Whether it’s her very first Girl Scout vest or she’s moving up to the next level, getting a new Girl Scout vest is exciting!  And it can be a bit confusing for parents.

First, always wash a new vest before adding any patches.  And be sure to write your daughter’s name on the tag or somewhere else on the inside.

Next, place the Flag, Council patch, and troop number as high as you can on the vest.
This leaves more room below them for badges.

These guidelines also apply for the sashes, especially since there is so little room for earned badges on the sashes… put the Flag as high up on the shoulder seam as possible, have the patches below that as close together as possible.

Click here to download our handy shopping guide so you’ll know what questions to ask her troop leader and which patches and pins to purchase for a brand new vest.

These are the pins that are moved from her old vest to her new vest:

• Gold/Silver/Bronze Awards
• Any Summit Awards
• Her Membership Stars
• Any lifesaving awards
• Her World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts pin (WAGGGS)
• Her Girl Scout membership pin (Junior and older)

The following pins do NOT move up to her new vest:

• Cookie Pins
• My Promise/My Faith Pins
• Safety Awards
• President’s Volunteer Service Award
• Any other pins not mentioned in the above lists

Always wash a new vest before adding any patches.  And be sure to write your daughter’s name on the tag or somewhere else on the inside.

Be sure to check out the other information on our “Uniforms & Badges” page.  You’ll find helpful guides that show where everything goes, tips for getting the patches and pins to STAY on the vest, and information about how to earn specific pins.