It’s summertime, which means we are gearing up for another year of exploration, adventure, leadership and fun! And great news–Girl Scouts of the USA has just released the newest badges and journeys to help girls do just that.

Last year we were excited to introduce a number of badges for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts, and this year we are thrilled to see the progression for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts along with some new outdoor adventure badges for girls of all levels!

Here’s a quick glance at what’s new for 2019-2020!

Coding for Good

Girl Scouts of all levels will learn about important women in computer science and fundamentals of coding, create algorithms, and discover ways that computer programming can make a positive difference in the world. While all activities are unplugged, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors have access to optional online modules created by VidCode to allow girls to test their new coding skills in digital space!

Cybersecurity

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts will join their Daisy, Brownie and Junior sisters in the next step of the cybersecurity badge progression. They’ll learn the importance of staying safe online while also exploring potential careers in the field!

High Adventure

There are two new high adventure badges for all Girl Scout levels! Girls will discover Trail Adventures in a progressive experience from trail exploration and play to trail running, hiking challenges, completing backpacking overnights, and showing leadership by coaching other girls in their own trail challenges.

The second high adventure badge is special in that there are two unique experience options: Snow Adventure or Climbing Adventure.  We’re lucky here at Girl Scouts of Western Ohio to be near resources that allow to explore either or both of these options!

Space Science

Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts will join the space adventure introduced to Daisy, Brownie, and Junior girls last summer. With support from NASA, girls will discover properties of light, explore their place in the universe, and look into ways they can be a part of NASA now and in the future.

What else is new?

Global Action

Find the 2019-2020 Global Action Award guidelines on the VTK! This year’s theme is Gender Equality, focusing on what that means for them, their Girl Scout community, and the world.

Award guides can be found in three meetings for two groups: Daisy / Brownie / Junior and Cadette / Senior / Ambassador. Look for the global icon next to some meeting agenda items to further explore global action.

World Thinking Day

World Thinking Day is celebrated annually by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across the globe on February 22. This year’s theme is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Award guidelines are broken up in three meetings for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior girls and Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador girls.

Where can you find the new badges, awards and Journey?

The new badge requirements are available for purchase from your local Girl Scout council shop to be added to your Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting binder. Troop Leaders and individually registered members (ages 13+) can access all the new badges, World Thinking Day guides, Global Action Award guides and the CSA Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey on the VTK.

VTK News

Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts can now find all of the Girl Scout Journeys on the VTK in a six meeting format: It’s Your Planet, Love It, It’s Your World, Change It, It’s Your Story, Tell It, Think Like a Programmer, Think Like an Engineer and new this year, Think Like a Citizen Scientist!

Cadettes can now find all of their national proficiency badges conveniently on the VTK, either in pre-populated tracks or through the “add meeting” and “choose your own” search options.

On July 25, individually registered girls ages 13 and up can access the VTK through their primary caregiver contact via MyGS, just as a troop leader does. We’re excited to see girls plan and take ownership of her experience using this digital tool!

If you want more information on the VTK, you can join the VTK: Your Digital Assistant webinar on October 22 at noon.  All registrants will receive the recording of the webinar for reference.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about all these great opportunities to help girls find their inner Go-Getter, Risk-Taker, Innovator and Leader (G.I.R.L.).  As always, if you need assistance, contact our GSWO Customer Care team at 888.350.5090 or customercare@gswo.org!