Terrific Tips for Ceremonies Part 1
Contents
Ten-Color Promise and Law CeremonyFlag Ceremonies
Bridging Poem by Lord Baden-Powell
End of the Year Ceremony
Golden Link Ceremony
Tabletop Bridge to Make
The Colors of Girl Scouting/Guiding Ceremony
Investiture/Rededication Ceremonies
Can't find what you want? Try Terrific Tips for Ceremonies Part 2
Ten-Color Promise and Law Ceremony
3 large white candles, 10 smaller white candles, ribbons - purple, blue, orange, red, gold, white, yellow, green, brown, silver
Ceremony:
Use the 3 large white candles for each part of the promise.
On my honor I will try
To serve God and my country (light the candle to the girl's left)
To help people at all times, (light the middle candle)
and to live by the Girl Scout Law. (light the candle to the girl's right)
Sing "Whene'er You Make A Promise" (page 6 of the Girl Scout Pocket Handbook)
Use the 10 smaller white candles, each tied with specified color ribbon as noted. Each girl reads her line then lights the candle
All the girls say together: I will do my best to be:
Girl#1: Honest and fair. The purple ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of honesty and fairness. A Girl Scout works honestly and keeps her promise. She is fair in all she does and to those she meets.
Girl#2: Friendly and helpful . The blue ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of friendship and thoughtfulness. A Girl Scout is amiable and loyal to her friends. She helps others wherever and whenever she can.
Girl#3: Considerate and caring . The orange ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of kindness and warmth. A Girl Scout works well with others and looks out for the well-being of others.
Girl#4: Courageous and strong. The red ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of adventure and independence. A Girl Scout attempts new tasks and braves new endeavors. She is confident and self-assured in her actions.
Girl#5: Responsible for what I say and do. The gold ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of ownership and pride in her work. She readily admits her strengths and weakness and is aware of the consequences of her actions. A Girl Scout is up front with her intentions.
All the girls together: And to
Girl #6: Respect myself and others . The white ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of integrity. A Girl Scout directs her thoughts and deeds to encompass her won beliefs and to be sensitive to, and respectful of the beliefs of those around her.
Girl #7: Respect authority. The yellow ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of regard for another's position. A Girl Scout understands the importance of having a leader of a group to make final decisions. She works with that leader to make the best decisions for the good of the group.
Girl #8: Use resources wisely. The green ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of being careful with resources. She uses her materials, money, time, and energy wisely. A Girl Scout does not wasted the Earth's resources.
Girl #9: Make the world a better place. The brown ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's sense of improvement. A Girl Scout strives to be clean, conserve, and enrich the world around her. She believes it is important to leave a better place than when she found it.
Girl #10: Be a sister to every Girl Scout. The silver ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Scout's loyalty to sisters all over the world. A Girl Scout is always ready to accept more friends into her ever widening circle. She treats all of her sisters with kindness, acceptance, and warmth.
Sing "Make New Friends" (page 10 of the Girl Scout Pocket Handbook)
Flag Ceremonies
Recipe for a Flag - for younger girls
Ingredients:
6 Girl Scouts
1 cup of blue paper bits
Stars or glitter
American flag
1 cup of red paper bits
1 cup of white paper bits
Large pot
Large spoon or stirrer
Set up: Girl Scouts form semi-circle around pot. American flag is folded and hidden in pot. Each girl is holding the ingredients that she adds.
1.We are going to fix a treat that is really grand; And make for you a recipe...the greatest in the land.
2.First, we'll put in a heaping cup of red for courage true, (Adds red paper bits to pot)
3.And then we'll add for loyalty, a dash of heavenly blue. (Adds blue paper bits to pot)
4.For purity, we will now sift in a layer of snowy white, (Adds white paper bits to pot)
5.We will add a pinch of stars to make it all come out right, (Adds stars or glitter to pot)
6.We'll stir and stir and then you will see, That what we have made is... (Takes up stirrer and pretends to mix, taking care not to disturb the Flag)
7.All: (together) Old Glory! (all reach in pot and pull out the Flag)
Recipe for a Flag 2 - for older girls
[In the center of the stage is a large basket with folded flag hidden inside.]
Narrator: Will you please rise for the presentation of the colors.
[Girls come single file. First come the girls carrying components of the flag, holding them high and reverently. Followed by the Girl Scout Flag. Girls come on stage and stand across the stage behind the basket.]
Red for Valor
- For the courage of all people who, with a dream in their hearts, crossed the oceans to begin life anew in a free land.
