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Religious Awards

The motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one. Each girl pursues her own religious or spiritual beliefs and is expected to respect the beliefs and practices of others. Religious recognition programs are created by religious groups (not by GSUSA or GSRI) to encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith. A girl works with her own family and religious leaders to complete the requirements for these awards.

Recognitions have been approved by GSUSA and may be worn on the official uniform. Booklets for girls of Protestant faiths, Jewish and some Eastern religions can be purchased in our Girl Scout shops.

GSRI Religious AwardsA troop with girls of different religions may work together on activities that are similar and then meet individually with their priest, minister or rabbi to complete the award. The troop leader does not have to be the mentor for awards. Any parent may be the award mentor.

Religious awards may not be worked on during meeting times. An additional time must be set aside to work on awards. Meeting prior to or after a regular meeting is acceptable.

Awards are presented to girls by their own minister, priest, rabbi, etc. at a ceremony planned by/at the girl’s house of worship.

Interfaith Quick Reference Chart

Catholic Awards

The Program Guide for Catholic Scouting (available at GSRI and the Office of Youth Ministry) details all of the girl and adult awards available. Catholic Cadette & Senior religious awards are presented by the Bishop at a formal Scout Sunday Mass in March.

Procedure for Catholic Awards:

  1. Obtain permission from the girls parent/guardian to work on award
  2. Purchase workbook through a member of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.
  3. Contact a counselor/mentor within the religion for assistance
  4. Obtain required signatures on workbooks
  5. Send pre-applications for all awards as soon as possible, and final application as soon as award is completed to Diocese of Providence, Office of Youth Ministry, One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903
  6. Receive pin or award from Catholic Committee on Scouting for presentation to girl
  7. Submit information on girls and adults earning religious awards to GSRI for recognition in various publications. Forms are available, but not necessary, in the service unit resource box.

Other Religious Awards

Procedures for most other religious awards – not Catholic – are as follows:

  1. Obtain permission from the girl’s parent/guardian to work on award
  2. Purchase workbook from the appropriate source (Most workbooks – except Catholic – are available in the GSRI shop)
  3. Contact a counselor/mentor within the religion for assistance
  4. Obtain required signatures on workbooks
  5. Submit required paperwork upon completion to appropriate person/mentor
  6. Purchase pin or award for presentation to girls
  7. Plan a service/mass or ceremony for proper presentation of award
  8. Submit information on girls and adults earning religious awards to GSRI for recognition in various publications. Forms are available, but not necessary, in the service unit resource box.