Citrus G.I.R.L. Program Book

PROGRAM BOOK

YOUR GUIDE TO ALL 

THINGS PROGRAMS & 

AWARDS 

Welcome to the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council’s Program Guide! 

This book contains important information about yearly Citrus Council programs, signature events, 

higher awards and more! You’ll learn about the process for developing programs and discover 

opportunities to better engage with the Citrus Council Program Team. 

This guide was developed as a resource to help Girl Scout members and 

community partners throughout the year. In particular, you can use this to: 

⚬ Discover the many exciting programs, events, 

and initiatives happening annually. 

⚬ Understand the process for developing 

programs, events or projects with Citrus Council. 

⚬ Learn the differences in types of programs, such 

as fun patches and badges. 

⚬ Discover how to give back to your community 

through service learning projects. 

⚬ Understand the process for achieving Silver, 

Bronze and Gold Awards. 

⚬ Explore opportunities to join Council clubs, 

such as Voice and our Robotics teams. 

⚬ Understand the many ways in which 

community partners can support the Girl 

Scouts of Citrus community. 

We hope you find the information in this guide helpful. Should you have 

questions, please contact Girl Scouts of Citrus. 

Girl Scouts of Citrus Council 

341 N. Mills Avenue 

Orlando Florida 32803 

407.896.4475 

customercare@citrus-gs.org 

www.citrus-gs.org

CONTENTS 

1 

PROGRAM BASICS 

Girl Scout Levels 

Badges, Patches & More 

Program Rules 

Girl Scout Year 

7 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Program Collaboration Opportunities 

Program Development Guidelines 

Community Partner Events 

13 

SIGNATURE EVENTS, AWARDS & MORE 

Signature Events 

Multi-Program Initiatives 

Girl Scout Clubs 

Higher Awards & Recognitions 

Examples of Award Proposals

PROGRAM BASICS 

Providing memorable learning 

experiences for Girl Scouts is 

our primary goal.

GIRL SCOUT LEVELS 

Girl Scouts are divided into levels based on their age and grade. There are 

specific badges associated with each level. Recognizing the differences 

within each level helps guide the design of programs and events and ensures 

appropriate alignment with the interests and needs of each age group. 

PROGRAM BASICS | PG. 1 

Daisies (K-1 st ) 

These young scouts focus on earning petals that emphasize 

building character (e.g. courage, confidence, kindness, and 

respect). They also earn outdoor and STEM badges and have 

opportunities to engage with older Girl Scouts. 

Brownies (2 nd -3 rd ) & Juniors (4 th -5 th ) 

These girls are in elementary school and represent one of our 

largest and most engaged groups of Girl Scouts. Badge work 

increases significantly at these levels, but girls also remain 

interested in other opportunities, including programs focused on 

STEM, sports, and overnights. At the Junior level, girls can start 

their Bronze Award projects. 

Cadettes (6 th -8 th ) 

These are middle school aged girls. A focus on badge work 

remains, but again, fun opportunities and exclusive Girl Scout 

programs are welcomed and valued. Girls in this group also seek 

opportunities to learn more about how their interests and talents 

can be developed into careers. Scouts at the Cadette level can also 

begin their Silver Award projects. 

Seniors (9 th -10 th ) & Ambassadors (11 th -12 th ) 

For these high school aged girls, badges and fun patches remain 

a priority. However, career and college exploration opportunities, 

as well as immersive learning experiences that foster professional 

growth, are valued greatly. This is particularly true at the 

Ambassador level where there are limited badges. Scouts at this 

level also focus on community service projects and accomplishing 

their Girl Scout Higher Awards.

PROGRAM BASICS | 2 

BADGES, PATCHES AND MORE 

What is a Girl Scout badge and how is that different than a fun patch? Do Girl Scouts have 

merit badges like Boy Scouts? And what in the world is an overnight? Consider this section 

your handy dandy cheat sheet for Girl Scout program terms and important explanations. 

For those interested in collaborating with Citrus Council to develop programs, understanding 

the differences between the types of programs we offer is essential for designing programs 

that meet the needs of our Girl Scout community. 

Patches 

Badges 

Badge requirements are 

developed by Girl Scouts 

at a national-level and are 

non-negotiable. Badges are 

specific to each Girl Scout 

level. Each badge contains 

set requirements and steps 

that must be completed. 

