Ceremonies and

Traditions
Lets Celebrate!, a book of Girl Scout ceremonies (Girl Scouts of the USA,
2004) says, Ceremonies are the wors, music, an s!ecial effects we !ut
to"ether to honor or commemorate a !erson or e#ent$Girl Scout ceremonies
reco"ni%e accom!lishments, !ass on traitions, an reinforce the #alues of
the Girl Scout &romise an 'aw( )hey are use to o!en an close meetin"s,
"i#e out awars, welcome new members, renew membershi!, an honor
s!ecial Girl Scout accom!lishments or ays(*
Ceremonies for "irls shoul be !lanne by "irls( A troo! ceremony mi"ht be
!lanne by all the "irls, with the work i#ie fairly amon" them+ or small
"rou!s of "irls may take turns !lannin" an leain" ceremonies for the troo!(
Girls !lannin" their first ceremonies may nee lots of ault hel! an
"uiance+ with a"e an e,!erience, they will nee less an less ault hel!,
until aults mo#e into a strictly a#isory !osition-
Girls also nee resources. books with !oems, sayin"s, wors of wisom an
so forth+ son"books an music ta!es or C/s+ a list of !eo!le in the troo! who
!lay musical instruments+ a list of !eo!le or or"ani%ations who ha#e canles,
flowers, streamers an so forth to borrow+ an ceremony ieas written on
file cars or in a notebook( Assemblin" these resources can be an on0"oin"
troo! !ro1ect. a ceremonies treasure hunt*-
HELPING GIRLS PLAN CEREMONIES
Girl Scoutin" o!erates on the !rinci!al that "irls "row, learn an ha#e fun by
oin" thin"s for themsel#es( Ceremonies are o!!ortunities for girls, not
aults, to make ecisions an e,!ress themsel#es( Girls shoul ha#e a !art in
makin" their own memories( 2es, e#en /aisy Girl Scouts-
&'A3343G )4&S 567 89G43397S 65 A'' AG9S.
4f "irls ha#e ne#er seen a ceremony or ha#e #ery limite e,!erience in
!lannin" an choosin", offer them choices to talk about an decide on:
:( ;e nee to choose a beginning for our ceremony( After <rs( =( an 4
welcome your families, shoul we o a fla" ceremony or sin" a Girl
Scout son" to o!en our ceremony>*
2( )he main part of our ceremony is your in#estiture( )hat?s when you
make the Girl Scout &romise an "et your membershi! !ins( ;oul
you like to act out the 8rownie Story so you can o @)wist me an turn
me? at a make0belie#e !on> 6r woul you like to li"ht canles for the
ifferent !arts of the Girl Scout &romise an 'aw>*
A( 3ow we nee to choose a closing, or way to en our ceremony(
;oul you like to sin" )a!s* to you families, or ask them to be !art of
a bi" frienshi! circle>*
4f you ha#e ei"ht or more "irls in your troo!, consier ha#in" the "irls work
in smaller "rou!s (A to B "irls) to "et reay for the ceremony( Use a Ca!er
Chart to i#ie the work fairly(
6ne "rou! coul be in char"e of the o!enin" !art, another the
main !art, an a thir the closin"( At a cam!fire, this coul
inclue layin" an li"htin" the fire, kee!in" the fire "oin", an
!uttin" out the fire(
6ne "rou! coul ecorate the room an welcome "uests+ one
"rou! coul be in char"e of the actual ceremony+ another "rou!
coul make or buy refreshments, set the table, ser#e, an clear
away(
8y mile school a"e, "irls may !refer to take turns bein" in
char"e of the whole ceremony, start to finish, an rotate which
!atrol or committee will be res!onsible for which ceremony(
HOW TO PLAN A ________________________ !"!#ON$
2
We are %a&ing t%is ceremony to: ( ) welcome new "irls to Girl Scoutin"
( ) renew our Girl Scout &romise ( ) !resent awars we ha#e earne
( ) bri"e to the ne,t le#el ( ) celebrate DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
;e will open' or begin our ceremony, with. ( ) a son" ( ) A !lay or skit
( ) !oems we fin or write ( ) 6ur own thou"hts or the thou"hts of others
( ) a fla" ceremony ( ) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
;e will close' or end' our ceremony, with. ( ) a son" ( ) a 5rienshi!
Circle ( ) !oems we fin or write ( ) 6ur own thou"hts or the thou"hts of
others ( ) a fla" ceremony ( ) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
5or the main part of our ceremony (the reason we are ha#in" this
ceremony) we will .
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
)hese are the thin"s we will need for our ceremony.
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Some of the thin"s we can c%eck out from the Girl Scout 7esource Center
are. canle0holers, fla"s an fla" stans, music C/s an cassette ta!es,
#ieos, ecorati#e bri"es, <a"ic 8rownie &on, !osters, !oetry books, books
of sayin"s an ceremonies, an a ;orl )refoil felt boar(
CEREMONIES GLOSSARY
3
(")*+)N+ !"!#ON$0 8ri"in"* inclues all the acti#ities that link one
Girl Scout a"e le#el to another+ a bridging ceremony celebrates, or marks a
"irl?s !ro"ression or transition to the ne,t a"e le#el( A bri"in" ceremony
may also inclue a 7eeication (see below) an a Court of Awars (see
below() A 8rownie Girl Scout bri"in" ceremony is also calle a 5ly0U!
Ceremony, or 8rownie 5ly U!(*
LO,)N+ !"!#ON$ E )raitionally, Girl Scouts en their troo! or "rou!
meetin" or cam!fire with a closin" ceremony, senin" e#eryone home with a
"oo feelin" or thou"ht for the ay( Girls (or small "rou!s, such as !atrols)
take turns choosin" an leain" the closin"( 2oun"er "irls lo#e the re!etition
of ha#in" the same closin" ceremony at e#ery meetin", but as "irls "et oler
(es!ecially by mile school) they often want to mo#e away from the
5rienshi! Circle0ty!e closin"(
O-"T O. AWA"*, 0 A Court of Awars reco"ni%es a "irl?s achie#ements in
Girl Scoutin" an is the ceremony where "irls recei#e awars they ha#e
earne (&etals, )ry04ts, ba"es, si"ns, interest !ro1ects, an so forth() 6ften
!arents or families are in#ite to Courts of Awar( )he ceremony may also
inclue a thank0you an reco"nition for consultants an others hel!e "irls
urin" the !ro1ects( 4n small troo!s, it may be !ossible for "irls to e,hibit,
is!lay, or tell about thin"s they ha#e one to earn their awars(s()
Girls may choose to hol a Court of Awars at any time urin" the year( <ost
"irls? want their first )ry04t, ba"e, charm, etc( as soon as !ossible after they
com!lete the reFuirement- 8ut after that a troo! may ecie to ha#e many
Courts of Awar each year, or 1ust a few( Ser#ice Units may also ha#e a Court
of Awars to reco"ni%e "irls who ha#e earne the Girl Scout 8ron%e, Sil#er or
Gol Awars+ or inclue a Court of Awars as !art of a ser#ice unit bri"in"
ceremony(
.LA+ !"!#ON$ 0 5la" ceremonies are esi"ne to honor an teach
res!ect for the American fla", but may also inclue other fla"s (state fla",
;orl Association fla", Girl Scout fla", etc() A fla" ceremony may be hel at
any occasion, insie or outoors( 4t may be !art of an o!enin" or closin"
ceremony for troo! meetin"s, or for other ceremonies( Girls shoul know an
follow the 5la" Coe when !lannin" an carryin" out fla" ceremonies(
.L$/-P E 5ly0U!* is a bri"in" ceremony reco"ni%in" the !ro"ression of
8rownie Girl Scouts to =unior Girl Scouts( 8ri"in" 8rownie Girl Scouts
4
recei#es their 8rownie ;in"s so they can fly u!* to =uniors( ()hey may also
be aware the 8ri"e to =unior Girl Scouts !atch if they ha#e com!lete the
reFuirements()
.O-N*!"0, *A$ !"!#ON$ E Also known as =uliette 'owGs 8irthay,
6ctober A: celebrates the life of =uliette Goron 'ow an her ream of an
international Girl Scout <o#ement( )his ceremony often inclues onations to
the =uliette 'ow ;orl 5rien 5un (=';55)(
+)"L ,O-T ()"TH*A$ 0 <arch :2 celebrates the anni#ersary, or birthay,
of the first Girl Scout troo! in America, or"ani%e by =uliette 'ow in :H:2 in
Sa#annah, Geor"ia( )he Girl Scout 8irthay is often celebrate as a !art of
Girl Scout ;eek, the week that <arch :2 falls in(
+)"L ,O-T0, OWN 0 )his is an ins!irational (but not reli"ious) ceremony
!lanne by Girl Scouts for Girl Scouts( )he ceremony may be thou"htful,
1oyous, solemn or a combination of all three( Girls !ick a theme for their
ceremony, often base on the &romise or a 'aw, then use son"s, music,
!oetry, essays an their own thou"hts to e,!ress the theme( )raitionally a
Girl Scouts? 6wn is hel outoors in a beautiful settin", but can be hel
anywhere(
)N1!,T)T-"! 0 )his most im!ortant ceremony marks a "irl or ault makin"
the Girl Scout &romise for the first time an bein" in#este with the symbols
of bein" a Girl Scout. the membershi!I !in an ;orl )refoil !in(II A !erson
is only in#este one time, althou"h they may take !art in reeication
ceremonies many times(
I /aisy Girl Scouts recei#e the /aisy Girl Scout !in+ 8rownie Girl Scouts
recei#e the 8rownie Girl Scout !in+ =unior Girl Scouts an oler (incluin"
aults) recei#e either the traitional or contem!orary Girl Scout !in,
whiche#er they !refer(
II /aisy Girl Scouts usually o not wear the ;orl )refoil !in, but they may
wear it if the leaer feels they unerstan the conce!t of a worl0wie Girl
Scout an Guie <o#ement( 8rownie Girl Scouts often recei#e their ;orl
)refoil !in at the first ;orl )hinkin" /ay after they become 8rownies, but
may recei#e it at their in#estiture if their leaer feels they unerstan the
meanin" of the !in(
OP!N)N+ !"!#ON$ 2 )o brin" the "rou! to"ether an officially* be"in
the meetin", "irls take turns !lannin" an leain" an o!enin" ceremony( )his
often inclues a fla" ceremony an the Girl Scout &romise an 'aw, but "irls
are encoura"e to fin son"s, !oems, an reain"s to share, or to share
their own thou"hts( 4nformal o!enin" acti#ities inclue "ames, relays, action
son"s, an cheers(
5
"!*!*)AT)ON !"!#ON$ 0 )his is a time for all in#este Girl Scouts to
renew their Girl Scout &romise( 4t is a time for reflection as "irls "row in their
unerstanin" of the &romise an 'aw( )his ceremony is usually hel at the
be"innin" of the Girl Scout year, but may be hel at any time( A 7eeication
ceremony can be a !art of an 4n#estiture Ceremony if the troo! inclues both
new an returnin" Girl Scouts, or as !art of a bri"in" ceremony( Some
troo!s !resent <embershi! Stars at a fall reeication ceremony(
WO"L* TH)N3)N+ *A$ 4.ebruary 556 ;orl )hinkin" /ay is an
international Girl ScoutJGirl Guie celebration honorin" the 5ouners of the
worl0wie Scout (Girl an 8oy) an Guie <o#ement( 4t is also a time to
sen frienly thou"hts to our sister Guies an Girl Scouts aroun the worl(
Ceremonies usually focus on international frienshi!, 'or 7obert 8aen0
&owell, his sister A"nes, an his wife 6la#e, 'ay 8aen0&owell( 9ach year
the ;orl Association of Girl Guies an Girl Scouts (;AGGGS) announces a
theme for ;orl )hinkin" /ay, an ceremonies an acti#ities are often built
aroun that theme( Ceremonies freFuently inclue the symbolism of the
;orl )refoil !in an !resentation of the !in to in#este 8rownie (an
sometimes /aisy) Girl Scouts( ;orl )hinkin" /ay is also an o!!ortunity to
contribute to the =uliette 'ow ;orl 5rien 5un(
Opening Ceremonies
L!T7, +!T ,TA"T!*89
)hat?s what an o!enin" ceremony is all about E brin"in" e#eryone to"ether to
start the meetin" or e#ent, make them feel welcome, an set the tone for
the meetin", worksho! or cam!fire( )he o!enin" can be chosen an le by
one "irl in a #ery small troo!, or by small "rou!sJ8rownie CirclesJ&atrols (see
below()
A stuy se#eral years a"o showe that Girl Scouts who sai the &romise at
each meetin" were less likely to ro! out of Girl Scoutin"+ so consier
makin" the &romise or &romise an 'aw a !art of your o!enin" or closin"
acti#ities-
6
;hen the "irls are new to Girl Scoutin" (or ha#e ne#er been in#ol#e with
!lannin" ceremonies) the troo! leaers or e,!erience oler Girl Scouts
shoul teach "irls se#eral ifferent kins of o!enin"s, then ask the "irls for
their ieas about fun thin"s to o at o!enin" time( &ut all the ieas on ine,
cars an kee! them in bo, or ba""ie (ain" new ones as "irls create them)
so "irls res!onsible for the o!enin" ha#e some ieas to chose from(
,A#PL! OP!N)N+ !"!#ON)!, AN* AT)1)T)!,:
A K972 .O"#A ' 6&9343G C979<632
)he troo!J"rou! forms a horseshoe (a U*) an stan Fuietly at attention(
)he Color Guar !resents the colors( [See flag ceremonies section.]
