Highest Awards


ALL ABOUT: TAKE ACTION PROJECTS

Take Action is a process in Girl Scouts where we make the world a better place by diving deeper into the reasons why something is happening. All Highest Awards are Take Action Projects and a part of the Take Action progression. Learn more about the Take Action process here!

What is a Take Action project?

Take Action Projects are projects where you will:

1. Choose an issue/concern in your community that you would like to change.
2. Ask “why, why, why” to find out the reasons (root causes) why this issue is happening and choose one to affect with your project.
3. Create a long-term solution to affect the root cause of your issue.



Take Action is different from Community Service

Both Take Action and Community Service are important parts of what we do as Girl Scouts and change-makers in the world; however, they are two different processes. Check out these differences.




Let's take a look at an example!




Take Action is a Progression

At each level of the Highest Awards, girls have the opportunity to delve deeper into the Take Action process. The Take Action progression has five key components: Leadership, Root Cause, Sustainability, Measurability, and National and/or Global Link. In the chart opposite, diamonds represent required elements and circles represent new concepts called "Try Its."



Leadership (all levels) – Girls practice leadership skills appropriate for their Girl Scout level by creating a new solution to the root cause of their issue, connecting with experts on this issue, and leading a team to implement their solution.

Root Cause (all levels) – Girls move beyond simply observing an issue and addressing the immediate need, to exploring why that issue is happening. There are often many root causes to an issue; girls are tasked with choosing one to impact with their project.

Sustainability (Juniors and above) – Girls develop a long-lasting solution to the root cause of their issue that will continue beyond their involvement in the project.

Measurability (Cadettes and above) – Girls examine how they know their project has made a difference to the root cause of their issue. How can they measure that difference?

National and/or Global Link (Cadettes and above) – Girls explore the ways their project contributes to, aligns with, and/or expands other efforts on the issue in the local, national, and/or global community.

In Depth: Sustainability

Sustainability is the part of the Take Action process where girls work to ensure that their project will have a long-term impact beyond their involvement.



Journey/badge Take Action projects are a little different from Highest Awards Take Action Projects.

Note: As of July 14, 2025, GSUSA invites girls to complete a Take Action Project in conjunction with either a Journey or a badge. For more information about GSUSA's Leadership Awards update, visit GSUSA's Leadership Awards page and GSSJC's Highest Awards Online Community "Prerequisites for Highest Awards" page.

The concept of Journey/badge Take Action Projects is the same as Highest Awards Take Action Projects. However, there are a few small differences.

  • Journey/badge Take Action Projects should match in theme to the theme of the Journey or badge whereas Highest Awards Take Action Projects can be on any topic.
  • Journey/badge Take Action Projects do not require Council approval; however, each of the Highest Awards require an increasing level of approval from Council.
  • There is no hours requirement for Journey/badge Take Action Projects; however, the Highest Awards require an increasing number of minimum hours.

Please note that a Take Action Project completed as a Highest Awards prerequisite does not count as a Highest Awards Take Action Project. These are two separate projects the girls can undertake. In most cases these will be two completely different project concepts addressing completely different issues/concerns. If a girl would like to expand her Journey/badge Take Action Project into a Highest Award Take Action Project, there needs to be a very clear distinction between the two projects.

Activity!

Need Help brainstorming?

Check out GSUSA's Highest Awards Main Themes chart to explore all the different kinds of issues that you might want to make a difference in!