The Badge Archive

Note, this post doesn’t include the Trailblazer and Mariner awards or the new self care badges that will be soon coming out. We cover those in our other post on the full list of what is new in GSUSA 2025.

But let’s actually take a look at what’s really new, and what’s simply been rebranded by GSUSA. You may be surprised by what’s staying and what’s being retired.

Retiring Journeys & LiAs

The Journey badges are all officially retiring in October 2026, though scouts can still earn journeys and use them as prerequisites for higher awards during the transition period.

Journey Summit Pins will also sunset in October 2026.

Leader in Action (LiA) Awards for Cadettes have already been retired, effective immediately.

Anyone that wonders if its official can check out the new GSUSA Award Logs where it clearly marks the Journeys as retiring on 10/1/2026, and no longer has the LiA’s listed.

Global Action & Take Action Awards: Reimagined

Keep in mind there is only ONE Global Action and Take Action pin for all J/C/S/A levels. You only earn either of these awards once. Not every level.

Both Global Action Award badges and Take Action Project (TAP) badges are being retired in October 2026. In their place, scouts now earn the Global Action Award pin or Take Action Award pin, each following the same steps:

• Identify a community issue
• Explore the issue’s root causes
• Differs between levels:
  • Junior & Cadette: Brainstorm project ideas
  • Senior & Ambassador: Brainstorm solutions
• Make a plan
• Take Action and celebrate!

For the Global Action pin, scouts focus on one of the UN’s 17 Global Goals.
For the Take Action pin, scouts center their work around local issues.

How Is the New Take Action/Global Action Award Different?

Old TAP Badge:
Scouts were asked to take action on a community issue with a thoughtful project. However, many scouts and leaders misunderstood or shortened the process, sometimes turning it into a one-day event or awareness activity without planning for sustainability or deeper engagement.

New Take Action Award Pin:
This new version clarifies the expectations:

• Scouts must research root causes, not just discuss or think of them
• They propose solutions (not just activities)
• They create a plan that includes future use, handoff, or system change
• Their project should take several meetings or weeks, not just one session

What This Means for Leaders

If it sounds like a one-hour activity, it’s probably not a Take Action Award. If it sounds like a pilot project with steps, training, or follow-through, it’s closer to what this pin really represents. These are closer to mini-Bronze projects if a leader follows the new Guides that GSUSA has put out.

• Take Action and Global Action Junior:  Action Plan | Volunteer Guide
• Take Action and Global Action Cadette:  Action Plan | Volunteer Guide
• Take Action and Global Action Senior & Ambassador:  Action Plan | Volunteer Guide

And yes – those times in the Volunteer Guides are accurate. On the day of the announcement, we already pulled our teen scout into action and walked through the steps. It takes 30-60 minutes for each of them if you make sure they do the research and fill out the template forms GSUSA includes in the Action Plan document.

Check out the walk through we made using Autism Awareness as the issue. (Personal Note – we spent hours collecting all that information and making project plans. We hope someone out there will use some of them!)

Introducing the True North Award

While it can be done as a troop, this award is made more for the individual scouts to do on their own initiative. It can be earned up to three times based on your age group: Juniors, Middle Schoolers, and High Schoolers.

Think of it as a TAP, but for your own growth and leadership journey, not a community or global issue.

What About TAPs?

Any of theses three new awards will be pre-requisites for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. But during this transition year (2025-26), while the Journeys are still in place, a Journey can still be used as a pre-requisite for the higher awards.

Leadership Path Pins

The biggest shift? These leadership pins are no longer limited to helping younger Girl Scouts—they can now teach younger children in any organization. The Program Aide and VIT awards still require a group with a formal meeting for you to lead, but any group of younger children are allowed.

This updated pin restores best practices in youth leadership development:

• Observe younger children to understand their needs and group dynamics
• Assist with a meeting or program to learn through experience
• Plan and lead an activity (not a full meeting) based on what they’ve learned

This return to basics helps scouts build confidence and capability, mirroring real-world training models: shadow first, then step in with support.

The former Council-level training requirement has been removed, making the award more accessible while still developing real skills. And, of course, it has a brand new look.

VIT’s Council level training requirement has also been removed. Instead, it emphasizes practical leadership, allowing older scouts to practice goal-setting, meeting management, and youth empowerment. It took, sports a new look to match the other two awards.

Together, these revamped awards create a scaffolded leadership path: starting with observation and progressing toward full scout-led experiences. It’s leadership in action, from Junior to Ambassador.

Counselor in Training I & II

The Counselor in Training (CIT) awards for older Girl Scouts continue to focus on building leadership through camp programming. Both pins have received a refreshed look. Unlike the updates made to Junior Aide, Program Aide, and Volunteer in Training, GSUSA has not introduced any new requirements for CIT I or CIT II.

Instead, scouts are instructed to contact their council to find a qualifying CIT program offered at camp. Both awards still require a council-led training, making them unique among the updated leadership pathway pins.

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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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