Alamitos-Marina Service Unit Title

Links for

Girl Scouts 11 - 17

(...and their Leaders/Advisors!)

This page contains links of use to girl members and advisors of Girl Scouts: 11 - 17 or (as one troop decided to call itself) "Girl Scouts of the age level formerly known as Cadettes and Seniors". Information on this page is related to earning the Silver and Gold Awards, Focus Books, and Interest Projects. Since use of any of these materials may be dependent upon "local rules", I've given the source as well.

Straight from the horse's mouth -- the following links take you to the GSUSA web site

Some notices from GSUSA:

Girl Scout Gold Award Reminders

Pins and Charms: Yes! Girls can choose the Leadership and Career pins instead of or in addition to the charms. Don't forget they can also use the STUDIO 2B charm holder if they choose the charm and want to pin it to the uniform.

Girl Scout Gold Award: Yes! It is available as a pin or a pendant.

Second printing of the GS Gold Award Go for It! booklet: Shops were asked to ship booklets back because the printer used a wrong version of the manuscript, which asked girls to use the Take Charge! Focus book. The Focus Book requirement is the girl.s choice.

Council Guide: The Girl Scout Gold Award Council Guide has been updated to reflect recent changes.

The Girl Scout Silver Award Go For It! booklet: Two printing errors have been corrected for the second edition. The total Silver Award Project hours are 40 and the completion age is 14 or going into the 10th grade.

2008 National Girl Scout Leadership Institute October 29-30, 2008

The 2008 Girl Scout Leadership Institute (GSLI) (formerly Girl Congress) is part of the leadership development program for girls in grades 6 -12, designed to develop and hone their leadership skills, provide an opportunity to discuss key health issues relevant to them, and engage in a fun and interactive learning environment with peers and adults. Sponsored by Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, the GSLI will be held on October 29-30, 2008, in Indianapolis, Indiana, prior to the National Council Session.

Over 2,000 girls from across the country will have the opportunity to participate in this unique and exciting event. The 2008 GSLI will serve as a model for future national, regional and local GSLIs to be implemented throughout Girl Scouting. As part of this leadership experience, girls will have the opportunity to engage in a myriad of workshops in an environment that fosters inclusion and pluralism. Workshop topics range from understanding the democratic process in a way that prepares girls to better participate in the business of the National Convention to learning and discussing key issues of health relevant to and identified by girls, such as self-esteem, bullying and stress.

With experts in these fields leading group sessions, girls will be provided a safe space to discuss ideas and issues that are important to them. Through participation in these workshops girls will identify ways the information is personally relevant, as well as strategies to take action back in their communities.

There are many helps available on the internet created by different Councils to assist you in earning the Silver and Gold Awards. While the Silver Award -- at least in our council -- is completed when your leader says it is, the requirements and procedures for the Gold Award are what the council says they are. Note: all of these helps are based on the "old" requirements.

Do not attempt to use materials from another council -- or for that matter, from GSUSA -- without checking with your council first!

From Our Council, Girl Scout Council of Greater Long Beach:

From Rolling Hills Council:

Prepared for Wagon Wheel Council by a volunteer

Other Helps by Troops and Individuals:

Destinations (formerly known as Wider Opportunity) Info

Gold Award College Scholarship Information from GSUSA

An extensive list of links for Cadettes, Seniors, and Girl Scouts 11 to 17 is available at The Scouting Web -- if what you want isn't mentioned on this page, give 'em a try!

Many useful files are available in the files section of the Cadette/Senior leaders e-mail group at Yahoo. Once you subscribe (by giving them your e-mail address and a password), you can join the Cadette/Senior leaders group ("cad-senleaders"). Some of the files listed on this page are available in the group's "Files" section, as well as many additional checklists and helps leaders have created. Definitely worthwhile!

