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Awards & Opportunities

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Highest Awards

As you earn one of Girl Scouts’ highest awards, you’ll change your corner of the world—and beyond. The possibilities are endless. View the Awards >>

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Scholarships

Colleges and universities recognize the merits of the Girl Scout experience by making scholarships and grants available to Girl Scouts and recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award. Girls seeking scholarships should contact their high school guidance counselor or the financial aid office at the school they wish to attend for information on any scholarships that might be available to Girl Scouts.

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Scholarship:

Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship: This scholarship is available to high school seniors who plan to attend a college or university in the fall after graduating. The scholarship is funding by council staff giving and recognizes a girl's achievements in Girl Scouts and in academics and other activities. Applications for 2024 will be open in the spring.

GSUSA Scholarships >>

For more information, email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org or call 210-349-2404.

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Leadership Opportunities

Committees/Teams

Girl Board

A volunteer board of directors sets strategic direction for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. Board members represent the broad diversity of our council membership and the communities we serve.

Girls have the opportunity to participate in this process as Ex Officio Girl Board Members. Serving as an Ex Officio Girl Board Member is an excellent way to become involved at the council level and serve as a leader and advocate. Join and experience the board process, meet distinguished members of our community, and enhance your resume for jobs and college!

Serving as an Ex Officio Girl Board Member offers high school-aged Girl Scouts opportunities to learn real-world leadership skills. The executive-planning atmosphere will allow Girl Scout members to understand the inner workings of our organization and the ways in which the Board influences and supports the council. During their one-year term, Girl Board members will also obtain invaluable experience in long-term planning and financial accountability.

What is expected?

Ex Officio Girl Board Members are asked to attend each board meeting (four total each year), the council's annual meeting, Girl Board meetings, pillar events (i.e. STEM Expo, Day of the Girl), and other important council events. During the Girl Board meetings, held each Second Saturday of the month, members will plan out their year for community service projects, team-building days, and strategies for innovative programming for older girls. Girl Scout representatives will be expected to speak on their experiences in Girl Scouting and participate in board activities.

Requirements

Girl Scouts must be in grades 9-12 to apply for the Ex Officio Girl Board position. All applications will be reviewed and considered by a committee of the Board of Directors. Finalists will be interviewed by a committee of the Board of Directors and recommended for approval. If you have any questions about the Ex Officio Girl Board position or application, please email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org.

Applications: Check back in Spring 2024 for applications for the 2024-25 session will open in Spring 2024.

PR Team

The PR Team is comprised of Girl Scouts of all ages who apply to represent the council in various public ways. Overseen by the Marketing and Communications Department, girls on the PR Team have opportunities to participate in media appearances (TV, print/digital, radio), event participation (flag ceremonies, to represent the council, to be on a panel, etc.), photoshoots, and more. 

Girls must complete an application and interview process before joining the team. Being a member of the PR Team does not guarantee a girl will appear in media; however, all girls are given opportunities to participate and are selected based on availability and the council's needs to coverage/attendance. 

Applications for the 2024 Girl Scout year open August 2023. 

     

National-Level Leadership

When Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in 1912, she understood that dedicated and dynamic leaders were vital to helping girls develop their full potential. Today, the organization is led by the chief executive officer, National Board, headquarters staff, and volunteers and professional staff in over 100 local councils across the U.S.

 

Camp

Cadette Program Aide (PA)

Cadettes receive their Program Aide (PA) award by earning one Leader in Action (LiA) award, completing council-designed leadership course training, and working directly with younger girls.

You can become a PA by:

  • Attend a Program Aide training (trainings are offered twice in the fall and twice in the spring).
  • Earn one LiA by assisting a Brownie group/troop in completing a Journey.
  • Work with younger girls for six or more activity sessions for a minimum of 1 hour each session. These activities can include assisting girls of a younger level within your troop or a different troop, and through volunteering at community/council events (hours/sessions earning the LiA award do not count towards this requirement).

Please note:

  • Girls wanting to PA at Camp Metro and/or Camp La Jita MUST meet the following prerequisites:
    • Completed ALL 3 Program Aide requirements listed above.
    • Be 12 years old entering the 7th grade OR 13-years-old entering the 8th grade.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) I and II

Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors earn Counselor-in-Training I and II certification by mentoring young girls in a camp setting as they build skills toward becoming a camp counselor.

Camp La Jita: CIT (I/II) certification is a two-week training where you will learn the ins and outs of running camp while also assisting in each area from camp units to the barn, kitchen, and so on. You will familiarize yourself with the surroundings of camp, as well as gain experience of how camp activities are run.

Camp Metro:  CIT (I/II) certification is a two-week training where you will learn to plan and execute creative activities for the day camp, as well as mastering skills needed to lead younger girls in kindergarten through eighth grade.

  • Counselor-in-Training I (CIT I) requirements:
    • Entering grades 10th-12th.
    • Previous completion of all Program Aide certification/requirements with 2+ years of PA experience.
    • Must register for and attend a CIT I Summer Camp Training (annual requirement).
       
  • Counselor-in-Training II (CIT II) requirements:
    • Entering grades 11th-12th.
    • Previous completion of all Program Aide & CIT I certification/requirements.
    • Must register for and attend a CIT Summer Camp Training (annual requirement) .
    • Complete online registration for the week(s) your Girl Scout intends to CIT.

Please note:

  • Girls wanting to be a CIT (I/II) at Camp Metro or Camp La Jita MUST:
    • Be registered for the 2-week training (during the first two weeks of camp).
    •  Be registered for the weeks your Girl Scout intends to CIT.
Equestrian Aide (EA)

As an Equestrian Aide (EA), you'll work under the supervision of the riding director at Camp La Jita to learn horse care and stable management. A lot of time will be spent at the barn improving and mastering skills as you share your love of horses with other campers! It’s not all work and no play-enjoy all that camp has to offer when you’re not at the barn.

  • Requirements:
    • Entering grades 9th-12th.
    • Previous completion of Program Aide certification/requirements.
    • Must have attended Wild West and/or Night Riders sessions for two years (submit dates attended to customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org after registering for this session).   

    

Cookies

Cookie Entrepreneurial Officer (CEO)

Each Girl Scout Cookie Program, we recognize the Girl Scout who sold the most Girl Scout Cookies during the season as our Cookie Entrepreneurial Officer (CEO). The girl receives recognition as the CEO, acts as a council spokesperson at PR opportunities, shadows the council CEO for a day, and receives special awards including a personalized acrylic plaque, a boutique named after her in the Girl Scout Shop, and more!

Learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie Program.