Patch Programs | Girl Scouts of Western Ohio

What is a Girl Scout patch?

GSWO Bat's so awesome patch

Look up to the sky: it’s a bird, 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 activity booklet »

GSWO Future Voter Patch

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. You will understand how local, state, and federal government works through these badges. Then continue to build the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a good citizen by earning your Future Voter patch.

Through this 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 Future Voter patch, complete the required 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 requirements 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

If you choose to accept the Hiker Challenge, you'll have the opportunity to explore and enjoy GSWO camp properties! If you're new to hiking, starting on our camp trails will help you feel more confident when you're ready for bigger trail adventures.

Each time you hike a trail at one of our camps, you're one step closer to earning that camp's unique hiking medallion. What's a medallion? You can attach a small, metal "patch" to a hiking stick. Work toward medallions for Camp Butterworth, Camp Rolling Hills, Camp Libbey, Camp Whip Poor Will, Camp Stonybrook, and Camp Woodhaven!

Ready for an even bigger challenge? Complete the trails at all six camps to earn the ultimate reward—the GSWO Hiker Challenge Medallion!

Download the Hiker Challenge Guide to get started.

Note: you must make a camp reservation to hike the trails at GSWO camp properties. Reserve a spot at camp »

The invite a friend patch

Are you having a blast as a Girl Scout? Do you have a 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 must be registered members to receive the patch.

Did you know that 38% of food produced in the U.S. is thrown away? That means 229 million tons of surplus available food goes unsold or uneaten every year, in addition to food left unharvested on farms. At the same time, nearly 42 million Americans — one in eight — struggle with hunger. 

Be an advocate for sustainability and ending hunger with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Zero Hunger | Zero Waste patch program — complete four activities from the guide to earn your  Zero Hunger | Zero Waste patch. 

The media infulencer 2022 patch

The Marketing and Communications Department at GSWO has created a patch. Girl Scouts across western Ohio can now earn the Media Influencer 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 they can be about an entire troop.

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

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

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 Influencer Patch is only for girls; none are given to adults.

If an entire troop 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 who 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 Influencer 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!

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 (2023, 2024, etc.; not per membership year), but continue submitting stories each year, and you may get more!

My story was featured in the news. Why didn’t I get a patch?
The Marketing and Communications Department is always looking for stories of our girls featured in the news, 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, email us the news story! 

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

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

The National Park Service has designated Montgomery County as an American World War II Heritage City. This recognition is given to one jurisdiction from each state and spotlights that city’s historic contributions to the World War II home front war effort and their preservation achievements in the area. Discover how the Dayton community was forever changed by industry, migration, and innovations during WWII. 

Download the activity guide to get started. 

Already completed the activities? Click here to request your patch. 

Dayton, Ohio is the Birthplace of Aviation, and you can see that slogan on the State of Ohio license plate and all around the region. The National Aviation Heritage Area (NAHA) is a collection of museums and places in 8 Western Ohio counties that tell the story of aviation, starting with the Wright brothers, Orville & Wilbur Wright.

Explore the National Aviation Heritage Area in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s Council Patch Program.

When your troop completes the patch requirements, get your patch by submitting the National Aviation Heritage Area Patch request form.

Ready to get started?  Download the activity sheet »

With PBS' Nature Cat and his pals, there's more outdoor adventuring in store than ever before! That's right—Nature Cat is teaming up with Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to help you search, explore, and discover all that's around you through the Nature Cat Explorer patch program. You can fill out this form to get access to the patch program guide and follow the steps on the page to get the secret code to unlock your free patch! 

We’re stronger together. By acknowledging the diversity, heritage, and contributions of our multicultural communities, Girl Scouts can find new ways to make the world a better place for everyone.

Now, Girl Scouts of all levels, your friends, and your leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch. Whether they choose to do one or all of them, you’ll discover interesting new things about your neighbors—and yourself.

Click here to learn more!

Whether you decide to travel the world or participate in local activities with a worldwide impact, Global Girl Scout activities boost awareness of the world through cross-cultural learning opportunities. The best part? Gain the power, inspiration, and resources to make the world a better place.

Click here to learn more!

Becoming a Girl Scout means tapping into a supportive group of people who uplift you every step of the way. When it comes to caring for your mental wellness, the new Girl Scouts Mental Wellness patch program reminds you that you’re never alone in facing challenges and further invites you to dive into and understand your emotions. You can do this by participating in activities, such as making art or writing poetry, that foster resilience and help you to better understand your world. No matter the season, never doubt your ability to rise up, and remember—you got this.

The Mental Wellness patch program was made possible by the HCA Healthcare Foundation and developed in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Click here to learn more!

Life isn’t always easy, but dealing with tricky emotions doesn’t have to be so hard. Try activities from the Girl Scouts: Resilient. Ready. Strong. program to unlock a patch and strengthen your mental wellness. Nobody can snap their fingers and make the world all sunshine and lollipops, but you can take steps to be ready when things get tough. Go get ‘em, Girl Scout!

Click here to learn more!

Join your fellow Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from over 150 countries around the world to celebrate World Thinking Day! The best part is, you don’t need to wait until February 22 to get started. Start learning about World Thinking Day and embracing perspectives outside your own.

We’re celebrating 100 years of World Thinking Day in 2026—what an exciting birthday! This year’s special theme is Our Friendship. We invite you to join in as we explore our worldwide Girl Scout/Girl Guide community and celebrate the friendships that connect us all around the globe.

Click here to learn more!

Explore the wonders of the human mouth and earn your Smile Squad patch! Use your creativity to learn how your mouth links to your overall health and well-being. Review good dental habits, try an oral health experiment, discover how hidden sugars can damage your teeth, and learn about the importance of brushing twice a day and reading every day for a healthy body and mind!

If you have questions about the patch program, please get in touch with the Delta Dental Foundation  by email.

Ready to get started?  Download the activity sheet »

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts can Discover, Connect, and Take Action to earn the Magnified Giving Patch! You'll learn what it means for an organization to be non-profit, and how to be generous and wise philanthropists!

 

Ready to get started?  Download the activity sheet »

 

Activity Requirements

Activity requirements per grade level include: 

  1. Discover what it means for an organization to be considered a non-profit and the different social causes non-profit organizations (NPOs) by researching local non-profits using the Magnified Giving Qualified NPOs Page.
  2. Go further by filling out the Magnified Giving Research Guide to learn more about what the NPO stands for and how they impact their local community.
  3. Connect by visiting a non-profit organization to learn about their mission and take part in a service project to further the NPO’s impact on the community. Do this step as a troop or take part in a Community Impact Meetup event through GSWO!
  4. After completing step 3, Take Action by developing a presentation on why that NPO should receive a $1,000 grant and present your pitch at the Magnified Giving Presents: Community Impact Meetup Summit event on April 17, 2025!
GSWO Bat's so awesome patch

Experience the “Keys to Leadership” at Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY! Discover Meals on Wheels, who they serve, and the impact the agency has on local seniors. Speak directly to a social worker or home health aide to learn how seniors are cared for, or visit a facility where seniors live. You'll gain an understanding of seniors' needs and take action by volunteering at Meal on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY!

Download the activity booklet »

Activity Requirements
Activity requirements per grade level include the following. Visit the Meals on Wheels website in order to complete the first activity for each grade level

  • Daisies & Brownies: 3 steps
  • Juniors & Cadettes: 3 steps
  • Seniors & Ambassadors: 3 steps