Girl Scout Ceremonies

FLAG CEREMONIES - Inherent in the Girl Scout Promise is our belief in service to our country. To that end, Flag Ceremonies are used to display our respect for that very important symbol of our nation. Often times, Flag Ceremonies are used to open a meeting or are used as part of a larger ceremony. However they are used, proper respect for our flag should always been shown. Whether you use a "fun-type" ceremony (such as Recipe for a Flag) or a more reverent one, the main criteria is that the ceremony should show this respect.

CANDLE CEREMONIES - Candlelighting Ceremonies are very traditional in Girl Scouting. When used as part of an Investiture or Rededication Ceremony, the candles represent parts of the Promise and Law. Candlelighting Ceremonies can also be done with the candles representing other things as well. The limit is only the girls' imagination. If a ceremony of this type is desired for younger girls, an alternate solution would be to use flashlights with colored tissue paper covering the lights instead of different colors of candles.

GIRL SCOUTS' OWN CEREMONY - A Girl Scouts' Own Ceremony is in fact just that - the girls' own ceremony. Based around a central theme, it is an inspirational and reflective ceremony that the girls plan and implement themselves. Themes may be taken from nature (water, trees, wind, etc.), different things we value (friendship, family, etc.) or even the Girl Scout Promise and Law itself. These ceremonies may be done at any time the girls would like to express their feelings. Many times, Girl Scouts' Owns are done as a closing to camp but they can be easily done at a troop meeting as well.

COURT OF AWARDS CEREMONY - Sometimes a large part of our program is based around the girls earning recognitions. Presentation of these recognitions is done at a Court of Awards Ceremony. If many recognitions are earned during the year, it may prove beneficial to have Court of Awards Ceremonies several times throughout the year. Likewise, if girls are bridging to a new level, receiving their recognitions in a timely manner so that they can be worn on their current uniform is also a good idea.

INVESTITURE & REDEDICATION - An Investiture Ceremony is held to welcome a new girl into the Girl Scouting movement. A Rededication Ceremony is used to reaffirm belief in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Since the Promise and Law are the very foundation of Girl Scouts, it is very appropriate to hold this ceremony at least once a year. It can be combined with an Investiture Ceremony if there is a combination of new and continuing girls within a troop.

THINKING DAY - February 22, the common birthday of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, is known as Thinking Day. This is a day set aside throughout the world for Scouts and Guides to remember each other. It is commonly a time to explore other cultures and talk about world friendship and peace. Since Girl Scouts and Girl Guides belong to WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts), this is also an appropriate time to present the World Association Pin to invested Girl Scouts as well as discuss its meaning.

BRIDGING - A Bridging Ceremony is held any time a girl moves from one age level to the next, i.e., Daisies to Brownies, Brownies to Juniors , Juniors to Cadettes, Cadettes to Seniors, and Seniors to Adults. A Brownie Bridging Ceremony is commonly called a "Fly/Up Ceremony" because the girl is entitled to receive her Brownie Girl Scout Wings. Any girl who was previously a Brownie Girl Scout is entitled to wear her wings. The Bridging patches available at each level need not be earned in order for a girl to bridge. She bridges whether or not she has completed the requirements to earn the Bridging Patch.

MISCELLANEOUS CEREMONIES - Ceremonies can be held for almost any occasion. The limits are endless

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