)he troo! "i#es the &le"e of Alle"iance, followe by the Girl Scout &romise
Lan 'aw if the "irls choose to(M
)he Color Guar either !osts or retires the colors(
)he "irls are ismisse to acti#ities or sit own for a business or !lannin"
session(
A K972 )N.O"#A ' 6&9343G AC)4K4)2
)he troo!J"rou! forms a circle an recites the Girl Scout &romise(
A "ameI is tau"ht or le by the "irls in char"e of the o!enin"(
)he troo! sits own in a circle for their business of !lannin" session, or "o to
!atrol meetin"s or acti#ities(
I 4nstea of a "ame, a son"Jsin"in" "ameJaction son" coul be tau"ht or
le(
CN997S-
7
4f "irls create their own troo! cheer or aa!t a school s!orts cheer, they can
o!en (or close) the meetin" with s!irit- )he "irl(s) in char"e of the ceremony
are the cheerleaers(*
4f "irls ha#en?t create their own cheers yet, try this.
Give me a B 4(-)$$(Give me an 9* 4!86$$(Give me a ! 4P86$$(Give
me an " 4"86 $((Give me an # 4!86$$(Give me a ! 4P86$$(Give me
an $ 4A86$$(Give me an 7* 4"86$$(Give me an # 4!86::;Give me a
% 4*86.&hat is o'r (otto) 489 &79&A79/86$&hat did yo' say) 4(!
P"!PA"!*86:;$*ne more time! (BE PREPARED!!) O)hey coul also
s!ell 8rownies* or Girl Scouts* etc(M
4 A< A /A4S2 (a son" with motions)
+,ritten by Lynne %e(eo, Carver Service -nit $dministrator, !lymo'th Bay
Girl Sco't Co'ncil, and s'ng to the t'ne of .*n (y /onor. or 0m $ Little
1ea2ot.3
4 am a /aisy stanin" tall,
+Stand on ti2 toes3
4 am /aisy frien to all,
+&ave ,ith right hand3
4 am a /aisy hel!in" e#ery ay,
+Bring 2alms '2 from left to right3
an li#in" my life in the Girl Scout way(
+Girl Sco't sign3
8
&76<4S9 A3/ 'A; A76U3/ )N9 743G
Girls stan in a circle an recite the &romise to"ether( )hen the "irl in char"e
says, 4 will o my best to be$* an turns either to her left or to her ri"ht+
the "irl (or ault) she turns to must say, honest an fair*+ the ne,t !erson
says, frienly an hel!ful* an so on aroun the circle until the ten !arts of
the 'aw ha#e been calle out( 4f someone "ets stuck, or says a !art out of
orer, friens can hel! out- )4&. either ski! the !hrase an to* between
res2onsible for an res2ect myself, or ecie ahea of time who will say it.
res!onsible,* res!ect,* or the !erson between them-
,A#PL! LO,)N+ !"!#ON)!, AN* AT)1)T)!,:
G04070' S0C060U0)0*
)his is base on traitional countin" out "ames( 8efore you form your closin"
circle, e#eryone shoul ha#e her coat on an belon"in"s to"ether an reay
to "o- Girls stan in a circle+ leaers stan by the oor( )he "irl in char"e
starts by sayin" G* , the ne,t "irls says 4,* , the ne,t 7*, an the s!ellin"
of G47' SC6U)* "oes aroun the circle "irl by "irl+ the "irl who is )* lea#es
the circle( )he s!ellin" out starts a"ain with the ne,t !erson until only one
!erson is left( As a "irl counts herself out, she collects her belon"s, says "oo
by to the leaer, an lea#es the meetin" (assumin" her !arent is there for
her-)
$L1#"4$1#5 Girls s!ell G04070'0S0C0O-T+ the "irl who s!ells 6U) is out*-
)A&S* with <otions [do motions as 1a2s is s'ng]
/ay is one [hands o'tstretched, 2alms do,n 6 or ma7e the $SL sign for
9
day.]
Gone the sun Lhands stretched to,ard the s7y 6 or ma7e the $SL sign for
s'n]
5rom the lake [lo,er hands to,ard the gro'nd]
5rom the hill [raise hands straight in front]
5rom the sky [raise hands to,ard the s7y]
All is well [bring right hand to left sho'lder]
Safely rest [bring left hand to right sho'lder]
Go is ni"h [bo, head on arms, folded at sho'lder height]
/A2)4<9 (/A2 '4GN)) )A&S* +t'ne5 1a2s3
)hanks an !raise,
5or our ays,
@3eath the sun, @neath the stars, @neath the sky+
As we "o,
)his we know.
Go is ni"h(
+$22roved for Girl G'ide8Sco't 'se by Lady Baden9!o,ell3
A<974CA3 43/4A3 S4G3 'A3GUAG9 8'9SS43GII
8'9SS43G. <ay the Great <ystery make sunrise in your heart(*
S4G3S US9/. Great <ystery E ;ork E Sunrise E Neart
N6; )6 <AC9 )N9 S4G3S.
#ystery E Nol ri"ht han close to forehea, !alm outwars+ the
ine, an secon fin"ers are u!ri"ht an se!arate, the thumb an
other two fin"ers close Lthis is the AS' si"n for the letter K*(M <o#e
your han u!wars while turnin" it from left to ri"ht in a s!iral(
Work E brin" flat hans in front of boy e"ewise, a few inches a!art,
ri"ht han hi"her an back of left+ then raise an lower the hans by
wrist action, to inicate workin"(
,unrise E with your ri"ht ine, fin"er an thumb, make an
incom!lete circle La backwars C*M, the other fin"ers close( Nol
your arm hori%ontal, !ointin" to the left+ then raise han about a foot(
Heart 0 brin" com!resse ri"ht han Lall fin"ers touchin" thumb an
!ointin" ownM own o#er the heart(
10
II 576<. 0ndian Sign Lang'age, by ;illiam )om!kins, /o#er &ress, ori"inal
!rintin", :HA:( )he author states that a Siou, chief si"ne this to him at
!artin"
A '4GN) 43 )N9 /A7C39SS
2ou will nee. a canle an li"hter(
Leader5 4 am "oin" to turn out the li"hts( [do so] )hink about this
arkness. [2a'se] 4t makes us feel uncomfortable an "loomy, oesn?t it>
3ow 4 will li"ht one canle, which re!resents the S!irit of Girl Scoutin"( =ust
this one small flame makes the room seem more cheerful a"ain( 'ook
steaily at it for a moment( [2a'se] 3ow close your eyes( See how the
ima"e of the flame remains with you> 6!en your eyes$ As the ima"e of the
li"ht staye with you e#en when your eyes were close, may the s!irit of Girl
Scoutin" stay with us until our ne,t meetin"(*
L8low out canle, turn on li"ht(M
876;349 A3/ /A4S2 C'6S43G C979<6349S A/A&)9/ 576< )N9 :HPA
G0"L SC*-1 L#$%#" 4*1#B**:5
1anis%
()his a!!eals most to the ima"ination of youn"er "irls() ;ith 1ackets, hats,
books, take0homes,* etc( on or in han, "irls "ather by the e,it of the
meetin" !lace( All sin" a "ooni"htJ"oo0bye son", then are com!letely
silent( )he leaer says 1anis%89 an each "irl Fuickly an Fuietly
isa!!ears out the oor(M
leanup eremony9
LGirls mo#e about the meetin" !lace, arran"in" e#erythin" neatly an !ickin"
u! while sin"in" the (agic Clean'2 Song(M
<a"ic Cleanu! Son" (tune. London Bridge3
;ea#e the ma"ic in an out, in an out, in an out,
;ea#e the ma"ic in an out, we are (/aisiesJ8rownies)(
11
;e ha#e tiie e#erythin", e#erythin", e#erythin",
;e ha#e tiie e#erythin", we are (/aisiesJ8rownies)(
L7e!eat son" until task is finishe( ;hen all is cleane u!, "irls line u! in
front of the 'eaerM
Leader5 4s e#erythin" finishe>*
Girls. 9#erythin"(*
Leader5 4s nothin" left>*
Girls5 3othin"(*
Leader5 )hen, be "one-* L'eaer wa#es an !oints her han, as with a
ma"ic wan, o#er the "irls( )hey lea#e Fuickly an Fuietly, as if by ma"ic(M
<AG4C )U339'
;ith 1ackets, hats, books an take0homes* by their feet, "irls stan in two
lines an face each other across the lines, makin" arches with their hans(
'eaers are at the front of the line (closest to the oor() )he !air of "irls at
the en of the line "oes throu"h the tunnel, an out the oor( 9#entually, all
"irls will ha#e "one throu"h an out, lea#in" only the arch mae by the
'eaers( /urin" this mo#ement, all sin" a closin" son" such as Goodnight,
Bro,nies LGooni"ht 'aies*M
12
Investiture & Redediation
Ceremonies
invest: to clothe; to install in office with ceremony
At an Investiture Ceremony, a new member makes the Girl Scout romise !or the
!irst time an" is #in$este"% with the s&mbols o! membershi'( the Girl Scout) 'in
an" the *orl" +re!oil 'in, -t can be !ollowe" b& a celebration welcomin. the new
member into the Girl Scoutin. /o$ement,
+here is no one ri.ht wa& to carr& out an in$estiture ceremon&, as lon. as it
inclu"es an o''ortunit& !or each new member to make the Girl Scout romise an"
recei$e her 'in, -t can be hel" in"oors or out, with !rien"s an" !amil& or troo'
members onl& 0 those are all "ecisions .irls make as the& 'lan their ceremon&,
A .irl or a"ult is onl& in$este" once, but a!ter that, a Rededication Ceremony ma&
be hel" to rea!!irm or renew one1s belie! in the Girl Scout romise an" 2aw, Since
the romise an" 2aw are the !oun"ation o! Girl Scouts, an" since .irls .row in their
un"erstan"in. o! these $alues e$er& &ear, it is $er& a''ro'riate to hol" a
re"e"ication ceremon& at least once a &ear, -t can be combine" with an -n$estiture
3eremon& i! there is a combination o! new an" continuin. .irls within a troo', or as
'art o! a 4ri".in. 3eremon&,
) 5ais& Girl Scout 'in, 4rownie Girl Scout 'in, or Girl Scout 'in 6tra"itional or
contem'orar&7 as a''ro'riate,
General Information
-n$estiture an" re"e"ication ceremonies can be "one in $arious wa&s, an" the two
can be easil& combine" !or establishe" troo's wishin. to welcome new members,
8ere are a !ew remin"ers an" i"eas(
Investiture takes 'lace the !irst time a .irl or a"ult 9oins Girl Scoutin.,
13
+he 'erson bein. in$este"(
17 makes the Girl Scout romise :sa&s it, si.ns it, writes it, etc,;
27 recei$es the a''ro'riate Girl Scout 'in6s7 6below7< an"
37 is welcome" into Girl Scoutin.,
Sa&in. the Girl Scout romise can be "one in"i$i"uall& or as a .rou',
-n$estiture shoul" be a s'ecial time, not a scar& one,
At this time, 5ais& Girl Scouts ma& also recei$e a 4e.innin. 3erti!icate,
4rownie an" =l"er Girl Scouts ma& also recei$e the *orl" +re!oil 'in,
+he .irl shoul" un"erstan" 6as much as 'ossible !or her a.e le$el7 what it
means to make a 'romise, an" that when she is in$este", she is a.reein. to
li$e b& the $alues an" 'rinci'als o! the Girl Scout romise an" 2aw,
Rededication takes 'lace each &ear a .irl or a"ult re9oins Girl Scoutin. 6it "oes not
matter i! the& are consecuti$e &ears or i! there has been a break in the &ears7, As
'art o! the ceremon&, those re"e"icatin. themsel$es sa& the Girl Scout romise,
Be sure that everyone receives and wears only the appropriate Pin:
5ais& GS in
worn onl& b& 5ais& GSs
6a.e 5>6 or ?in"er.arten7
4rownie GS in
worn onl& b& 4rownie GSs
61st, 2n", or 3r" .ra"e7
GS in
@ tra"itional 6ea.le7
@ contem'orar&
6three !aces7
worn b& Aunior Girl Scouts
an" ol"er, inclu"in. a"ults,
A 4AS-3 -BCDS+-+EFD 3DFD/=BG 6all a.es7
14
Ask the .irl a sim'le Huestion( #*h& "o &ou want to be a Girl ScoutI% or #*hat "oes
it mean to make a 'romiseI% +he .irl answers in her own wor"s,
Ask the .irl to make her 'romise, -! she is sh& 0 or has sta.e !ri.ht 0 hel' her b&
askin., #5o &ou 'romise to ser$e Go" an" &our countr&,,,I% +his will hel' her recall
the wor"s, As she makes the romise, she uses the Girl Scout si.n an" the troo'
stan"s Huietl&, 6-! more than one .irl is bein. in$este", the& ma& choose to make
their romise to.ether,7
in the a''ro'riate 'in6s7 o$er the .irl1s heart, tellin. her she is now a Girl Scout,
Gi$e the Girl Scout han"shake an" welcome her to Girl Scoutin.,
+he .irl turns to !ace the troo' an" the& welcome her with the Girl Scout si.n,
sa&in., #*elcome to +roo' JJJJ%< or with a s'ecial son.,
A 4AS-3 FD5D5-3A+-=B 3DFD/=BG 6all a.es7
Girls stan" in a circle !ormation, either in"oors or out, :=+-=B( .irls be.in
the ceremon& with a son. or 'oem o! their choice< or with a cam'!ire o'enin.
i! the ceremon& is 'art o! a cam'!ire,;
2DA5DF( #4ecause &ou are alwa&s .rowin. an" learnin., each &ear &ou are a
Girl Scout &ou un"erstan" the Girl Scout romise an" 2aw in a more
.rownu'>a"ult wa&, Gou also ha$e a better un"erstan"in. o! what it means to
make a 'romise, +o"a&> toni.ht, let1s 9oin to.ether in re"e"icatin. oursel$es
to the Girl Scout romise an" 2aw, [(a7es Girl Sco't sign] 6n my honor 4
will try$[contin'es ,ith !romise and La,.]