Any community partner 

wishing to offer a badge will 

most likely need to create 

a new program or modify 

their existing offerings to 

meet the criteria. 

Girl Scouts do not earn 

merit badges. While Girl 

Scouts respects the 

programs developed by Boy 

Scouts, our organizations 

are separate and distinct. 

Therefore, merit badges 

cannot be transferred or 

applied to Girl Scouts. 

A patch program – also 

known as a “fun patch” 

– is more flexible than a 

badge, though it must still 

demonstrate a purpose 

and an exclusive learning 

opportunity for Girl Scouts. 

These programs typically 

draw on the expertise 

and amenities offered 

by a partner. Patches 

generally offer something 

that a badge does not. 

For example, they may 

provide an opportunity to 

learn more about a field 

like engineering or aviation, 

or be connected to a 

Girl Scout Day at a local 

attraction. A fun patch 

opportunity can be offered 

to girls at any level, though 

it is recommended that 

programs target specific 

groups within the Girl Scout 

community (e.g. younger or 

older girls). 

Overnights 

Overnights and lock-ins 

involve Girl Scouts spending 

the evening at a secure 

location, with program 

offerings happening 

throughout the night. 

Overnights range from smaller, 

level-specific programs 

containing less than 75 people, 

to larger events hosting over 

100 attendees. Due to the 

involved nature of overnight 

experiences, Citrus Council 

only sponsors a handful of 

these opportunities per year. 

While communities and 

partners can organize 

and advertise overnight 

experiences of their own, 

all large scale council-wide 

overnights must be planned 

in collaboration with Citrus 

Council.


Service Learning 

Programs 

Program Series 

In addition to single 

day programs, Citrus 

Council offers program 

series. These are multiple 

programs organized by 

different community 

partners based on a 

common theme, such 

as STEM, sports or the 

performing arts. 

These programs allow Girl 

Scouts the opportunity 

to learn more about a 

particular theme and 

explore unique career 

fields. Some of these series 

occur within the course of 

one year, while others are 

multi-year initiatives. 

These programs and 

volunteer opportunities are 

about community service 

and giving back throughout 

the year. We work with 

organizations such as Give 

Kids the World Village and 

Second Harvest to organize 

Girl Scouts Give Back Days. 

These events help Scouts 

and their families make a 

positive contribution to our 

Central Florida community. 

Signature Events 

Signature events are special 

annual occasions organized 

by Citrus Council, often with 

the support and engagement 

of our community partners. 

These include Not Your 

Mother’s College & Career 

Fair, National Girl Scout 

Day, Juliette Gordon Low’s 

Birthday, and the In Her 

Honor Gold Award Ceremony. 

It is important to note that 

while some signature events 

may also include a fun patch, 

they are a distinct category of 

programs because they are 

reoccurring events that often 

involve a large-scale effort on 

the part of Citrus Council and 

our community partners. 

*Signature events, program 

series and service learning 

programs are explained in 

more detail in Section 3 of 

this guide.


PROGRAM RULES 

This section is meant to provide a few helpful reminders about rules and restrictions regarding 

Girl Scout programs. These apply to all council-wide programs as well as those developed and 

hosted by community partners and Girl Scout volunteers. 

GENERAL RULES FOR ALL PROGRAMS 

Get your program approved. All Girl Scout programs 

must be reviewed and approved by Citrus Council. 

Complete all necessary paperwork. All partners must sign 

a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Citrus Council 

to finalize a program partnership. Community members and 

volunteers must also obtain the necessary paperwork and support 

needed to complete programs. This includes signing an MOU and 

Troop Activity Request (TAR) Form with Citrus Council and ensuring 

all appropriate contracts and insurance paperwork are reviewed 

and signed by Council. 

Coordinate with Citrus Council to schedule your program. 

Members, volunteers and Citrus Council communities that wish to 

organize and host programs, including overnights and other events, 

that involve the participation of multiple troops or communities, 

must contact Citrus Council to avoid a conflict with other 

scheduled events. 

If you have an idea for a program, please contact Citrus 

Council. It is helpful if you conduct initial research to determine 

what badges or other programs you can feasibly offer that will 

provide Scouts with an enriching learning experience.


