Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana serves more than 55,000 girls and 21,000 adult volunteers. It is the largest Girl Scout council by membership in the United States. It includes Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee, Lake and Will counties in Illinois and Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter counties in Indiana.

It was formed by the merger of Girl Scouts of the Calumet Council Indiana, Girl Scouts of Chicago, Drifting Dunes Girl Scout Council, Girl Scouts — Illinois Crossroads Council, Girl Scouts — Prairie Winds, Girl Scouts of South Cook County, and Girl Scouts of Trailways Council on July 1, 2008.

Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law

Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be

honest and fair,

friendly and helpful,

considerate and caring,

courageous and strong, and

responsible for what I say and do,and to

respect myself and others,

respect authority, use resources wisely,

make the world a better place, and

be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Daisies (Grades K-1)
Daisy is the initial level of Girl Scouting. Named for Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low, they are in kindergarten and first grade (around ages 5–7). They typically meet in groups of ten girls with two adult leaders who help the girls plan activities to introduce them to Girl Scouts.

Daisies earn the Promise Center and Petals, which focus on the Girl Scout Law and are placed on the front of the tunic in a daisy design. They also earn Leaves and Journey Leadership Awards. Their uniform consists of a light blue tunic. They may also wear their tunic with a white shirt and khaki bottoms or with an official Girl Scout Daisy uniform. The Girl Scout Membership Star is worn with blue membership disks and they wear the Girl Scout Daisy Membership Pin.

Daisies use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Daisies and the National Leadership Journeys to work on activities, may camp only with a parent present, and have the option to sell Girl Scout cookies. They may earn the Daisy Safety Award and the Bridge to Brownies Award.

Brownies (Grades 2-3)
Brownies are in second and third grades (around ages 7–9) and earn triangular shaped Brownie Leadership Journey Awards and National Proficiency Badges.

Their uniform consists of a brown vest or sash which may be worn with a white shirt and khaki bottoms or with an official Brownie uniform. The Girl Scout Membership Star is worn with green membership disks, and they wear the Brownie Membership Pin.

Brownies use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Brownies and the National Leadership Journeys to work on badges and activities. They may earn the Bridge to Juniors Award and the Brownie Safety Award.

Unlike some of the other levels, the name Brownie is commonly used with Girl Scout/Girl Guide organizations around the world and has its origin from Brownies in the British Girl Guides.

Juniors (Grades 4-5)


Juniors are in fourth and fifth grades (around ages 9–11). Their uniform is a green vest or sash which may be worn with a white shirt and khaki bottoms.

Juniors are the first level to wear the official Girl Scout Membership Pin on their uniform. The Girl Scout Membership Star is worn with yellow membership disks. They use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Juniors and the National Leadership Journeys to work on badges and activities. They earn circle shaped Junior Leadership Journey Awards and National Proficiency Badges. Badges require more skill at this level as the girls gain proficiency. They may earn the Girl Scout Junior Safety Award, the Junior Aide Award, and the Bridge to Cadettes Award.

Juniors are eligible to earn the Bronze Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting available at this level.

Cadettes (Grades 6-8)
Cadettes are Girl Scouts who are in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades (around ages 11–14). Their uniform is a khaki vest or sash with white shirts and khaki bottoms. They wear the official Girl Scout Membership Pin on their uniform. The Girl Scout Membership Star is worn with white membership disks. Cadettes use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Cadettes and the National Leadership Journeys to earn diamond shaped badges. Typically, Girl Scouts at this level are encouraged to assume leadership roles within them, such as assisting in leading and coordinating service unit or association events. They may also earn the Cadette Program Aide award, the Cadette Community Service Bar, the Cadette Service to Girl Scouting Bar, the Cadette Safety Award and the Bridge to Senior Award. They are eligible to earn the Silver Award, which is the highest award available to girls at this level.

Seniors (Grades 9-10)
Seniors are Girl Scouts who are in ninth and tenth grade (around ages 14–16). Their wear the same uniform as Cadettes—however, the disks for their membership stars are red and their badges are a rectangular shape.

Seniors use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Seniors and the National Leadership Journeys to earn badges. They are typically encouraged to create and lead activities for the younger Girl Scouts, and to take a leadership role in organizing and assisting with Council and service unit/association events and activities. They may earn the Counselor-in-Training (CIT), the Volunteer-in-Training (VIT), the Girl Scout Senior Safety Award, the Gold Torch Award, the Senior Community Service Bar, the Senior Service to Girl Scouting Bar and the Bridge to Girl Scout Ambassador award.

Seniors are eligible to earn the Gold Award.

Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)
Ambassadors are Girl Scouts who are in eleventh and twelfth grade (around ages 16-18). They wear the same khaki colored vest or sash as Cadettes and Seniors. The Girl Scout Membership Star is worn with navy membership disks.

Ambassadors use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for Ambassadors and the National Leadership Journeys to earn badges that are shaped like an octagon. They may earn the Counselor-in-Training (CIT), the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) II, the Volunteer-in-Training (VIT), the Ambassador Community Service Bar, the Ambassador Service to Girl Scouting Bar, the Gold Torch Award, the Ambassador Safety Award, and the Bridge to Adult Award.

Ambassadors are eligible to earn the Gold Award.

Journey
Each level of Girl Scouting has multiple Journey programs. A Journey is a series of lessons particular topic. The Journeys are made up of multiple parts and all parts of the Journey must be earned for it to be complete. A Girl Scout who completes three Journeys at one level earns a Summit Pin. Before beginning work on a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award project, a Girl Scout must complete one Journey at her level. A Girl Scout who did not earn her Silver Award must complete two Journeys at her current level, instead of one, work on her Gold Award.

Every Girl Scout grade level has a Journey series to choose from, each including a sustainable Take Action project and all the exploration, discovery, and adventure to power a lifetime of leadership and success!

It’s Your World—Change It!
Whether it’s planting a garden, painting a mural, or launching a letter-writing campaign, Girl Scouts at every level experience unique leadership and advocacy challenges, complete Take Action projects, and discover what it means to be a leader who makes a difference in the world.

It’s Your Planet—Love It!
Girls learn about environmental topics such as clean water and air, noise pollution, global warming, soil contamination, and agriculture. Each Journey is packed with current environmental information and offers ways to improve life for everyone on the planet through a Take Action project.

It’s Your Story—Tell It!
Girls get the opportunity to tell their stories through a range of creative approaches. Exploring important themes such as developing a strong sense of self, navigating healthy relationships, and promoting well-being and confidence in themselves and others get girls involved in discussions about thinking critically and ready to complete a Take Action project.

Engineering: Think Like an Engineer
Girls discover how to think like an engineer by participating in hands-on design challenges and completing a Take Action project.

Computer Science: Think Like a Programmer
Girls learn how programmers solve problems by participating in computational-thinking activities and completing a Take Action project.

Outdoor STEM: Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Girls learn how to make observations and collect data by doing a citizen science project and completing a Take Action project.

Outdoor
Girls get outside to explore and enjoy nature while completing a sustainable Take Action project. Fun, safe activities ranging from backyard camping to high-adventure exploration build essential outdoor skills and inspire girls to become environmental stewards.

Because Girls Scouts is girl-led, she'll pick the topic that interests her most, whether it’s caring for animals; taking a stand for girls; exploring science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM); helping others; spreading kindness; protecting the environment; or anything else important to her.

As she goes on her Journey, she’ll earn awards to put on her uniform, letting others know about the awesome things she’s done and taking pride in what she’s accomplished and the amazing experiences she’s had along the way.

Camps

 * Butternut Springs
 * Friendship Center
 * Greene Wood
 * Juniper Knoll
 * Palos
 * Pokanoka
 * River Trails

Girl Scout Cookies
Sure, they’re awesomely delicious, but beyond the sweetness, Girl Scout Cookies are an opportunity for girls to do extraordinary things.

When you make a Girl Scout Cookie purchase, you’re helping the next generation of girl entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful—teamwork, planning, and a positive outlook (for starters).

List of Girl Scout Cookies

 * Tagalongs
 * Do-si-dos
 * Savannah Smiles
 * Thin Mints
 * Trefoils
 * Samoas
 * Girl Scout S'mores
 * Toffee-tastic

Badges
Girl Scout badges are a great way for a girl to explore her interests and learn new skills—and to remember every adventure and show the world what she’s accomplished.

Highest Awards
Main article: Gold Award, Silver Award, and Bronze Award

Bronze. Silver. Gold. These represent the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn.

All three awards give you the chance to do big things while working on an issue that’s captured your interest in a big way.

Whether you want to plant a community garden at your school and inspire others to eat healthily for your Bronze Award, advocate for animal rights for your Silver Award, or build a career network that encourages girls to become scientists and engineers for your Gold Award, you’ll inspire others (and yourself).

Bronze Award
Main article: Bronze Award

The Girl Scout Bronze Award was created in 2001 and is the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve. As you and your team plan and complete your project, you'll meet new people and have the kind of fun that happens when you work with other Girl Scouts to make a difference.

