Recognitions & Awards

Our 2027 Girl Scout Recognitions Ceremomy is Sunday, April 18, at Girl Scout Camp Icimani in Roanoke.

Everyone likes to feel appreciated for her or his volunteer service. Whether in the form of a simple thank-you for a small job well done or a formal commendation for years of faithful service in a key position of an organization, such acknowledgment is a signal to the recipient that she or he is noticed and appreciated—that she or he is recognized.

An attitude of appreciation can be created by:

Being aware of the extra effort put forth by an individual.
Taking the time to mention a person's service for a job well done.
Helping people to attain a higher level of achievement.
Developing a climate wherein work is sincerely noticed at all levels.

When and how the recipient is recognized will make the expression of gratitude memorable. Recognitions might be made on:

Special Girl Scout holidays
At Girl Scout service unit meetings
At a special recognition event
Immediately following service rendered
At a community recognition event

Adult Recognitions

For truly significant service, there is a formal adult recognition program in Girl Scouting. These council and national awards recognize outstanding accomplishments that go well beyond what would be expected for the position held.

Download the Virginia Skyline Adult and Girl Recognitions Summary (#4053) to determine:

Which awards would be appropriate for your candidate(s).
Whether letters of endorsement are required, and how many, for each type of award.
Who approves the award nomination.
The deadline date for submission of nominations.
How to complete the appropriate paperwork necessary.
Please send all nominations to adultrecognitions@gsvsc.org
GSVSC Recognitions Award Past Recipients List

Membership Numeral Guard toggle arrow

Recognizes the total number of girl and adult registration years in Girl Scouting. (Available in 5 year increments.)
Membership Numeral Guard Application (online application)

Years of Adult Service Pin toggle arrow

Recognizes the total number of years of service as an active, registered adult volunteer in Girl Scouting. (Available in 5 year increments.)
Years of Adult Service Pin Application (online application)

GSVSC Skyline Star Leader Award toggle arrow

Recognizes a troop leader for completion of requirements for membership and leadership.
Skyline Star Leader Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Skyline Star Leader Award Nomination (Static PDF)

GSVSC Skyline Star Service Unit Award toggle arrow

Recognizes a Virginia Skyline Service Unit team for maintaining and promoting growth of Girl Scouting in their area.
Skyline Star Community Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Skyline Star Community Award Nomination (Static PDF)

Hidden Heroine/Hero toggle arrow

Recognizes adult volunteer who helps where needed, always helps setup, cleanup, whatever needs to be done.

Hidden Heroine Hidden Hero Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Hidden Heroine Hidden Hero Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Skyline Rising Star toggle arrow

Recognizes an adult who is new to Girl Scouts that hit the ground running and has made an impact in less than three years.

Skyline Rising Star Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Skyline Rising Star Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Skyline Hall of Fame toggle arrow

Recognizes an adult member of 25 years or more who has delivered service with a lasting impact on the organization.

Skyline Hall of Fame Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Skyline Hall of Fame Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Becky Shaffer Owl Award toggle arrow

Recognizes a council trainer who provides outstanding training exceeding expectations of the position.

Becky Shaffer Owl Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Becky Shaffer Owl Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Council Special Service Award toggle arrow

Recognizes distinguished, dedicated service while working on a special GSVSC project or task. Three additional letters of support must accompany the nomination.
Council Special Service Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Council Special Service Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

GSVSC Service to Volunteers Award toggle arrow

Recognizes outstanding service of a GSVSC employee that is above and beyond the expectations of the position held and benefits more than two Girl Scout communities. Three additional letters of support from two or more Girl Scout communities must accompany the nomination.
Service to Volunteers Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Service to Volunteers Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Council Plaque toggle arrow

Recognizes 10 or more years of outstanding service to Girl Scouts. Three additional letters of support from two or more Girl Scout communities must accompany the nomination.
Council Plaque Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Council Plaque Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Living Donor Award toggle arrow

Honors a Girl Scout who gives the ultimate gift of a living donation in an effort to save a life.