Badges & Fun Patches 

Badges and fun patch programs cannot be hosted at the same time. Meaning, a 

girl cannot earn a fun patch for work completed while earning a badge or vice versa. 

Badges must be separate and distinct programs. 

Girls can only earn badges that are designed for their Girl Scout level. A multileveled 

troop, with Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes for example, cannot allow all of 

the girls to participate in a badge offering that is meant only for one level. 

Keep in mind there are costs associated with badges and patches. It is 

suggested that these are factored into the program participation fee. 

Overnights 

Don’t forget to coordinate with Council. While troops are welcome to contact 

companies or attractions that offer overnight experiences and organize their own, 

any council-wide overnight that involves multiple troops must be coordinated 

with Citrus Council. Overnight experiences contain very specific rules, including 

restrictions concerning where girls and adults sleep, and the number of required 

chaperones. 

Overnights must be planned at least 6 months in advance. Kindly note, interest 

does not guarantee that the program will occur due to the limited number of spaces 

available for overnights.


GIRL SCOUT YEAR 

The Girl Scouts of Citrus Council year runs from October 

1 st – September 30 th . There are several important trends 

throughout the year that can influence the planning and 

coordination of events and programs. 

The start of the Girl Scout year is an opportune time for 

programs. As new troops are forming or reuniting after 

the summer, girls are eager to dive back into fun patches, 

badge opportunities, overnights, and other unique 

learning experiences. 

During this time, Citrus Council typically 

hosts 1-2 overnights and the college portion 

of our annual Not Your Mother’s College 

& Career Fair. In October, Girl Scouts 

nationwide honor Juliette Gordon Low’s 

birthday and Citrus Council organizes a fun 

celebration to commemorate the occasion. 

During the holiday season, 

programs tend to tamper off as girls spend time celebrating the holidays with their 

families. In light of the giving season, Citrus Council provides volunteer and service learning 

opportunities to encourage Girl Scouts to give back to their Central Florida community. Our 

council-led signature event, Holidays Around the World, also takes place during this time. 

Throughout cookie season 

Girl Scouts often focus on selling our signature cookies and spend their free time managing 

cookie booths. Our programming shifts to smaller engagements and simple events to better 

align with busy cookie-selling schedules. World Thinking Day occurs during this time – on 

February 22nd - and focuses on a theme that encourages global sisterhood. Program activity 

guides and suggestions can be found on our website to help girls observe this scouting tradition. 

Once spring starts 

and cookie selling season comes to a close, troops are ready to utilize their earnings and celebrate 

their hard work. This is a fantastic time to organize Girl Scout programs. The second session of 

Not Your Mother’s College & Career Fair – focused on career exploration - occurs during this time. 

National Girl Scout Day is also celebrated with family-friendly programs hosted throughout Central 

Florida, as well as the annual In Her Honor Ceremony, which is held in late spring to honor Scouts 

who have earned their Gold Award. As spring comes to a close, Scouts often partake in Bridging 

Ceremonies that honor girls transitioning from one Girl Scout level to another (e.g. from Brownies to 

Juniors, Juniors to Cadettes). 

Summer fun 

is a welcomed time for Girl Scouts to enjoy themselves and explore the many wonderful attractions 

and learning opportunities Central Florida has to offer. Many Girl Scouts also start their camping 

experience during this time. Overall, less emphasis is placed on badges and troop-specific activities. 

Instead, summer is a time to come together and have fun with fellow Girl Scouts, family, and friends.

COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT | 7 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

Girl Scouts of Citrus Council relies 

heavily on the expertise and support 

of our community partners to help us 

create innovative program offerings.


PROGRAM 

COLLABORATION 

OPPORTUNITIES 

Troop leaders and Girl Scout members are often 

approached by businesses and organizations that 

wish to partner with Girl Scouts. This section contains 

helpful information on the ways in which community 

partners can engage in Citrus Council programs. 

Partnering with Girl Scouts of Citrus is an 

opportunity to directly enhance the lives of local 

youth and serve as a leader in providing educational 

and fun experiences. The following are some of 

the main ways in which community partners help 

enhance and support Girl Scout programming. 

BADGE & PATCH PROGRAMS 

Community partners and organizations 

are welcome to offer patch programs and 

badge opportunities, pending approval 

from Citrus Council. 

