Girl Scout Ceremonies

Girl Scout Ceremonies

Ceremonies in Girl Scouting are used to honor special occasions and to recognize accomplishments. Ceremonies also provide a means of expressing feelings and values of friendship, service and patriotism. Ceremonies can be formal or informal – with or without guests. A Ceremony can be long or short. Ceremonies need only an occasion to emphasize, a few friends or Girl Scouts and interested participants. A ceremony should be done to dignify a special occasion or an accomplishment and in doing so, to give it deeper meaning.

Here are a few suggestions that should be followed when creating a ceremony:

Keep it simple
Long-faced solemnity should be avoided
Be flexible and let the girls help plan it

There are many types of ceremonies. Click on the links below, check at the Resource Center, or visit the GSUSA Ceremony webpage for more information.

All Council Bridging Event, May 19
Moving from one Girl Scout program level to another is termed “bridging.” There are no requirements for moving to the next age level. However, girls may feel more comfortable with change when they see where they will be headed. Troop leaders, with the girl’s input, can plan activities to prepare for and to help girls learn about the next age level. For troops who want to receive the bridge patch (a popular patch that looks like a rainbow), there are necessary requirements or steps that need to be completed. The steps are found in the respective handbooks. Bridging is often celebrated in a ceremony. While a girl can move on to the next age level without completing the steps or participating in a ceremony, why not join other troops this year in a council-wide Bridging Ceremony? Troops who are bridging this year are invited to attend a Bridging Event, Saturday, May 19, 2007 at the Alice Chester Center that will include fun activities and a
bridging ceremony. Click on the link above to download the registration form.

Here are a few ceremonies. Click on the link to open the PDF file (You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view any of these files.)

BRIDGING – when a girl moves to the next Girl Scout level
CAMPFIRE – to develop a spirit of camaraderie
COURT OF AWARDS – Insignia (badges, patches) that have been earned are presented.
FLAG – a ceremony honoring the flag (can be part of a larger ceremony)
INVESTITURE – a girl or adult joining scouting for the first time
JULIETTE LOW – To celebrate Juliette Low’s birthday (Oct 31)
OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS- Beginning and ending meetings or events.
REDEDICATION – dedication ceremony for anyone in scouting program whom has previously been invested.
GIRL SCOUTS' OWN – an inspirational event that centers around a particular theme
SILVER and GOLD AWARD – An awards ceremony planned by Council to award Girl Scouting’s highest awards
THINKING DAY – To become aware of other cultures and programs of WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts). (celebrates Lord and Lady Baden-Powell’s birthday – the founders of scouting Feb. 22)
SONGS referenced in some of the sample ceremonies.

In Girl Scouting, there are many traditional ceremonies but troops are encouraged to create their own ceremonies and traditions. Here are some guidelines and questions to be asked:

What is the purpose of the ceremony?
What is the theme?
What are your thoughts about the theme and which one of them do you want the ceremony to express

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