You're ready to make the world a better place. Show everyone how you’ll do it by earning the Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards. Each award will challenge you and helps you take action in a big way.
Find awards and scholarships that reflect your accomplishments.
The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) recognizes the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.
The PVSA has three levels of awards (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) for volunteers who have achieved a certain amount of service hours based on their age during a 12-month period (May 1 through April 30). A Lifetime Achievement Award is also available for those who have reached the 4,000-mark of service hours achieved.
Learn more about eligibility requirements.
Updated May 27, 2025: At this time, the PVSA program has been placed on pause, at the national level. While our members can continue tracking their volunteer hours, we are currently unsure how long this pause will last. At this time, we do not have a date for when the program will resume. This uncertainty may impact our ability to order the official award certificate and pin for the current award cycle that ends on April 30th, 2026.
To clarify, PVSA awards for the 2025 cycle (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025) are not impacted and will still be fulfilled. However, the 2026 cycle, which began May 1, 2025, is the one currently affected, and we cannot guarantee award fulfillment at this time.
Message from AmeriCorps on pause: The President’s Volunteer Service Award is on a temporary pause, as decided by AmeriCorps effective May 27, 2025. At this time, orders for awards and applications to become a Certifying Organization are not being accepted.
If there are any questions, please review our FAQs or reach out to PVSA@americorps.gov.
The new Leadership Awards are about building real skills for real impact and having the confidence to turn your ideas into action. Whether you’re figuring out what leadership means to you, working with a team, leading a group, or stepping up to a challenge, these awards are designed to help you explore what leadership means to you—no pressure, just room to grow.
The True North award is about discovering what matters to you and staying true to yourself. It’s your chance to follow your values and take meaningful action, even when it feels hard or a little scary. Whether you’re finding the courage to speak up for what you believe in, taking on challenges, or advocating for positive change, this award helps you build the confidence and clarity to chart your own course and take courageous steps toward what truly matters to you.
Bonus feature: Earning the True North award for your program level opens the door to the Highest Awards. Once you earn this award, you’ve fulfilled the prerequisite and are ready to start your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.
Download the Volunteer Guide and Action Plan PDFs:
Make it official—Get your award pin!
Silver Torch award: Learn how to shine on a team at school or within a place of worship, Girl Scouts, or a community organization. Work toward a shared goal, support your teammates, and build confidence as you find out what motivates people and inspires positive change.
Gold Torch award: This award gives you the know-how and skills to lead with purpose and heart, not just be in charge. Whether you’re a team captain, club officer, advisory board member, or a leader at a community organization, you’ll learn how to bring people together, turn ideas into impact, and inspire others.
Bonus feature: Earning the Torch award for your program level opens the door to the Highest Awards. Once you earn this award, you’ve fulfilled the prerequisite and are ready to start your Silver or Gold Award.
Download the Volunteer Guide and Action Plan PDFs:
Make it official—Get your award pin!
Junior Aide award (Junior): Discover your leadership style by planning and leading a fun, inclusive activity for younger kids. Build your confidence as you learn what it means to guide and inspire others.
Program Aide award (Cadette): Grow your leadership skills by planning and leading multiple activities—including a full meeting—for younger Girl Scouts. You’ll practice being a role model and engaging different age groups along the way.
Volunteer in Training award (Senior/Ambassador): Take charge by leading two full meetings. Create meaningful experiences that help younger Girl Scouts learn, grow, and feel included while making a lasting impact as a mentor and leader.
Counselor in Training I (Senior/Ambassador): Team up with other teens to learn how to connect with campers, shadow and support camp staff, and take the lead on songs, games, and group activities. You’ll build real leadership skills, make a lasting impact, and become the role model younger campers look up to—all while having a blast at camp.
Counselor in Training II (Ambassador): Take your leadership to the next level by planning and leading fun, meaningful activities, including a hands-on service project, for younger campers. You’ll also get to support camp staff by helping to manage schedules, keep groups on track, and handle real-life challenges like conflict resolution. You’ll grow your skills, make a difference, and keep being the role model others look up to.
For Counselor in Training I and II, reach out to your local Girl Scout council to locate a CIT program at a camp near you.
Bonus feature: Earning one Leadership award for your program level opens the door to the Highest Awards. Once you earn this award, you’ve fulfilled the prerequisite and are ready to start your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.
Download the Volunteer Guide and Action Plan PDFs:
Make it official—Get your award pin!
Take Action award: Team up to identify a local issue, understand what’s behind it and who’s already working on it, and create a lasting solution.
Global Action award: Explore how communities worldwide experience similar issues, then make a global connection by applying what you learn to your project.
Bonus feature: Earning one Community Advocacy award opens the door to the Highest Awards. Once you earn this award, you’ve fulfilled the prerequisite and are ready to start your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award.
Download the Volunteer Guide and Action Plan PDFs:
Make it official—Get your award pin!
Serve as a leader, advocate, and be a voice for and within the council.
Represent the council at events, media appearances, and more.
Take on leadership roles at Camp Metro and Camp La Jita.
Rock your cookie business and be a Cookie Entrepreneurial Officer.