When developing programs, think 

about an organization’s strengths and 

what could be easily implemented. For 

fun patches, consider offering unique 

opportunities like behind-the-scenes 

tours and learning experiences that 

are otherwise unavailable. For badges, 

prioritize programs that can be developed 

in a cost-effective manner. 

Once a program has been reviewed and 

approved by Citrus council, the partnering 

organization is free to develop and 

promote it. Citrus Council staff can assist 

partners with marketing these programs 

and ordering any supplies, such as 

badges or fun patches, as appropriate. 

PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM SERIES 

Community partners can help make 

Citrus Council’s multi-program initiatives 

successful by collaborating in an area that 

meets the requirements of an existing 

series. For example, organizations that 

embody STEAM (Science, Technology, 

Engineering, Art and Mathematics) may 

wish to consider joining the Earn Your Lab 

Coat program series. 

Sports organizations are welcome to 

inquire about the You’ve Got Game series. 

This series helps girls understand the 

many facets of the sports industry, from 

media and marketing, to operations and 

athletics.

DEVELOP NON-PATCH PROGRAMS 


Although Girl Scouts often focus on 

earning patches and badges, there are 

always opportunities to host other events 

and programs that provide a meaningful 

and fun experience for our Girl Scout 

community. This might include hosting 

job shadowing days or offering other 

professional development programs for 

Girl Scouts. 

Partners can also help girls give back 

to our Central Florida community by 

providing opportunities for them to 

volunteer or work directly on projects 

that have long- lasting, positive 

impacts. Examples of these projects 

include building a community garden, 

volunteering at a homeless shelter or 

an animal shelter, or spending time with 

residents in nursing homes. 

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS 

Citrus Council hosts a number of 

programs and events each year that 

can provide a platform for community 

partners to represent their industries and 

discuss career opportunities as well as 

share their personal stories. 

Not Your Mother’s College & Career Fair is 

an excellent example of this as it includes 

the participation of dozens of speakers, 

panel presenters, and workshop leaders 

gathering to discuss career paths and 

college life with older girls. 

Girl Scouts are often interested in hearing 

from career experts and professionals 

who can offer insights on how to reach 

their goals while leading stress-free and 

healthy lives. 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES & 

IN-KIND DONATIONS 

Signature events, new initiatives and 

large-scale programs require substantial 

financing to be successful. Community 

partners can help cover the costs of 

these programs by sponsoring an event, 

granting access to a venue space, or 

providing supplies. Partners can also 

consider providing troop scholarships to 

girls in underserved communities. 

Some companies generously host 

fundraising events or promotions that 

generate proceeds which are then 

donated to Girl Scout programs. Other 

partners graciously donate gifts, such 

as tickets to local attractions, to help 

recognize Gold Award recipients or 

other Girl Scouts that have achieved a 

noteworthy accomplishment.


HELP SCOUTS ACHIEVE THEIR 

HIGHER AWARDS 

The higher awards allow Girl Scouts the 

opportunity to dive deep into an issue 

and take action to address a challenge 

they see in the world. The topics and 

projects taken on by Girl Scouts for 

their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards are 

incredibly diverse. 

Community partners can support Girl 

Scouts in pursuit of these awards in 

several ways: 

Let Citrus Council know of any 

project opportunities available at your 

organization 

Help sponsor an individual Girl Scout 

or a troop in their efforts to fund their 

projects 

Use your expertise to provide guidance 

on a particular topic relating to an 

award project 

HOST AN OVERNIGHT 

Overnights are great for attractions 

and theme parks that are familiar with 

hosting large groups of youth in this type 

of setting. All partners that would like to 

organize a large scale overnight, including 

community volunteers, must coordinate 

directly with Citrus Council.


PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 

GUIDELINES 

Once an organization decides how it would like to contribute to Citrus Council events 

and program initiatives, the general process for program development can begin. Here 

are the next steps for getting involved. 

1 

After an organization has contacted Citrus 

Council and met with the program team, 

we will work together to create a plan for 

programs that are in alignment with the 

Girl Scout year. The Citrus Council will then 

develop a partnership Memorandum of 

Understanding (MOU) which explains all 

mutually agreed upon program details. 

