Girl Scout Dictionary
 
 Here is a list of terms with their definitions.  If you have heard a term and it is not listed, email the Cristi Sims and we can add them!
 
Activity patch: The patches girls earn by attending events, i.e International Day celebration, Camporee, etc.  These patches may go on the back of the sash or vest.  They can also be put on a jacket or tote bag.
Age level: There are five age levels in Girl Scouting: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior
Baden-Powell: Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the Boy Scout movement, Lady Baden-Powell was the founder of the Girl Guide movement.
Bridging/Fly-up: A ceremony for girls leaving one level of Girl Scouting and moving into the next.  Daisies bridge into Brownies, Brownies "fly up" into Juniors, and so on.
Brownie Ring: Form of Government commonly used in a Brownie Troop. (click here to see a Troop Government breakdown at The Leader's Landing)
Buddy System: A safety system where two girls stay together and watch out for each other.
Core Camping: Troop camping with some council provided staff (e.g., cook, waterfront, program director) at a given campsite.
Council: Central administration for area. Ex. Suffolk and Nassau Councils
Court of Awards: A ceremony in which girls and/or adult volunteers receive recognitions.  Recognitions can include earned proficiency awards (Try-its, etc), activity patches from events (such as Camporee or Int'l Day), etc.
Court of Honor : Part of the Patrol System of Government.
Daisy Circle: Form of Government commonly used by a Daisy Troop
Dunk or Ditty Bag: A mesh bag made by sewing two dishrags together into which a scout puts her washed camp dishes and silverware. Holding the pull cord she dunks the bag into boiling water for the prescribed sterilization time, then hangs it on a line to dry.
Early bird: Registration that occurs in the Spring (usually May through June), before the beginning of the Girl Scout year (October 1st).  Registration includes girls, leaders, troop commitee chairs, and adult volunteers (moms or dads!)
First Aider: Either a leader or adult trained in first aid.  Each troop needs to secure a first aider to go on field trips, Indoor camping or Outdoor camping (including Camporee) or other outings.
Flag Ceremony: Any ceremony including or honoring the flag.  There are several interesting flag ceremonies!
Founder's Day: October 31, the birthday of Juliette Low.
Friendship Circle: A symbolic gesture in which Girl Scouts form a circle by clasping each other's hands. It is often used at a closing ceremony.
Fly-up: The ceremony in which a Brownie becomes a Junior Scout
Girl Guides: The original name for Girl Scouts, still used in many countries.
Girl Scout Birthday: March 12th, the date of the first Girl Scout meeting in the USA in 1912.
Girl Scout Handshake: Execute the Girl Scout Sign with the right hand and shake hands with the left
Girl Scout Leader's Day: April 22, a special day to honor Girl Scout leaders.
Girl Scout Motto: Be Prepared
Girl Scout Sign: Three middle fingers of right hand raised shoulder high with thumb over little finger, given when saying the Promise or when doing a Girl Scout Handshake.
Girl Scout Slogan: Do a good turn daily.
Girl Scout Week: The week containing Girl Scout Birthday
Gold Award: The highest award a Girl Scout may earn (this is done as a Senior)
GSUSA: Girl Scouts of the United States of America
IPP/Interest Project Patch: Proficiency award for Cadettes
International Thinking Day: International Thinking Day is officially February 22nd (See Thinking Day below).  Usually the Service Unit has a Thinking Day celebration the weekend before or after the 22nd.
Investiture: A special ceremony to welcome a girl Scout where she receives her pin and officially makes her Promise for the first time.This is usually done soon after new troop forms or a girl joins an existing troop. Any leader that comes in to Scouts without a previous experience in scouting can also be a part of an investiture.
JLWFF: Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, a voluntary fund that benefits guiding throughout the world.
Juliette "Daisy" Low: Founder of Girl Scouting in the U.S.A.
Kaper Chart: A chart showing all jobs available and who is responsible for each job generally on a rotating basis.
On-time Registration: Registering a troop before the October 1st deadline but after the Early bird June cutoff date.  Registration includes all troop members including girls, leaders, troop committee chairs, and adult volunteers (moms or dads!)  This includes new and returning scouts.
Patrol System: A form of troop government used in Junior, Cadette, or Senior troops.
Program Aide: Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts who have been trained to assist younger Girl Scout groups with songs games, crafts, ceremonies or skills.
Quiet Sign: Right hand raised above head - it means stop talking
Rededication: A ceremony when Girl Scouts reaffirm their belief in the Promise and Law. Any girl that was in Girl Scouts and left and has returned will have a rededication ceremony.  Rededication is also for incoming leaders that were Girl Scouts as a girl.
Safety-Wise: The publication put out by GSUSA detailing safety practices that should be adhered to.
Scout's Own: An introspective ceremony usually held at the end of an event. Girls and adults alike gather for a few moments to reflect the events of the day.
Service Unit: local administraion of scouts; division below Council.  See "Team" page for breakdown of the West Babylon Service Unit #23.
Silver Award : The highest award that a Cadette Girl Scout may earn
Sit Upon: A cushion to sit on outside generally made by Girl Scouts.
SWAPS: Small Whatchamacallit Affectionately Pinned on Somewhere.  Also: Share With A Pal. These are used as a small souvenir from the different troops that have attended an event.  During the event there is usually a time (predetermined) when the girls scatter and find other girls to trade swaps with.  The possibilities of swaps are endless!  Tiny fishing poles, tiny camp rolls, even birthday cakes!
Thinking Day: February 22. The birthday of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, designed as a day to think about scouts and guides worldwide.
Trefoil: The international symbol of Girl Scouting. Our pins are in the shape of a trefoil.
Troop Committee: Adults who assist the troop in some way either at the meetings or by taking on jobs such as Telephone Chair, ccokies.etc.
Try-its: Proficiency awards for Brownies
WAGGGS: World Association for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
WAGGGS list: A mailing list with wonderful information from leaders worldwide.
Wider op/opportunities: Programs, conventions, etc for older girls.
World Centers: Four program activity centers owned by WAGGGS. The centers are located in Mexico, England, India, and Switzerland.
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