Now that you know the who, where, and when of your ceremony, you can
plan the what and the how. First, consider the mood of your Bridging
Ceremony. Will it be serious? Lighthearted? Reflective? You may also
want to have a theme to your ceremony; for example, one group of girls
in Texas chose a western theme for their Bridging Ceremony, which they
titled “Boot-Scootin’ Across the Prairie.” Establishing the mood
and/or theme may help guide girls as they plan the elements of your ceremony.
The Opening
In this part of the ceremony, you welcome
your guests, state the purpose of the ceremony, and set the mood for
the occasion. There are many ways you can open your ceremony,
including a Flag Ceremony, a general welcome message to the attendees,
reading a poem, singing a song, or saying a prayer. Work with girls
to decide what’s right for your group!
The Main Part
This portion of your bridging ceremony can
be as simple or elaborate as you like—there’s no requirement regarding
what you must include unless the girls are working toward the Bridging Award. The focus, especially during the
main part of your ceremony, is paying tribute to the girls as they
move forward and supporting each girl in her transition.
Bridging ceremonies often utilize a bridge as a prop. The act of
crossing is a physical, as well as a symbolic, step into the future.
You can use a real bridge in a park, check out a bridge from one of
our Resource
Centers, or create a symbolic bridge. Some options for creating
your own bridge can be found under Tips and Resources. Also consider
how the girls will bridge; if you have a large space, they may all
walk over the bridge together. Or, you may choose to have each level
bridge independently and acknowledge them one by one.
Consider what else would make this ceremony personal and memorable
for the girls. Girls may want to exchange SWAPS, sing their favorite
Girl Scout songs, or present Silly Awards. Bridging Ceremonies
involving larger groups are a great opportunity for girls to put on
exhibits about their troop activities, their favorite thing about
being a Girl Scout at their last level, what they’re looking forward
to at the next level, and/or earning the highest awards. If you’ve
chosen a theme, food and games are a great way to develop that theme
and bring your guests together.
The Closing
Just as with the opening of your ceremony,
there are many options for closing your ceremony. You may form a
friendship circle, thank your guests, or sing a song, among other
options. As with all parts of the ceremony, work with girls to
determine what options work best for your group!