2
n"
2DA5DF( )he Girl Scout 5rienshi! Circle re!resents the unbroken
circle of frienshi! of Girl Guies an Girl Scouts aroun the worl(
'et?s make a 5rienshi! Circle as we en our ceremony( [/ands cross
right over left(M AS 4 start the 5rienshi! SFuee%e aroun the circle, 4
encoura"e you to think about the &romise you 1ust renewe( 6ur wish
for you is that you "row in coura"e, confience an character so you
can make the worl a better !lace(*
SAMP! "AIS# GIR SC$%& I'(!S&I&%R!S
Kirst 3omes lannin.( 2ea"ers hel' .irls learn the Girl Scout romise an" Girl Scout
2aw to the best o! their abilit& an" un"erstan"in.,
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2ea"ers "eci"e on "ate o! in$estiture an" eL'lain to .irls what an in$estiture
is,
Girls "ecorate outsi"e o! in$itations, lea"er ha$e insi"e 'rinte", Girls take
home to !amil&,
Girls choose the be.innin. 6or o'enin.7 'art o! the ceremon&, 2ea"ers hel'
b& askin. .irls to choose amon. a !la. ceremon&, a Girl Scout son., or the
stor& o! 5ais& 2ow 6which coul" be tol", acte" out, or tol" with 'u''ets,7
Girls "eci"e how the& will be in$este", 2ea"ers hel' b& askin. i! .irls want to
make their romise in"i$i"uall& or as a .rou'< i! the& want to sa& the 'arts
o! the 2aw while #li.htin.% can"les or 'uttin. "aisies in a $ase, or sa&in. the
#- Am A 5ais&% 'oem 6below,7
Girls "eci"e how the& will en", or close, their ceremon&, 2ea"ers hel' b&
askin. them to choose a closin. son. or Girl Scout son., or makin. a
Krien"shi' 3ircle,
Girls .et rea"& !or the ceremon& b& "ecoratin. the room or table, makin. or
brin.in. 6or hel'in. sho' !or7 re!reshments, settin. u' chairs !or $isitors,
'racticin. welcomin. 'arents an" !amil& members, an" hel'in. with
re!reshments>.oo" manners,
A 5A-SG G-F2 S3=E+ -BCDS+-+EFD 3DFD/=BG
=DB-BG(
@ 2ea"er6s7 welcome !amilies an" eL'lain the meanin. o! #in$estiture%, Girls sin. a
!a$orite Girl Scout son. or recite a #5ais&% 'oem 6see below7 or lea" the le".e o!
Alle.iance,
-BCDS+-+EFD(
@ Girls sit in a hal! circle, !acin. lea"er< lea"er, !acin. the au"ience, rea"s or tells
the stor& o! Auliette 2ow, eL'lainin. how 5ais& Girl Scouts .ot their name,
@ Girls stan", make the Girl Scout si.n an" make their romise, 64rie!l& eL'lain the
meanin. o! the si.n to the au"ience,7
@ 2ea"ers 'in each .irl with her 5ais& Girl Scout in, .i$e her the Girl Scout
han"shake, an" welcomes her into Girl Scoutin.,
32=S-BG(
@ /ake a Krien"shi' 3ircle 6.irls ma& in$ite !amilies to 9oin, i! the& wish7 sin. #/ake
Bew Krien"s%,
16
@ Gi$e each .irl her 4e.innin. Gear 3erti!icate 6o'tional,7
@ Girls in$ite 'arents to share re!reshments,

#*8= -S A 5A-SG G-F2 S3=E+I% 6A Fe@*or"in. o! the Girl Scout 2aw7
*ho is that .irl the&1re all talkin. aboutI
*h& "on1t &ou knowI
She1s a 5ais& Girl ScoutM
+hat 5ais& is honest 0
She knows what is true,
She tries to be !air when she1s 'la&in. with &ou,
She hel's where she1s nee"e" 0
She1ll .et the 9ob "one,
She1s !rien"l& an" hel'!ul to e$er&oneM
She1s coura.eous an" stron.M
An" res'onsible, too,
-n the thin.s that she sa&s an" "oes with &ou,
She listens to 'arents,
An" lea"ers as well,
She tries not to be waste!ul an" that &ou can tell,
She takes care o! her worl"
An" .i$es back what it nee"s,
She shows others she cares throu.h her wor"s an" her "ee"s,
She1s res'ect!ul o! others
*hene$er she1s out,
An" acts like a sister to e$er& Girl Scout,
Bow &ou "on1t ha$e to won"er
*ho that 5ais& can be,
Gou knew all alon. that 5ais& is /DM
17
4F=*B-D G-F2 S3=E+ #/AG-3 =B5% -BCDS+-+EFD
ro's Bee"e"( 4rownie Girl Scout #'on"% 6can be constructe" !rom a 'iece o!
car"boar" co$ere" with !oil an" bor"ere" with real or arti!icial .reener&, or !rom a
mirror bor"ere" with real or arti!icial .reener&,7 =r i! &ou1re luck& enou.h to ha$e
one nearb&, use a real 'on"M Gou will also nee" 4rownie Girl Scout ins !or each new
member, +he& can be 'lace" on the !loor b& the 'on",
2a& 'on" on the !loor in the mi""le o! the ceremon& area, -! "esire", new members
can be sent outsi"e with the assistant lea"er, -! new .irls sta& in the room, the&
shoul" be on one si"e o! the 'on" an" the other .irls shoul" be on the other, All
stan" or sit aroun" the #'on"% an" then the lea"er sa&s the ma.ic wor"s(
#3ross &our little !in.ers, stan" u'on &our toes
+hat1s a bit o! ma.ic e$er& 4rownie knows,
Bow we all are stan"in. in a !orest .la"e<
2isten $er& care!ull&, see the ma.ic ma"e,%
-! the new 4rownies ha$e been sent outsi"e, the .irls knock on the "oor,
2ea"er( #*ho comes to the 4rownie woo"sI%
4rownies@to@be( #*e "o%
2ea"er( #*hat "o &ou wantI%
4rownies@to@be( #*e want to be 4rownie Girl Scouts%
+he lea"er ma& ask wh&, an" the .irls ma& .i$e their own reasons 6hel' them
're'are them be!ore the ceremon& i! &ou 'lan on askin.7, +hen the& enter an"
.ather aroun" the 'on", At this 'oint &ou ma& ha$e a sim'le "ramatiNation o! the
4rownie Stor& b& the ol"er 4rownies or the lea"er ma& tell or rea" the stor& to
the .irls,
2ea"er( *ho comes !irst 6or neLt7 to the /a.ic on"I
3o@2ea"er( 6Fea"s .irls names, one b& one, al'habeticall&7
2ea"er( +urns .irls, one b& one, while sa&in.(
#+wist me an" turn me an" show me the el!
- looke" in the water an" saw JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ%
Girl( /&sel!M
*hen each new 4rownie has #twiste" an" turne"%, the lea"er sa&s(
%Encross &our little !in.ers, "own !rom o!! &our toes
+hen the ma.ic .oes awa&, e$er&bo"& knows,%
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#Bow we are back in our real worl", an" !or &ou to become real 4rownie Girl Scouts,
&ou must make &our Girl Scout romise,% /akes Girl Scout si.n, #lease make the
Girl Scout si.n an" 9oin me in makin. &our romise, O=n m& honorP1% A!ter .irls
make their romise, the lea"ers 'in on 4rownie ins an" .i$e .irls the Girl Scout
han"shake an" welcomes them to Girl Scoutin.,
3lose with re!reshments or snacks,
G-F2 S3=E+ #F-44=BS AB5 3AB52DS%-BCDS+-+EFD Q FD5D5-3A+-=B
$penin): Kla. ceremon& or son.< welcome to !amil& an" !rien"s< reco.niNe
an& "istin.uishe" .uests,
*st Girl +or adult,: #+oni.ht we are here in to in$est those who are 9oinin. Girl
Scouts !or the !irst with the s&mbols o! membershi', *e are also here !or each
member, new an" ol", to re"e"icate her 6or him7 sel! to the Girl Scout romise an"
2aw, +hese are the i"eals b& which Girls Scouts tr& to li$e,%
:A ta'er with collar 0 to 're$ent "ri's @ is li.hte"< house li.hts are "imme";,
-nd Girl +or adult,: R 4e!ore &ou, &ou see a .ol"en !lame, +his !lame s&mboliNes a
Girl ScoutSs honor, which shoul" ne$er be "imme", *hen a Girl Scout makes a
'romise on her honor, she is 'romisin. on her .oo" name, her inte.rit&, an" the
'rinci'als she belie$es in, /akin. the Girl Scout romise on oneSs honor is a serious
thin., R
.rd Girl: RKrom this .ol"en !lame we li.ht the !lame o! ser$ice to Go" an" countr&,
R:li.ht small can"le an" sa&(;
=B /G 8=B=F - *-22 +FG( to ser$e Go" an" m& countr&
/th Girl: R*e li.ht the !lame o! ser$ice to 'eo'le,R :li.ht secon" small can"le an"
sa&(;
=B /G 8=B=F - *-22 +FG( to hel' 'eo'le at all times
0
th
Girl: R*e li.ht the !lame o! commitment to our $alues,R :li.ht thir" small can"le
an" sa&<;
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=B /G 8=B=F - *-22 +FG( to li$e b& the Girl Scout 2aw
Ese 10 white can"les, each tie" with s'eci!ie" color ribbon as note", Dach .irl
rea"s her line then li.hts the can"le,
All: #- will "o m& best to be(%
Girl 12: 38onest an" !air , +he blue ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs commitment to tell the truth, 'la& !air, an" "o her work honestl&, A Girl
Scout can be truste" with the mone& an" belon.in.s o! others, She kee's her wor"
an" can be truste" to "o what she sa&s she will "o,
Girl 14: 3Krien"l& an" hel'!ul, +he &ellow ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs commitment to buil" stron. !rien"shi's, to learn to un"erstan" an"
a''reciate 'eo'le who are "i!!erent !rom her, an" to hel' where she is nee"e", She
uses !rien"l& wor"s an" actions, "oes her share o! the work, an" .i$es ser$ice
without thinkin. about bein. 'ai" or rewar"e",%
Girl 15: 33onsi"erate an" carin., +he .reen ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs sense o! commitment to kin"ness, thou.ht!ulness, an" the well@bein. o!
others, She shares what she has an" .i$es to those who are in nee", She tries to
'rotect animals !rom cruelt& an" ne.lect,%
Girl 16: 33oura.eous an" stron., +he re" ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs commitment to "o the ri.ht thin., to be !aith!ul to her !amil& an" !rien"s
an" what she belie$es in, A Girl Scout tries to be calm in "i!!icult circumstances
because it hel's her see s wa& out o! her own "i!!iculties an" hel' the other 'eo'le
in$ol$e", She is acti$e an" a"$enturous, willin. to tr& new thin.s, an" takes .oo"
care o! her bo"&,%
Girl 1*7: 3Fes'onsible !or what - sa& an" "o ,% +he oran.e ribbon on this can"le
re'resents a Girl ScoutSs commitment to use wor"s an" actions that hel', not hurt,
She owns u' to her mistakes an" 'romises not to "o them a.ain, A Girl Scout "oes
her "ail& 9obs cheer!ull&, an" she "oesn1t stan" aroun" an" com'lain when she can
"o somethin. about a 'roblem,
All: #- will "o m& best to(
Girl 1**: 3 Fes'ect m&sel! an" others,% +he 'ur'le ribbon on this can"le
re'resents a Girl ScoutSs commitment to take care o! her bo"&, stan" u' !or what
is ri.ht, be true to her 'ersonal $alues, an" to show consi"eration !or others,
althou.h their i"eas, wa&s o! li$in. an" belie!s ma& be "i!!erent !rom hers,%
20
Girl 1*-: 3Fes'ect authorit&, +he white ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs commitment to coo'erate with others when their "irections concern the
health, sa!et&, an" securit& o! hersel! an" others, or the mana.ement o! her troo',
She obe&s the laws o! her communit& an" the reHuests o! those who are
res'onsible !or her an" her well@bein., #
Girl 1*.: #Ese resources wisel&, +he brown ribbon on this can"le re'resents a Girl
ScoutSs commitment to be care!ul with li!e1s resources, She uses her materials,
mone&, time, an" ener.& wisel& so that she ma& ha$e them when she nee"s them an"
ha$e some to s'are !or others, She 'rotects an" conser$es the Darth1s natural
resources,%
Girl 1*/: #/ake the worl" a better 'lace, +he sil$er ribbon on this can"le
re'resents a Girl ScoutSs commitment im'ro$e her worl", She is rea"& to hel' to
the best o! her abilit&, *hether it is her home, school, meetin. 'lace, communit& or
cam'site, a Girl Scout lea$es a 'lace better than she !oun" it,%
Girl 1*0: 4e a sister to e$er& Girl Scout, +he .ol" ribbon on this can"le
re'resents a Girl ScoutSs commitment to her sister Gui"es an" Girl Scouts all o$er
the worl", A Girl Scout is alwa&s rea"& to acce't more !rien"s into her e$er
wi"enin. circle, She treats all o! her sisters with kin"ness, acce'tance, an" warmth,
&roop eader: #*ill all our new members 'lease come !orwar" to make their
romise an" be in$este" with their Girl Scout 'ins,%
:Girls line u' or make a horseshoe, !acin. the s'eaker an" can"les;
#5o &ou know what it means to make a 'romiseI%
:.irls no", sa&, #&es% or otherwise in"icate the& un"erstan",;
#-! &ou are rea"& to make the Girl Scout romise an" li$e b& the Girl Scout 2aw,
'lease make the Girl Scout Si.n when - come an" stan" in !ront o! &ou,% :ri.ht
han" at shoul"er hei.ht, three mi""le !in.ers u', thumb hol"in. the little !in.er
"own,;
#+he three !in.ers o! the Girl Scout si.n remin" us o! the three 'arts o! the Girl
Scout romise, +his si.n is use" b& Girl Scouts an" Girl Gui"es all aroun" the worl",
+oni.ht &ou will also recei$e &our *orl" +re!oil 'in, remin"in. us that we are 'art
o! the lar.e !amil& calle" the *orl" Association o! Girl Gui"es an" Girl Scouts,%
:/o$es to !irst .irl an" makes Girl Scout Si.n, Girl shoul" also make si.n, S'eaker
mi.ht ask, #Are &ou rea"& to make &our romiseI% or, i! .irl seems unsure, ask, #5o
21
&ou 'romise on &our honor that &ou will tr&P% *hen .irl makes 'romise, 'in on Girl
Scout an" *orl" +re!oil 'ins 6or 'ins on tab7 an" .i$e Girl Scout han"shake,
#*elcome to the worl"wi"e !amil& o! Girl Scoutin. an" Girl Gui"in.,%;
#*e now in$ite all other Girl Scouts to stan" an" renew their Girl Scout romise,
:/ake Girl Scout Si.n,; =n m& honorP%
Closin): #lease 9oin us in sin.in. O+a's1 6or other son., such as #*hen ODre &ou /ake
A romise,17 +hank &ou !or bein. 'art o! our in$estiture an" re"e"ication
ceremon&,% -! &ou 'oste" the colors in an o'enin. !la. ceremon&, retire the colors
as the last thin. &ou "o, then "ismiss the au"ience,
+olden Link )n&estiture eremony
2ou will nee.
