I love Girl Scout Council’s Own badges. I love council Try-Its and Interest Projects, too.

Why do I love them? Let me count the ways.

1. The Designs

Maybe it’s the smaller production runs, but Council’s Owns seem to be more brightly colored than ordinary GSUSA-issued badges. They’re just pretty, OK?

2. The Local Flavor

Council’s Owns celebrate local communities, highlighting regional attractions and resources. They feature local histories and traditions.

3. The Quirkiness

Council’s Owns also fill in gaps in traditional badge offerings. I am dying to locate at least a picture of the Taxidermy badge from New Jersey.

No GSUSA archery badge? Troop leaders could satisfy their own budding Katniss Everdeens with programs developed by councils across the country.

I’m sad that GSUSA has narrowed the opportunities for councils to create badges in favor of back-of-the-sash patch programs.  There are so many patch programs and participation patches these days, especially compared with the limited number of badges introduced in 2011, that we may soon have girls with layers of patches on the back and empty real estate on the front of their vests.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not opposed to patch programs at all.  In fact, I’ve created five patch programs myself.

And the final reason I love the Council’s Own…

4. I Made a Website!

I’ve created an entire website to share my Council’s Own collection. Go to gscobadge.info for images and requirements arranged by age level. There are also pages for special badge programs and mystery badges. Let me know if you can identify any or help fill in a blank spot.

I’m always looking for vintage Council’s Own badges. Please contact me if you find any.

Enjoy!

©2014, 2020 Ann Robertson