This year, leaders who have troops that are bridging from Daisies to Brownies can have one that is like the ones that took place pre-pandemic. Here is a guide to help you plan your ceremony.
During the past two years, the pandemic has changed the way we have been scouting with our troops. While we were able to meet, it came with all kinds of different rules, and those also varied by Council. Some could meet only outdoors and socially distant, while others could meet indoors without a mask. There were times when we all went virtual, and it was a stressful time to keep our girls engaged.
Now that the worst appears to be over (fingers crossed), leaders will once again be able to have a regular Girl Scout bridging ceremony and celebration.
When Do Girl Scout Bridge to the Next Level?
Many leaders wonder when their troop needs to bridge. There is not right or wrong answer; the right time is what works best for your troop.
For example, if you take the summers off from meeting, then bridging as your last meeting of the year makes sense. You start the new scouting year as your next level.
That being said, even if you do not meet in the summer, having your first meeting of the scouting year as your bridging ceremony also makes a lot of sense.
Leaders who meet during the summer months may do level specific badges during this time, so bridging in the fall works for them.
No matter what time of you decide to bridge, give the families enough notice so they can attend. It is best if you can do it during your regular meeting time, as this 60-90 minute time slot is already carved into the family's schedule.
The KISS Strategy for Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging
Let me start by sharing what the KISS strategy is.
Keep
It
Simple
Sister
The girls in your troop are easy to please. They are six and seven years old. This is not a wedding, Bat Mitzvah, 50th anniversary party, or college graduation party. You are not going to drive yourself crazy on Pinterest and spend hours planning the perfect event. Your Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony will be about 10 minutes long, no more than 15 minutes tops. Your audience (aka, parents and siblings) will appreciate the shorter ceremony and the girls will be so happy about the celebration that they will want to party on as well.
Does My Troop Need to Earn All the Petals in Order to Bridge to Brownies?
The short answer is no, they do not. There are no requirements for girls to move up to any level, as where they are placed is solely dependent upon what grade in school they are in.
Resources for Your Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony
Keeping with the KISS strategy, your co-leader and you do not need to write your own ceremony. I am going to provide you with several resources that are already done for you.
Might you want to say a few words? Absolutely! That is what my co-leader and I did.
Here are some useful links to help guide plan your Daisy to Brownie Bridging ceremony.
This post has been updated and all links are viable as of April 2021. Make sure to print one copy and then take it to Staples or Office Max to run off. Save your receipt to get reimbursed. There is no sense using up all of your own ink!
.png "Free Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging resources")
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