Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Guide 2023

Leaders who have first grade kindergarten Girl Scout Daisies will be bridging to Brownies before the girls enter second grade.

Hosting a Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony is not a stressful event if you keep it simple.

In this updated Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging guide, read how to create your own special and memorable event for your troop.

Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Certificate for Your Bridging Ceremony

If your troop is moving up to the next level of scouts, here is a Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging certificate that you can hand out at your ceremony.

*This post contains affiliate links.

In a recent blog post, I shared with you ideas for your Daisy to Brownie Bridging ceremony. This is the first of hopefully many scouting milestones you will share with your young troop. 

As your girls bridge over to Brownies, you will want to give them a Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Certificate.  

Be sure to take a photo of your new Brownie with her certificate for your Girl Scout scrapbook.

You can head on over to Teachers Pay Teachers and get your certificate today!

Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony Ideas

If you are planning your Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony, here are some fun ideas for decorating and gifts for your troop.

I remember like it was yesterday my troop's Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony. It was so much fun to plan, and it made me very happy to have achieved this first scouting milestone.

If you missed my last post, it is a guide on how to create your own Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony.

Here are some simple decorating and menu tips that will meet the KISS criteria that I live by-Keep It Simple Sister.

Decorating for Your Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony

A pretty plastic table covering can set your tablescape.

Available on Amazon

Another thing you can do is have a solid colored tablecloth and use these colorful rainbow themed paper goods.

Available on Amazon

Even simpler, use a solid colored tablecloth and these rainbow honeycombs. Easy bridging tablescape!

Available on Amazon

A few rainbow balloons will also be a festive touch.

Available on Amazon

Food to Serve at Your Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony

Even though we are approaching a back to normal way of living, when it comes to food, it is best at this time to use prepackaged food items. Not only is this easy, it is also friendly to those with food allergies and sensitivities. Parents can make sure that their child are eating food that is prepared in a safe environment.

Create a SignUp Genius for your troop so everyone is making a contribution is also a part of the KISS way of leading a troop.

Here are some ideas for food to serve:

Pony waters (the small size)

Juice boxes

Individually wrapped apple slices

Prepackaged mini muffins

Pretzels

Popcorn

Veggie Straws

Cheeze Its

Chips

What are you planning to do for your Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony?

Daisy To Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Guide 2022

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.

Bridging to Brownie Girl Scout Requirements

First of all, you do not have to do ANYTHING to bridge your troop. Girls automatically bridge because they are moving up a grade. 

If you want to earn the Brownie wings, here is what needs to be done. 

Both steps are fairly easy to complete. Start reaching out to sister troops now so you can fulfill these requirements.

Girl Scout Bridging Guide from North-Central Alabama

Here is a guide for leaders no matter where you reside.

Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Script

This one is a bit long, but you can condense it to make it work for your troop.

Guide to Bridging Ceremonies

Scroll to page 15 to find the Daisy to Brownie guide.

Daisy Bridging Poems

Check out the images to find a poem that you want to read.

Free Girl Scout Printable Bridging Certificates

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!

Bridge to Brownies Brownie Mix Label

It is nice to give a little gift to your girls. I gave mine a box of Brownie Mix. This label did not exist then, but if it did, I would have used it!

Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging

Ceremonies from Actual Troops

Here is a sampling of some of the Daisy to Brownie Bridging ceremonies that you can find on YouTube.

In my next post, I will share easy decorating and gift ideas that will make your Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony most memorable.

7 Places to Find Free Printable Girl Scout Daisy Bridging Certificates

It's that time of year when your Girl Scout Daisy troop is soon going to bridge to Girl Scout Brownies! It is an exciting time for all of you. To commemorate this auspicious occasion, here are seven places where you can find free printable Girl Scout Bridging Certificates.

For those of you who are starting to plan your Girl Scout Daisy Bridging Ceremony, you may be considering giving the girls something as they cross over the "bridge". Many leaders like to give girls some kind of certificate, which makes the event look so much more grown up and official. 

Image created by the author in Canva.

Clipart by Clipartion on Etsy

There are several free online Girl Scout bridging certificates that you can pring. If you do not want to use your own ink, print one original and take it to your local Staples or Office Max to print. Save the receipt so you can be reimbursed.

You can find free printable Girl Scout bridging certificates at these websites:

Free Printable Certificates

Service Unit 701 Files

Girl Scout Printables

Mighty Girls Rock (must join her Facebook group to print)

My Fashionable Designs

Girl Scouts Carolina Peaks to Piedmont (you can prit one, white out or cover their council name, and just leave "Girl Scouts" on your certificate.)

Teachers Pay Teachers

Are you planning on giving out free printable Girl Scout bridging certificates to your troop?

