The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting earned by Girl Scouts, ages 14-17, or grades 9-12. The Gold Award is a great accomplishment so the ceremony should reflect the significance of this award.

Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area Gold Award recipients are recognized at the annual spring Walk of Fame Event. This event is open to all Gold Award recipients and their families.

Gold Award recipients may also choose to be recognized for their achievement in their own communities or Girl Scout troop/service unit.

The Girl Scout Council of the Catawba Valley Area will provide all Gold Award recipients with the following:

• The Gold Award Pin
• Miniature Gold Award pin for the girl's parents (one provided)
• A Gold Award presentation folder in which are accumulated the congratulatory messages, certificate, etc., which the council secures
• Media releases will be done through the Council's Vice President of Marketing at the time of your ceremony. Before media releases can be mailed, the Gold Award recipient must submit one 5" x 7" color portrait and two 3 1/2" x 5" photos to the Vice President of Marketing no later than March 1.

The girl's responsibilities include:

• Complete all tasks by deadline!
• Notify council where the Gold Award will be received — at council's Walk of Fame recognition event, community event, or at both the community and council event.
• Notify the council regarding her completion date of the Gold Award. To participate in the council's Gold Award ceremony, the council must be notified by March 1 to obtain the necessary certificates. If the award is to be presented in the girl's community, eight weeks notice must be given.
• Send one 5" x 7" color portrait and two 3 1/2" x by 5" photos no later than March 1 to the council's Vice President of Marketing. The uniform must be worn in the photo. The photo should include the upper torso and head (similar to a school picture). Tip: The large color portrait will be displayed at the Council Service Center. The most inexpensive vendor for such photos is an establishment that takes passport photos.
• Submit three photos per project by March 1 for a multimedia presentation at the Walk of Fame event.
• Gold Awards given on the local level must have arrangements made by the troop, service unit or other committee for the following:
  Note: It is a courtesy to invite the following persons:
  *The Council CEO/ President and the Council Board Chair (even though their many commitments throughout the council's seven counties may cause them to decline).
  *The Service Unit Director and Service Team.
• Scheduling of the presentation.
• Selection and confirmation of the award ceremony site.
• Preparation of the guest list for the ceremony.
• When space and other considerations permit, serious consideration should be given to inviting local troop leaders, at all program levels, and girl representatives of their troops. Each Gold Award presentation is a cause for celebration by all Girl Scouts. Each Gold Awardee is a sign of Girl Scouting's progression to greater and greater challenges.
• Sending date, time and place of ceremony to the Vice President of Program Services and Property at the Council Office.
• Addressing and mailing of invitations.
• Arrangements for any desired decorations, flowers, special music, reception after the ceremony, etc.
• Development of the actual ceremony, securing of guest speakers, if any, etc.

If further information is needed, please contact the Vice President of Program Services and Property.