening to others’ ideas, rotating tasks, developing shared goals, working

cooperatively to resolve conflicts, reaching their goals, and finding out what roles they

each can play in their communities. Guide girls as they use their Planning Chart to map

out their action plan. The Planning Chart (located in the girl guidelines) includes the

tasks the girls need to complete for their project, when and how the tasks will be done,

and which team member will complete each task.

Encourage the team to take pictures, shoot video, or draw pictures along the way. This

will help when they share their story later.

Tips: Things didn’t go as planned? That’s okay. What did we learn? How can we adjust

our plan a little? Putting the plan into motion can be the most exciting part of earning

the award, although sometimes roadblocks can make girls feel discouraged. Encourage

the girls to work as a team and help them see how persistence and follow-through can

produce positive results.

Step 7: Spread the Word

When the girls talk about their project, they are able to educate others and inspire

them to take on the challenge to make the world a better place. Answering the

reflection questions in their award guidelines will help the girls gain insight into why

their project matters, what they learned, and what impact it has made on them, their

team, and the community.

The girls can share their experience in the form of a photo collage, a scrap book, a

short film, a play, or any other medium that works for the team. Encourage them to be

as creative as possible.

During this step, girls say thanks to all the people who helped them along the way.

You can coach girls as they write handwritten thank you notes. Each girl can choose

one person to thank.

Here are some tips to help girls reflect on their experience, what they learned, and use

their new insights to go on and inspire others by sharing their project.

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

Questions for Girls Coaching Tips

1. Howdidyoudecidewhatwasneededinyour

community?

• Encouragegirlstothinkaboutthecommunity

explorationandplanningstagesoftheirproject.

• Reviewhowtheybuilttheirteam,talkedtoothers

inthecommunityandconsideredhowtheirissue

mightoccurandaffectpeopleinotherplaces.

2. Whatdidyoudiscoveraboutyourselffromthis

experience?

• Discusstheirgoalsandhowtheywentabout

reachingthem.Iftheydidnotreachtheirgoals,

discusshowtheymighthavedonesomething

differentlyinordertodoso.

3. Howdidyourteamworktogether?

• Askgirlsabouttheactivitiesthatbroughttheteam

together.

4. Whatproblemscameup?Howdidyousolvethem? • Discusswhethertheobservationchartandplanning

charthelpedavoidorsolveproblems.

5. Whatleadershipskillsdidyouuse?

• Discusshowgirlsthinktheyhavechangedfromthe

startoftheprojecttotheend.

6. Whatdidyoudotoinspireotherstoact?

• Encouragegirlstotalkabouttheirexperienceand

whatitmeanttothem.

7. Howdoyoufeelyouandyourteamhavemadethe

worldabetterplace?

• Discusstheimpactoftheproject.Howmanypeople

werehelped?

• Discusswhatwouldmaketheprojectimpact

lasting.Cantheprojectbereplicatedsomewhere

else?

8. HowdidyouliveouttheGirlScoutPromiseand

Law?

• Weregirlshonestandfair,friendlyandhelpful,

considerateandcaring,courageousandstrong?Did

theyshowrespecttothemselvesandothers,andto

authority?Didtheyuseresourceswisely?Didthey

takeresponsibilityforwhattheysaidanddid?

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

What girls can include when they spread the word about their project:

• What their project accomplished

• Their reasons for choosing their project and what it meant to them

• What they learned

• The talents, skills, and strengths they put into action

• The tools and resources they used

• The people who helped them achieve their project goals

You have helped girls to become leaders. Celebrate the accomplishment!

Congratulations!

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience

In Girl Scouting, Discover + Connect + Take Action = Leadership. The entire Girl Scout

program, regardless of the exact topic, is designed to lead to leadership outcomes (or

benefits) that stem from these three keys.

• Discover: Girls will understand themselves and their values and use their

knowledge and skills to explore the world

• Connect: Girls care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.

• Take Action: Girls act to make the world a better place.

It’s not only about the activities girls do, however, but the processes they use to do

them that builds leadership. The Girl Scout processes promote the fun and friendship

that have always been so integral to Girl Scouting.

• Girl-led: Girls play an active part in figuring out the what, where, when, how,

and why of their activities.