- For the bravery of people who, with hope and faith, crossed the prairie and mountains of our vast land. - For the steadfastness of those people who, through all adversities, shouldered the Country's burdens to emerge as stronger individuals.
[Red streamers are placed in the basket]
White for Purity
- For the integrity of all people whose fortitude wove the strands of diverse cultures into an integral national heritage.
- For the piety of all people whose faith formed the foundation upon which our country was built and continues to grow.
[White streamers are placed in basket]
Blue for Justice
- For the foresight of all those people who created an atmosphere in which each of their children could develop to their fullest potential.
- For the perseverance of all those people who contributed their talents to further the development of our Country.
[Large Blue paper or Blue piece of cloth is placed in the basket]
Stars for Dreams
- For the dreams of the future. That the generations of tomorrow may fulfill the promise of the past.
- That the visions of our forbearers will be revitalized and the future will hold forth hope and promise for all generations to come
[Stars are placed in basket ---pick up flag pole and stir]
Stirring the stories of my stars and stripes, I symbolize the soul of America, typifying her ideas and aspirations, her institutions and traditions.
[Remove the folded flag]
This flag, which we honor and under which we serve is the symbol of our unity, our power, and purpose as a nation. [Two or more girls unfold the flag and mount on the flag pole---then stand at attention] Please join us in saying the Pledge of Allegience ...
Flag Ceremony Reading
Instead of the traditional calls the girls can use a patriotic reading and know where in the reading each of the calls would come. "I Am Old Glory" written by Marine Master Sergeant Percy Webb (1879-1945) is an example:
I am old glory: (Color Guard Attention)
For more than 200 years (Color Guard Advance)
I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions. Citizens have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, (Color Guard Post Your Colors)
which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free persons. So long as you love liberty more than life itself; (Color Guard Salute Your Colors)
so long as you treasure your priceless privileges; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.
(Recite the Pledge of Allegiance)
Bridging Poem by Lord Baden-Powell
from the GuideZone websiteBridging Poem link
End of the Year Ceremony
from the GuideZone websiteEnd of the Year Ceremony link
Golden Link Ceremony
This ceremony was used at SU 155's Thinking Day Celebration in 2001
Each girl stands in a circle with a strip of yellow construction paper with a small piece of tape on the end. On each strip is written the name of a country where there are Girl Scouts or Girl Guides, and possibly what one of the different age levels is called in that country, or a portion of the Promise or Law from that country. (Some countries are listed below, you can make even more links by looking in the book "Trefoil Around the World").
Leader: As Girl Scouts we are not only members of our own troop, and Girl Scouts of the United States, but we have 'Sister' Girl Scouts or Girl Guides in 136 countries around the world. Each of our Sister Scouts has accepted a Promise and Law much like our own. In the Netherlands, a Girl Guide is called a Padvindster. As Padvindster's close their meetings with a friendship circle, each girl says in turn. "I am a link in the golden chain of world friendship, and I will keep my link strong and bright." As each of us adds a link to build our Golden Chain of Friendship, lets think about our Sister Scouts in other countries. About how things may be different for them but also about how much we are the same and about how each of us is an important link in the Golden Chain of Friendship. (This section can be separated into 3 parts for older girls to read.)
Each girl in turn, reads her country and information (see list below) and adds her strip to the growing chain. The last link added should close the chain. Optionally, each girl could also add a link with her own name on it.
Leader: Repeat after me the saying from Padvinsters in the Netherlands.
All Together: 'I am a Link in the Golden Chain of World Friendship, and I will keep my link strong and bright.'
You can end the ceremony with a song such as 'Girl Scouts Together', 'On My Honor', 'Change the World' or 'Circle of Friends'.
Also, unless you use really BIG links, the chain must be passed down the line rather than the girls holding on to their link. This was also different from what I had envisioned. (Can't you just see it-a circle of sweet, quiet little girls reverently holding on to their links as they are joined in a big circle of world friendship--this was not how it turned out. :o) )
