Long ago, Brownies were also called Brown Owls, and moving from one level to the next was called flying up. This is a bridging ceremony to symbolize that move from Brownies to Juniors.
Once upon a time there was a nest with seven eggs. One day two eggs hatched and out
popped brown owlets. Later four more
hatched. Then finally the last baby owl
was hatched.
While the owlets were small, the mama owl taught them and fed them
in the nest. Then one day it was time
for the owlets to try out their baby wings.
The mama owl pushed them out of the nest and the owlets took flight.
Finally, when the mama owl was sure they were ready to strike out on
their own, she called to them. “Girls,
it is time for you to leave the nest and travel to another land. I will join you there, but you must make the
trip by yourself. Fly to the river and
cross the bridge. On the other side
will be the land of Juniors. When you
get there, you will find their leader and other brown owls who have made the
journey before you. You will make your
new home there. The leader will give
you wings of gold. Keep these to
remember your journey.”
So the seven owls flew off looking for the river. When they came to
it, they flew over the bridge and landed in front of the junior leader. The leader gave them their new wings and
welcomed them into her group.
(Written by GSCNC Brownie Troop 508’s Bridging Class of 2001)