• Learning by doing: Girls use a hands-on learning process that engages them

in continuous cycles of action and reflection that result in deeper understanding

of concepts and mastery of practical skills.

• Cooperative learning: Through cooperative learning, girls work together

toward goals that can be accomplished only with the help of others, in an

atmosphere of respect and collaboration.

When Discover, Connect, and Take Action activities are girl-led and involve learning by

doing and cooperative learning, girls achieve the desired and expected short-term

outcomes. This ultimately results in Girl Scouting achieving its mission of building “girls

of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls gain specific knowledge, skills,

attitudes, behaviors, and values in Girl Scouting. Help girls reflect on the experience,

the impact they have had and how the experience has helped to strengthen their

leadership skills. Use the fifteen outcomes on the next page as a springboard.

For more about The Girl Scout Leadership Experience including the leadership

outcomes on the next page, go to www.girlscouts.org/gsle.

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Adult Guide The Girl Scout Bronze Award

This chart helps you guide the girls as they reflect on what they have learned and how they used their

leadership skills to make a difference in the world. The leadership outcomes will show girls how they developed,

while the possible indicators will show you how those outcomes are exhibited.

Leadership Outcomes Followingarethe15GirlScoutleadershipoutcomes

thatstemfromthethreeleadershipkeys

Possible Indicators Whentheoutcomeisachieved…

DISCOVEROutcomes

• Girlsdevelopastrongsenseofself.

• Girlsdeveloppositivevalues.

• Girlsgainpracticallifeskills—girlspractice

healthyliving

• Girlsseekchallengesintheworld.

• Girlsdevelopcriticalthinking.

CONNECTOutcomes

• Girlsdevelophealthyrelationships.

• Girlspromotecooperationandteam

building.

• Girlscanresolveconflicts.

• Girlsadvancediversityinamulticultural

world.

• Girlsfeelconnectedtotheircommunities,

locallyandglobally.

TAKEACTIONOutcomes

• Girlscanidentifycommunityneeds.

• Girlsareresourcefulproblemsolvers.

• Girlsadvocateforthemselvesandothers,

locallyandglobally.

• Girlseducateandinspireotherstoact.

• Girlsfeelempoweredtomakeadifferencein

theworld.

DISCOVEROutcomeIndicators

• Girlsmakeuseofstrategiestoresistpeerpressure.

• Girlsreportgreaterappreciationforthediversityofvaluesbasedon

individualand/orculturaldifferences.

• Girlsreportincreaseinterestinlearningmoreabouthowexercise,diet,

relaxation,andotheractivitiescangivebalancetotheirlives.

• Girlscanidentifyanddistinguishbetweenpositiveandnegativerisk.

• Girlsareabletodebateordiscussvariousperspectivesonanissuethey

areconcernedabout.

CONNECTOutcomeIndicators

• Girlsareabletogiveexamplesofbehaviorstheyusetopromote

mutualrespect,trust,andunderstanding.

• Girlsarebetterabletodescribeobstaclestogroupworkandsuggest

possiblesolutions.

• Girlscandescribehowtheymanagetheiremotionstodiffuseconflicts.

• Girlsidentifymainchallengesandprivilegesthatvariousgroups

experienceintoday’sworld.

• Girlsdescribehowtheirparticipationinlargercommunitiessupported

theirpersonalandleadershipgoals.

TAKEACTIONOutcomeIndicators

• Girlsreportusingavarietyoftoolstoidentifyneeds,assets,and

potentialimpactoftheirplannedprojects.

• Girlsdemonstrateindependenceinthinkingthroughtherequired

componentsoftheiractionplans.

• Girlscangiveexamplesofhowyouthcaninfluenceand/orparticipate

incommunitydecision‐making.

• Girlsreportknowinghowtotailortheirmessagestovariousaudiences.

• GirlsexpresspridethattheirTakeActionprojectimprovedthe

functioningofsomeaspectoftheircommunities.