Prerequisites
Girls must be in 4th or 5th grade (or equivalent), be a registered Girl Scout Junior, and have completed a Junior Journey before they can begin to work on a Bronze Award project.

Bronze Award Steps

 * 1) Go on a Girl Scout Junior Journey.
 * 2) Build your Girl Scout Junior team.
 * 3) Explore your community.
 * 4) Choose your Girl Scout Bronze Award project.
 * 5) Make a plan.
 * 6) Put your plan in motion.
 * 7) Spread the word.

Junior Journey
There are currently seven Junior Journey programs to choose from. All badges in the Journey must be earned for the Journey to be complete.
 * Agent of Change. It's Your World, Change It! (three badges, sold as a complete set)
 * Power of One Award
 * Power of Team Award
 * Power of Community Award (this badge is for the final Take Action Project)


 * Get Moving! It's Your Planet, Love It! (three badges, sold as a complete set)
 * Energize Award
 * Investigate Award
 * Innovate Award (this badge is for the final Take Action Project)


 * aMUSE! It's Your Story, Tell It! (three badges, sold as a complete set)
 * Reach Out! Award
 * Speak Out! Award
 * Try Out! Award (this badge is for the final Take Action Project)


 * Think Like a Citizen Scientist (two badges, sold separately)
 * Junior Think Like a Citizen Scientist Award
 * Junior Take Action Award


 * Think Like a Programmer (two badges, sold separately)
 * Junior Think Like a Programmer Award
 * Junior Take Action Award


 * Think Like an Engineer (two badges, sold separately)
 * Junior Think Like an Engineer Award
 * Junior Take Action Award)


 * Outdoor Journey (four badges, sold separately)
 * Junior Camper
 * Animal Habitats
 * Eco Camper
 * Junior Take Action Project

Bronze Award Project
The Bronze Award Project is a team effort by a group of Juniors, usually from a single troop. The project's objective must be to benefit the local community and/or benefit Girl Scouting as a whole in some way. Each scout is expected to contribute 20 hours to the project. The project is to be girl-led, but, unlike the Silver and Gold Awards, adults may be on-hand to assist and guide.

Approval
The approval process varies by council. Before beginning work on a Take Action Project or a Bronze Project, it is important to check with the local council.

Silver Award
Main article: Silver Award

Going for the Girl Scout Silver Award—the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn—gives you the chance to do big things and make your community better in the process.

Prerequisites
A girl must be in 6th, 7th or 8th grade (or equivalent), be a registered Girl Scout Cadette, and have completed a Cadette Journey before she can begin work on a Silver Award project.

Cadette Journey

There are currently four Cadette Journey programs to choose from. All badges in the Journey must be earned for the Journey to be complete.
 * Cadette Amaze Journey (three badges, sold as a set)
 * Interact
 * Diplomat
 * Peacemaker
 * Cadette Breath Journey (three badges, sold as a set)
 * Aware
 * Alert
 * Affirm
 * Cadette MEdia Journey (three badges, sold as a set)
 * Monitor
 * Influence
 * Cultivate
 * Cadette Outdoor Journey (four badges, sold separately)
 * Night Owl
 * Trailblazing
 * Primitive Camper
 * Take Action

Silver Award Steps

 * 1) Identify an issue you care about.
 * 2) Build your Girl Scout Silver Award team or decide to go solo.
 * 3) Explore your community.
 * 4) Pick your Silver Award project.
 * 5) Develop your project.
 * 6) Make a plan and put it into motion.
 * 7) Reflect, share your story, and celebrate.

Silver Award Project
The Silver Award Project can be done as an individual or as a small group. The project's objective must be to benefit the community in some way. Each Girl Scout is expected to contribute 50 hours to the project. The project is to be girl-led, but adults can advise and assist when necessary. Although the general guidelines have been established by GSUSA, it is important to check with the local Council on exact procedure.

Approval
The approval process varies by council. Before beginning work on a Take Action Project or a Silver Project, it is important to check with the local council.

Gold Award
Main article: Gold Award

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. It is awarded to Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors who complete a project that will make a lasting difference in the world.

Prerequisites
A girl must be in high school (ninth through twelfth grade, or equivalent), be a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador, and have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys OR earned the Girl Scout Silver Award and completed a Journey.

Girl Scout Gold Award Steps

 * 1) Identify an issue
 * 2) Investigate your issue thoroughly
 * 3) Get help and build your team
 * 4) Create a plan
 * 5) Present your plan and gather feedback
 * 6) Take action
 * 7) Educate and inspire