Ceremonies are a great way to keep Girl Scout traditions alive,
celebrate girl achievement, and provide opportunities for girls to
plan and lead. Include ceremonies like these in your annual meeting
plans and let the girls pitch in to make their ceremonies special.
Bridging:
Plan this ceremony when your Girl Scout troop moves
from one level of Girl Scouting to another—like from Daisies to
Brownies. Bridging ceremonies celebrate achievements and signal new
adventures and responsibilities on the horizon. They usually take
place at the beginning or end of a Girl Scout year.
Court of Awards: Plan this special ceremony to recognize
accomplishments. Girls are presented with their badges, year pins, and
other recognitions earned during the year. Volunteers may also be
recognized during the ceremony. The Court of Awards can be held
anytime during the year, at any location, and as often as the Girl
Scout troop wants.
Flag: A ceremony to recognize the allegiance to our nation or
retire a worn flag. A flag ceremony can be held as part of a
celebration. It can also be used to open a Girl Scout troop meeting or
other occasion.
Fly-Up: A ceremony for Brownie Girl Scouts bridging into Junior
Girl Scouts. It is at this time the girls receive their Brownie Girl
Scout wings.
Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath: A ceremony held each year during
Girl Scout Week. It is a time for Girl Scouts to reflect upon the
importance of the words, “to serve God,” in the Girl Scout Promise.
Some religions observe Girl Scout Sunday on the Sabbath on the
Saturday ending Girl Scout week. People of the Jewish faith also call
it Shabbat. Celebrated the week of March 12.
Girl Scout Troop Birthday Party: A ceremony and/or celebration
recognizing the anniversary date of the beginning of the troop.
Girl Scouts’ Own: Girl Scout’s Own isn’t a ceremony in the
strict sense of the word. But is a time for Girl Scouts to reflect on
their feelings about Girl Scouting and the world around them. It is a
solemn time given over to the girls themselves to create a moment of
their very own. A Girl Scouts’ Own can take place at a Girl Scout
troop meeting, an inter-troop gathering, or at camp.
Investiture: Plan this ceremony to welcome new girls and
volunteers to Girl Scouting. Girls receive their Girl Scout membership
pin at this time. Pins are placed upside down and then turned right
side up when the girl does a good deed. Volunteers can receive their
pins at this ceremony too.
Opening:
A ceremony to begin a meeting or an event.
Rededication: A ceremony for girls and adults who have already
been invested at some time in their life. It is a time for them to
reaffirm their belief in the Promise and Law and to reflect upon the
meaning of Girl Scouting in their lives. Notes: If a person rejoins
Girl Scouts after a period of absence, they are welcomed back at a
rededication ceremony.
World Thinking Day: A ceremony and/or celebration held each
year where new members can receive the World Trefoil Pin and all Girl
Scouts observe the international aspects of Girl Scouts.
Global Action Days: Celebrate nine special Global Action Days
each year with your Girl Scouts. This is a great opportunity to help
girls connect with the global Girl Scout sisterhood, discover issues
that affect girls around the world, and take action. Learn more at girlscouts.org/travel.