2 

The 

MOU must be signed and program 

details finalized at least 6 weeks before the 

proposed program start date. If partners 

require assistance designing or ordering 

badges and patches, then a request must 

be submitted to Citrus Council 6 weeks in 

advance as well. 

3 

For community/volunteer-led programs 

and events, Citrus Council must be 

involved in all discussions regarding 

contracts, insurance and other logistics. 

Volunteers must sign a TAR (Troop Activity 

Request) and MOU in addition to working 

with council to ensure events do not 

conflict with any other programs. 

4 

Girl Scouts of Citrus will then support 

the community partner in promoting the 

program, obtaining registration, addressing 

questions from Girl Scout members about 

the program, and ultimately executing the 

program as successfully as possible.


COMMUNITY PARTNER EVENTS 

The Girl Scouts of Citrus Council hosts three programs per year exclusively for our community 

partners to come together, network, share their perspectives about partnering with Girl Scouts, 

and learn more about upcoming initiatives. 

MUNCH AND 

MINGLE 

CHAT AND 

CHEW 

REFLECT AND 

REVIEW 

This event provides an 

intimate setting for current, 

new, and potential partners 

to see who is engaging with 

our Council and to learn 

more about how they work 

with Girl Scouts. This event 

is hosted in the fall at the 

start of each Girl Scout 

Year and helps set the 

stage for the year ahead. 

This event takes place 

during cookie season 

and is designed to obtain 

feedback on programs that 

occurred within the year 

thus far, as well as those 

that are planned for the 

upcoming spring. This is 

an exclusive opportunity 

to hear about plans for the 

following year and get prime 

real-estate on the upcoming 

program calendar. 

This is a conversational, 

café-style event for 

partners to provide 

feedback on their year with 

Girl Scouts. It also serves 

as an opportunity for 

Citrus Council to show our 

appreciation and gratitude 

to our community partners 

and the work they have 

done. This is hosted in the 

summer months.

SIGNATURE EVENTS, AWARDS & MORE | 13 

SIGNATURE EVENTS, 

AWARDS & MORE 

We are dedicated to developing programs 

and opportunities that help build girls of 

confidence, courage, and character.


SIGNATURE EVENTS 

While all of the programs and events organized by Citrus Council are important, 

signature events are noteworthy because they are large-scale initiatives that 

often engage hundreds of Scouts and focus on celebrating Girl Scout holidays 

and special occasions. 

NOT YOUR 

MOTHER’S 

COLLEGE & 

CAREER FAIR 

Making decisions about life after high school can be overwhelming. Not Your 

Mother’s College & Career Fair is a chance to truly learn about the different 

career fields that best fit with your personality and interests, as well as the 

colleges that can help you prepare for these careers. 

This is a two part event; the college portion takes place in the fall, while the 

career focused event occurs in the spring. During the college fair, girls will 

have informal, honest conversations with staff from colleges and universities, 

as well as alumni and former Girl Scouts who can share their college 

experiences. While the girls learn best practices for completing college 

applications and setting realistic expectations, their parents participate 

in sessions focused on helping their girls prepare for college, such as 

understanding the financial aid process. 

In the spring, we meet again for part two of the career fair. During this 

portion, girls have an exclusive opportunity to speak with professionals and 

companies who can offer insights about pursuing careers in different fields 

– such as science, hospitality, communications, technology, health, and 

more. Participants also learn about special internships, summer jobs, job 

shadowing, and other career development opportunities that are only open 

to Girl Scouts! 

JULIETTE 

GORDON LOW 

BIRTHDAY 

BASH 

Every October, we celebrate the birthday of Girl Scout Founder, Juliette Gordon 

Low, by hosting a birthday extravaganza at a fun Central Florida attraction. 

While the location and program vary from year to year, Juliette’s Birthday Bash 

remains a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, honor our 

founder, and celebrate what makes Girl Scouts special.


DESTINATION 

EXPLORATION 

This annual event allows our members an opportunity to meet and connect 

with various community partners and experience one of our camp facilities. 

Girl Scout community partners set up booths and offer special promotions and 

discounts for Girl Scout members to local area attractions. This event is also a 

great opportunity to enjoy games, food, giveaway prizes, and music – all while 

having fun with fellow Girl Scouts! 