:: #olunteersJ"irlsJleaers
Sta!ler
Canle an matches
:0 QlinksQ cut out of !a!er 0 (write the line from the 'aw on one sie of the
link an the QefinitionQ on the back( )hese will ser#e as scri!ts as well as
links)
3arrator.
;e are "athere here toni"ht to be"in a new year of Girl Scoutin"( Some of
us ha#e been Scouts a lon" time an some of us are 1ust be"innin"( 8ut all of
us are eicate to the &romise an 'aw u!on which Girl Scoutin" is
foune( )he &romise was brou"ht to America by =uliette Goron 'ow, the
founer of the Girl Scout mo#ement in our country( She belie#e that by
takin" this oath, "irls all o#er the country woul better unerstan their !lace
in their community an, in oin" so, 1oin thousans of other "irls who share
a common belief an commitment( &lease 1oin in recitin" the Girl Scout
&romise. (all)
22
*n my honor, 0 ,ill try5
1o serve God and my co'ntry,
1o hel2 2eo2le at all times,
$nd to live by the Girl Sco't La,(
3arrator.
)he Girl Scout 'aw is mae u! of ten Qrules to li#e byQ( )he e,act worin" of
the law has chan"e o#er the years but the basic iea is still the same( ;e
!le"e to u!hol this law because we know it will make us better !eo!le an
hel! us to make a !ositi#e ifference in our li#es( So now, we reeicate
oursel#es to li#in" the Girl Scout law(
&erson :. 0 ,ill do my best5 to be honest and fair( )his means 4 will be
truthful, trustworthy, eFual an fair in my 1u"ments an ealin"s with
others, an 4 will honor my obli"ations an uties( (make the first link in the
chain an stan in front, facin" out)
&erson 2. 1o be friendly and hel2f'l. 4 will be sensiti#e to the nees an
feelin"s of others, 4 will cheerfully hel! others in nee without re"ar to
!ersonal rewar, an 4 will hel! my troo! to be the best that we can be( (1oin
your link to the first one, stan facin" out)
&erson RA. 1o be considerate and caring. 4 will consier the feelin"s an
beliefs of others before 4 s!eak or act( 4 will not s!rea "ossi! an re!eat
thin"s that are not true( 4 will try to remember these wors. Q4f wisom?s
ways you wisely seek, 5i#e thin"s obser#e with care, )o whom you s!eak, 6f
whom you s!eak, An how an when an where(Q (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson R4. 1o be co'rageo's and strong. 4 will ha#e the coura"e to say no to
my friens when 4 on?t feel comfortable with what they want me to o or
say an the coura"e to stan u! for what 4 belie#e an ha#e been tau"ht( 4
will ha#e the stren"th to resist tem!tation an the stren"th to stan by my
o!inions( (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson RB. 1o be res2onsible for ,hat 0 say and do. 4f 4 say or o somethin"
that 4 re"ret an am aske about it, 4 will take res!onsibility for my actions( 4
will try to s!eak an act in ways which will not hurt others an in ways which
4 will feel "oo about( (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson RP. $nd to res2ect myself and others. 4 will try to treat others the
same way 4 woul like to be treate+ like the consierate, feelin" !erson 4 try
to be( (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson RS. 1o res2ect a'thority. 4 will "i#e the res!ect that is ue to those in
char"e( 4 will listen when s!oken to an Fuestion authority only when 4 feel
#ery stron"ly about somethin"( (1oin link an stan in line)
23
&erson RT. 1o 'se reso'rces ,isely. 8ein" a Girl Scout means bein" aware of
the aily bounties 4 am "i#en( 4 !romise to use whate#er resources 4 am
"i#en, such as craft su!!lies, firewoo, or water, in the best an least
wasteful ways !ossible( (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson RH. 1o ma7e the ,orld a better 2lace. 4 !romise to lea#e !laces
cleaner an better than 4 foun them( 4 !romise to hel! make the worl a
better !lace for others less fortunate than 4 am( An most of all, 4 !romise to
make my own !art of the worl a better !lace for me , my family, an my
friens( (1oin link an stan in line)
&erson R:0. $nd be a sister to every Girl Sco't. As a Girl Scout, 4 am a !art
of the worlwie association of Girl Scouts an Girl Guies( Althou"h we all
come from ifferent countries an s!eak many lan"ua"es, we are wo#en
to"ether by a common threa+ a common belief an commitment( ;e belie#e
in oursel#es an what we stan for an we are committe to li#in" the 'aw
an &romise in our e#eryay li#es(
All. <ay the !a!er links that 1oin us to"ether toni"ht be like !ure "ol.
stron" an bri"ht an lon" lastin", in our li#es an in our hearts(
;;;0f yo' are doing this ,ith yo'r girls, the ne<t 2art is for the leaders to
read to the girls3. Light the candle then read the follo,ing 5
As your leaers, we !le"e our eication, our commitment, an our
frienshi! to you( )his canle stans for sunshine, the sun that warms us all(
=ust as the sun warms us, may we in turn s!rea warmth an frienshi! to
those we meet( 'et?s make Girl Scoutin" fun for all of us, but at the same
time not lose si"ht of the &romise an 'aw that we ha#e !le"e to u!hol(
All. &lease 1oin hans an sin", Q<ake 3ew 5riensQ(
:aren 4orgard

24
WORLD TREFOIL PIN PRESENTATION
CEREMONIES
8AS4C C979<632 E CA3 89 US9/ /U743G 43K9S)4)U79
=ersion >5 6ne leaer (or an oler Girl Scout) reas the scri!t below while
another leaer !ins the "irls(
:( )his is the !in of the ;orl Association of Girl Guies an Girl Scouts(
2( )he blue back"roun is for the sky that is abo#e us all(
A( )he "ol rim is for the sun that shines on all of us(
4( )he trefoil is the si"n of Girl Scoutin" an Girl Guiin" all o#er the
worl(
B( )he blue star on the ri"ht re!resents the 'aw that "uies us all(
P( )he blue star on the left (which is on the same sie as our heart)
re!resents the &romise that e#eryone "i#es(
S( )he com!ass neele in the center, "uare by the two stars,
re!resents a "uie !ointin" the way(
T( )he flame below re!resents lo#e for human0kin, which always burns
bri"htly(
'et us all, Girl Guies an Girl Scouts aroun the worl, kee! the meanin" of
the ;orl Association !in as our ins!iration in all that we o(
=ersion ?5 7eturnin" "irls rea the scri!t below as they assemble a ;orl
!in* on a flannel boar or on a wall or table to!(
)his is the !in of the ;orl Association of Girl Guies an Girl Scouts.
)he blue back"roun is for the sky an the sea of our share !lanet+
)he "ol of the trefoil re!resents the sun shinin" o#er all Girl Guies
an Girl Scouts e#erywhere in the worl+
6ne leaf of the trefoil remins us to ser#e our Go an our country+
)he secon leaf remins us to res!ect an hel! other !eo!le+
)he thir leaf remins us to li#e by the Girl Scout 'aw(
25
)he base is an ol meie#al symbol for fire, re!resentin" the 5lame of
the 'o#e of All &eo!le+
)he two stars stan for the &romise an the 'aw+
4n the center is the com!ass neele is to "uie us on the ri"ht !ath(
;hen we wear our ;orl )refoil !in, it links us with our sister Girl
Scouts an Guies in :4B countries aroun the worl(
As you acce!t this !in, remember your !romise to make the worl a
better !lace an to be a sister to e#ery Girl Scout Lan Guie(M 4e,
members are 2inned by troo2 leaders or advisors or by other girls.
SA<&'9 ;67'/ )79564' &43 C979<632 567 876;349S
Needed: $merican @lag for flag ceremonyA &orld 1refoil 2ins for each girlA
large 2oster or 2ict're of the &orld 1refoil 2in
[To begin: gro'2 is standing in a horseshoe formation. $ll girls have been
2aired off before the ceremony, and are standing ne<t to their 2artners. B 9
C girls have been chosen to be in the color g'ard. @o'r girls have been
2revio'sly assigned s2ea7ing 2arts for the !in ceremony.]
Opening: cond'ct a sim2le @lag ceremony in ,hich the flag is 2resented, the
!ledge of $llegiance is said, and the flag is carried o't again.
Leader #1: ;e are ha!!y to !resent to each of you our ;orl )refoil !in(
)his !in tells e#eryone that you are a member of the lar"est or"ani%ation for
"irls in the worl. the ;orl Association of Girl Guies an Girl Scouts( 2ou
may wear this !in whether you are in uniform or not( 5asten it 1ust abo#e
your 8rownie Girl Scout !in(
Leader #2: ;hen you wear this !in, you are sayin" that you are a frien to
all Girl Guies an Girl Scouts where#er they mi"ht be aroun the worl(*
3ow we will hear what the colors an symbols of the !in mean(*
[1he girls assigned to this 2art come for,ard, and 'se the large 2ict're to
2oint o't the symbols as they s2ea7.]
Gir #1: )he color blue stans for the sky which is o#er us all, an the
yellow0"ol color stans for the sun which shines on Girl Scouts an Guies
e#erywhere(*
Gir #25 )he )refoil is the symbol of Girl Guiin" an Girl Scoutin" in all
countries+ its three lea#es re!resent the three !arts of our &romise( )he two
stars re!resent the &romise an the 'aw(*
26
Gir #!: )he #ein of the leaf in the mile of the )refoil re!resents a
com!ass neele, which "uies us to "o the ri"ht way(*
Gir #": )he stem of the )refoil is sha!e like a flame( )his stans for the
lo#e of all !eo!le an the flame of frienshi! 00 the frienshi! of all Girl
Guies an Girl Scouts aroun the worl(*
Leader #1: [/ands o't 2ins] &lease turn an face your !artner, an take
turns fastenin" the !in on each other$ ;hen you ha#e one that, "i#e each
other the Girl Scout hanshake(* [they do so] 3ow let?s all face the center
an re!eat our &romise to"ether( @6n my honor, ( ( (?*
Reader #2: )he ;orl )refoil !in is a reminer to us to kee! our &romise,
an to remember our sister Girl Guies an Girl Scouts throu"hout the worl(
;hen we try our best to o this, we can wear our !ins with !rie(*
Court o! A"ards Ceremon#
Court of Awars* is a traitional ceremony to !resent "irls with the awars
they ha#e earne in Girl Scoutin" or to reco"ni%e other Girl Scout
achie#ements (a first cam!in" tri! or a lon" trail hike, for e,am!le, or
community ser#ice "i#en() S!ecial Courts of Awar are hel to reco"ni%e "irls
who ha#e achie#e the Girl Scout 8ron%e, Sil#er, an Gol Awars or a life0
sa#in" awar(
4f Courts of Awar are hel fairly re"ularly E for e,am!le, each time the
troo! or "rou! com!letes a 'earnin" &etal, )ry04t, ba"e, si"n, interest
!ro1ect, etc( E the ceremony may be a #ery sim!le one, !erha!s the
e,tension of a closin" ceremony( )his is !articularly true for /aisy Girl
Scouts, since their !etals may only be worn on their /aisy tunic an also
because immeiate reco"nition of their learnin" is im!ortant to them-
<ost 8rownie an =unior Girl Scouts want their first )ry04t or ba"e as soon
as they earn it as well E that new sash or #est looks em!ty without it( 'ater
they may choose to ha#e a bi" Court of Awars at the be"innin" of the troo!
year to reco"ni%e work one urin" the summer, one aroun the winter an
s!rin" school breaks, an one at the en of the school year( )here is no set
27
rule+ each "rou! of "irls ecies what they want an !lan their ceremony
accorin"ly(
5or really bi" Courts of Awars, where "irls will be recei#in" many awar
symbols, it may hel! to !ut the awars in an en#elo! with the "irl?s name on
it, or !in them to a car or ribbon with the "irl?s name on it(
4f a "irl has earne an awar on her own, she may !refer to ha#e the ba"e
as soon as it is !ai for an !urchase+ it coul be !resente to her at a
troo! closin" ceremony ("irls are more likely to lose awars !resente at an
o!enin" ceremony-)
0f a service 'nit Co'rt of $,ards is being 2lanned, girls sho'ld still be
involved in the 2lanningA troo2 re2resentatives or one troo2 might be
res2onsible for the event.
