The Badge Archive

As Girl Scouts earn more badges than ever before, many families and leaders find themselves asking: How do we fit them all on the uniform? Whether your scout is a Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, the challenge is real, especially if she’s earning a wide variety of badges, including retired ones (which are still valid to wear, per GSUSA).

Here’s what you need to know about badge placement, uniform guidelines, and creative ways to display every hard-earned badge and patch.

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What’s Allowed on the Uniform

According to GSUSA’s official uniform guide, each level has one official uniform item (a sash, vest, or tunic) to display earned badges, pins, and insignia. Official badges, pins, and insignia from GSUSA are placed on the front of the uniform. However, if you run out of space, you may place earned badges on the back, alongside fun patches, which are always worn on the back.

What’s not allowed: altering the uniform with added fabric, ribbons, capes, or extensions. These may be creative, but they fall outside GSUSA’s uniform standards.

For level-specific diagrams, we recommend the Uniform Guide from Girl Scouts River Valleys.

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Tips for Badge Placement at Any Level

• Start with the front: Prioritize Journey awards, skill-building badges, and legacy badges.
• Plan ahead: If your scout is ambitious, leave room for future badges on the back of the uniform to fit them all. We recommend leaving enough for a few rows on the bottom of the uniform back.
• Be selective with fun patches: Choose favorites for the uniform and save the rest for another display.

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Creative Alternatives for Fun Patches

These options let scouts show off their patch pride without sacrificing uniform space.

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Want a Visual Guide?

Check out Emilee’s Uniform Guide for helpful diagrams and layout tips to maximize badge space across all levels.

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What About Uniform Alterations?

Some families get creative when space runs out, adding fabric to the bottom of the vest, sewing on ribbon extensions, or even creating cape-style overlays to hold more patches. While these solutions are popular in some circles, GSUSA does not officially allow any alterations to the uniform. That means no added panels, capes, ribbons, or sewn-on extensions.

That said, many troops and families choose to make these modifications anyway. In most cases, councils won’t object unless the altered uniform is being used to represent Girl Scouts in official media, like a TV appearance or newspaper photo. It’s a personal decision, but it’s important to know the guidelines before making changes.

A Practical Compromise: Detachable Displays

If your scout has outgrown her vest’s space but doesn’t want to stop collecting or wearing patches, one middle-ground option some leaders use is a detachable cape or panel. Held in place by snaps, Velcro, or buttons, this add-on can be worn for troop events or informal gatherings, and easily removed for official appearances, photographs, or media coverage where adherence to GSUSA uniform standards is expected.

This allows scouts to continue proudly showcasing their accomplishments while still respecting the guidelines when representing Girl Scouts publicly. It’s not officially endorsed, but it offers a flexible solution that honors both creativity and policy

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What About Social Media Posts That Show Altered Uniforms?

While GSUSA’s official uniform policy does not allow alterations (such as adding fabric extensions, ribbons, or cape-style panels) photos of such uniforms have occasionally appeared on GSUSA’s social media channels. These posts may show scouts with extended patch “tails” or creative displays that go beyond the standard vest or sash.

These posts should not be interpreted as official endorsements or policy changes. According to GSUSA’s Social Media Community Guidelines, content shared on social platforms is meant to foster community engagement and may include user-submitted photos. GSUSA’s Social media teams may highlight creative expressions they find inspiring, even if those expressions don’t strictly align with uniform regulations.

These posts do not override official uniform standards. In practice, scouts representing Girl Scouts at official media events, ceremonies, or promotional appearances are expected to follow traditional guidelines, and councils may review uniforms for compliance in those settings.

So while creative alterations may be celebrated informally online, they are not officially sanctioned, and should be approached with that understanding.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

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!

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• Return to the Daisy Badge List.
• Return to the Brownie Badge List.
• Return to the Junior Badge List.
• Return to the Cadette Badge List.
• Return to the Senior Badge List.
• Return to the Ambassador Badge List.

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