Change the world, Girl Scout!
Gold Award Girl Scouts are role models and real-life heroes. How do they do it? By using everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to solve a problem in their community or make a lasting change in their world.
Seniors and Ambassadors who want to go for the Gold Award build a team of trusted adults, peers, and leaders in their community to guide them through challenges and support their success.
For Girl Scouts
Nothing beats that feeling of seeing real, lasting, and sustainable change and knowing it was you who made it happen. It changes the way you see your place in the world—and how the world sees you. This journey may open the door to scholarships, recognition and future opportunities.
Important Deadlines:
Gold Award final reports must be submitted no later than Sept. 1st of a Girl Scout's high school graduation year. To attend the Gold Award ceremony of that year, the deadline to attend submit the final report is April 1st.
Congratulations to our 2026 Gold Award Girl Scouts!
How to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award
- Review the Guidelines above
- Complete the Youth Gold Award Training
- Create an account in GoGold Online
- Follow the GoGold Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose a Girl Scout volunteer, who can be your troop leader or other trusted adult, but not your parent, to be your Gold Award Coach and inform council by emailing gold@sdgirlscouts.org. New Gold Award coaches must follow the onboarding process outlined below before helping you with your project. If you do not know of a volunteer willing to be your coach, email us and we will assign you an experienced Gold Award coach
- Work with your coach to develop and submit your proposal
- Once your proposal is approved, complete steps 6-7 in GoGold Online by leading your team and carrying out your project plan
- Work with your Gold Award Coach and submit your final report in GoGold for council approval
- Reflect on the change you’ve created in your community and the world, share your story, and inspire others to make a difference, too.
Prerequisites for a Girl Scout to earn the Gold Award:
- Be in high school and have reached April 1 of your ninth grade year
- Be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador
- Have completed one of the following: the Silver Award, a Senior/Ambassador Leadership Award, or a Senior/Ambassador Journey
*Journeys are retiring Oct. 1, 2026, but will still be honored as prerequisites if already completed
Additional Resources for Girl Scouts 
Additional Resources for Grown-Ups
Become a Gold Award Coach
Every interested and eligible adult—whether experienced or new to the Movement—can become a Gold Award Coach and successfully support Girl Scouts.
GET THE HANDBOOK
How to Become a Gold Award Coach
Highest Award Prerequisites
Meet Our 2026 Gold Award Girl Scouts
