Help CenterWhile participating in Girl Scouts, youth may receive patches or earn awards, badges, or recognition related to what they do. Here's a quick list to help understand the differences:
- Badge - earned for skill-building through the National Program Portfolio; typically worked on within the troop setting; examples include First Aid, Brownie Senses, Junior Girl Scout Way; worn on the front of uniform piece.
- Patch or Fun Patch - received for or represents participation in certain activities or programs; not related to specific National Program Portfolio badges; may be worked within or outside of a troop setting; examples include Girl Scouts Love State Parks, Mall Lock-In, and pumpkin patch; worn on the back of uniform piece.
- Awards - earned for deeper level understanding in a skill or program area; may be worked within or outside of a troop setting; examples include Safety Award pin, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards, Girl Scout Cookie Entrepreneur Family Pin; typically a pin and worn on the front of uniform piece.
- Membership Recognition - used to recognize important Girl Scout milestones; may be related or unrelated to troop participation; examples include 5-year Numeral Guard, 10-year Numeral Guard, membership stars; worn on the front of the uniform piece (typically with insignia).