Girl Scout Bronze Award

Can a girl earn a Bronze Award on her own?

Sometimes, a girl will want to earn a Bronze Award, but her troop will not. Girl Scout Juliettes also want to earn Bronze Awards. Because the Bronze Award is a team project, we encourage solo girls to create their own team. Contact others in your region to see if she can team up with others. Or, have her invite her fourth and fifth-grade friends to be on her team—they’ll need to register as Girl Scout members, but they can earn the award too! Girls can earn a Bronze Award on their own, but it’s a last-resort option.

How many girls are needed for the Bronze Award team?

There is no set minimum or maximum of girls on a team.

My daughter wants to do a different project than the rest of her troop, can she work on her project on her own?

Because the Bronze Award is meant to be a team activity, we ask that girls try to work with their troop to come to a compromise first before deciding to do their own project. If your troop is interested in two different projects, consider suggesting to do one as the Bronze Award Project and the other as an additional Take Action project. It’s ok to do both!

How many hours are required for a Bronze Award?

Twenty hours per girl. This includes research and planning as well as carrying out the Bronze Award project and completing the final report.

What is the difference between a community service project and the Take Action project required for the Bronze Award?

Community service projects address a need “right now.” For example, collecting dog food for a shelter helps the dogs “right now.” With Take Action projects, girls ask: “Why is this issue happening?” to determine the root cause of an issue. They might end up raising awareness about the importance of adoption or spaying and neutering pets. Or, address another root cause of the issue. Girls then work to eliminate the cause or reduce it. Community service projects are also done for a community. Take Action projects work with the community. For example girls often consult community members or experts to understand an issue and address it. 

What if girls fall short on hours?

Follow the Bronze Award Checklist to ensure that all award components have been completed. Talking with girls about how they could make their project sustainable or what they could measure to show their impact can increase involvement.

My troop is ready to go for the Bronze Award. But I have two new girls who haven’t done a Journey.  What should I do?

It’s possible for girls who are new to a troop to work on Journeys and not be excluded from the troop’s Bronze Award project. The council offers many Journey programs that your new girls may attend. Parents can also work with girls to complete a Journey. 

Do I need council to sign off on my troop’s Bronze Award projects?

No. Troop leaders or parents of individually registered members determine when a Bronze Award project has been completed. Please attend a Parent/Leader Bronze Award Workshop to better understand the Bronze Award Process.

Who is a project advisor?

A project advisor is an expert in the community who has knowledge of the area that Bronze Award team addresses. Having an advisor can be a great resource for the girls—especially during the planning phase. For example, a troop working on a Bronze Award that brings healthy food awareness to a school can consult a nutritionist as an expert. It’s best if the project advisor is not a parent associated with the troop. 

Where do I send my troops final report forms?

The final report for the Bronze Award can be completed online. Visit this link to complete for report. Please give time to complete all sections. This form must be completed in one sitting.

Do I need to keep a copy of the final report?

It’s a good idea to keep a copy of the final report for your own records. A copy will be emailed to you automatically when you submit your final report.

How are girls recognized for the Bronze Award?

After girls submit their final report, our new Bronze Award Girl Scouts will be invited to a recognition ceremony hosted by the council. 

Where do Bronze Award Pins go—Junior or Cadette uniform?

Like other pins, the Bronze Award pin can be moved up to the Cadette uniform after bridging.

Our troop wants to have a bake sale to raise money for the children’s hospital is that ok?

Girl Scouts cannot fundraise for another organization. This includes accepting money on behalf of another organization, having a bake sale and donating the proceeds to another organization, asking for donations for another organization. See Volunteer Essentials, Troop Finances.

Also, keep in mind that a fundraiser rarely addresses the root cause of a community issue. Encourage your girls to ask, “Why does the children’s hospital need money?” The answer may lead them to a root cause.