Ceremonies

Ceremonies mark special Girl Scout events throughout the year. They can celebrate major transitions, such as bridging to another level or getting your Girl Scout pin, commemorate your accomplishment when you earn awards, or simply make the beginning or end of your group's meeting special. You can also plan a ceremony around a theme, such as friendship or nature, that you wish to explore in thought, words, or song. Whatever its purpose, every Girl Scout ceremony enables girls to share in a special part of Girl Scout history and create their own special memories.

Important Ceremonies in Girl Scouting (listed alphabetically by title)

• Bridging ceremonies mark a girl's move from one age-level of Girl Scouting to another.
• Closing ceremonies finalize the meeting, with expectations for the next. This may be as simple as a hand squeeze around the circle, or a song.
• Court of Awards is a time to recognize girls who have accomplished something during the Girl Scout year.
• Flag ceremonies can be part of any activity that honors the American flag.
• Fly-Up is a bridging ceremony for Brownie Girl Scouts who are bridging to Junior Girl Scouts. Girls receive their Brownie Girl Scout wings and may also be presented the Girl Scout pin.
• Founder's Day or Juliette Low's Birthday, October 31, is a time to remember the important role Juliette Low played in the development of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States.
• Girl Scout Birthday ceremonies can be held on or near March 12, the date Juliette Gordon Low started Girl Scouting in the United States of America.
• Girl Scout Bronze Award Ceremony honors Junior Girl Scouts who have earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award and is usually held at the troop/group level.
• Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony honors Girl Scouts who have earned the highest award in Girl Scouting and often takes place at council level.
• Girl Scout Silver Award Ceremony honors Girl Scouts who earn the Girl Scout Silver Award and is often combined with the Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony at the council level.
• Girl Scouts' Own is a girl-planned program that allows girls to explore their feelings around a topic, such as friendship or The Girl Scout Promise and Law using the spoken word, favorite songs, poetry, or other methods of expression. It is never a religious ceremony.
• Investiture welcomes new members, girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Brownie Girl Scout, or Daisy Girl Scout pin at this time.
• Opening ceremonies start the troop meeting.
• Pinning Ceremonies help celebrate when girls receive age-level Girl Scout pins.
• Rededication Ceremonies are an opportunity for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Helpful Hints for Ceremonies

• Devote sufficient time to planning the ceremony.  Good ceremonies have a clear purpose and enrich the meaning and mood of the ceremony.
• Use Let’s Celebrate! Girl Scout Ceremonies to help plan.
• Take safety precautions when using candles or fires, or when constructing bridges or platforms.  Refer to Safety-Wise for specific advice.
• Add personal elements to traditional ceremonies, such as using favorite poems, songs or sayings, or write something of your own.
• Consider the role of colors and symbols that you might use in your ceremony.
• Observe flag etiquette when doing flag ceremonies
• Check www.scoutingweb.com as another resource for ceremony ideas.