9/20/2013

Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, at a Glance

AWARDS

GIRL SCOUT

BRONZE AWARD®

GIRL SCOUT

SILVER AWARD®

GIRL SCOUT

GOLD AWARD®

GRADE Girls must be in 4th or 5th grade and a registered Girl Scout Junior

Girls must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and a registered Girl Scout Cadette

Girls must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador

OVERVIEW Prerequisite Complete a Junior Journey

including the Awards within=Take Action project

Bronze Award Be part of a troop or group

where girls take the lead Use Bronze Award Guidelines to

develop a 20 hour project Take action on a community

issue the troop or group cares about

Help and guidance provided by troop/group volunteer

*Council approval needed for any money earning

Project must be completed by September 30 after 5th grade graduation

*Adhere to guidelines in the Volunteer Essentials

Prerequisite Complete a Cadette Journey

including the Awards within=Take Action project

Silver Award Work as an individual or in a small

group(2-4) where girls take the lead

Use Silver Award Guidelines to develop a 50 hour project

Take action on a community issue that the girls care about

Help and guidance provided by troop/group volunteer

*Council approval needed for any money earning

Project must be completed by September 30 after 8th grade graduation

Prerequisite Complete two Journeys (Senior

or Ambassador) OR Earn the Silver Award and complete one Journey including the Award within=Take Action project

Gold Award Individually girl led; girl selects

and recruits Project Advisor Use Gold Award Guidelines to

develop a 80 hour project Take action on a community

issue the girl cares about Help and guidance provided by

Project Advisor *Council approval needed for

any money earning Deadline for HS Seniors to

submit a Gold Award proposal to council is October 1st

Project must be completed by September 30 after 12th grade graduation

TAKE ACTION PROJECT

Group Take Action Project focuses on something the girls care about that they would like to improve within their Girl Scout or local community. Puts the Promise and Law into action

Individual or group Take Action Project that makes the local neighborhood or community better. Puts the Promise and Law into action

Individual Take Action Project that makes a lasting difference in the local community, region, or beyond. Puts the Promise and Law into action

SUSTAINABLE

After the project is complete, girls develop an understanding of sustainability by talking together about how solutions can be lasting.

Girls demonstrate an understanding of sustainability in the project plan and implementation.

Take Action Project includes provisions to ensure sustainability.

GLOBAL After the project is complete, girls develop an understanding of the wider world by talking together about how others may experience the same problem that their project helped resolve.

Girls connect with new friends outside their immediate community, learn how others have solved similar problems and determine if the ideas of others can help with their plan.

Girls identify national and/or global links to their selected issue. They learn from others and develop a plan to share the results of their project beyond the local community.

PROJECT APPROVAL

Troop/Group Volunteer Troop/Group Volunteer Council’s Gold Award Committee

RESOURCES Junior The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting

Bronze Award Guidelines on www.gsnc.org

Adult guide on www.gsnc.org

Cadette The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting

Silver Award Guidelines on www.gsnc.org

Adult guide on www.gsnc.org Final Report Form www.gsnc.org Council Take Action for the Silver

Award Seminar

Senior and/or Ambassador The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting

Gold Award Guidelines on www.gsnc.org

Proposal Form www.gsnc.org Adult guide on www.gsnc.org Council Take Action for the Gold

Award Seminar

FAQ for Funding a Bronze Award ProjectQ. Does a Bronze Award Project need to cost a lot of money?

A. Most award projects don’t cost a lot of money and sometimes nothing at all. Part of expanding girls’ leadership skills is finding creative ways to get supplies donated.

Q. If money is needed how should we begin?

A. The first way to fund Bronze Award Projects is to use troop funds to cover expenses. Girls can vote to use troop funds to cover the cost of award projects.

Easy ways to build troop funds:

l Mags&Munchie…and more l Cookie Program

Q. After you have taken part in the most recent Council product sales and you still don’t have enough funds what do you do?

A. You can move on to money-earning activities with Council’s approval. The money–earning activities are planned and carried out by girls and supported by adults to earn money for the troop treasury.

Examples: l Gift-wrapping for the holidays l Babysitting at Town meetings, school meetings, or other public places l Spaghetti Supper l Car wash l Garage sale l Raking leaves, shoveling walks, weeding gardens l Birthday party service l Craft sale l Collect & redeem recyclable materials

Be creative! There are many more ways in which you can earn money!

Troops must participate in the most recent Council-sponsored Mags&Munchies AND Cookie product sales programs before any other additional troop money earning projects can be approved.

