Super Troop Highlight
Four Badges or Other Earned Awards One Girl Scout Tradition
What is bridging?
Bridging is a significant Girl Scout tradition that honors girls’ achievements and celebrates them moving up to the next program grade level in Girl Scouting. There are two independent elements of bridging in Girl Scouts.
First, Girl Scouts can earn the bridging award (it’s optional). To earn the award, girls complete two steps.
Step One: Pass It On. Share your talents and skills by teaching younger Girl Scouts something you learned in this grade level.
Step Two: Look Ahead. Find out what what’s coming in the next grade level by talking with your older Girl Scout sisters.
Second, organize a bridging ceremony to celebrate. Take a look at the Girl Scout Bridging Guide, with sample scripts, activity ideas, and planning advice. Bridging ceremonies are usually hosted in spring (at the end of the school year) or fall (the end of the Girl Scout membership year).
Want to walk across a real bridge? Meet at a park or garden with a small bridge, borrow or construct a small walkway, or fi x decorations to the floor to symbolize a bridge path. Invite family and friends to share in the celebration, take a photo to mark the milestone, and celebrate with a snack and a festive atmosphere!
Girl Scout Bridging Guide
Find a sample script in the Girl Scout Bridging Guide or create your own special bridging ceremony!
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Bridging Resources
Try an internet search for more picture and story inspiration.
Multi-Level Bridging Celebrations
Bridging ceremonies can be planned for individual troops, a group of troops, or an entire service area. Connect with your service area and ask if a large-group event is planned for your community. A large-group mingle event helps the girls earn the bridging award by interacting with troops of all program grade levels to complete the Pass It On and Look Ahead portions of the bridging award. A large-group bridging ceremony lets the younger girls—and their families—see and hear the accomplishments of older Girl Scouts and be inspired to continue their Girl Scout experience. If these service area events don’t exist in your community, it’s okay to reach out to other troops at your school or in your town to help your troop earn the bridging award. Whether big or small, bridging celebrations help girls of all ages—and their caregivers—acknowledge the growth and accomplishment each girl has achieved in Girl Scouts.
Something Special . . .
. . . for Daisies bridging to Brownies: The Story of the Brownie Elf
Daisies bridging to Brownies learn the value and the fun of helping. Read “The Brownie Story” in the Girls’ Guide to Girl Scout Brownies Handbook to learn about Brownie elves, the Wise Old Owl, and how little girls can be big helpers. New Brownie Girl Scouts can wear a special membership pin, just for Brownies. At the bridging ceremony, the tradition is to place the Brownie pin on upside down. The girl can turn the pin right side up after she completes three good turns (good deeds) for her family. Did you know? The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” . . . for Brownies bridging to Juniors: Brownie Wings and “Flying Up”
Brownie Wings are a special insignia awarded to Brownie Girl Scouts who are bridging or “flying up” to Girl Scout Juniors. This award stays on a girl’s uniform all the way through 12th grade to show everyone she was once a Brownie.
Brownie leaders used to be called Brown Owls, borrowed from the wise old owl in “The Brownie Story.” When Brownie Girl Scouts moved up to the next level, their Brown Owl would give them one of her feathers so they could “fly” up. Brownie Wings have been a symbol of bridging since 1927.
. . .
for Juniors bridging to Cadettes: A Silver Key
A silver key is a symbol of unlocking the door to the world of older girls in Girl Scouting. It’s about accepting individual responsibility and displaying leadership qualities. Exciting opportunities in Cadette Girl Scouting include several leadership-focused earned awards and the chance to earn the prestigious Silver Award. A silver key can be worn as a charm, used as a keychain, or admired as a treasured keepsake of time spent with Girl Scout friends.
Girl Scout Bridging Guide
“Planning Your First Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony”
Girl Scout Handbooks Bridging Kits Flag Ceremony Guide
Bridging Arcs Awards
Over the years, girls can collect an impressive stack of bridging awards that move with the girls to each new uniform.
Hey, Girl Scout graduates! There’s even an award for bridging to adults! Remember, “Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.”
Received when Bridging from Senior to Ambassador
Received when Bridging from Ambassador to Adult Girl Scout
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Bridge to Ambassador Arc
Bridge to Adult Girl Scout Award
Girl Scout Shop Bridging