GSVSC Living Donor Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
GSVSC Living Donor Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)

Emergency Preparedness Award toggle arrow

Honors girls & adults who exhibit a concern for others' safety in an extreme crisis situation.
Emergency Preparedness Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Emergency Preparedness Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)

Volunteer of Excellence Award toggle arrow

Recognizes volunteers who contributed outstanding service while partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or who contributed outstanding service in support of the council's mission delivery to girl and adult members. Two additional letters of support must accompany the nomination (at least one from an adult).
Volunteer of Excellence Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Volunteer of Excellence Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

President's Award toggle arrow

Recognizes the efforts of a service team, committee, or volunteer team whose exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience surpassed team goals and resulted in significant, measurable impact toward reaching the council's overall goals. Two additional letters of support must accompany the nomination.
President's Award Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
President's Award Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Appreciation Pin toggle arrow

Recognizes an individual's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This service, which has had measureable impact on one geographic area of service, helps reach and surpass the mission‐delivery goals of the area. Two additional letters of support from two or more Girl Scout communities must accompany the nomination.
Appreciation Pin Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Appreciation Pin Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Honor Pin

Recognizes an individual's exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had measurable impact on two or more geographic areas of service, allowing the council to reach and surpass its mission‐delivery goals. Three additional letters of support from two or more Girl Scout communities must accompany the nomination.
Honor Pin Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Honor Pin Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Thanks Badge toggle arrow

Honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership and service have had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement. Most prestigious adult award presented in Girl Scouting. Four letters of support from three or more regions must accompany the nomination.
Thanks Badge Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Thanks Badge Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Thanks Badge II toggle arrow

The Thanks Badge II honors a previous Thanks Badge award recipient who has continued to provide exemplary service in a leadership role, resulting in a measurable impact that benefits the entire Girl Scout Movement. Four letters of support from three or more regions must accompany the nomination.
Thanks Badge II Nomination (Fillable Word Doc)
Thanks Badge II Nomination (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable Word Doc)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

The Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Medal toggle arrow

The Juliette Low World Friendship Medal is awarded to individuals and councils who have enriched and leveraged the global understanding of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting to grow responsible global citizens. This prestigious national award is approved by the Girl Scouts of the USA National Board of Directors.

A Girl Scout council or individual nominates a candidate or council that meets all the criteria and has not previously received this award. The GSUSA nomination form is to be completed in full and submitted along with two letters of endorsement describing how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. Nominations may be submitted at any time by mailing the nomination form and endorsement letters to the vice president of Global Girl Scouting at the address provided on the form. The nomination is presented to the international commissioner for review. Final approval is by the GSUSA National Board of Directors. Upon approval, the vice president of Global Girl Scouting will coordinate the presentation of the award to the nominee.

Girl Recognitions

For truly significant accomplishments, there is a formal girl award program in Girl Scouting. These council and national awards recognize outstanding accomplishments that go well beyond what would be expected of a girl.

Download the Virginia Skyline Adult and Girl Recognitions Summary (#4053) to determine:

Which awards would be appropriate for your candidate(s).
Whether letters of endorsement are required, and how many, for each type of award.
Who approves the award nomination.
The deadline date for submission of nominations.
How to complete the appropriate paperwork necessary.
Please send all nominations to adultrecognitions@gsvsc.org

GSVSC Skyline Star Troop Award toggle arrow

Recognizes a troop for well-rounded program.
Skyline Star Troop Award Application (fillable Word document)
Skyline Star Troop Award Application (static PDF for viewing/printing)

GSVSC Triumph Award toggle arrow

The gift of Girl Scout Lifetime Membership for GSVSC graduating seniors who have earned the three highest awards: Bronze, Silver & Gold Awards.
GSVSC Triumph Award Application

GSVSC Tracy & Thelma Loyd Conservation Award toggle arrow

Recognizes Girl Scout troops/groups or individuals who have given outstanding service in the field of conservation. Two additional letters of support must accompany this nomination.
Tracy & Thelma Loyd Conservation Award Application (Fillable MS Word)
Tracy & Themla Loyd Conservation Award Application (Fillable PDF)
Letter of Support (Fillable MS Word)
Letter of Support (Fillable PDF)

Lifesaving Awards for Girls toggle arrow

GSUSA can formally recognize any registered girl member who has saved or attempted to save a human life under circumstances that indicate heroism or the risk of her own life.
Procedures for Honoring Girls with GSUSA Lifesaving Awards
GSUSA Lifesaving Awards Application

GSVSC Emergency Preparedness Award toggle arrow

Bronze Cross Award toggle arrow

Given to a girl for saving life or attempting to save life with extraordinary risk to her own life.
Procedures for Honoring Girls with GSUSA Lifesaving Awards
GSUSA Lifesaving Awards Application

Medal of Honor Award toggle arrow

Given to a girl for saving life or attempting to save life without great risk to her own life.
Procedures for Honoring Girls with GSUSA Lifesaving Awards
GSUSA Lifesaving Awards Application

Living Donor Award toggle arrow

Honors a Girl Scout who gives the ultimate gift of a living donation in an effort to save a life. Request the application from the council: info@gsvsc.org