HOLIDAYS 

AROUND THE 

WORLD 

Every December, our Girl Scout community comes together to celebrate 

festivities and traditions that take place during the holidays across the globe. 

Girl Scouts are invited to enter a magical wonderland where they explore 

different holidays such as Kwanzaa, Three Kings Day, and Hanukkah. 

They also participate in hands-on activities, play games, and taste traditional 

treats. This event is girl-led and organized by VOICE, which is a club for older Girl 

Scouts who wish to voice their opinions about programs and take on a more 

active leadership role in Citrus Council. 

NATIONAL 

GIRL SCOUT 

DAY 

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout troop 

meeting in Savannah, Georgia. To commemorate this occasion, National Girl 

Scout Day is celebrated every year on March 12 th . 

Throughout the week, Citrus Council organizes exciting family-friendly programs 

focused on spending time together with the Girl Scout community and enjoying 

some of the wonderful activities Central Florida has to offer. 

WORLD 

THINKING 

DAY 

Every year on February 22 nd , Girl Scouts from around the world celebrate World 

Thinking Day. Girls are encouraged to think about the meaning of guiding and 

scouting while participating in activities and projects with global themes to 

honor their sister Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in other countries. Be on the 

lookout for this year’s theme in early winter and get in touch with Citrus Council 

for activity guides. 

IN HER 

HONOR 

GOLD 

AWARD 

CEREMONY 

This annual event honors our Gold Award recipients and takes place in late 

spring. The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl 

Scouts. This prestigious award is only open to girls in high school and challenges 

them to identify an issue, investigate it, create a plan, and then ultimately take 

action to help resolve it. All members of our scouting community are invited to 

join this wondrous occasion to honor our Gold Award recipients.


MULTI-PROGRAM INITIATIVES 

Multi-program initiatives provide girls with in-depth learning experiences that go beyond typical badge 

offerings. These consist of multiple programs centered on a common theme. By challenging girls in the 

areas of STEM, community service, sports, and other fields, these programs were created to inspire 

every Girl Scout to be a G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader). 

Earn Your Lab Coat 

Through collaboration with our community partners, girls who take part in this series are exposed 

to various fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM), as well as the Art 

element of these topics. 

The programs are rotated among community partners throughout the year. The Lab Coat program 

is open to Cadette-level Girl Scouts and must be completed within a 2 year period. Upon 

completion of the program series, girls will earn a Girl Scout branded lab coat. 

Back to Basics 

Remember the days of home economics, 

cooking classes, and learning how to repair 

the holes in your socks and clothing? Those 

were the days before smart phones, tablets, 

and the many devices that buzz, beep, and 

occupy our attention from the moment we 

wake up each morning. 

This program series is about going back 

to the basics with “old-school” programs 

focused on helping girls rediscover activities 

like sewing, baking, and developing important 

life skills. This series is also focused on 

ensuring girls can function without relying on 

technology and includes programs around 

verbal communication and team building. 

You’ve Got Game 

Girls participating in this program series have 

the opportunity to learn about the basics of 

sports and teamwork from Citrus Council 

sports partners. 

They get a behind-the-scenes look into what it 

takes to be part of professional and collegiate 

sports organizations. This program occurs 

during the spring and is open to Senior and 

Ambassador level Girl Scouts. 

We Don’t Need a Badge for That 

This series is about community service and 

giving back throughout the year. We work with 

organizations such as Give Kids The World 

Village and Second Harvest to organize Girl 

Scouts Give Back Days. 

This series does not involve a badge or patch, 

but rather, encourages Scouts and their 

families to volunteer and help benefit our 

Central Florida community.


GIRL SCOUT CLUBS 

Girl Scouts of Citrus Council develops and oversees several clubs that help girls build leadership 

skills and explore extracurricular activities that are of interest to them, such as learning how to 

code and participating in robotics competitions. 

Below are a sampling of such clubs. Please note that these may be modified on a year-to-year 

basis and other clubs may be added. Girls interested in participating in clubs should contact 

Citrus Council for more information. 

VOICE 

VOICE is an advisory board of Girl Scouts from every county that consists of 

Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. The club is divided into sub-committees, 

including: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Ted Talks/Public Speaking, Public Relations, 

and Historian. Girls usually meet once a month to help plan events and engage in 

conversations about what matters to the girls within their respective communities. 

