Council Patch Programs
Girl Scout troops and individual girls can earn fun patches through curated educational and fun experiences called Patch Programs!
How to Participate
- Find a program that sounds interesting for your Girl Scout level. Our programs are open to Girl Scouts from ALL councils!
- Download the PDF of guidelines, and complete them with a group or on your own. Don't forget to have fun while doing it!
- Purchase the fun patches from our online shop or in-person at one
of our six shop locations
near you!
Some of these awards are being discontinued, so make sure to contact your local shop to ensure that there are enough badges available for your group before beginning the program. - Rock your new patch on the back of your vest or sash!
Girl Scouts GCNWI Patch Programs
| Patch Image | Patch Program Guidelines | Daisies (Grades K–1 ) | Brownies (Grades 2–3) | Juniors (Grades 4–5) | Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors (Grades 6–12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Girl Scouts' 110th Anniversary (Alums) Alums: As a member of the Girl Scout family, you know firsthand how Girl Scouts are creating our future. From climbing mountains to breaking through glass ceilings, Girl Scouts dream big and make our world better. Thank you for being a part of our history—and our future. Please join us as we celebrate 110 years of Girl Scouts by purchasing our limited-edition anniversary patch or pin! |
||||
|
|
Girl Scouts' 110th Anniversary (Girls) As a Girl Scout, you know firsthand how girls are creating our future. From climbing mountains to breaking through glass ceilings, Girl Scouts dream big and make our world better. Thank you for being a part of our history—and our future. Celebrate 110 years of Girl Scouts and get your limited-edition anniversary patch by completing a host of activities that commemorate our past, honor our present and propel our future. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 |
Get Outdoors Challenge Patch Program Get outdoors with our new Get Outdoors Challenge Patch Program! Check out each season's list of activities to earn your rockers and complete your patch. Stay tuned for updated Fall and Winter activities later this year! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Black History Month Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements and contributions of the African American and Black communities—a time (though not the only time!) for emphasizing the central role of this varied community throughout U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
Black
History Month guidelines [PDF] |
d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Building My Community Patch Program The goal of this patch program is to bridge a relationship between your Girl Scout (or Girl Scouts) and your community. Open to girls of any age either in a troop or individually, this program aims to teach girls how to engage with their communities in a meaningful way. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Bronzeville Grab your camera and get to know the center of African American life and culture in Chicago. Bronzeville is historically known in the early 20th century as the “Black Metropolis,” rich in African American business and culture. Walk along the Bronzeville Hall of Fame, take a few selfies as you pose in front of the many beautiful murals and landmarks, and don’t forget to stop for some soul food and a sweet treat along your route. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Chinatown Welcome to Chinatown! Girl Scouts GCNWI has compiled a list of several different stops on this neighborhood walk for you to enjoy as you explore the awesome community of Chinatown. Go in the order of the clues or choose to go to as many of the stops, stores, or restaurants as you’d like. You can use a map app on your phone to help you find your way. When you have completed the scavenger hunt, you can purchase the Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Chinatown patch on our online shop www.shopgirlscouts.com. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy Chinatown! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Pilsen (Photo Scavenger Hunt) Get to know Pilsen, a neighborhood and its rich Mexican culture, including its great art, music, food & people. Chicago Neighborhood Walk: Pilsen (Photo Scavenger Hunt) guidelines [PDF] *These walk directions were created in 2019, pre-COVID, so all stops may not be available. We will soon be updating these requirements. If you have any issues, please share with programs@girlscoutsgcnwi.org. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
| Discover Northwest Indiana Find the fun in Northwest Indiana! Try these activities to discover Northwest Indiana’s rich history, culture, natural resources, sports, and entertainment. [Please note that this is an updated version of the Discover Northwest Indiana patch program. The patches are the same.] |
b | j | c, s, a | |
Dragonfly Patch Program Discover, connect, and take action today with the Dragonfly Patch Program! Girls will learn all about gratitude, empathy, kindness and leadership, and how to make the world a better place through words and service. | d | b | j | c, s, a | |
 | Earth Defender Earth Defender Patch Program for
Brownies and Juniors: Are you an Earth Defender? Learn about
the impact of tobacco on our water, crops, and animals, and
find out how you can help protect the planet. This patch
program includes a free journal, cape, and patch. Reach out
to programs@girlscoutsgcnwi.org for more
information. | d | b | j | c,s,a |
 | Girl Scout Family To help you and your family get acquainted with all that Girl Scouting has to offer, complete at least six (or all!) of the patch requirements and you’ll be eligible for the New Girl Scout Family patch! Girl Scout Family guidelines [website] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Girl Security Learn more about national security while exploring a security policy that applies at the national and state levels (election security), discovering how women are shaping national security, and engaging as a global citizen. Girl Security guidelines [PDF] | c, s, a | |||
 | Connect with the WAGGGS sisterhood by helping girls work together to make a difference on topics that affect girls and women all over the world. It’s an official national award, so you can wear it on the front of your vest or sash, just like a badge. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Global Action Days Girls will work together and participate in Girl Scout programming that relates to different global issues affecting women and girls. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
  | Go Green for Good Go Green for Good and earn this patch when you help the environment from home. Take action by changing habits at home, in your community, and in the world. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Good Vibes: Pass 'em On Build a positive campaign or project to raise awareness and provide information and resources around Mental Illness. |
c, s, a | |||
 |
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic people and Latinos have made and continue to make in the United States. We honor the cultural richness of all people in the U.S. whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this Fun Patch. And regardless of your specific ethnic heritage, you’re sure to learn interesting new things.