Q. Do you need to apply for a troop money-earning activity with Council?

A. Yes, Troop Money Earning Application

Q. Can you run money-earning activities (ex. yard sale) during council product sales?

A. No, there are blackout dates where no money-earning activities can take place: l The in-person order taking period for Mags&Munchies, which is usually late September through October. l The initial order taking period for Cookies, which is usually late December through January.

Check the GSNC website or the GSNC OLC for the specific dates of these programs each year.

Q. What are the guidelines for accepting donations or money-earning limits?

A. l Less than $250.00: may be accepted by an individual/troop/group l More than $250.00: must be submitted to GSNC and Council will disperse the funds l Sponsorships: Troop/group receives total donation l Matching Gifts: Prior to applying, contact Luci Duckson-Bramble at lduckson@gsnc.org

Q. Can you set up a Crowd Sourcing funding website?

A. No, at this time GSUSA has not approved this type of funding. Ex: Go Fund Me page

Q. Does money-earning income ever become the property of an individual member, girl or adult?

A. No, it is used for awards projects only.

Q. Can a Girl Scout who is Non-Troop Affiliated (NTA) money-earn for her Bronze Award Project?

A. Yes, she can, but she needs to use all the money raised toward her project. Any funds left over will go to the Juliette Gordon Low fund.

Q. Do the money-earning hours count toward the award’s project hours?

A. No, for example the hours spent organizing and running a car wash does not count toward Bronze Award project hours. Those hours are not specific to the project.

Q. Can a girl “ask” for donations (cash or checks) for her Bronze Awards Project?

A. No, she can present her project, dressed in uniform, but the adult with her must do the “ask.” Example: Seeking donation from the local Kiwanis.

Q. Do the hours when a Girl Scout is presenting her project to get donations count?

A. Yes, those hours are specific to the project.

Q. What if a company or organization needs the request in writing on GSNC letterhead?

A. GSNC can provide letterhead. Girls can write the first part of the letter explaining the project. The adult needs to write the last paragraph “asking” for the donation.

Q. Can we charge an event fee for our Bronze Award Project?

A. Yes, but only to cover materials, never to make money.

Q. Can a girl or her family make personal contributions for their Bronze Awards Project?

A. Yes, but it should not be a hardship for the family. Girls should be encouraged to work on a budget for their project and come up with ways to fund it first.

Q. Can girls/troop apply for a grant?

A. Yes, but must contact GSNC Fund Development first. Email Luci Duckson-Bramble at lduckson@gsnc.org

Q. Are there inappropriate money-earning activities that we should avoid?

A. Yes: l Games of chance, raffles l Home demonstration parties: Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc. l Receiving a percentage of sales (where a portion of the sales goes back to the Troop) from a business during a specific time frame where those sales generate a profit for a specific company: Applebee’s, Macy’s, McDonald’s, etc., is not allowed. l Fundraisers for other organizations

Q. Can Cookie Credits be used for funding a Bronze Award project?

A. Yes, an estimate needs to be submitted to GSNC and we will write a check to the vendor, or the troop can pay for the supplies and GSNC can reimburse the troop account. Girls cannot receive cash or check directly.

What NOT To Do for the Girl Scout Bronze Award

Find a project online that someone else did and copy it

You should be finding a problem in your neighborhood that needs improvements and develop your own project to fix it.

Put a few small projects together to make up the hours The Bronze Award is one complete project not a set of smaller projects combined.

Set up a project without a team, just working by yourself or just you and your parents Bronze Award projects are team projects. If you do not have a troop team available to you, develop a team with friends your own age in your neighborhood. They would have the option to join Girl Scouting and earn the award themselves.

Put together a project that is a fundraiser to donate money to an organization This is not allowed for the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Plan a project that is less than 20 hours per girl minimum Bronze Award projects are targeted at 20 hours per g irl and you must plan for that amount. The 20 hours include all that you do in the Girl Scout Bronze Award Guideline to come up with your project idea.

Set up a project where you show no leadership

Each girl needs to be responsible for one specific piece of the project to gain leadership skills.

Plan a project that is just collecting and donating items to an organization Collecting and donating is a great SERVICE project but it is not to be used for the Bronze Award Take Action Project.

The Bronze Award is earned by completing a Take Action Project, where you discover an issue or need in your community that you work on to improve.

Any questions contact Awards Program Specialist, Patte Conway conwayp@gsnc.org