Ceremonies | Girl Scouts

Uniting trailblazers past and present.

Girl Scout ceremonies distinguish accomplishments, pass on traditions, and emphasize the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Different ceremonies are used for different events or transitions and ceremonies. Girl Scouts have various time honored traditions celebrated with uniqueness for troops and individuals that reflect the heritage and Girl Scout mission, promise, and law. Girl Scouts of the USA has great tips, ideas, and additional resources for planning ceremonies.

Investiture Ceremony toggle arrow

This ceremony welcomes new members, girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Girl Scout Brownie, or Girl Scout Daisy Pin at this time.

Bridging Ceremony toggle arrow

Bridging is an activity that is recognized as a transition amid the Leadership Experience for Girl Scouts. This activity is designed to emphasize the continuity in the Girl Scout program. Through Bridging girls will move from one program level to the next level. There are six levels to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and they are Daisy (K-1st grade), Brownie (2nd-3rd grade), Junior (4-5th grade), Cadette (6-8th grade), Senior (9-10th grade), and Ambassador (11-12th grade).

Program levels that bridge are:

1st grade Girl Scout Daisy
3rd grade Girl Scout Brownie
5th grade Girl Scout Junior
8th grade Girl Scout Cadette
10th grade Senior
12th grade Girl Scout Ambassador

Bridging ceremonies typically take place at the beginning or end of the Girl Scout year in which transitions a troop into the next program level. Basic parts of a bridging ceremony are mentioned below but that does not limit troops to follow a specific design. Make it your own:

Opening: guests are welcomed and the tone of the ceremony is set
Main section: the ceremony is explained (often times scripted for participants) and the girls celebrate moving from one program level to the next
Closing: girls can participate in friendship circles, speak about their experiences and thank their guests for attending

Each of the ceremony's parts offers an abundance of opportunity for the girls' to be creative and glimmer in their individuality. Whether the ceremony includes an actual bridge or a symbolic one, or if it includes props such as candles, flowers, or flags, it should at all times focus on paying tribute to the girls as they move onward in their Girl Scout journey!

Flag Ceremony toggle arrow

The American Flag is a powerful symbol of liberty and equal opportunity for all. The flags of other countries often represent a numerous different entities of that specific country; and a ceremony is showing love, pride, and respect for one country or state (i.e. often these are done to open or close a Girl Scout ceremony, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Flag Day parades).

Court of Awards toggle arrow

Court of Award ceremonies are the time to recognize girls who have accomplished something during the Girl Scout year. This includes Journey awards, badges, petals, safety awards, religious awards, etc.

Girl Scout Bronze Award Ceremony toggle arrow

This ceremony honors Girl Scout Juniors who have earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award and this can be in conjunction with a Bridging or Court of Award ceremony.

Girl Scout Silver Award Ceremony toggle arrow

This honors individual Girl Scout Cadettes or Cadette troops who have completed all of the requirements to earn the Girl Scout Silver Award and this can be in conjunction with a Bridging or Court of Award ceremony.

Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony toggle arrow

This ceremony honors Girl Scout Seniors or Ambassadors who have earned the highest award in Girl Scouting and this can be in conjunction with a Bridging or Court of Award ceremony.