SA<&'9 /A4S2 G47' SC6U) A;A7/ &79S93)A)463
Promise enter:
Girls are sitting in their %aisy Girl Sco't Circle at Closing 1ime5
:
st
'eaer (holding '2 real or artificial daisy flo,er3. Can e#eryone see the
center of my aisy> )he flower !etals are all attache to the center( )he
center is #ery im!ortant-
2
n
'eaer +holding '2 2ages >D9>C of the /aisy Girl Scout Acti#ity 8ook or
2age ?> of )he Guie for /aisy Girl Scout 'eaers35 2our Girl Scout aisy
has a center an !etals too( )he center of the Girl Scout aisy is #ery
im!ortant because it stans for the Girl Scout &romise(
:
st
'eaer. holding '2 bl'e !romise Center 2atch3 ;hen a /aisy Girl Scout
has learne the Girl Scout &romise, she can wear this s!ecial !atch on her
tunic( 3ow that you all know the Girl Scout &romise, you can wear this !atch(
2
n
'eaer. 'et?s all stan u! an say the Girl Scout &romise to"ether( )hen
UnameV an 4 will !in on your !atch( #veryone stands and ma7es the Girl
Sco't !romiseA the leaders and8or 2arents safety 2in the !romise Center to
the girls clothing.
1his co'ld be the concl'sion, or everyone co'ld Eoin in a @riendshi2 Circle,
,ith a friendshi2 sF'eeGe that celebrates this s2ecial occasion.
28
Learning Petal:
Girls are standing in a circle at Closing time.
:
st
'eaer. 'et?s all make the Girl Scout Si"n an say the Girl Scout
&romise( 6n my honor$* 3ow let?s all sit Fuietly in our /aisy Girl Scout
Circle(
2
n
'eaer. 4f you are wearin" your tunic toay, show me (or touch) your
&romise Center !atch( 2ou "ot your &romise Center when you learne the
Girl Scout &romise(
:
st
'eaer. &art of the &romise is to li#e by the Girl Scout 'aw( ;e ha#e been
learnin" about the ifferent !arts of the 'aw at our troo! meetin"s( 5or each
!art of the 'aw that you unerstan, an try to li#e by, you will "et a /airy
Girl Scout 'earnin" &etal to wear on your tunic(
2
n
'eaer. ;hen you ha#e learne about all ten !arts of the Girl Scout 'aw,
your &romise Center will ha#e ten colorful !etals- )oay you will "et your
HcolorI !etal( )his means that you o your best to be H2art of La,
learned(V /o you remember when we Hlearning activityI> )hat hel!e us
learn what it means to HLa, 2artI
:
st
'eaer. 3ow 4 am Lor, UnameV an 4 areW "oin" to "o aroun the circle
an !in your !etal on( After 4Jwe !in it on, we will con"ratulate you with the
Girl Scout Nanshake( !in on 2etal, give handsha7e.
2
n
'eaer. 'et?s close with a 5rienshi! Circle( )oay 4?m "oin" to start a
s!ecial sFuee%e to remin us to o our best to be HLa, 2art.I 0n a small
gro'2, yo' co'ld as7 each girl to say +for e<am2le3 honest and fair ,hen
she 2asses the sF'eeGe.
Goo bye /aisy Girl Scouts E o your best to be$$
SA<&'9 876;349 G47' SC6U) C6U7) 65 A;A7/S C979<632
;9'C6<9 by a troo! leaer or 8rownie Girl Scout
6&9343G fla" ceremony, son" or !oem by "irls
Girls stan in a half0circle or strai"ht line in front of the auience( All
to"ether they shout, 1ry it!
(ro<nie. )ry04t means 1ust that( =um! ri"ht in an try somethin"(
29
(ro<nie: Get your hans irty an your heart racin"-
(ro<nie. Use your ima"ination(
(ro<nie. 'earn a new hobby(
(ro<nie: )he main thin" is to ha#e fun-
(ro<nie. 6ur leaer hel!s us choose )ry04ts <e want to o(
(ro<nie: )o earn a )ry04t, we ha#e to com!lete 4 acti#ities(
(ro<nie. ;e ha#e fun oin" )ry04t acti#ities with other "irls, but sometimes
we work with a !arent or "rown u! frien instea(
(ro<nie: ;hen we com!lete our four )ry04t acti#ities, we !lan a Court of
Awars ceremony as a s!ecial way to recei#e our )ry04t !atches(
Leader: At our Court of Awars ceremony toni"htJtoay, all of the "irls will
recei#e the (name) )ry04t(s)( L0f one 1ry90t, safety92in on sash or
vest. 0f more than one, 2in on ribbon then 2in ribbon on vest or
sash.] 4n aition, the followin" "irls earne )ry04ts workin"
outsie the troo!. +name of girl and 1ry90t, ,hich can already be
2inned on ribbon.3
Leader: After the ceremony, the "irls will be "la to tell you about the
acti#ities they i to earn their )ry04t(s)( Girls E what are )ry04ts
all about>
+irls: 9,!eriment- 'earn- 9,!lore-
)hat?s what 8rownie )ry04ts are for-
3ow our ceremony is throu"h E
;e ha#e !unch an cookies for you-
(ro<nie or leader. &lease 1oin us for refreshments in DDDDDDDDDDDDDDD(
SA<&'9 =U3467 G47' SC6U) C6U7) 65 A;A7/S. 80A0/0G090S
&rite each letter on a J < >? 2iece of 2oster board. *n the bac7 of the
cardboard ,rite the e<2lanation. -se as flashcards for a Co'rt of $,ards.
Girls may have their o,n ideas for ,hat each letter co'ld stand for.
,peaker 4leader6: =uliette Goron 'ow once sai, as she aware ba"es to
a "rou! of Girl Scouts.
30
9#ery ba"e you earn is tie u! with your motto @8e &re!are(? 8a"es
are not awars for somethin" you ha#e one once or for an e,amination you
ha#e !asse( )hey are not meals to wear on your uniform to show what a
smart "irl you are(
A ba"e is a symbol that you ha#e one the thin" it stans for often
enou"h, thorou"hly enou"h, an well enou"h to be !re!are to "i#e ser#ice
in it( 2ou wear the ba"e to let !eo!le know you ha#e earne it, can show
someone else how to o it, an are !rou of your accom!lishments(*
+irl ,peakers:
B
stans for (adges to be "i#en toay( ;hat is a ba"e> An
outwar si"n of an inner accom!lishment( )he scra! of colore
material is not nearly so im!ortant as the 1ob that was one to
earn it(
A
A<ards are "i#en at the Court of Awars( Nere we are not
reware for the ba"e itself but for what the ba"e re!resents( 4t
means new knowle"e, new skills learne, an new o!!ortunities
to be of ser#ice to others(
D
stans for *eeds( Goo ees to be one now an in the future
for family, friens, an the community( Goo ees one with the
knowle"e an skills acFuire throu"h the ba"es(
G
4s the +irl in Girl Scouts an the gro<t% we achie#e throu"h
li#in" the Girl Scout &romise an 'aw(
E
is for the !agerness an !nergy necessary to earn ba"es(
8a"es o not come easily an they shoul not, or their #alue
woul be small( 8a"es !resent challen"es an satisfaction in
accom!lishment(
#
stans for so many thin"s( ,er&ice to others, ,elf/
*e&elopment, an most im!ortant, ,elf/"espect 00 the way you
feel about yourself as a !erson(
Leader: An so we ha#e the followin" ba"es to be "i#en toay in this Court
of Awars$ +2resentation3
7emember that with each new ba"e, a Girl Scout takes on a new
res!onsibility( A little more is e,!ecte at home, at troo! meetin"s, an in
the community( Stri#e always to be worthy of the symbols you wear an
wear them with !rie( 8est wishes to each of you-*
31
$ounder%s &a#'(u)iette Lo"%s
*irt+da# Ceremonies
=uliette Goron /aisy) 'ow was born in Sa#annah, Geor"ia on 6ctober A:,
:TP0( 6ctober A: is celebrate as Girl Scout 5ouner?s /ay or =uliette 'ow?s
8irthay(
)he birthay of =uliette 'ow, the 5ouner of Girl Scoutin" in the USA, is a
1oyous occasion to be commemorate by all the Girl Scouts throu"hout the
country( )he more the "irls know about <rs( 'ow as a li#in" !erson who
unerstoo an belie#e in "irls so much that she "a#e herself untirin"ly in
their, the more the Girl Scout !ro"ram means to them( She shoul ne#er
become a le"en( 3or shoul she be merely the name attache to the
=uliette 'ow ;orl 5rienshi! 5un, fittin" memorial to her thou"h it is
because of her ee! con#iction that frienshi! of "irls the worl o#er can hel!
lea to worl !eace an unerstanin"(
0 %ramatics and Ceremonies for Girl Sco'ts, Girl Scouts of the USA, :HBP
=U'49))9 '6; ;67'/ 57493/SN4& 5U3/ S)672 GA<9
)his story can be use at a birthay celebration for =uliette 'ow (6ctober A:),
on ;orl )hinkin" /ay (5ebruary 22) or at any time contributions to the
=uliette 'ow ;orl 5rienshi! 5un are collecte(
AC)463S.
As the story is rea.
6n ;orl, stan an s!in once(
6n =uliette 'ow, 1oin han with !erson on ri"ht an left(
6n Scout or Guie, "i#e a bi" smile an the ScoutJGuie si"n(
Be s're to 2ractice motions first so everyone 'nderstands ,hat to do.
6nce u!on a time there was a lay whose name was =uliette 'ow( She
became intereste in Scoutin" throu"h her friens, 'or an 'ay 8aen0
&owell, when she #isite them in 9n"lan( )hey starte the 8oy Scouts an
Girl Guies there(
=uliette 'ow thou"ht Scoutin" for "irls was a wonerful iea( ;hen she
returne to America, she ecie to start a Girl Scout troo!( So on <arch :2,
32
:H:2, in her home town, Sa#annah, Geor"ia, =uliette 'ow starte the first
Girl Scout troo! in her !art of the worl(
After that she tra#ele all o#er our country, hel!in" to start more Girl Scout
troo!s( =uliette 'ow belie#e Girl Scoutin" was such a fine thin" that she
wante to see GS troo!s all o#er the worl( She knew that Girl Scoutin"
woul hel! "irls to become friens an woul hel! towar worl !eace an
"oo will(
After =uliette 'ow ie in :H2S, her friens ecie that the "reatest tribute
that coul be !ai to such a charmin" lay woul be to continue workin"
towars the reali%ation of her ream of worl frienshi!( A memorial fun
was starte( 4t was calle the =uliette 'ow ;orl 5rienshi! 5un( 9ach year
all Girl Scouts in the Unite States are "i#en the o!!ortunity to brin" money
for this fun which hel!s Girl Scoutin" an Guiin" all o#er the worl(
;hen you Girl Scouts ro! your money into your =uliette 'ow ;orl
5rienshi! 5un bo,, you can ima"ine the far !laces of the worl to which
this money will tra#el an the ways it will hel! Girl Scoutin" an Guiin"(
<aybe your money will hel! buy a Girl Guie uniform an hanbook for a "irl
in &akistan who lost hers in an earthFuake( <aybe your money will hel!
sen teen Girl Scouts from our country to 6ur Chalet, an 4nternational Nostel
in Swit%erlan, where Girl Scouts an Guies from all o#er the worl "et
to"ether to learn more about each other(
3o one knows to what !arts of the worl this money may tra#el( 3o one
knows the ways in which it will one ay come back to us in new friens( 8ut
we all know that as we "i#e our money to the =uliette 'ow ;orl 5rienshi!
5un, we are hel!in" to s!rea Girl Scoutin" an Guiin" aroun the worl(
A 567<A' =U'49))9 '6;J56U3/97?S /A2 C979<632
!lace5 4noors or 6ut0of0/oors
#F'i2ment5 An American fla", a small table !lace in center of room, two
canles an canlesticks, flowers or lea#es attracti#ely arran"e on table(
!artici2ants5 )wo Girl Scout <istresses of Ceremony, 'eaer, other troo!
members(
*rder of Ceremony5
Girls form a horseshoe( ;hen all are in !lace, the Color Guar enters, after
which all salute the fla" an the "rou! sin"s a !atriotic son"( At the
conclusion of the fla" ceremony, the fla" bearer !osts the fla" at the sie of
33
the table( )he Color Guar takes its !lace in the horseshoe as the two
<istresses of Ceremony ste! forwar to the ri"ht an left of the table(
5irst Girl Scout.
4 li"ht this canle for =uliette 'ow who starte our Girl Scout or"ani%ation
DDDDD years a"o( 9#en thou"h we lost the !ersonal !resence of our founer
in :H2S, her s!irit has le us constantly to "reater "rowth an fellowshi!(
)oay there are o#er three million Girl Scouts in the Unite States( +lights
candle3
Secon Girl Scout.
