GSUSA – Retired Programs – The Badge Archive

GSUSA is unique in the fact they allow their scouts to earn any retired badge or award. The only trick is that they no longer make retired badges and awards. If you can find a retired badge, you are allowed to wear it on the official uniform.

GSUSA policy remains: “Once a badge, always a badge.” That means even retired badges may still be earned and proudly worn on the official uniform.

Many current leaders and scouts like using retired badges to fill in gaps the current program is lacking. Some like to do them for nostalgia.

There are three main sections of badges in GSUSA History.

1912 Proficiency Badges

The original Girl Scout badges, known as Proficiency Badges, were introduced in the early years of the movement and remained in use, with periodic updates, until the 1980s. While the badge program evolved over time, the core format and style remained consistent across decades.

Eligibility: Proficiency Badges were typically earned by Intermediate Girl Scouts (later called Juniors) and above. Brownies had their own separate activities, with no badges. Seniors transitioned to broader service and leadership roles rather than continuing with badgework.
Badge Evolution: Between the 1920s and 1980s, badge designs, names, and requirements were updated multiple times. However, the overall structure was an embroidered circular badge with green background. It remained largely unchanged until the launch of the Worlds to Explore program in 1980.
Senior Participation: When the Senior level was introduced, they did not have badges. That older girls were expected to apply their skills (gained by earning badges at a younger age) in real-world service, leadership, or community action. This shift reflected a broader philosophy: that older scouts should “do good in the world” using the foundation built in earlier years.

Learn more about the 1912 Proficiency Badges.

1980 GSUSA Program

The 1980s marked a major shift in the Girl Scout badge system, introducing new formats and expanding opportunities across all age levels.

Daisy Petals (2000): The Daisy level was formally introduced in the late 1980s, but the iconic petals (each representing a line of the Girl Scout Law) were added in 2000. And they had no requirements to earn until the current 2011 program. These colorful recognitions helped the youngest Girl Scouts begin their journey and most troops used them to focus on values and character development.
Brownie Badges: For the first time, Brownies received official earned recognitions. Prior to this, Brownies primarily participated in group activities and bridging programs. The launch of the Try-It badges in 1986 gave Brownies a structured way to explore topics and earn awards for their efforts.
Junior Badges: The Junior badge program was simplified and reorganized under the Worlds to Explore framework, which grouped badges into themed categories like “World of People” and “World of Well-Being.” This made it easier for girls to choose badges based on interest and skill level.
Cadette and Senior Interest Projects: Older Girl Scouts gained access to a new type of badge called Interest Project Patches (IPPs, or just IPs), introduced in 1980. These were designed to support deeper exploration of topics such as leadership, science, arts, and life skills. Unlike traditional badges, IPs encouraged independent learning and personal growth, often requiring girls to design their own activities or reflect on real-world applications.

Learn more about the 1980 GSUSA Program.

2011 GSUSA Program

Girls Scouts of U.S.A. (GSUSA) revamped their program in 2011, which is the current program to use. However, in 2021, they started retiring a few badges and replacing them with new ones. All retired badges in the current program are listed at the end of each level list.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
_{(Not an official GSUSA Group)}

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

See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
_{(No official Groups)}

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Updated on September 2, 2026. Published on December 31, 2022. Author:

Tia Kennard

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.

1912 Handbooks:

Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. The Brownie Book: A Manual for Leaders of Junior Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1922, https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.browniebookmanua00girl/.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Handbook: Intermediate Program. 1947. Thirteenth Impression ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts, Inc., 1952.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Handbook Intermediate Program. First Impression ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Sept. 1953.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Proficiency Badge Requirements and Special Awards 1934. 1933. 1934 Edition ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts, Inc., 1934.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Program Activities Ranks and Badges. New York, NY, Girl Scouts, Inc., 1938.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Brownie Girl Scout Handbook. 1963. Ninth Impression, New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Apr. 1968.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Cadette Girl Scout Handbook. 1963. Nineteenth Printing ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Apr. 1975.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Junior Girl Scout Handbook. 1963. Nineteenth Printing ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Apr. 1975.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Senior Girl Scout Handbook. 1963. Sixteenth Printing ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Apr. 1975.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Scouting for Girls. 1920. Sixth Reprint ed., New York City, NY, The Girl Scouts, Inc., 1925.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Scouting for Girls. 1920. 2nd Abridged ed., New York City, NY, The Girl Scouts, Inc., June 1928.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Worlds to Explore Junior Badges and Signs. First Impression ed., New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1977.
Gordon Low, Juliette, et al. How Girls Can Help Their Country. M. S. & D. A. Byck co., 1916.
Hoxie, W. J., et al. How Girls Can Help Their Country. New York, The Knickerbocker Press, 1913.
Hoxie, W. J. How Girls Can Help Their Country. 1913. Bedford, Massachusetts, Applewood Books, 2001.

1980 Handbooks:

Ayala, Sandy, and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Interest Projects for Girls 11-17. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2004.
Bergerson, Chris. Junior Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1994.
Bergerson, Chris. Junior Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2001.
Boas, Elisabeth K., and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Interest Projects. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1987.
Brooks, Trina V., and Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. The Guide for Daisy Girl Scout Leaders. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2000.
Cryan, Rosemarie, and Harriet S. Mosatche. The Guide for Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Leaders. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1995.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Brownie Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1986.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Brownie Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1993.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1987.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Daisy Girl Scouts, Leaders. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A, 1983.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Badges and Signs. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1980.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Girl Scout Badges and Signs. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1990.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. The Guide for Daisy Girl Scout Leaders. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1993.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Junior Girl Scout Badge Book. 2001.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Interest Projects for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1997.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. You Make the Difference. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1980.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and Chris Bergerson. Brownie Girl Scout Handbook. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2000.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and Rosemarie Cryan. The Guide for Brownie Girl Scout Leaders. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2000.
Hussey, Sharon Woods, et al. More Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its. Girl Scouts Of The U.S.A., 1989.

2011 Handbooks:

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.

Other Sources:

Degenhardt, Mary, and Judith Kirsch. Girl Scout Collectors’ Guide. Texas Tech University Press, 2005.
Robertson, Ann. “RIP Studio 2B.” Girl Scout History Project, 16 Apr. 2015, https://gshistory.com/2015/04/16/rip-studio-2b/. Accessed 2 Sept. 2026.

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