Bridging Ceremonies

Bridging takes place as a girl moves from one level of Girl Scouting to the next. Bridging ceremonies typically take place toward the end of the school year and they are easily combined with a Court of Awards ceremony.

Advancing from Brownie Girl Scouts to Junior Girl Scouts is usually called "Flying Up." However, Brownies may "bridge" if they complete the special requirements. For all other age levels (Daisy, Junior, Cadette and Senior) it is called "Bridging."

Moving On to New Adventures

Bridging is an important transition in a Girl Scout's life. It's a defining moment when a girl becomes aware of her achievements and is ready for new adventures and responsibilities. Celebrating this change should be fun, personalized, and memorable for everyone involved. And most of all, it should be designed by the girls in true partnership with adults.

Bridging ceremonies usually take place at the beginning or end of the Girl Scout year and can have three parts:

Opening: guests are welcomed and the tone is set
Main Section: the ceremony is explained and the girls celebrate moving from one level to the next
Closing: girls can participate in friendship circles and thank their guests

Each of the ceremony's parts offers plenty of room for the girls' creativity and individuality. And whether the ceremony includes an actual bridge or a symbolic one, or if it includes props like candles, flowers, or flags, it should always focus on paying tribute to the girls as they move forward.

During bridging ceremonies, girls are honored for their progression and growth. At each level, Girl Scout resources like Ceremonies in Girl Scouting provide information on bridging activities and ceremonies. Here are the different insignia Girl Scouts may earn:

Daisy Girl Scouts receive a Bridge to Brownie Girl Scouts Award, a Brownie Girl Scout Membership Pin, and a Daisy Girl Scout ending certificate.

Brownie Girl Scouts who bridge are given special wings when they "fly up" to Junior Girl Scouts. They can also receive their Girl Scout Membership Pin.

Girls 11-17:
Girls can work with their Leaders/Advisors to create bridging ceremonies that mark milestones as they move into middle school and high school, or as they feel ready to begin work on their Girl Scout Silver Award at age 11 or 12, or on their Girl Scout Gold Award at age 14.

Junior Girl Scouts may receive a rainbow bar award (formerly the Bridge to Cadette Girl Scouts award) to signify their bridging into new age-level activities and/or middle school (this may happen at the end of fifth or sixth grade).

Girls turning age 14 (or in grades 8-9) may receive the rainbow tent award (formerly the Bridge to Senior Girl Scouts award) as a bridge into high school or marking their readiness to work toward the Girl Scout Gold Award.

These insignia are traditionally presented to girls as they fly-up/bridge:

Age Level:	Automatically Given:	Must Be Earned:
Daisy Girl Scouts	Membership Star with blue disc Ending Certificate Brownie Girl Scout Pin (optional)	Bridge to Brownie Girl Scouts
Brownie Girl Scouts	Membership Star with green disc Brownie Girl Scout Wings Junior Girl Scout Pin (optional)	Bridge to Junior Girl Scouts
Junior Girl Scouts	Membership Star with yellow disc	Bridge to Cadette Girl Scouts
Cadette Girl Scouts	Membership Star with white disc	Bridge to Senior Scouts
Senior Girl Scouts	Membership Star with red disc	Bridge to Adult Girl Scouts

Bridges

A bridge can be constructed out of just about anything, the point is for it to be a symbolic crossing from one level to the next. The following are some ideas for you to use or adapt:

A rustic bridge out-of-doors
An arch of colored paper or balloons
Stepping stones cut out of cardboard and labeled with the Five Worlds of Interest
Turn a card table upside down and string crepe paper between the legs
Anything else the girls can think up!

Steps could also be used to symbolize a bridge.

NOTE: Our Service Unit has a small wooden bridge available for use during your bridging ceremony. It is painted white and is approximately 3-4 feet long. To borrow the bridge, please contact Georgia Coddington.

Ceremonies in Girl Scouting is a great resource for bridging. It includes a ceremony planner (PDF, 11KB) and highlights sample age-appropriate ceremonies for all occasions.

Website for Bridging Ideas:

Scouting Web

Fortune City Web