Download
the guidelines [PDF] | d | b | j | c,s,a |
 |
Honoring our Veterans
Girl Scouts have always shown their appreciation to our military and veterans who serve to protect our freedom. Working together with U.S. Senator Tammy
Duckworth—a Girl Scout alum and army veteran—we have developed
this patch program for girls to connect with and honor our
veterans. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center Patch Program The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education
Center is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust
by honoring the memories of those who were lost, and by
teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice, and
indifference. This Patch Program was developed by families within the GSGCNWI Council and is intended to be completed during an in-person visit to the Museum. The requirements are specific to younger Girl Scouts (Brownies and Juniors) or older Girl Scouts (Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors). Please make sure you are following the steps according to your Girl Scout level. Bring a notebook and writing utensil with you during your visit, so you can write your thoughts. This Patch is available for purchase at the Museum gift shop.
Younger
Girl Guidelines [PDF] | b | j | c, s, a | |
 | KR's Kids Fit Patch The KR’s Kids Fit patch program was developed by Kailee Robinson, a Girl Scout from the City of Chicago. One of Kailee’s passions is educating other kids about physical fitness in the most fun and exciting ways possible. Through this patch program, Kailee hopes that more young people will feel confidant in participating in everyday fitness and implementing daily movement and exercise into their lives. This patch program is in accordance with the requirements for Kailee to complete her Girl Scout Bronze Award.
KR's
Kids Fit Patch guidelines [PDF] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | LGBTQ Patch The Girl Scout LGBTQ+ Pride Month Celebration Patch Program is designed for Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders to honor LGBTQ+ history, to celebrate the diverse cultures and identities of LGBTQ+ people, and to acknowledge the many contributions that the LGBTQ+ community has made and continues to make across our nation. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch, and we encourage Girl Scouts of all identities to participate.
LGBTQ
Patch guidelines (English) [PDF] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Most Extraordinary Girl Scout - MEGS Troops or individual Girl Scouts can earn a badge and bars annually as they explore everything that Girl Scouts has to offer! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 |
Native American Heritage Month Celebration Throughout November, Native American Heritage Month celebrates the cultures, histories, and countless contributions that Native American communities have provided to the United States. We invite you to take this opportunity to learn more about the cultures of the Indian Nations in your state and across the country. We’ve got plenty of activities to choose from, so you can make new discoveries and have tons of fun learning while earning a fun patch!
Native
American Heritage Month Celebration guidelines
[PDF] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Native Plants Patch Program Learn about native plants and explore your surroundings in this patch program created by one of our Gold Award Girl Scouts! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Nature Cat Explorer Patch Are you curious and excited to get outdoors and have some fun? Team up with Nature Cat and his pals, as seen on the television program on WTTW Kids, earn the free Girl Scout GCNWI Nature Cat Explorer patch » | d | b | ||
   | Passport to Religions Explore your own religious traditions and learn more about others different from your own. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 |
Photo Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Sports Visit sports attractions around the city of Chicago! Photo Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Sports guidelines [PDF] Virtual Photo Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Sports guidelines [PDF] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 |
Photo Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Chicago Learn more about iconic attractions in downtown Chicago! Photo Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Chicago guidelines [PDF] Virtual Photo Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Chicago guidelines [PDF] | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Save Our Energy Explore ways to save energy and our planet! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Silver Linings Patch Program Make new friends while improving the quality of life for residents of nursing homes, retirement communities, assisted living, and adult day care facilities. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 |
Energize your troop meetings while making them healthier and more engaging! | d | b | j | c, s, a |
 | Super Gold Power This Leader-led program
includes fun, high energy games about the history of the
Highest Awards in Girl Scouting. | d | b | j | c, s, a |
Share Your Stories
We love hearing from Girl Scouts and volunteers about their experiences with our patch programs! When you share your story it might be featured in a Girl Scouts GCNWI publication or on social media!
Use a specific story submission form below, or share through our general story submission form.
-
Honoring Our Veterans - Story Submission Form