1. In the Bahamas, Brownie Guides promise to have courage and be cheerful in difficult situations.
2. In Ghana, an Ananse Guide promises to make good use of her time.
3. In Guatemala, Little Riding Hoods promise to smile and sing under all difficulties.
4. In Italy, a Ladybird promises to love and respect nature.
5. In Madagascar, a Little Wing promises to do all she can to create peace around her.
6. In Nigeria, a Ranger Guide promises to be useful and help others.
7. In Papua New Guinea, a Sunbird promises to take care of her own possessions and those of others.
8. In Spain, a Pioneer promises to get to know the place she is living and be involved in its improvement.
9. In Turkey, a Venture Guide promises to be a friend to animals and plants.
10. In Greece, a Star promises to be conscientious in her work and reliable.
11. In Korea, a Cadet promises to be thrifty.
12. In Liechtenstein, a Little Bee promises to seek and convey joy.
13. In Malta, a Dolphin promises to be self-controlled in all she thinks, says and does.
14. In Jordan, a Ranger promises to be frank and make it a point of honor to deserve trust.
15. In Grenada, a Guide promises to be obedient.
16. In Germany, a Caravelle promises to share and be grateful.
17. In Austria, a Brownie promises to pay attention to all human beings and seek to understand them.
18. In Australia, a Guide promises to be friendly and a sister to all Girl Guides.
19. In Switzerland, a Ranger promises to rejoice in all that is beautiful.
20. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to be a sister to every other guide, no matter to what country, class or creed, the other may belong.
21. In Israel, an Ofer (or Brownie) promises to live life correctly and do her duty.
22. In England, a Rainbow promises to love her God and be kind and helpful.
23. In Canada, a Pathfinder promises to be true to herself.
24. In Argentina, Little Wings promise to obey the law of the pack.
25. In Bangladesh, a Yellowbird promises to help other people every day especially those at home.
26. In Botswana, a Sunbeam promises to do her best.
27. In Columbia, a Fairy promises to generous and always tells the truth.
28. In Cyprus, a Butterfly promises to bring happiness at home.
29. In the Philippines, a Star Scout promises to lend a hand.
30. In Rwanda, a Wagtail promises to do a Good Turn every day.
31. In Sri Lanka, a Little Friend promises to give in to older folk.
32. In Argentina, a Sun Guide promises to be thrifty and respect other people's property.
33. In Belgium, a Beaver Guide promises to be cheerful with others.
34. In Bolivia, an Intermediate Guide promises to be kind to animals.
35. In Brazil, a Brownie promises to participate actively and responsibly in her community.
36. In China, a Ranger promises to smile and sing under difficulties.
37. In Costa Rica, a Brownie promises to listen to and obey her leader.
38. In Denmark, a Mini-Guide promises to listen to the opinion of others and to form her own.
39. In Egypt, a Guide promises to be useful and help others.
40. In Estonia, a Guide promises to be pure in thought in word and in deed.
41. In Finland, a Flickscout promises to develop herself as a human being.
42. In France, a Girl Scout promises to enjoy work and endeavor to do nothing by halves.
43. In India, a Bulbul promises to keep the law of the Bulbul Flock.
44. In Ireland, a Ladybird promises to be a friend to all, and a sister to every other Guide.
45. In the Ivory Coast, a Jeanette promises to be always active.
46. In Japan, a Junior promises to be courteous.
47. In Kenya, a Guide promises to be courageous and cheerful under all circumstances.
48. In Latvia, a Little Fire promises to be active and thrifty.
49. In Lebanon, a Faradole promises to obey and have team spirit.
50. In Luxembourg, an Aventure Guide promises to be ready to help her neighbors.
51. In Malaysia, a Pandu Guide promises to be loyal.
52. In Mexico, a Fairy Guide promises to help everybody every day.
53. In the Netherlands, a Beaver promises to play together with others in her troop.
54. In New Zealand, a Pippin promises to care for herself, her home and her community.
55. In Oman, a Zahra promises to fulfill her duty towards God, her country and the Sultan.
56. In Paraguay, a Dawn Guide promises to admire and respect nature.
57. In Portugal, a Little Bird promises to always tell the truth.
58. In Romania, a Flower promises to listen well.
59. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to always do her best.
60. In Thailand, a Bluebird promises to speak the truth.
61. In Tuvalu, a Sunbeam promises to make good use of her time.
62. In Uruguay, a Bee Guide promises to think first of others.
Originally from Lisa Varner
Contributed by: Margo Mead , Portland, Oregon
Table Top Bridge
Click here to go to Making Friends Website for directions.You can also print up little Girl Scout paper dolls to decorate the bridge by
clicking here.
The Colors of Girl Scouting/Guiding Ceremony
From Bev Crim’s JGL Newsletter - Jan. 2000 issuePink signifies the girls in Girl Scouting/Guiding. They will grow in body and mind to become the leaders of tomorrow, confident in their abilities.
White stands for the purity in every Girl Scout/Guide's heart and for the integrity she exhibits.
Purple stands for the courage to stand up for what we believe, the strength to honor our convictions and the motivation to do what is right, no matter the cost.