=uliette 'ow?s heart?s esire was to brin" lo#e an unerstanin" to all "irls in
e#ery lan( Ner ream is comin" true, for toay Girl Scouts an Guies ha#e
members in :4B countries aroun the worl( 4 li"ht this canle for the ream
of our 5ouner, =uliette 'ow, an for all Girl Scouts an Guies the worl
o#er( +lights candle3
1he girls then ,al7 to the table one by one and 2't their contrib'tion to the
K'liette Lo, &orld @riendshi2 @'nd on the table or into a container. 1hey
ret'rn to the horseshoe formation.
5irst Girl Scout.
;hen you became a Girl Scout, you mae a s!ecial !romise( 'et us
reeicate oursel#es by re!eatin" our &romise an sin"in" ;hen?ere 2ou
<ake A &romise(*
)N9 A8C?S 65 =U'49))9 '6;
!lanning 4otes5 Girls may substitute any wors they think are a better fit or
that mean more to them( 5or youn"er "irls, you may want to ha#e "irls !rint
their* letter of the al!habet on one sie of a stiff !iece of !a!er an their
wors* on the other sie( 6ler "irls may !refer to memori%e their !art an
ski! the letter sheets(
4n "rou!s of less than 2P "irls, some "irls may ha#e two or three turns(
A E =uliette Goron 'ow brou"ht Girl Scoutin" to $merica
8 E =uliette 'ow?s birthday is 6ctober A:(
C E =uliette 'ow ha a ream of "irls "oin" cam2ing.
/ E =uliette? nickname was %aisy.
34
9 E /aisy ha energy!
5 E =uliette 'ow s!rea friendshi2 aroun the worl(
G E =uliette 'ow starte the Girl Sco'ts in the USA
N E =uliette 'ow wante Girl Scouts to be hel2f'l hands.
4 E =uliette 'ow ha ins2irations an ideas.
= E K'liette Goron 'ow was born in Sa#annah, Geor"ia(
C E /aisy 'ow "athere 7no,ledge where#er she went(
' E =uliette 'ow learned new thin"s all her life(
< E =uliette 'ow starte the first Girl Scout troo! on (arch :2, :H:2(
3 E =uliette 'ow tau"ht "irls about nat're.
6 E =uliette like the o'tdoor worl(
& E <rs( 'ow encoura"e Girl Scouts to 2ractice their skills(
X E =uliette 'ow wante "irls to be F'ic7 to hel! others(
7 E /aisy tau"ht "irls to !lay fair an follow the r'les.
S E =uliette wante Girl Scouts to use their s7ills to "i#e ser#ice to others(
) E <rs( 'ow calle a "rou! of Girl Scouts a troo2.
U E =uliette 'ow lo#e to wear her Girl Scout 'niform.
K E /aisy lo#e variety.
; E =uliette Goron 'ow share her ,orld with Girl Scouts(
Y E =uliette 'ow woul not L out an iea without talkin" to "irls about it
first(
2 E =uliette 'ow ha a ream for the yo'th of the worl(
Z E =uliette Goron 'ow ha Geal for oin" new thin"s(
35
SA<&'9 ;67'/ )N43C43G /A2 C979<632
1he Girl Sco'ts stand in a circle or horseshoe ,ith ten candles in the center,
arranged in the form of a trefoil. $s each girl re2resenting a co'ntry ste2s
for,ard to say one 2art of the La,, she lights one of the candles.
Narrator: )oayJ5ebruary 22 is ;orl )hinkin" /ay, the 1oint birthay of our
5ouner, the late 'or 8aen0&owell, an his wife 6la#e, our ;orl Chief
Guie( 6n this ay Guies an Girl Scouts e#erywhere "ather to think of their
Sister Guies throu"hout the worl, an to sen them frienly "reetin"s( 4n
our international family we are boun to"ether by the unseen chain of our
three fol &romise an the Girl Scout or Guie 'aw( 'et us now brin" in the
'aw in the wors of other countries( )his is the first law from Sween.
:st Girl Scout. A "irl "uie s!eaks the truth an kee!s her wor(

Narrator: )he secon law from 8enin
2n "irl. A "uie thinks of others first(
Narrator: )he thir law from Ar"entina(
Ar "irl. A Guie ser#es an hel!s other !eo!le without e,!ectin" rewar or
!raise
Narrator: )he fourth law from )hailan(
4th "irl. A Guie is a frien to all an a sister to e#ery other Guie(
Narrator: )he fifth law from Australia(
Bth "irl. )he "irl "uie is "rateful an courteous(
Narrator: )he si,th law from Corea(
Pth "irl. A Guie lo#es nature an res!ects life(
Narrator: )he se#enth law from Naiti
Sth "irl. A "uie obeys without Fuestion an oes nothin" in hal#es(
Narrator: )he ei"ht law from the Arab 7e!ublic of 9"y!t(
Tth "irl. A Guie smiles when facin" ifficulties an faces all such ifficulties
with !atience an !erse#erance(
36
Narrator: )he ninth law from the Central African 7e!ublic(
Hth "irl. A Guie lo#es her work an knows how to use her money((
Narrator: )he )enth law from Grenaa(
:0th "irl. A Guie is self0controlle in all she thinks, says an oes(
Narrator: )hese are our laws( ;e try har to kee! them so that the s!irit of
"uiin" may brin" li"ht into the worl, e#en as our canles brin" li"ht into
the room( ;hile each !art of the law is followe, the flame of the Girl Scout
s!irit will ne#er ie(
S&474) 65 57493/SN4&* ;67'/ )N43C43G /A2 C979<632
1he co'ntries in this ceremony ,ere chosen for contrast of c'lt'res and
location, b't other co'ntries in the &orld $ssociation co'ld be s'bstit'ted.
<aterials neee.
9i"ht small canles with holers
6ne lar"e canle with ri! catcher
'A7G9 carboar cutout of the ;orl Association trefoil in a!!ro!riate colors
1o begin the ceremony, the c'to't of the &$GGGS !in is 2laced in the center
of the floor. 1he troo2 members file in F'ietly and ,ith dignity. 0f there are
g'ests, the girls form a semi9circle aro'nd the trefoil facing the a'dience.
*ther,ise, they form a large circle aro'nd the trefoil.
1he girl at the to2 of the trefoil re2resents the S2irit of @riendshi2. She
carries a the large candle ,ith the dri2 catcher. 0t sho'ld be lit before the
ceremony begins. #ight other girls re2resenting @inland, BraGil, 0taly, 0ndia,
Ghana, Ka2an, Great Britain, and $merica, carry small, 'nlighted candles.
1hese eight girls sho'ld be evenly distrib'ted aro'nd the trefoil.
S!irit of 5rienshi!. (takin" se#eral ste!s forwar) <y name is 5rienshi!(
9#ery ni"ht an ay, 4 knock u!on the oors of the worl( 4 cry to be let in(
)oo many times 4?m turne away, because the !eo!le fear 0 but when youth
lifts the latch, 4 walk strai"ht in- 2ou bi me welcome, Sisterhoo of Girl
Guies an Girl Scouts of the worl( So, on this ay when thou"hts an
frienshi! tra#el fast an far, 4 come amon" you to renew our !le"e of
fellowshi!, an to hear once more your law(
)roo! (all to"ether). 4 will o my best to be a sister to e#ery Girl Scout an
Guie(*
37
5rienshi!. 'et us "i#e in many lan"ua"es the !le"e of frienshi! an of
sisterhoo(*
5inlan. (ste2s for,ard, ,al7s to @riendshi2, lights her candle, ret'rns to
the left base of the trefoil ,here she 2laces her candle in the holder and
7neels beside it35
*4 re!resent the Girl Scouts of 5inlan( ;e say, @)he iea of a Girl Scout is to
buil frienshi!s across borers(**
8ra%il. +Same action, e<ce2t that candle is 2laced at right base of trefoil35
*4 re!resent the 8aneirantes L8AN3 ay ee rahn taysM of 8ra%il, where we
!romise to esteem an cherish frienshi!(*
4taly. +Ste22ing for,ard3 4 re!resent the 3ational 6r"ani%ation of 4talian Girl
Guies an Girl Scouts( 6ur two sister or"ani%ations both say that a Girl
Scout or Guie is a frien to e#ery other Girl Scout an Guie(*
4nia. (ste22ing for,ard3 4 re!resent 4nia, home of the 8harat Scouts an
Guies, an also the home of San"am, the newest of the 5our ;orl Centres(
;e also say a Guie is a frien to all an a sister to e#ery other Guie(
5rienshi!. 4taly, 4nia, li"ht your flames, an rin" our trefoil roun with
stars of trust. +0taly and 0ndia light their candles from @riendshi2s and
ret'rn, one to each side of the trefoil, 2laces candles on o22osite 2oints and
stands beside them.3
Ghana. +Goes to @riendshi2, lights candle, ret'rns to trefoil, 2'ts do,n
candle and stands beside it3 4 brin" "reetin"s from the Africa 7e"ion of the
;orl Association( 4 re!resent Ghana, where a Guie !romises to be frienly
an a sister to all Guies(*
=a!an 5 +Similar action to Ghanas3 4 re!resent =a!an an the Asia0&acific
7e"ion of ;AGGGS( )he 'aw of the Girl Scouts in =a!an says, A Girl Scout is
a frien to all an a sister to e#ery other Girl Scout(*
5rienshi!. 0 call now on the country where your ream of fellowshi! an
sisterhoo was born, the reamer of the ream, who mae it come to life
throu"hout the worl+ the birth!lace of 'or an 'ay 8aen0&owell, the
birth!lace of Scoutin" an Guiin"(*
Unite Cin"om. +Similar action3 Greetin"s from the Guies of the Unite
Cin"om of Great 8ritain an 3orthern 4relan, where a Guie is a "oo
frien an a sister to all Guies(*
5rienshi!. An now your own country, the Unite States of America$
38
Unite States. +Similar action3 6#er three million American Girl Scouts o
their best to be frienly an hel!ful, consierate an carin", an a sister to
e#ery Girl Scout(*
9ntire troo!. sings (a7e 4e, @riends as the co'ntries 2ic7 '2 their candles
and ret'rn to their 2laces in the semi9circle. 1he S2irit of @riendshi2 also
ret'rns to her original 2osition. 1he troo2 leaves as it came, in silence.
;67'/ )N43C43G /A2 CA3/'90'4GN)43G C979<632
Mo' ,ill need5 a small canle for each !artici!ant(
Leaders and girls form a horseshoe as they sing Girl Sco'ts 1ogether, *'r
Chalet or other a22ro2riate song. #veryone is holding an 'n9lit candle.
'9A/97. )he horseshoe formation symboli%es the o!en 5rienshi! Circle( 4n
the en of our horseshoe is left o!en for our sister Girl Scouts an Guies
aroun the worl( 4f they were actually here, our horseshoe woul become a
com!lete circle, e,tenin" aroun the worl, without a be"innin" or an en(
Lights her candle. <y li"hte canle hel!s us focus on the meanin" of ;orl
)hinkin" /ay, when Girl Scouts an Girl Guies aroun the worl think about
worl frienshi! an unerstanin"(
G47' SC6U) R : (stanin" ne,t to leaer). Lights her candle from the
leaders. 4 li"ht my canle in memory of 'or 7obert 8aen0&owell, the
5ouner of the 8oy Scout an Girl Guie <o#ement, an his wife 6la#e, 'ay
8aen0&owell, who was our ;orl Chief Guie(
G47' SC6U) R 2. 4 li"ht my canle to remin us of our own =uliette 'ow, who
was ins!ire by 'or 8aen0&owell to brin" Girl Scoutin" from 9n"lan to the
"irls of Sa#annah an America( an all the worl(
G47' SC6U) RA. Girl Scouts all o#er the USA contribute each year to the
=uliette 'ow ;orl 5rienshi! 5un, so international frienshi! may "row(
<ay the li"ht of my canle remin each Girl Scout of the im!ortance of her
contribution to the 5un(
G47' SC6U) R4. <y canle is li"hte to honor the ;orl Association of Girl
Guies, an or"ani%ation of :0 million "irls in :4B countries( 4t is the "olen
chain that links us to"ether in frienshi! aroun the worl( 4t is also the #oice
of "irls an youn" women who influence issues they care about an buil a
better worl(
G47' SC6U) RB. )hrou"h the ;orl Association, e#ery Girl Scout an Guie
has a home at our four ;orl Centres( Ni"h u! u!on the mountains of the
39
Swiss Al!s, we foune 6ur Chalet( $ 4ts slo!in" roof an wie, Shall
shelter us without a care+ An each Girl Scout an Guie, Shall fin a
welcome there( An this its eication, Shall ne#er fail or be unone. 9ach
race, each cree, each nation, 8eneath its roof are one(* 4 li"ht my canle in
ho!e that frienshi! an "oowill aboun at 6ur Chalet(
G47' SC6U)S RP. ?3eath the "ran Sierra <ares, on a !lain in <e,ico, lies
our beautiful Caba[a, where Girl Scouts an Guies "o$ So come now to
6ur Caba[a, ;orl frienshi! to increase, An carry to your homelan,
4nternational !eace(* 4 li"ht this canle with a wish for !eace an frienshi!
amon" our sister Girl Scouts an Guies(
G47' SC6U) RS. 4 li"ht my canle in honor of &a, 'o"e in 'onon, where
the Scout an Guie <o#ement be"an( ;e wish you lo#e, we wish you li"ht,
;e wish you colors soft an bri"ht( ;e wish you li"ht, we wish you lo#e, ;e
wish you !eace on the win"s of a snow white o#e( An with our sisters by
our sie( we learn to lea we learn to "uie+ ;e clear the !atch, we !a#e the
way, to !eace on 9arth, to a bri"hter ay(*
G47' SC6U) RT. 6ur ;orl Centre in 4nia is calle San"am, a Sanskrit
wor meanin" comin" to"ether(* 4 li"ht this canle for the Girl Scouts an
Guies who come to"ether at San"am to listen, share an e,!lore, to 'ea#e
behin the barriers E of culture, race an cree E Come to"ether an be"in E
;orl harmony can succee 0 )he oneness foun at San"am E 8rin"s 1oy to
your soul E Share it with your sisters E 2our lau"hter will be whole(*
G47' SC6U) RH. <y canle re!resents the &romise mae by Girl Scouts an
Girl Guies aroun the worl( )he lan"ua"e may be ifferent, but the ieas
are the same( 'et us !ause now an reeicate oursel#es to our &romise.