Religious Awards

P.R.A.Y. is the home for the religious awards for most Protestant denominations, and has links to most others (except Wiccan)

Bridging

The following appeared on the On-Line Council Network for staff employees at Girl Scout councils, but seemed too useful to let it languish there!

Bridging and Celebrations for Girls 11 and Up

Making It Meaningful

Up to now, bridging has been laid out in a formula for transition at each age level, with activities clearly spelled out. The ceremony itself is not the point, it's making a journey from the familiar to something new and different that inspires girls. The journey develops more twists and turns as girls move into the tweens and teens, and offers more opportunities for creativity and girl planning.

We have been marking the transitions of girls from Junior Girl Scouts to Cadette Girl Scouts, and from Cadette into Senior Girl Scouts. These two passages are still an option and the available insignia are:

  1. Bridging to Cadettes
  2. Bridging to Seniors
  3. Bridging to Adults
  4. 10 Year Pin
  5. Membership discs and stars

Remember however, that the current bridging practices really don't synchronize with girl development patterns. We know from girls that their physical, emotional, and social development changes as they progress through three stages of adolescence: 11-13; 13-15 and 15-17. By marking these stages with celebrations and rites of passage, we can better meet the needs of girls.

GSUSA is encouraging Girl Scouts 11-17 and adults to think more broadly and creatively about marking the passage of girls throughout adolescence and the transition into adulthood. Some examples about building new transitional celebrations for girls are listed below.

Ages and Stages: Cause for Celebration

Moving to "By Girls, For Girls" in Bridging Ceremonies for Girls 11-17

GSUSA is encouraging girls 11-17 in partnership with their advisors to create their own criteria for earning the current bridging insignia (listed below). Girls and advisors may:

GSUSA is even exploring the possibility of creating new insignia, as well as honoring outstanding examples of creativity and meaningful program activities related to transitional activities for girls 11-13, 13-15 and 15-17. You are invited to send your ideas and successful bridging activities to Jennifer Goddard at Girl Scouts of the USA at jgoddard@girlscouts.org .

Suggestions for Ages and Stages, 11-18

Transitioning into Ages 11 and 12: 'Tweens

The end of Junior Girl Scouts and the first stage of adolescence can be marked by transitioning to the STUDIO 2B approach--which makes Girl Scouts "bigger" for girls! Options may be overwhelming at first. Girls may be staying with the same group of girls, or going into different groups as they move to different schools. They need to build a firm network for transition and support. Bridging activities at this point should still be focusing on preparation for the transition. We suggest components that include:

Transitioning into Ages 13-15: Teens at Last!

Becoming an "official" teen is both an exciting and confusing time for most girls. This is often the most angst driven and "me" focused period of being a teen-girls are entering or well into puberty, and change and relationships govern actions. Girl Scouting offers a haven to "be a girl" and explore issues encountered in the teen years with advisors and sister Girl Scouts, as well as find a voice in the teen community. Consider celebrating and acknowledge changes- in bodies, relationships, self-esteem..

Resources available to girls 13-15, include all of the resources listed above and:

Transitioning into Ages 16-17: Focus on the Future

The last two years of high school find a girl focusing on success in school, becoming her own person, and looking at careers and college. Often serious relationships develop, yet girl friends are needed as a support system. Adult mentors and networks are important. Life seems more focused and serious. Girls are given more responsibility and have more to stress out about. Time management is essential for busy calendars. Consider celebrating this stage by affirming friendships, networks and mentors, and accomplishments.

Resources available to girls 16-17, include all of the resources listed above and:

Links on Girl Scout Central:

Bridging to Adult Girl Scouting

If girls choose to bridge to adult Girl Scouting, they may want to volunteer their time at their council, or directly to girls, as a leader of a troop/group. Completing the activities below will enable girls to earn the Bridge to Adult Girl Scout pin-or, exploring what it means to be an adult Girl Scout in your own way.

Bridge to Adults Requirements:

Once bridged, a girl may register as an adult and wear the adult uniform.

Resources