Additional Awards and Patches

Girl Scouts offers many ways for our members to explore their world and serve their communities beyond Badges and Awards. Through these opportunities, Girl Scouts can connect with their international sisterhood, celebrate history, tackle global issues, and more! Below you will find GSSNE specific patch programs, GSUSA and WAGGGS patches, religious awards, and National Leadership Awards.

GSSNE Patch Programs

Council patches may be purchased in the Girl Scout Shop located at the council office at 500 Greenwich Ave in Warwick, RI.

Bike History and Safety Patch Program toggle arrow

For her Silver Award Project, Jordan B. from Troop 602 in Newport/Middletown created a Bike History and Safety Patch Program! It is Jordan’s goal that, as you take on this patch program, you Discover, Connect, and Take Action with the history, safety, and benefits of the bicycle and go on to promote bike safety in your own community.

Bike History and Safety Patch Program requirements and resources

Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum Patch toggle arrow

The Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum began in 1990 after the newly built House-by-the-Side-ofthe-Road opened. A Museum Committee was formed and tasked with the management of the collections and archive. Mrs. Nomer and her daughter participated in Girl Scouts in New York and Rhode Island.

Steps
1. A Look at Our Roots
2. People in Our Past
3. Our Council Attic: The Museum Collections
4. Our Camps

Purpose: To discover some history of the local Girl Scout organization, explore a Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England camp, and tour the Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum at Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, R.I.

Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum Patch requirements
Schedule a tour of the Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum

Camp S'more Troop Patch toggle arrow

The Camp S'more Troop Patch and corresponding segments are available for troops that have an interest in camping together.

The main patch and the first 3 segments are earned after the first troop camping experience. Additional segments can be earned as a troop samples the wider variety of camping opportunities available.

Camp S'more Patch and Segment information

My State Patch toggle arrow

The states we live in are unique and exciting! But how much do you really know about where you live? Complete the steps in the My State patch program to learn more about your state!

My State patch requirements

You may use Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or Connecticut for this patch. Patches are available for all three states are available at the GSSNE shop.

Best of Boston Patch toggle arrow

Boston has the biggest population of any city in New England, is steeped in history, has great sports, and many exciting things to do. Complete the Best of Boston to learn more about the capital of Massachusetts.

Best of Boston patch requirements

GSUSA and Global Patches

Some special global badges must be purchased in the online WAGGGS shop.

Multicultural Community Celebrations toggle arrow

We’re stronger together. By acknowledging the diversity, heritage, and contributions of our multicultural communities, Girl Scouts can find new ways to make the world a better place for everyone.

Now, Girl Scouts of all levels, your friends, and your leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch. Whether they choose to do one or all of them, you’ll discover interesting new things about your neighbors—and yourself by earning the Multicultural Community Celebrations patches.

Global Programs toggle arrow

Lifesaving Awards

The Girl Scouts Lifesaving Awards were created as a way to honor Girl Scouts for their acts of heroism and extraordinary risk in saving lives.

The 1913 Girl Scout handbook, “How Girls Can Help Their Country,” listed 2 prestigious medals a Girl Scout could earn for saving a life: The Bronze Cross and the Silver Cross (now referred to as the Medal of Honor). These awards recognize Girl Scouts who have gone above and beyond in leading an effort to save a life. These awardees embody the Girl Scout spirit of making the world a better place.

The Bronze Cross – Presented to Girl Scouts who have saved a life or attempted to save a life with risk to their own life
The Medal of Honor – Recognizes Girls Scouts who have saved a life or attempted to save a life without risk to their own life

Today, when a Girl Scout earns a Lifesaving Award, they receive the award medal, a congratulatory letter from GSUSA's CEO, and a sense of pride in knowing they attempted to or successfully saved a life. Please contact GSSNE for more information about these awards and the application form.

National Leadership Awards

As Girl Scouts, we take pride in providing service to others and doing what we can to make the world a better place. To recognize older girls—Cadettes through Ambassadors— for their dedication and commitment to both their Girl Scout community and their own communities, Girl Scouts have the opportunity to be recognized for the awards listed below. You will find more information in the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting book for each age level.