Yellow stands for Daisy Low, the beginning of Girl Scouts. Daisies are the excitement of Girl Scouting, looking forward to learning new things and making new friends.
Brown represents our Brownie Girl Scouts. Brownies are the heart of Girl Scouting. They bring a sense of wonder and joy to everything they undertake and strive to do their best.
Green signifies Junior Girl Scouts, the spirit of Girl Scouting. Juniors look forward with enthusiasm to the new experiences, challenges and responsibilities that life has to offer.
Blue represents Cadette and Senior Scouts, the promise of Girl Scouting. They exemplify the commitment of Girl Scouts to service and to the community.
Gold stands for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It reminds us that we are part of a whole and together there is nothing we can't accomplish.
Red stands for the flames that light our campfires and glow with warmth and friendship. We will always hold our Girl Scouting/Guiding memories close in our hearts and cherish the friends we've made.
Orange represents the sunset and the closing of another Girl Scouting/Guiding day. We will live each day to the fullest and do our best to live by the Law and the Promise.
The above ceremony is part of the Investiture Ceremony from Elizabeth S. It is an example of what you could do with your girls. You can use balloons, candles, ribbons or any other props you can think of to convery the colors. Her service unit has the colored candles and a Trefoil base that troops in her service unit can borrow.
Investiture/Rededication Ceremonies
(Note: The flowers used below may be replaced by any you feel would be appropriate.)
Welcome to our investiture/rededication ceremony. In almost all countries and cultures there are ceremonies to mark important events in life - days of celebration, sad days, joyous days, days that mark an achievement. Girl Scouts, too, have ceremonies to mark important events and significant days. Tonight we are here to confirm or reaffirm our belief in the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Promise and Law are the foundation of all Girl Scouting. The Promise is like a basket that holds flowers. Flowers have always played an important role in human life. From the very earliest times, they have been given as tokens of love and respect and have served in ceremonies and rituals of all types. The flowers we mention in this ceremony symbolize the ten parts of the Girl Scout Law.
Please join me in reciting the Girl Scout Promise. (Everyone recite). And now we will dedicate/rededicate ourselves to living the Girl Scout Law. I will do my best to be:
- honest and fair, This part of the law is represented by the chrysanthemum. It shows truth, honor, trustworthiness, equality and fairness.
- friendly and helpful, The zinnia represents thoughtfulness about friends.
- considerate and caring, The carnation shows caring for others, while baby's breath represents generosity.
- courageous and strong, The wild rose stands for perseverence and exploring possibilities. Where it is firmly established, it continues to grow and adapt even in extreme conditions. Its thorns protect it fiercely while its blossoms show that strength can also be beautiful.
- and responsible for what I say and do, The gladiola symbolizes strength of character, maturity, and responsibility. Binding it with straw, we show that we honor our word and keep our agreements.
- and to respect myself and others, The white rose and white zinnia show that we hold ourselves worthy and good. Winter greens symbolize the harmony we try to keep between ourselves and others.
- respect authority, The jasmine represents careful thought, attention, and concern.
- use resources wisely, The foxglove (foxtail) shows thriftiness. When we use our resources wisely, we are being thrifty.
- make the world a better place, The sunflower shows a love of nature. Its habit of turning toward the sun reminds us to "look on the bright side" and realizethat our own attitudes go a long way toward making the world a better place for ourselves and the people near us.
- and be a sister to every Girl Scout. The rose shows love of our sisters in Scouting and Guiding. Roses come in all colors and varieties of fragrances, and though they are different, they are beautiful, just like our sisters in Scouting.
Closing: The sachet symbolizes our dedication to the Promise and Law. Flowers alone do not last. The sachet, a combination of color, texture, shape and aroma of flowers, will always remind us of our commitment. A gift of fragrance is a gift of remembrance.
OUR JUNIOR REDEDICATION CEREMONY 1998-1999
(This ceremony was written by two Junior troops. It uses a log with 5 holes drilled into it for a candle holder.)
OPENING: FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
PRESIDENT: We gather here today to join hearts and hands in the spirit of friendship. We welcome our new Girl Scouts, and rededicate those girls who have been with us for many years.