6n my honor$*
79<A4343G G47' SC6U)S. #ach names a co'ntry of the &orld $ssociation
as she lights her candle. @or e<am2le, (y candle re2resents o'r sister Girl
G'ides in 1rinidad, ,here my grand2arents live today.
G47' SC6U) R:. ;e Girl Scouts of these Unite States of America, as we
blow out our canles, sen wishes of !eace, frienshi! an "oowill aroun
the "lobe on this ;orl )hinkin" /ay( Blo,s o't candle 6 others do the
same. Leader t'rns on lights and meeting ends or 2arty begins!
*ridging Ceremon#
A 8ri"in" Ceremony is hel any time a "irl mo#es from one a"e le#el to the
ne,t, i(e(, /aisy to 8rownie, 8rownie to =unior, an so forth( Girl Scouts who
40
are "rauatin" from hi"h school bri"e into ault Girl Scoutin"( A 8rownie
8ri"in" Ceremony is commonly calle a Q5ly0U! CeremonyQ because
bri"in" "irls recei#e their 8rownie Girl Scout ;in"s(
Girl may earn a bri"in" awar to hel! them make the transition to the ne,t
le#el, but these awars are not reFuire to bri"e( A "irl mo#es to the ne,t
a"e le#el whether she has earne a bri"in" awar or not(
*aisy +irl ,couts (ridging to (ro<nie +irl ,couts
/aisy Girl Scouts may bri"e* to 8rownie Girl Scouts by learnin" about the
ne,t le#el throu"h a series of acti#ities an !artici!atin" in the !lannin" of a
ceremony( At the ceremony, "irls recei#e the followin" insi"nia an awars.
8rownie Girl Scout &in
;orl )refoil &in (if they ha#e not recei#e it on their first )hinkin"
/ay)
8ri"in" to 8rownie Girl Scouts Awar (if earne by com!letin" all
ste!s, below)
A membershi! star with a blue isc
Note: )he 8rownie Girl Scout !in can also be aware at a s!ecial
7eeication Ceremony* urin" the ne,t troo!J"rou! year(
(ro<nie +irl ,couts // (ridging to =unior +irl ,couts
9#ery 8rownie Girl Scout recei#es her win"s* at the en of her 8rownie Girl
Scout years( Some "irls also choose to earn their 8ri"e to =unior Girl Scouts
rainbow !atch( At the 8ri"in" Ceremonies, each 8rownie Girl Scout
recei#es.
8rownie ;in"s
8ri"e to =uniors !atch
A membershi! star with a "reen isc
Note: )he Girl Scout !in can also be aware at a s!ecial 7eeication
Ceremony* urin" the ne,t troo!J"rou! year(
(ridging and elebrations for +irls >> and -p // #aking )t #eaningful
U! to now, bri"in" has been lai out in a formula for transition at each a"e
le#el, with acti#ities clearly s!elle out( )he ceremony itself is not the !oint,
it?s makin" a 1ourney from the familiar to somethin" new an ifferent that
ins!ires "irls( )he 1ourney e#elo!s more twists an turns as "irls mo#e into
the @tweens an teens, an offers more o!!ortunities for creati#ity an "irl
41
!lannin"( GSUSA is encoura"in" Girl Scouts ::0:S an aults to think more
broaly an creati#ely about markin" the !assa"e of "irls throu"hout
aolescence an the transition into aulthoo( Some e,am!les of builin"
new transitional celebrations for "irls are liste below(
Ages and ,tages: ause for elebration
Girls :: an :2. Q)weensQ
Girls :A0:B. )eens at 'ast-
Girls :P\:S. 5ocus on the 5uture
Girls :T an abo#e. 8ecomin" an Ault
Girls may !refer an acti#ity that reco"ni%es their new maturity (inner at a
nice restaurant, for instance, or a hi"h a#enture challen"e) rather than a
traitional ceremony(
)he 8ri"e* can be a real one E inoors or out E or anythin" the "irls create
to re!resent a bri"e or transitions (ste!!in" stones or an arch, for
e,am!le() A brown !a!er bri"e o#er an aluminum foil stream works 1ust
fine- ;hate#er the "irls ecie to use, be sure e#eryone can "et o#er it+ it?s
#ery isa!!ointin" for a Girl Scout in a wheelchair to be left behin when
e#eryone else crosses o#er the bri"e(
SA<&'9 /A4S2 874/G43G )6 876;349 G47' SC6U)S C979<632
;ho. /aisy Girl Scouts, their leaers, !arentsJfamilies, an !erha!s a
8rownie Girl Scout sister* or mentor troo! with which you ha#e one some
bri"in" acti#ities(
0 6!enin" 5la" ceremony or fa#orite Girl Scout son", as chosen by "irls
0 4n#ite each "irl to tell what was her fa#orite !art of /aisy Girl Scouts an
what
42
she looks forwar to as a 8rownie Girl Scout(
0 9#eryone makes the Girl Scout &romise Lan says the Girl Scout 'awM
0 9ach "irl walks across the bri"e (mae by the "irls) where she is "reete
with a
Girl Scout hanshake an recei#es her 9nin" Certificate, a <embershi!
Star
an blue isc, an Lo!tionalM a 8rownie Girl Scout !in (you may want to
wait until
the be"innin" of ne,t year to "i#e the "irl her 8rownie &in as !art of a
7eeication Ceremony)
0 4n#ite e#eryone to 1oin in the 5rienshi! Circle( Girls sin" <ake 3ew
5riens* or
other son" they choose(
"efreshments are o2tional b't a nice to'ch!
A 39; 8A)CN 65 876;349S (may be use a!art of a /aisy bri"in"
ceremony or to in#est new 8rownies in an e,istin" troo!)
Mo' ,ill need. 2 tables lyin" on their sie len"th0wise, with a 'A7G9
carboar bo, in the mile( (6r !lace the bo, in an o!en oor() 6n the bo,,
cut an o#en oor, with a hanle mae from carboar or foil(
.*ld. Bro,nies do all the motions, and ne, Bro,nies stay behind the tables.
Mo' ,ill also need ? bo,ls, > large, and > smallA flat ba7ing 2an, mi<ing
s2oon, meas'ring bo,ls, sifter, meas'ring s2oons, and 7itchen timer.
Current 8rownies are in an o!en horseshoe.
>st (ro<nie: 'etGs bake somethin"(
5nd (ro<nie: 2es, let?s E but what can we bake>
?rd (ro<nie: 4 know, letGs make some new 8rownies -
All girls 0 2es, 2es, 2es
@t% (ro<nie: letGs look in our hanbook for the reci!e( (all !ull out
hanbooks()
At% (ro<nie: Nere it is- )o make 8rownies, we must mi, B basic in"reients
E the Girl Scout &romise, the Girl Scout 'aw, the <otto an the Slo"an, an
8rownie Girl Scout )ry04ts(
Bt% (ro<nie: 4n a lar"e bowl, cream to"ether : cu! of each of a !romise to
ser#e Go an my country an to hel! other !eo!le(
Ct% (ro<nie: to this mi,ture a 2 cu!s of honesty an fairness, 4
tables!oons of frienliness an hel!fulness, an mi, to"ether until well
blene(
Dt% (ro<nie: stir in : cu! of consieration an carin"(
Et% (ro<nie: beat to"ether :J2 c of coura"e an stren"th, an :J2 c of
res!onsibility, an a to the mi,ture(
43
>Ft% (ro<nie: s!rinkle o#er the mi,ture 2 tables!oons full of res!ect for
myself, an others an res!ect for those in authority+
>>t% (ro<nie: sift to"ether : c of resources use wisely an : c of makin"
the worl a better !lace( Stir until well blene(
>5t% (ro<nie: a a hea!in" cu! of sisterhoo for e#ery Girl Scout( Stir
into mi,ture(
>?t% (ro<nie: 4nto this mi,ture blen :J2 c each of 8e &re!are an /o a
Goo )urn /aily(
>@t% (ro<nie: S!rinkle a hanful of )ry04ts o#er the to!(
>At% (ro<nie: s!rea batter into the !an an bake at a moerate
tem!erature until one( L&lace !an in o#en*(M
>Bt% (ro<nie: (after timer rin"s) )heyGre one- +o2en door and ne,
Bro,nies start to cra,l o't of the oven.3 'ook-- A 39; 8A)CN 65
876;349S---
S )9&&43G S)639S* 876;349 874/G43G C979<632
399/S. 6rer your 8rownie ;in"s ahea of time, also your Girl Scout !ins
an <embershi! Stars an "reen iscs if you !lan to !resent them now(
8rown construction !a!er or brown !a!er ba"s, cut to re!resent :0 stones(
;rite one !art of the Girl Scout 'aw on each one(
7efreshments (o!tional)
1he Bro,nie Girl Sco'ts sit on one side of the room in a Bro,nie "ing, and
the K'nior Girl Sco'ts sit in a horseshoe +al,ays ma7e the o2en end to,ard
the a'dience3 on the other side of the room. !lace yo'r Ste22ing Stones
bet,een the t,o gro'2s and ta2e them do,n to the floor.
9#eryone sin"s Girl Scouts )o"ether* (or other Girl Scout son" chosen by
"irls)
8rownie 'eaer.
2ou?#e been a 8rownie Girl Scout an earne your win"s of "ol+
3ow you?re reay for =unior Girl Scouts an the new a#entures you?#e been
tol
+1he girls all stand3
8rownie 'eaer.
4 woul like to !resent my 8rownie Girl Scouts their win"s+ they are reay to
fly0u! to the ne,t le#el of Girl Scoutin"( As 4 call your name, woul you
!lease come forwar> +as they come for,ard, 'se safety 2in to 2in on their
,ings3.
44
=unior 'eaer.
9ach ste! of =unior Girl Scoutin" can be fille with fun an a#enture( As a
troo!, we woul like to welcome you(
1he Bro,nies ,al7 on the ste22ing stones and enter the horseshoe. &ith the
Bro,nies facing the K'niors, the Girl Sco't Sign is made and the girls recite
the Girl Sco't !romise.
#ach K'nior ta7es a Bro,nie 2artner and ,al7s to the ste22ing stonesA the
first 2air ,al7s to the stone ,ith the first GS La, 2rinted on it and say the
La,. 4o, the ne<t 2air of girls come and stand on La, N?A contin'e 'ntil all
the La,s are said. +0f there are not eno'gh girls in the t,o troo2s, they may
have to do this as single girls instead of in 2airs.3
=unior 'eaer.
;ith the hel! of (8rownie 'eaer?s 3ame) we woul like to !resent our new
=uniors with the Girl Scout membershi! !in( $t this time yo' may also ,ish
to give the girls their (embershi2 Star and green disc.
8rownie 'eaer.
;e will now all sin" <ake 3ew 5riens* (or other closin" son" of "irls?
choice()
9n with refreshments(
=U3467 )6 S)U/46 28 G47' SC6U)S 874/G43G C979<632
Troop Ad&isor reads:
*4n this, the year of Q"rowin" u!,Q new obli"ations must be met
2ouGre reay now to cross the bri"e an soon youGll be all set(((
;ith S)U/46 28 youGll make your own a#enturous !lans,
)he interests you follow are u! to you E your future is in your hans(*
Welcoming ,T-*)O 5( +irl ,couts read: +Girls co'ld hold '2 letter
cards3
S 0 stans for S4ZZ'9(((our !ro"ram will be so hot-
) 0 is for our )N6UGN)S of which we ha#e a lot(
U 0 stans for U389'49KA8'9 hori%ons to e,!lore(
/ 0 is for /9S)43A)463S((((tra#elin" more an more-
4 0 stans for 43)979S)S so !ersonal an uniFue(
6 0 is for 6&&67)U34)49S we ini#iually seek
45
28 0 stans for anythin" we want our li#es )6 89(
8ut more than all of this 0 itGs our future we want to see-
+irl: 4n S)U/46 28, the acti#ities we o are all base on the 48s, which
reflect the Girl Scout 'aw( ;e challen"e oursel#es to$ +lights first candle3
become; Celebrate yourself toay an become your best self in the future(
+irl: +lights second candle3 (elong; 8e !art of a "rou! where you ha#e fun,
relate to others with res!ect, an e#elo! lastin" frienshi!s(
+irl: +lights third candle3 (elie&e; /e#elo! your ieas an #oice what?s
im!ortant to you(
+irl: +lights fo'rth candle() (uild; )ake action on what you care about an
make a ifference(
1he advisor greets each ne, Girl Sco't ,ith Girl Sco't handsha7e.
Ceremony may end ,ith the singing of .1a2s., *n (y /onor, &e Change
the &orld or other song girls choose.
GIRL SCOUTS OWN
W%at )s A ,cout7s O<n9G
A Girl Scout?s 6wn is a s!ecial ty!e of ceremony that e,!resses the s!irit of
Girl Scoutin"( 'or 8aen0&owell, the founer of Scoutin", escribes the
Scouts 6wn as A #oluntary u!liftin" of their hearts ( ( ( in thanks"i#in" for
the 1oys of life, an a esire to seek ins!iration an stren"th for "reater lo#e
an ser#ice for others(*
A Girl Scouts? 6wn ceremony is usually !lanne aroun a theme, an it is
calle a Scouts? 6wn* because it e,!resses the "irls? own thou"hts an
feelin"s about or reflections on the theme they choose( )he "irls !lannin" the
ceremony may use many ways to share or e,!ress their theme.