VOICE participants provide critical input on programs and council events. They 

are given a unique opportunity to share their ideas with other girls while learning 

valuable interpersonal skills through their participation in this club. 

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) ROBOTICS TEAMS 

Girl Scouts of Citrus is proud to sponsor several robotics teams throughout 

our council. In addition to learning how to build robots and participating in 

competitions, teams also host showcases and events throughout the year.


HIGHER AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS 

Higher Awards and other Girl Scout recognitions provide girls 

the opportunity to become more involved in societal issues and 

learn skills to become proactive leaders. These are bestowed 

upon girls who complete outstanding initiatives, including 

projects and volunteer endeavors that have a lasting, positive 

impact on our Central Florida community. 

BRONZE, SILVER & 

GOLD AWARDS 

The Bronze, Silver and Gold awards 

incorporate engagement in either 

troop or individual projects that 

benefit Girl Scouts and their 

communities, expose Girl Scouts 

to important societal issues, and 

help them develop problem solving 

and critical thinking skills. 

The projects Girl Scouts undertake 

for these awards range in topic 

and scope. While some girls 

might be interested in tackling 

an environmental issue, others 

might seek a project focused on 

improving education or supporting 

the well-being of animals. 

Regardless of the topic selection, 

award projects serve to help Girl 

Scouts identify a challenge or 

issue they see in the world and 

address it through an action plan. 

BRONZE AWARD 

The Girl Scout Bronze 

Award is open to Girl 

Scout Juniors who have 

completed a Junior 

Journey. This is often a 

troop-led community 

service project. Girls 

are expected to spend 

at least 20 hours each 

working on this project. 

Upon completing a 

Junior Journey, girls must 

select an issue they want 

to tackle within their 

community and submit a 

proposal. 

SILVER AWARD 

The Silver Award is open 

to Cadette Girl Scouts who 

have completed a Cadette 

Journey. They may either 

complete the project as a 

small group (no more than 

3) or individually. 

The girls must investigate 

an issue within their 

community; then put a 

sustainable solution into 

action to address the issue. 

Girls must complete a 

required training and 

submit a proposal. Cadettes 

must focus entirely on 

benefitting their community 

and spend a minimum of 

50 hours on their project.


YOUNG WOMEN OF DISTINCTION 

AWARD 

This honor is bestowed upon Girl Scout Seniors 

or Ambassadors who have completed a Gold 

Award project that encompasses the following: 

• Demonstrates extraordinary leadership 

• Has a measureable and sustainable impact 

• Addresses a local challenge related to a 

national or global issue 

GOLD AWARD 

Three girls are nominated each year for this 

award. 

The Girl Scout Gold Award Take Action 

Project is the highest achievement 

that can be received in Girl Scouts. 

This is an individual project for girls 

that are in high school, who have 

either: 

• Completed two Senior Journeys or 

two Ambassador Journeys 

• Have earned a Silver Award and 

completed one Senior Journey or 

one Ambassador Journey 

Girls must identify an issue, 

investigate it, develop a plan, seek 

approval from Citrus Council, and 

then take action to find a solution that 

will educate and inspire people in the 

short and long term. 

Girl Scouts must spend a minimum 

of 80 hours on their project. Pending 

final approval from Council, award 

recipients will be invited to attend the 

In Her Honor Ceremony. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 

This award is achieved by making a difference in 

the community and applying Girl Scout values 

to the real world. Girl Scouts must select an 

organization or group that will allow them to 

complete 20 community service hours. If you 

have volunteer opportunities available for Girl 

Scouts, please let our council know. Contact 

Council for volunteer opportunities at Girl Scout 

properties, events, or programs 

SERVICE TO GIRL SCOUTING BAR 

This award is earned by Girl Scouts who have 

spent at least 20 hours volunteering with Citrus 

Council. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO 

WWW.CITRUS-GS.ORG.


EXAMPLES OF AWARD PROPOSALS 

Below is an example of a Bronze Award proposal, which is meant to help Girl Scouts better 

understand the information they must submit before beginning an award project. The proposal 

applications for Silver and Gold Awards are similar, though they contain additional questions that 

require Girl Scouts to go more in-depth into the details of their projects. 

