In addition to the Ceremony job you volunteer for and providing a food/drink item for the reception, here is a checklist of everything you need to take care of before the Ceremony:
Make sure your scouts get the necessary paperwork submitted to Council by March 31. This is needed to make sure we do not have any last-minute changes to the roster of participants. Roster changes after March, not only affect the budget, but several of the tasks as well. If a scout cannot finish by March, or is not sure, there is always next year's ceremony.
Gold Award recipients will need to have their formal portraits taken at Belle n’ Beau Photography in Arcadia. Council will send information to the girls; however, because our ceremony is earlier, we encourage the girls to get their portraits done as soon as you know that they are approved. Book early!! They photograph ALL the gold girls in the entire council, as well as all the boy scouts! They are busy. Let them know that you are with the La Cañada Service Unit so that they know to submit your portrait to us for the program.
Belle 'N Beau Portrait Studio
201 South First Avenue, Arcadia
626 - 446 - 6000
Scouts will need to write a bio and a speech
The bio is a short description of what they did and why they did it. It also includes a short thank you (mentors, leaders, people who went above and beyond). You need to start asking for this early! The bios should be about 250 words and the short thank you should be about 30 words. Bios should be sent to the Ceremony Chairs.
The speech should emphasize the "why" of the project, not the "what". Speeches should be no longer than 1 minute (have them practice). Speeches should be sent to the ceremony chair.
There will be a dress rehearsal close to the ceremony date (usually a couple of weeks before). This is a mandatory meeting. Scouts and leaders need to be in full uniform as this is when photos will be taken for the Outlook GS Special Insert. Scouts will practice their speeches in front of the attending leaders (and, if necessary, get some pointers).
Scout Uniforms are a white button-down blouse (long or 3/4 sleeved), khaki skirt (please not too short!), black pumps (no higher than 2" heels), and their sashes/vests.
Scout Uniforms need to be up-to-date with all of their pins and badges. Click here to see where to place badges/pins/insignia.
Leader Uniforms are Navy or Ruby Girl Scout Trefoil polo shirt/sweater or white or collar shirt (no t-shirts), navy bottoms (skirt, pants, nice shorts), dress shoes (no tennis shoes). Navy dress is also an option. Girl Scout Leader vest is optional. **Updated for 2026** Be sure to wear your leader membership pin and tab, and if you have any Girl Scout award pins (service pin, level volunteer pin, appreciation pin, etc), wear those too.
Be sure to invite any community leaders/project mentors to the Ceremony.
Encourage your scouts' parents to buy an ad in the Outlook Special Edition. If you have several scouts getting the award, consider buying an ad for your Troop.
Communicate with your Troop parents! Make sure they are aware of key dates, uniform requirements, etc.
We will need scouts to sing the National Anthem. Please ask your scouts if they are in choir and, if so, if they will be willing to sing at the Ceremony. Ideally we would have 6-10 scouts. We use the LCHS choir arrangement of the anthem. If your scouts go to another school and want to sing, we can send them the sheet music so that they can learn it.
Have fun celebrating with your girls! They have achieved the Gold!
Keep an eye on the Overview page for important dates and information.