&oems, Fuotes, short reain"s E both their own com!ositions an
others
6ther troo! members may be aske to s!eak an share their feelin"s
<usic E son"s may be sun" or instrumental music !erforme by the
"irls+ or !re0recore music may be !laye(
Stories an le"ens, either rea, tol, or acte out
46
Choral reain"
Shaow !lay
)he theme of a Girl Scouts? 6wn ceremony is often a !art of the &romise or
'aw, the <otto or slo"an, or a relate to!ic such as frienshi!, !atriotism,
!eace, nature, or ini#iual as!ects of nature, such as trees or water(
Cam!ers often think of a Girl Scouts? 6wn ceremony bein" hel aroun a
cam!fire or by the sie of a lake, but it can be hel at any time, inoors or
outoors( Girls usually o like to !ick a s!ecial s!ot to hol a Scout?s 6wn 0
one that they really like or that is es!ecially scenic( 4t is a Girl Scout custom
to walk Fuietly to the !lace where the ceremony is hel an lea#e Fuietly
after it is o#er( A "oo way to o this is to esi"nate a silent arch* that "irls
enter an become Fuiet as they a!!roach the ceremony( )his mi"ht be a tree
branch, s!ecial rock, oorway, !ath, etc( As "irls lea#e, they remain Fuiet
until they !ass back throu"h the arch(
,teps in Planning:
4t will !robably be easier to ha#e a !lannin" "rou! of 4 to P "irls with an
ault a#isor to !lan an !resent a Girl Scouts? 6wn ceremony( 5or Girl
Scouts a"es B to S, the ault can lea the !lannin" ste!s (below() Usually by
a"e ei"ht the "irls can work from a !lannin" sheet with the hel! of an ault
a#isorJmentorJresource !erson(
:( Choose a theme, such as !art of the 'aw or the &romise, our country,
!eo!le, citi%enshi!, nature (forests, ri#ers, mountains), s!ecial
occasions ()hanks"i#in", 5irst /ay of S!rin"), local history
2( <ake a list of the ifferent ways you can tell or show the theme
A( Choose one iea to o!en the Scout?s 6wn
4( 6r"ani%e orer of !ro"ram
B( /ecie who is to lea !arts
P( /ecie who is to lea the "irls to an from the Scout?s 6wn
S( /ecie how to en the Scout?s 6wn
Choose where to ha#e it. (an ha#e a backu! site in min-)
:( At a meetin" (o!enin", closin", s!ontaneously when all "irls reflect on
a share e,!erience)
2( At Cam! (sunrise, cam!fire, sunset)
A( Xuiet !lace on a trail
4( Anytime or any!lace, insie or outsie, where Girl Scouts are "athere
is the ri"ht !lace(
47
$)ag Ceremonies
TO ,!"1!:#$ O-NT"$9
.lag eremony +uidelines and !tiHuette
T%e flag represents a li&ing country and is itself considered a li&ing
t%ing;9 $ag %ode& #e'. " (()
8ecause the American 5la" is the symbol of our country, many "atherin"s
inclue a fla" ceremony( ;e show our res!ect for this symbol in many ways,
often calle 5la" 9tiFuette(* )hese fla" laws an re"ulations set stanar
"uielines for how the fla" is to be hanle(
;hen the American fla" is is!laye in the Unite States, it is always "i#en
the !osition of honor( )his means that it is !lace either to the ri"ht of any
other fla"s, in front of any other fla"s, or hi"her u! than other fla"s(
"ig%t9 means the flags o,n right side( 4ma"ine that you are holin" the
fla" in front of you( Stan so that you are facin" the !eo!le who will see it(
;ith the fla" bein" hel in that !osition, your ri"ht is also the fla"?s own
ri"ht(
)n front9 can mean ahead of or first( 4f the color "uar is carryin" two or
more other fla"s in a ceremony, the American fla" can be in the center as
lon" as it is carrie a little ahea of the others( 4f se#eral fla"s are carrie in
!arae fashion, the American fla" is always the first in the lineu!(
4f the American fla" is is!laye alon" with state fla"s or the fla"s of other
or"ani%ations, it shoul be %ig%er than the others( )he American fla" may
be lar"er than the others, or it coul be on a taller !ole, or on a !ole sittin"
on a little !latform( 4n the Unite States, no fla" shoul be lar"er or flown
hi"her than the American fla", when is!laye to"ether( 36)9. &hen the
$merican flag is dis2layed ,ith the flags of other nations, the flags are to be
flo,n from se2arate staffs of the same height, and the flags sho'ld be of
a22ro<imately the same siGe.
7emember these key wors. ")+HT' ."ONT' H)+H!";
At a !ublic aress, !ut the American fla" in the !osition of honor on the
s!eaker?s ri"ht( Any other fla" or !ennant shoul be !lace on the s!eaker?s
left (the auience?s ri"ht)(
48
)he fla" shoul be !ut away carefully when not in use( 4f the fla" is
!ermanently attache to its staff, it shoul be furle aroun the staff( 4t
shoul then be encase in a co#er(
;hen lowerin" the fla" alone, o not try to fol it( Gatherin" it u! so that it
oes not touch the "roun is sufficient+ fol it later when you ha#e someone
to hel! you(
W%at About W%ite +lo&esG And "ed ,as%esG
4n the ays !rior to casual uniform com!onents, a Girl Scout?s ress*
uniform inclue not only the correct ress or skirt an blouse but the
correct socks, hat, an "lo#es- Girls wore white "lo#es when they
!artici!ate in a fla" ceremony not because they were carryin" or "uarin"
the fla", but because they were in their most formal uniform( )oay, a Girl
Scout in 1eans, t0shirt, #est an white "lo#es looks ina!!ro!riately resse E
not to say silly- So white "lo#es are not reFuire for the color "uar(
)he re sashes sometimes seen on color "uars was a cam! traition+ since
"irls i not wear their formal uniforms at ay or resient cam!, the color
"uar was resse u!* by wearin" re sashes o#er their shouler (color
bearers) an aroun their waist (color "uars() Althou"h not seen as often
these ays, there is nothin" wron" with wearin" sashes at outoor fla"
ceremonies( )he most im!ortant thin" is hanlin" the fla" with care an
res!ect(
PLANN)N+ A .LA+ !"!#ON$
9#ery fla" ceremony has a color guard( )his is a team that carries an
!rotects the fla"( 4t is calle a color "uar because the American fla" is
sometimes referre to as the colors(* )he !eo!le who carry any fla"s are
calle .lag (earers( )he others on the team are calle +uards( )here is
also a aller, or +irl ,cout/in/c%arge( Ner 1ob is to announce each !art of
the ceremony, incluin" commans to the color "uar an instructions to
those in attenance, an to lea the &le"e of Alle"iance( )he Caller may
also lea the "rou! in !atriotic son"s or "i#e an a!!ro!riate reain", or may
irect another member of the !lannin" "rou! (but not a member of the color
"uar) to o so( Cee! the ceremony sim!le an i"nifie( <ake sure that the
fla" is hanle correctly(
T%ings to consider:
;ho will be the 5la" 8earer(s)>
;ho will be the Guars>
;ho will be the Caller> (Girl0Scout04n0Char"e)
;hat formation shall we use for the color "uar !rocession>
/o we want to use a son">
49
/o we want to use a !oem, a Fuotation, or reain">
After recitin" the &le"e, o we want to say the Girl Scout &romise>
;ho can lea the son"s or o reain"s, if they are use>
;hat will our orer of !resentation be>
(A,) O##AN*, .O" .LA+ !"!#ON)!,:
+irl ,couts' attention89 or Ladies and gentlemen' please stand as
<e present t%e colors;9 00 )his is the si"nal that the ceremony is about to
be"in, an e#eryone shoul be still, silent, an !ayin" attention(
olor guard' attention89 00 )his is the si"nal to the color "uar to be
reay to start(
olor guard' ad&ance89 00 At this comman, the color "uar walks
forwar( 4f the fla" is bein" raise or !oste, they carry the fla"(s) to the fla"
!ole(s), stan at attention an await the ne,t comman( 4f the fla" is bein"
retire, they stan at attention in front of the fla" !ole(s) an await the ne,t
comman(
olor guard' post t%e colors89 00 )his is the si"nal for the 5la" 8earer(s)
to ste! forwar an raise the fla"(s) or !ut them into fla" stan(s)( Color
"uar may salute briefly after fla"(s) are !oste(
*"
olor guard' retire t%e colors89 00 At this comman, the color "uar may
salute briefly, then the 5la" 8earer(s) ste!(s) forwar to lower the fla"(s) or
remo#e them from the fla" stan(s)(
+irl ,couts' t%e flag of our country: pledge allegiance; ; ;79 00 ;ith
this comman, the Caller leas the assembly in the &le"e after the fla" has
been raise or !oste( )he &le"e may be followe by !oems, reain"s,
son"s, etc(
NOTE: i) poe*+& reading+& +ong+& e,'. are -+ed )or re,iring ,.e 'oor+&
do ,.e* be)ore ,.e )ag i+ ,a/en do0n.
olor guard' dismissed89 00 )his is the si"nal for the color "uar to lea#e
the assembly solemnly, in whate#er marchin" formation has been !lanne(
+irl ,couts' dismissed89 or Ladies and gentlemen' t%is ends our
ceremony;9 4or'Please be seated;96 00 )his comman si"nals that the
ceremony is ene+ e#eryone lea#es the area Fuietly an in an orerly way,
or may be seate, if they are remainin" in the same !lace(
50
79C4&9 567 A 5'AG R:
4n"reients.
P Girl Scouts
: cu! of blue !a!er bits
: cu! of re !a!er bits
: cu! of white !a!er bits
'ar"e !ot
'ar"e s!oon or stirrer
Stars or "litter
American fla"
Set u!. Girl Scouts form semi0circle aroun !ot, facin" auience( American
fla" is fole an hien in !ot( 9ach "irl is holin" the in"reients that she
as as she s!eaks.
:( ;e?re "oin" to mi, a reci!e, one that?s really "ran+ An make for you
a s!ecial treat(((the "reatest in the lan(
2, 5irst, weGll !ut in a hea!in" cu! of re for coura"e true, +$dds red
2a2er bits to 2ot3
3, An then weGll a for loyalty, a ash of hea#enly blue( ($dds bl'e
2a2er bits to 2ot3
4, 5or !urity, we now sift in a layer of snowy white, +$dds ,hite 2a2er
bits to 2ot3
5, An a a !inch of stars to make it come out ri"ht, +$dds stars or
glitter to 2ot3
6, ;eGll stir an stir an then you will see, )hat what we ha#e mae is(((
+1a7es '2 stirrer and 2retends to mi<, ta7ing care not to dist'rb the
@lag3
7, All. (to"ether) 6l Glory- +all reach in 2ot and 2'll o't the @lag3
Attach fla" to !ole an !resent or !ost the colors for &le"e, &romise, son"s,
etc(
/ismiss Color Guar* from sta"e or !latform(
51
THE I CAN'T FUNERAL
26U ;4'' 399/. &a!er an !encils for e#eryone E "irls an aults+ a
shoebo, with a li+ !oster !a!er or butcher !a!er an a black marker+ a
sho#el or trowel+ a !lace to i" a hole+ refreshments if you choose to ha#e a
wake(*
S!rea the "irls out as much as !ossible so that e#eryone has !ri#acy( )he
instructions are to write as many sentences as you nee to list all the thin"s
you can?t o. 4 can?t tie knots ri"ht(* 4 can?t run as fast as <arlette(* 4
can?t "lue thin"s without makin" a mess* 4 can?t cut out the esi"ns ri"ht(*
'eaers write own their 4 can?ts* too(
Allow :B minutes, then instruct the "irls to fol the !a!ers in half an brin"
them to the front to !ut their Q4 CanGtQ statements into an em!ty shoe bo,(
)he leaers a theirs, then the bo, is close( 4t?s time to bury the 4
CanGtsQ-
9#eryone takes a turn i""in" the "ra#e* (hole() )he bo, of Q4 CanGtsQ is
!lace in the bottom of the hole an then Fuickly co#ere with irt( )he
leaer says, Girl Scouts, !lease 1oin hans an form a circle aroun the
"ra#e( 4t is time to eli#er the eulo"y for @4 Can?t(?*
Q5riens, we "athere here toay to honor the memory of G4 CanGt(G ;hile he
was with us here on earth, he touche the li#es or e#eryone, some more
than others( ;e ha#e !ro#ie G4 CanGtG with a final restin" !lace an a
heastone that contains his e!ita!h( Ne is sur#i#e by his brothers an
sisters, G4 CanG, G4 ;illG, an G4Gm Goin" to 7i"ht AwayG( )hey are not as well
known as their famous relati#e an are certainly not as stron" an !owerful
yet( &erha!s some ay, with your hel!, they will make an e#en bi""er mark
on the worl( <ay G4 CanGtG rest in !eace an may e#eryone !resent !ick u!
their li#es an mo#e forwar in his absence(*
Celebrate the !assin" of Q4 CanGtQ with cookies, !o!corn an fruit 1uices( As
!art of the celebration, cut a lar"e tombstone from butcher !a!er or !oster
boar an write the wors Q4 CanGtQ at the to! an !ut 74& in the mile( A
the ate at the bottom an han" the !a!er tombstone in your troo! meetin"
!lace(
4f a "irl for"ets an says, 4 can?t,* sim!ly !oint to the 74& si"n( 7emin the
"irl that Q4 CanGtQ is ea an hel! her re0!hrase the statement(
52