The Badge Archive

GSUSA – Leadership Awards

Leadership Opportunities for Older Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts at C/S/A level have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while working with younger scouts. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors all have unique awards to earn that nurture their growth as leaders and role models.

✨ LiA & PA Awards (For Cadettes):

  • Leadership in Action (LiA):
    Cadettes plan, lead, and reflect on activities from a Brownie Journey. LiA is an excellent opportunity for Cadettes to practice leadership while engaging with younger scouts.
    • Activities include helping Brownies explore their Journey topic, facilitating team-building exercises, encouraging creativity, and connecting the Girl Scout Law to their Journey.
  • Program Aide (PA):
    Cadettes earn the PA pin by completing:
    1. A council-designed leadership training. Hands-on leadership experience by working directly with younger scouts.
    • Some councils do not require Cadettes to complete their LiA award before starting PA training. The new printed handbooks in Cadettes also do not state the LiA is required to earn the PA pin. The main GSUSA Girl Scout Shop does state a LiA is required. Check your council’s guidelines for details.

✨ CIT & VIT Pins (For Seniors and Ambassadors):

  • Counselor in Training (CIT):
    Seniors and Ambassadors can take their leadership skills to the next level by working with younger girls in a camp setting. The CIT pin focuses on developing mentorship, outdoor leadership, and facilitation skills through a structured training program.
  • Volunteer in Training (VIT):
    This pin allows Seniors and Ambassadors to mentor younger Girl Scouts outside of camp settings. It focuses on planning and leading activities for younger scouts, often as part of service projects, troop meetings, or events.
    • To earn the VIT pin, scouts typically create and lead a series of activities and complete a training program with council-specific requirements.

✨ Creative Approaches to Leadership:

  1. Journey in a Day Events:
    • Cadettes can host events for Brownies to complete their Journey requirements in a fun, focused day. Use tools like Google Forms for registration and promote events through local Girl Scout pages and social media.
  2. Badge Workshops:
    • Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can plan and lead badge workshops for younger scouts, integrating leadership, creativity, and teamwork.
  3. Community Events:
    • Older scouts can lead or assist at Service Unit or council-wide events, honing their organizational and facilitation skills while engaging with younger scouts.

✨ Why Leadership Awards Matter:
Each of these awards empowers scouts to build confidence, develop critical leadership skills, and contribute to their Girl Scout communities. Whether earning LiA, PA, CIT, or VIT awards, these experiences prepare scouts for lifelong success as mentors, role models, and changemakers.

–

For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

–

–

Tia Kennard