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Programs for Cadettes, Seniors & Ambassador

We have so many fun programs for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors in the Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana area!

These programs are for Girl Scouts who are in grades 6-12. For many of our programs, girls can participate on their own, or in a troop or group.

Not yet a Girl Scout? Learn how to become one!

Leadership Opportunities

Girl Experiences

Girl Scouts @ Home

Cadettes (Grade 6-8)

Using the Red Cross handbook as a guide, create your own babysitting service.

CADETTE BABYSITTER BADGE HOW-TO [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Purchase Babysitter Badge »

Earn the Cadette Comic Artist Badge and learn all about the world of comic art and story-telling! 

CADETTE COMIC ARTIST BADGE HOW-TO [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Purchase Comic Artist Badge »

Explore and create cuisines from around the world and throughout history!

CADETTE NEW CUISINE BADGE HOW-TO [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Purchase New Cuisine Badge »

Seniors (Grades 9-10)

Learn the science behind makeup, perfume, fashion fabrics and skin products with this badge how-to! In this activity,

SENIOR SCIENCE OF STYLE BADGE HOW-TO [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Purchase Science of Style Badge »

Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)

In this activity, you will create the ultimate dining experience for your friends and family by creating a 3 course meal using the recipes of your choice.

AMBASSADOR DINNER PARTY BADGE HOW-TO [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Purchase Dinner Party Badge »


Ambassador Pinnacle Award Opportunity

The Pinnacle Award is a GCNWI specific award that was established in 2021. It honors Ambassador Girl Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through their Girl Scout experience.

To qualify for the award, Girl Scouts must document their experiences by earning at least 7 leadership points. The leadership points are achieved through a combination of Girl Scout and other extracurricular leadership experiences and verified through email by adult references.

The slate of nominees is approved by our CEO, Nancy Wright.

The application for the 2023 Class of Pinnacle Awardees will close on April 1st, 2023. Awardee’s will be notified of the status of their application in Summer 2023.

Leadership Point Criteria

To qualify for this award girls must document their experiences by earning at least 7 leadership points. The leadership points can be achieved through a combination of Girl Scout and other extracurricular experiences.

Earned the Girl Scout Gold Award (3 points)
Earned the Girl Scout Silver Award (2 points)
Earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award (1 point)
Served as a Program Aide (1 point)
Served as a CIT (Counselor in Training) (1 point)
Served as a VIT (Volunteer in Training) (1 point)
Served as a Girl Rep on the Board of Directors (1 point)
Been named a Cookie CEO (1 point)
Attended Camp CEO (1 point)
Served as a District or National Delegate or alternate (1 point)
Travelled with GCNWI or on a GSUSA Destination (1 point)
Provided leadership in a girl-led interest group (ie Astronomy Club, Global Girl Scouts, or LEGO Robotics) (1 point)
Provided leadership in a Service Unit (1 point)
Served in a leadership capacity outside of Girl Scouts, for example: student council, church youth group leader, officer of a club or sports team (1 point for each, 2 points maximum)
Served in a leadership capacity outside of Girl Scouts, for example: student council, church youth group leader, officer of a club or sports team (1 point for each, 2 points maximum

Additional Resources

Backyard Fun Challenge

Explore the Outdoors in Your Own Backyard

Cross off all of the outdoorsy tasks from this list—like fort building, learning about springtime flowers, playing with a pet outside, and so much more—to earn the BackyardFunChallenge! Make sure to always follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints when doing the challenges, and remember to wash or sanitize your hands after being outside.

Download the activity checklist! [PDF]

Purchase the Backyard Challenge Base patch »
Purchase the Backyard Challenge Rocker »

Service Project Ideas

Service Project Ideas

  • Do you have a neighbor or family member who lives alone? Take some time out of your day to call or video chat with them. You can see if they need anything, but it is also just nice to hear from someone in this time when we are all stuck at home. Human interaction is important! 
  • Check out littlefreepantry.org to see if you could set up or support a food resource for others in need. 
  • Send cards of thanks to healthcare workers.
  • #MaskNOWIllinois

Assisting Senior Citizens

One of the best things you can do to help during this time to reach out to senior citizens, many of whom have been isolated for a month or more by now. Below are some programs to help you get started!

  • As part of our Silver Lining patch program in partnership with BCBSIL, please consider sending letters, cards, emails, or drawings to senior citizens at retirement homes or centers. Although it is not recommended to visit during this time for the safety of the elderly, it would be a nice gesture to reach out and send some cheer their way. 
  • You can "Adopt a Grandparent" and share phone calls and letters with a senior living in isolation.
  • Brookdale Senior Living in Prospect Heights, IL, is asking for help making seniors smile with artwork! Find out more here.
  • Legacy Healthcare is looking for girls who can do any of the following for their residents: send letters to their Letters of Love program, send videos of support, become a virtual pen pal, host a virtual Bingo game, sing-a-long, dance party, exercise class, or story time, or decorate the sidewalks of facilities with messages of support. If anyone is interested, they should contact Katy Shorkey at kshorkey@legacyhc.com.
  • Other ideas for Girl Scouts to make at home for seniors: homemade masks, baked goods, and Mother's Day Decorations!
Girl Scout Memory Book
memory-book_2020

A fun resource for girls, parents, troops, and leaders, the Girl Scout Memory Book available at the GCNWI shop lists all badges, Journeys, and highest awards currently available in a fun journal! The book also includes space for Girl Scouts of all ages to write or draw about their favorite Girl Scout memories and to set goals for the year.

Hosting a Virtual Troop Meeting

Hosting Virtual Girl Scout Troop Meetings

Keep your Girl Scout troop connected through online meetings to keep girls engaged with one another, while keeping safe. Read our Safety Activity Checkpoints for Virtual Troop Meetings.

Our blog is full of Virtual Meeting Tips! Read our tips and tricks and about Girl Scouts from around GCNWI who have met virtually.

Have you had a virtual troop meeting? Then you've earned the Virtual Troop Meeting Patch!

Conservation Bingo & Earth Day Fun

Looking for green activities to do by yourself, with your troop, or with your family? Look no further!

Play this Conservation Bingo game with your family or troop and challenge yourselves to change some daily habits and better care for our planet!

Download the Worksheet! [PDF]

Also make sure to check out this Earth Day Bingo card!

Download the Earth Day Bingo card! [PDF]

Earth Day can be celebrated all year! Check out our Earth Day 2020 Activity Packet full of fun activities including making leaf rubbings, shadow art, and more!

Download the Earth Day Activity Packet! [PDF]

Common Supply Girl Scout Activities

Looking for Girl Scout activities to do by yourself, with your troop, or with your family? Look no further!

Here are a few activities that you can do with common materials you can find around your house. 

Low Supply or Common Supply Girl Scout Activities [PDF]

Virtual Troop Meeting: Plan a Trip!

Exercise their travel brain by planning a trip – even if it means you can’t go on it quite yet OR have girls plan a field trip you are able to take. Use this as a guide at your next virtual meeting!

Virtual Troop Meeting: Plan a Trip Guide [PDF]

Digital Resource Wall

Check out our digital program flyers on the Digital Resource Wall!


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