Badges & Patches

What's that? You've always wanted to make your own movie, build a robot, cook food from a different country, go geocaching, sleep under the stars, write a book of short stories, plant a garden?

Great news! You can learn to do all these things and more while earning badges as you go.

A Girl Scout badge is an official, embroidered insignia that Girl Scouts earn by completing a certain number of requirements in the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. They're sewn on the front of the uniform and are distinguished from patches, which are obtained by participating in various events. (See more information on patches below!)

Check out our new Journeys and badges. Looking for even more? Visit the Award and Badge Explorer to get details on every badge a Girl Scout can earn, or visit Girl Scouts at Home for new badge activities online.

Download the Badge Charts

Get these newly updated Award Logs and Badge Charts for each grade level. Print these out for reference, and to replace the versions in her copy of The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting.

Daisies
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)
Brownies
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)
Juniors
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)
Cadettes
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)
Seniors
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)
Ambassadors
Badge & Award Chart (PDF)

Check out every Girl Scout badge.
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A Girl Scout patch, on the other hand, is a supplementary insignia that Girl Scouts receive for simply for participating in an event or activity. They are worn on the back of their uniform.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has several patch programs that girls can participate in by completing the requirements below!

Media Star Patch

The Marketing and Communications Department at GSWO has created a patch Girl Scouts across western Ohio can now earn: the Media Star Patch!

Girls receive the patch when their story is featured in the media or by GSWO. This includes social media channels, the GSWO Blog, the GSWO website, or local media. Stories can be about one independent Girl Scout, or it can be about an entire troop.

Simply submitting a story does not automatically qualify someone for the Media Star Patch; it must be featured.

How do I submit my story?
To submit your story, visit www.gswo.org/shareyourstory !

What increases my odds of having my story featured?
There are a lot of things that can increase your chances! Here are some tips:

Include photos or videos with your submission (but make sure you have the media releases for any girls in the photos or videos—that responsibility is with the person who submits, not the MarComm department). Photos or videos with girls in uniform are especially encouraged!
Showcase what they were doing, where and when they were doing it, and why the girls chose to do this.
Please include your troop number, community, and age level.
Explain how your girl or girls were a G.I.R.L.s (Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)™.
Take Action projects and other events in the community do especially well.

If you’re still not quite sure, we suggest looking at other stories that have been featured in the past!

Who receives the patch?
The Media Star Patch is only for girls; none are given to adults.

If it is an entire troop who participated in the activity, each girl in the troop gets a patch (even if she isn’t in the photo that is featured!). If it is a story about one or a few Girl Scouts that did an activity outside of a troop, only the girls involved receive a patch.

If we feature the story of something a Girl Scout did, but she is now an adult member, she does not receive a patch.

I submitted my photo for the Program Events Guide. Do I get a patch?
To receive the Media Star Patch, you must have your story featured, not simply your photo. You’re welcome to submit the same photo(s) in the Share Your Story form, but make sure to include a captivating story with it!

Can I receive the patch more than once?
Yes! There is a new patch each year. Only one patch will be given out per calendar year (2017, 2018, 2019, etc.; not per membership year), but continue submitting stories each year and you may get more!

My story was featured on the media. Why didn’t I get a patch?
The Marketing and Communications Department is always looking for stories of our girls featured in the media, but we don’t always catch every story! If you were contacted by the media and don’t think the Marketing and Communications department was aware of it, simply send us an email with the news story at marketing@gswo.org!

I was featured in a press release. Do I get a patch?
To receive the patch, the press release with your story would need to be picked up by the media and be featured.

Can I just buy the patch?
No, the patch is only available as a thank-you gift from the Marketing and Communications department.

Family Adventure Patch

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is excited to announce the Family Adventure Patch!

Complete at least six of the activities below and post a photo or video of you and your family engaged in an activity to social media (tag with #GirlScoutsFamilyAdventure).

Show your Girl Scout spirit! Rock your favorite Girl Scout gear and have your family members wear Girl Scout green.
Make s’mores together over a campfire, in an oven, or even in a microwave—a sweet Girl Scout tradition. Did you know Girl Scouts is credited with creating the s’mores recipe?
Research Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low, and have a discussion about her life during dinner.
Interview your family members to find out if they were Girl Scouts. Learn what was different and same then versus now.
Spend time outdoors together. Go on a hike, take a nature walk, go camping, or pursue another outdoor adventure as a family.
Identify an issue in the community that is important to your family, and do a community service project together.
Attend a Girl Scout event together.
Find out how your family can help your Girl Scout troop.
Visit the G.I.R.L. Resource Center at your regional office, and explore the retail store to see what badges you may want to earn.
Show your troop leader appreciation, by writing or drawing a thank you note.

Patches are available for purchase at council stores.

Get Outdoors Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Summer 2021 Get Outdoors Challenge!

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio continued the Get Outdoors Challenge for the third summer in a row! We challenged Girl Scouts and their families to get outdoors this summer to earn the Get Outdoors Challenge patch for 2021.

The Get Outdoors Challenge is over, but if you're looking for inspiration for your next outdoor adventure, you can still get all of the details below!

How to participate:

Download the summer activity checklist.
Complete the required number of summer activities for your program level.
After completing the summer activities for your level, the patch will be available for purchase in GSWO shops!

Challenge Dates & Deadlines
The challenge is open to all Girl Scouts and their families!

The challenge was open through Monday, September 6, 2021. Patches are available for purchase from GSWO shops. If you are not located in western Ohio, you may call one of our shops to have the patch mailed to you. Please note that you will need to pay for shipping.

If you prefer, you can also order yours with contact-free shopping!

Rules & Guidelines
Girls and adults must follow Safety Activity Checkpoints for all activities. Please follow current health recommendations and stay safe!

Activity Requirements
Activities required per grade level include:

Daisy - 20
Brownie - 25
Junior - 30
Cadette - 35
Senior - 40
Ambassador - 45
Adult - 45

Girls and adults may complete activities individually, but each girl and adult should only count activities that they participated in.

Bat's So Awesome

Look up to the sky: it’s a bird, it’s a plane… no it’s a BAT! Bats are one of the most misunderstood creatures in the world. Find out more about these interesting and unique animals by completing the steps for your age level with your troop.

DOWNLOAD THE BOOKLET

Bat's So Awesome patches will be available in GSWO Shops later this summer!

Invite a Friend

Are you having a blast as a Girl Scout? Do you have friend who would love to join in on the fun? Now she can join, and you can earn an awesome patch!

After you and your friend have completed your membership for the year, fill out the Invite a Friend form and we will send both of you an Invite a Friend patch!

Please note that both girls need to be registered members to receive the patch.

Future Voter

Girl Scouts will be prepared to lead the change in their town, state, and country as part of our ongoing mission to make the world a better place! How? Start by earning the Democracy badge for your age level. Through these badges you will gain an in-depth understanding of how local, state, and federal government works. Then continue to build the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a good citizen by earning your Future Voter patch.

Through this Council’s Own Patch Program, girls will explore our nation’s political systems, learn about voting rights, and be inspired to be active citizens who promote the vote in their communities.

To earn your Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Future Voter patch, complete the required number of steps for your age level and purchase your patch in one of our shops.

Ready to get started? Download the activity sheet!

Activity Requirements
Activity requiemenents per grade level include:

Daisies: 3 steps, including 1 starred item
Brownies: 4 steps, including 1 starred item
Juniors: 5 steps, including 2 starred items
Cadettes: 6 steps, including 2 starred items
Seniors & Ambassadors: 6 steps, including 3 starred items

Check out some available fun patches.
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