Community Service Bar toggle arrow

When Girl Scouts make a difference in their community and practice the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, they can earn this award while getting involved with a cause they care about.

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts have the opportunity to earn their Community Service Bar. All members interested in earning the Community Service Bar may do so by volunteering at least 20 hours for one organization. Girl Scouts must complete training with the sponsoring organization regarding their specific job duties too. These hours may not be rolled over from one level to the next. However, Girl Scouts may earn all three bars by completing 20 hours of service at each level.

These service hours may not be applied towards any other Girl Scout award, Take Action project, or badge work. These hours must be documented and approved by an adult in charge of the service opportunity. Upon completion of the hours, completed the Community Service Bar Form, which will be submitted to the Program Team for approval.

Service to Girl Scouts Bar toggle arrow

This award is earned by volunteering at least 20 hours for the Girl Scout organization such as helping out with an event for younger Girl Scouts, assisting with council or service unit projects, or blazing trails at camp.

Torch Award toggle arrow

Recognizes Girl Scouts who act as leaders in their community after completing a Girl Scout Leadership Journey and serving for one full term in a leadership position at school, place of worship, library, community center, or similar organization.

Religious Awards

Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which includes many of the principles and values common across religions. So while we are a secular organization, Girl Scouts has always encouraged members to take spiritual journeys via their faiths' religious recognitions. Additional information and resources can be found at girlscouts.org/faith.

My Promise, My Faith toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of all grade levels can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin, which complements existing religious recognitions and allows them to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts. Once each year, a Girl Scout can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and tying it directly to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels. Read more (PDF).

Religious Recognitions toggle arrow

Created by national religious organizations to encourage the spiritual growth of youth members, religious recognition programs reinforce many of the values integral to Girl Scouting and help Girl Scouts grow stronger in and learn more about their chosen faith. To learn about religious recognitions, contact your local faith leaders.

Please note: Religious awards may not be worked on during meeting times. An additional time must be set aside to work on awards. Meeting prior to or after a regular meeting is acceptable.

Awards are presented to Girl Scouts by their own minister, priest, rabbi, etc. at a ceremony planned by/at the Girl Scout's house of worship.

For more information on the religious awards, visit GSUSA: Girl Scouts and Faith.

Catholic Awards toggle arrow

The Program Guide for Catholic Scouting (available at GSSNE and the Office of Youth Ministry) details all of the youth and adult awards available. Catholic Cadette & Senior religious awards are presented by the Bishop at a formal Scout Sunday Mass in March. For more details regarding the procedure for the Catholic Awards please contact GSSNE Customer Care.

God is Love (Grades K –1)
This National program helps students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all.

Family of God (Grades 2 & 3)
This National program’s purpose is to help the child explore a wide range of activities & discover the presence of God in their life as a member of their family & parish. Parents and adults serve as advisors to the child and help them grow in religious awareness by talking about the experiences that make up the program.

I Live My Faith Medal
This national award program enables the recipient to grow as a Christian person and to take their place as an active and responsible member of their family, parish, troop, and community.

Marian Medal
The purpose of this national award program is to provide the recipient with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into themselves, friends, family, and the world around them.

Alive Medal
This program assists Catholic high school-aged Girl Scouts in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the Church's ministry.

Pillars of Faith Award
Girl Scouts who have earned the Family of God, I Live My Faith, the Marian, and the Spirit Alive Medals are eligible to be a recipient of this award.

Other Religious Awards toggle arrow

Procedures for most other religious awards (not Catholic) are as follows:

1. Girl Scouts must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.

Check with your council store or contact the religious organization directly
Each Girl Scout needs their own booklet to document progress
Some religions offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors

2. Parents/Caregivers should review the program guidelines.

Some programs require that Girl Scouts be official “members” of the religious institution
Age/grade requirements vary from program to program
Each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as a counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselor, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as a counselor.

3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program.

Most programs require that they are completed under the auspices of that religious organization
Many programs require a religious leader’s signature.

4. Girl Scouts must complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instruction to order the recognition or pin.

These recognitions or pins are not available in your Girl Scout store (follow instructions in your booklet)
The award should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the Girl Scout's religious institution
The award can be presented at any time of the year (Don’t forget: Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath is in March)