Girl Scouts of Citrus Bronze Award Project Proposal 

Troop Leader/ Group Volunteer: Ashley Wilson 

Troop/Group Phone: (000)000-0000 

Troop/Group E-mail: AWilson@GS.net 

Girl Name Age Grade Troop # 

Lyn Smith 10 4 000 

Keisha Johnson 10 4 000 

Penelope Rodriquez 10 5 000 

Kacie Wilson 10 5 000 

Penny St. John 10 4 000 

Tracy Rossi 10 5 000 

Jodi Lee 10 5 000 

Taylor Campbell 10 5 000 

Junior Journey Information 

X 

Agent of Change Get Moving! aMUSE 

Take Action Project: Use it; Recycle it 

Date Completed: January 10, 2017 

Troop/Group Volunteer’s Signature: Ashley Wilson 

Your Bronze Project Award Team 

Please include other team members who are not part of your troop 

Team Members Affiliation Role 

CeCe Scott Glory Giving 

Advising 

Church 

Brenda Martinez Gardener Planting and Advising 

Bronze Award Take Action Project 

Project Title: Giving You Strength Through Nutrition 

Proposed Start Date: 02/10/17 Proposed Completion Date: 02/24/17 

TIPS & 

REMINDERS 

• A project advisor cannot 

be your troop leader, your 

troop adult volunteer, or a 

family member. 

• Submit a detailed budget. 

In-kind items must also be 

documented on a budget 

sheet. 

• Please make sure your 

proposals are well-written 

and include descriptive 

details. 

• Trainings are mandatory 

for Silver and Gold Award 

candidates. 

• Make sure that all 

money-earning events are 

approved by council. 

• Please visit the Citrus 

Council program webpage 

for more information and 

contact Council if you have 

any questions. 

• Please allow 30 days 

for your paperwork to be 

processed and to receive 

your certificate and award.


1.Describe the issue your project will address and how it will affect 

your community. 

(i.e. Why did your troop pick this project?) 

Through our participation in Girl Scout programs, we learned about the 

importance of eating healthy foods and making sure we get enough 

nutrition for our bodies. We also learned in school that sometimes people 

do not have access to healthy fruits and vegetables. 

We think it is important to help more people gain access to healthy foods, 

so we decided to build a garden at our local church. The food will be used 

in the church’s food pantry and for their programs to help feed people in 

need. This will have a positive impact on the community by helping them 

get access to more healthy food and reducing the cost of buying food. 

2.Briefly describe the project. 

Our troop will meet and consult with a local farm expert to learn 

what plants are best for our garden. We would like to plant fruits and 

vegetables, such as tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes and strawberries. 

We will each pair up and pick a vegetable or fruit to plant and learn about. 

We will research each plant and put together a pamphlet that explains the 

tips for taking care of the garden and each plant as well as the nutritional 

value of the fruits and vegetables in the garden. 

3.How will the success and impact of your project be evaluated? 

We will ask the church to let us know if the garden has helped cut down 

their food costs for healthy foods and if it has improved their ability to give 

out fruits and vegetables as part of their food pantry programs that feed 

people in need. We will also find out if our gardening has been successful 

once we start to see the plants growing and blooming and are able to help 

with the process of picking the ingredients and giving them to the church. 

4.How will this project be sustained beyond your initial project 

completion? 

The church and its volunteers will continue to maintain the garden and 

pass out the pamphlets we created.


noname@citrus-gs.org 

1-800-367-3906

SIGNATURE EVENTS, AWARDS & MORE | 23

SIGNATURE EVENTS, AWARDS & MORE | PG. 24



SIGNATURE EVENTS, AWARDS & MORE | PG. 27 

Thank you to all of our Girl Scouts of Citrus 

members and community partners that help 

make our events and programs a success. 

We look forward to collaborating with our partners on forthcoming 

programs and to seeing all of our Girl Scout members at future events. 

To stay updated on Citrus Council programs, like and follow us on 

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using @GSCCprograms.

GIRL SCOUTS STAY 

CONNECTED! 

Visit us at citrus-gs.org and stay up to date 

with allthingsgirlscouts.com. 

/GSCCprograms 

@GSCCprograms 

@GSCCprograms

Citrus G.I.R.L. Program Book

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