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GSUSA logoGirl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)original GS logo designed by Juliette Low (used from 1912-1976)

Here are the basics about the Girl Scouts of the USA:

GSUSA has six main program sections, based on grade:

Girl Scout Promise and Law

Here are GSUSA's Girl Scout Promise and Girl Scout Law. GSUSA has taken a more liberal position on belief in God than the Boy Scouts of America, as can be seen from the official explanation of 'God' in the Promise:

The 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.

"* The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate."

The 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.

GSUSA's Highest Award

Unlike the well-known BSA Eagle Scout award (started in 1911), GSUSA's highest award is little known outside of Girl Scouting. Knowledge of the award by the general public has not been helped by repeated name changes since the first award was started in 1916.

But note that recipients of the Gold Award, like recipients of the Eagle Scout award, receive an automatic promotion upon enlistment (or completion of basic training) in the US military services.

Golden Eagle of Merit
1916 to 1919
(the first Girl Scout top award)
Golden Eagle of Merit Award

Golden Eaglet
1919 to 1940
Golden Eaglet Award

Curved Bar Award
1940 to 1963
Curved Bar Award

First Class Award
1963 to 1980
First Class Award

Girl Scout
Gold Award

1980 to present
Girl Scout Gold Award


For information about Boy Scouting in the US, see Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

For information about girls in the BSA, see Women and Girls in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

For information on Camp Fire and other alternatives to Scouting, see our Scout-like Organizations page.

For names and photos of the highest rank/achievement/advancement in other countries, see our Highest Rank in Scouting page.


Last Revision to This Page: 3 July 2021
Text copyright © 1996-2021 by Troop 97 BSA
Images are either non-copyright or are copyright © Girl Scouts of the USA