The Badge Archive

Retired Official Badges can still be earned and worn on the front of the uniform. The only difference between a retired badge and a current badge? They don’t make them or sell them in the Girl Scout Shop.

So how do you find a Retired badge for your scout to wear?

Here are a few sources we’ve found (in Alphabetical Order):

• Amazon often has some available (but it’s better resource to buy the retired handbooks)
• Badge Fairy (Hasn’t been up since 2021).
• Ebay (Search for the specific badge and sometimes add the year, but will usually be more expensive when purchased on Ebay)
• Etsy (Search or there are shops like All Thing Girl Scouts)
• Facebook (Various unofficial Girl Scout Buy and Sell Groups)
• GS Treasure Hunters

Note that most of these are for badges from the 1980s program or the oldest Proficiency Badges. Retired badges from the current 2011 program (they started retiring badges again in 2021) are often harder to find. Facebook buy and sell groups or Ebay seem to be the most likely places to find them.

More Info about Retired Badges?

Use Resources Wisely has a great short article about earning retired badges and links to amazon for the various retired handbooks. Girls love looking through older versions of the Girl Scout Handbooks, so if you have an interest, you can try to find some.

Girl Scout Leader.net also has an article on several places to find retired badges and their requirements.

Most badges are released in a specific handbook and the year is associated with that. Many older handbooks were reprinted with slight revisions, usually called “impressions”. Some badges were additional releases by GSUSA without an official new handbook released. However, usually if they aren’t in a handbook somewhere, it’s a Council’s Own or Troop’s Own original creation.

The 2011 program changed from a handbook to a binder where new released badges could be added in, but they stopped making the binders in 2020. When the binders sold out for a level, they started selling only the booklets and the handbook in a bound form. Most are offered in a digital download now as well.

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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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