The Badge Archive

As a new GSUSA leader, navigating the process of finding, understanding, and completing badges is a primary responsibility. This guide outlines the official sources for badge information and explains how badge requirements can be interpreted within your troop and how you can track them.

Finding a List of Badges

To explore current GSUSA badges, refer to the following official resources:

• GSUSA Badge Explorer: An interactive online tool outlining the available badges for each grade level and what their requirements are.
• The Girl Scout Shop: The online storefront where physical badges and booklets are purchased. Each badge should have the requirements listed on the shop page.
• GSUSA Award Logs: Charts that show the images and names for badges and awards for each level.

Additionally, The Badge Archive provides a comprehensive list of both current and retired badges with simple summaries of what each badge is about and our own summary of the five basic requirements. Our summary is based of the booklets that have more information and give a more detailed description than the often vague basic requirement statements.

Understanding Badge Requirements

GSUSA provides the structure for earning badges through basic steps:

• Basic Requirements: Three to five fundamental steps required for a badge. These are listed on the GSUSA Badge Explorer and in the item descriptions on the Girl Scout Shop.
• Official Booklets: These physical or digital pamphlets provide deeper context on what the basic requirements mean and what GSUSA intends for the badge.
• Activity Options: The booklets suggest two to three ways to complete each requirement. These options are possible suggestions, not mandatory.

Earning Badges “On Your Honor”

Completing badge requirements operates on an “On Your Honor” system. The amount of work required will vary by troop and individual. GSUSA accepts different interpretations of how requirements are met, and standard badge purchases are not policed. In practice, leaders generally adopt one of three approaches.

Determine which school of thought aligns best with your leadership style and troop dynamics, and proceed accordingly.

The Spirit of the Badge

This approach focuses on the overarching concept. Completion ranges from grasping the general theme of the badge to creating five completely custom requirements centered around the same topic.

The Technical Mind

This approach strictly adheres to the written text. Variations include:

• Completing the basic requirements exactly as written.
• Reading the official booklets to ensure a precise understanding of each requirement’s intent.
• Only counting the specific activity options explicitly listed in the booklet.

The Middle Road

This approach balances structure and flexibility. The basic five requirements listed in the Badge Explorer must be met, but the specific interpretation and execution of those requirements are left open to the leader or the troop.

Note on Higher Awards

While standard badges operate on the “On Your Honor” system, GSUSA strictly regulates higher leadership awards (Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards). Each local council maintains its own specific regulations and submission processes for these awards. Check with your local council before beginning work on them.

Tracking Badges

There is no official tracking of earned badges by GSUSA or any council that we are aware of. There are several methods for tracking for leaders who like to keep track of who earns what. Check out some of our favorite GSUSA – Badge Trackers.

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Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Badge Explorer.” Girlscouts.org, https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/badge-explorer.html. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Badges, Journeys, and Awards.” Girlscouts.org, https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards.html. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Badges & Program.” Girlscoutshop.com, 2026, https://www.girlscoutshop.com/badges-program. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
• Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Daisy Girl Scout Handbook. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2022.
• Roberts, Rachel. Brownie the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
• Roberts, Rachel. Junior the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
• Schroeder, Greta. Daisy the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
• Stiepock, Lisa. Cadette the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
• Tilden, Tommi Lewis. Ambassador the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
• Tilden, Tommi Lewis. Senior the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.

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• Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
• Return to the 2011 Daisy Badge List.
• Return to the 2011 Brownie Badge List.
• Return to the 2011 Junior Badge List.
• Return to the 2011 Cadette Badge List.
• Return to the 2011 Senior Badge List.
• Return to the 2011 Ambassador Badge List.