NEW GIRL SCOUT #1: I BRING TO THE LOG A CANDLE OF GREEN. THE COLOR GREEN SYMBOLIZES THE RICHES I FIND IN THE VALUES AND LESSONS OF GIRL SCOUTING. (INSERT CANDLE INTO MIDDLE HOLE)
NEW GIRL SCOUT #2: I BRING TO THE LOG A CANDLE OF ROYAL BLUE. THE COLOR ROYAL BLUE SYMBOLIZES THE ADMIRATION THAT I HAVE FOR MYSELF AND MY FELLOW GIRL SCOUTS ACROSS THE WORLD.(INSERT CANDLE NEXT TO GREEN CANDLE)
NEW GIRL SCOUT #3 I BRING TO THE LOG A CANDLE OF WHITE. The color white symbolizes the honesty that I will practice toward others and Girl Scouts around the world. (INSERT CANDLE NEXT TO GREEN CANDLE)
NEW GIRL SCOUT #4: I BRING TO THE LOG A CANDLE OF SILVER. THE SILVER REPRESENTS ALL GIRLS NEW TO GIRL SCOUTING. MAY WE ALL BECOME TRUE FRIENDS.(INSERT CANDLE NEXT TO WHITE CANDLE)
NEW GIRL SCOUT #5: I BRING TO THE LOG A CANDLE OF GOLD. THIS GOLD CANDLE REPRESENTS ALL MEMBERS OF THE TROOP THAT HAVE BEEN DOWN THE GIRL SCOUT ROAD OF ADVENTURE FOR MANY YEARS TOGETHER. MAY WE ALL CONTINUE DOWN THE SAME PATH FOR YEARS TO COME.(INSERT CANDLE NEXT TO BLUE CANDLE)
LEADERS: WE NOW INTERTWINE THE CANDLES TOGETHER WITH THE ROPE OF LEADERSHIP. UNDER OUR GUIDANCE, MAY THESE GIRLS CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF KINDNESS TOWARDS EACH OTHER AND ALL GIRL SCOUTS AROUND THE WORLD.( WEAVE ROPE BETWEEN THE CANDLES)
ALL: RECITE THE GIRL SCOUT PROMISE CLOSING: EVERYONE MAKES THE OLD FREINDSHIP CIRCLE AGAIN AND SINGS "MAKE NEW FRIENDS"
Daisy Investiture
Cut out a large circle using white construction paper. Then cut yellow construction paper into the shape of daisy petals. Each girl writes her name on a petal. If there were any girls who were daisies last year, they attach their petals to the daisy before the ceremony. The new girls add their petals to the daisy during the ceremony.
Girl Scout Letters Ceremony
Make big letters (one per page - G,I,R,L,S,C,O,U,T,S) that your girls can hold up as they recite the lines associated with them. I created these letters with a print program on the computer. They were normal page size and I put a border around them. The lines were pasted on the back so that the girls could read them.
We use this letter ceremony with a candle and flag ceremony. However it can be done alone. When we were younger we had a big troop and doing all three parts allowed more girls to participate.
(Girls say letter parts while holding up the letters)
G is for the golden friendships we have made
I is for the interesting trails we have laid
R is for the roads we tread
L is for the loyalty in the Promise said
S is for the service in everything we do
C is for the courtesy often shown to you
O is for the oath we have spoken
U is for the unity close and unbroken
T is for the trefoil worn with pride
S is for the sisters far and wide
Leader: What's it spell?
Girls response: GIRL SCOUTS!
Leader or Girl: Please form a friendship circle and we will sing the song (Make New Friends or When 'ere You Make a Promise are a couple of good ones) and end the ceremony with a friendship squeeze.
“Paper Doll” Investiture Ceremony
(appropriate for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts)
Needs: Girl Scout Pins (appropriate for level)
As each girl says her verse she stretches out her hand to the next girl to speak, until all girls are standing across like paper dolls. Verses may be split according to the number of girls participating.
Take my hand in friendship, I give to you this day
Let's look forward to the good times, We'll have along the way.
Take my hand in helping, other people that we know
The more we give to others, The more that we will grown.
Take my hand in learning, To camp on nature's ground
Enjoying trails and campfires, With new friends that we've found.
Take my hand in giving, our knowledge of true scouts
To girls we meet and talk to, Who have so many doubts.
Take my hand in thanking, our leader and our guide
With sincere appreciation, For standing by our side.
Take my hand in eagerness, To be a (Brownie or Junior) Girl Scout
We're proud of who we are, Is what we're going to shout.
So take my hand to follow, New scouting paths in sight
We'll join hands with each other, And in friendship we'll unite.
(In unison):
We give our hands in Promise, To hold our country dear
And abide the Girl Scout Law, Each day throughout the year.
Girls step forward to say the Girl Scout Promise
and receive their Girl Scout Pins.
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