The President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is an opportunity to honor our most outstanding volunteers and recognize the impact they make. Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest is a proud PVSA certifying organization.
How to Earn the PVSA with GSDSW
1. Be a registered Girl Scout member with GSDSW.
2. Track the hours you spend volunteering with the Volunteer Hours Log.
- Your volunteer hours do not have to be Girl Scout related but they do need to qualify as noted below under "Award Details".
- Volunteer hours must be completed during a 12-month timeframe
3. Complete the PVSA Application after you complete your hours. You will also upload your Volunteer Hours Log.
Deadline is October 1, 2024
The deadline to submit application, in order to be recognized at the soonest Ceremony of Honors, is October 1, 2024. Late applications will be recognized at the following Ceremony of Honors. Applications more than two years late will not be accepted.
Visit our council Key Dates Calendar for Ceremony of Honors date(s).
Award Details
For the most recent details about this award, visit https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/
Volunteer Eligibility
- United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
- Must be at least five years old
- Completes eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)
Eligible Service (Volunteer Hours):
Unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others:
- Service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards)
- Travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility
Eligible Service (Volunteer Hours) does not include:
- Donating funds
- Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
- Religious instruction
- Conducting worship service
- Proselytizing
- Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
- Serving only family members
Hours Required to Earn Awards in Each Age Group
| Age Group |
Bronze |
Silver |
Gold |
Lifetime Achievement Award |
|---|
| Kids (5–10 years old) |
26–49 hours |
50–74 hours |
75+ hours |
4,000+ hours |
| Teens (11–15) |
50–74 hours |
75–99 hours |
100+ hours |
4,000+ hours |
| Young Adults (16–25) |
100–174 hours |
175–249 hours |
250+ hours |
4,000+ hours |
| Adults (26+) |
100–249 hours |
250–499 hours |
500+ hours |
4,000+ hours |