The Ultimate 2021 Guide for Bridging from Girl Scout Daisy to Girl Scout Brownie

Bridging from Daisies to Brownies is an important Girl Scout milestone. This year more than ever, it needs to be recognized in a safe and big way.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Updated February 2025

Daisy leaders, take a bow. You not only survived learning how to lead a troop, this past year, you did it during a worldwide pandemic. Planning a Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony is going to be a walk in the park compared to what you have been through this past year.

Created by the author on Canva

For many of you, this is your first Girl Scout bridging ceremony to plan. Planning one during a pandemic is going to be different than one planned during normal times. There are safety guidelines that need to be met and some are Council specific. Check with your local Council for guidelines and read this Girl Scout Bridging 2021 Guide on my main Girl Scout blog to see how you can start planning with safety in mind.

A Word About Buying Uniforms

I have never been a fan of leaders buying uniforms for their troops unless the troop is in a disadvantaged socio-economic area and this is the only way for the girls to afford a uniform. Over the years I have said this many times, parents need to have skin in the game. They buy cleats and other equipment for sports and shoes and leotards for dance and cheer. Why do Girl Scout leaders feel the need for the troop to pay for uniforms?

Clip art by Clipartino on Etsy

In my troop, I had one Daisy bridge and not sign up in the fall. Her parents bought her the vest and badges, so my troop was not out of the funds. Over the years, my troop of twelve has slimmed down to two. Never have I paid for any part of a uniform during a bridging year. We would have been out the funds if the troop did pay. People do not value free.

It is also more work for you to get the correct sizes (and that means contacting and contacting and contacting some parents) so they can be ordered. While you can buy most of your Girl Scout Brownie uniform online at Boscov's, it is one more thing for you to do. 

I had my parents buy the vest/sash, flag, numerals and Council ID set. They gave it to me prior to the bridging ceremony.

Uniforms and More Available at Boscov's

Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony Resources for Leaders

Here are some useful links to help guide plan your Daisy to Brownie Bridging ceremony.

Bridging to Brownie Girl Scout Requirements

There are two steps that Daisy Scouts need to do before bridging to Brownies. Both steps are fairly easy to complete. Start reaching out to sister troops now so you can fulfill these requirements.

Girl Scout Bridging Guide from North-Central Alabama

Here is a guide for leaders no matter where you reside.

Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Script

This one is a bit long, but you can condense it to make it work for your troop.

Guide to Bridging Ceremonies

Scroll to page 15 to find the Daisy to Brownie guide. 

Clip art by Clipartino on Etsy

Daisy Bridging Poems

Check out the images to find a poem that you want to read.

Bridge to Brownies Brownie Mix Label

It is nice to give a little gift to your girls. I gave mine a box of Brownie Mix. This label did not exist then, but if it did, I would have used it!

You can also go onto YouTube and see what others have done so you can be inspired. Remember to look at how long each video is...then reassure yourself that you've got this!

 

Girl Scout Bridging Decorating Ideas

I am a big believer in the adage "less is more". You do not have to go crazy with the rainbow theme. A few select pieces are all you will need to create the perfect atmosphere. 

Rainbow Table Covering

One simple table covering sets the tone for you tablescape. Because we are in a pandemic, food will not be eaten. You can make pretty goody bags with rainbow goodies for each girl and place them on the table. See this blog post for ideas.

Planning this year is easier, as there is no menu to plan. Eating in large groups is not safe at this time. 

The most important part about planning the Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony is the actual ceremony. Keep is short, simple and relevant. Everyone will appreciate the effort you put in.

What are you planning to do for your Girl Scout Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony?

The Ultimate Daisy to Brownie Bridging Resource Guide for Leaders 2019 Edition

Updated March 2022

Spring is here! For second year Daisy leaders, it is time to start planning your bridging ceremony.

Stop. Take a breath. You've got this.

By planning ahead and using the KISS strategy (Keep It Simple, Sister), your ceremony will be both memorable and stress free for you (okay, limited stress because you are not going to overthink this).

Before I provide you with a list of resources, I want you to remember one thing.

The girls 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.

Image from Pixabay and altered by the author in Canva

Daisy to Brownie Resources for Leaders

Here are some useful links.

The Ultimate Daisy to Brownie Bridging Resource Guide

I originally wrote this blog post in 2017 and recently updated it. In simple fashion, this blog post tells you how to create your own bridging ceremony and the details that go along with planning.

Bridging to Brownie Girl Scout Requirements

There are two steps that Daisy Scouts need to do before bridging to Brownies. Both steps are fairly easy to complete. Start reaching out to sister troops now so you can fulfill these requirements.

Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Script

This one is a bit long, but you can condense it to make it work for your troop.

Guide to Bridging Ceremonies

Scroll to page 15 to find the Daisy to Brownie guide. 

Free Girl Scout Printable Bridging Certificates

This post has been updated and all links are viable as of March 2019. 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!

Bridge to Brownies Brownie Mix Label

It is nice to give a little gift to your girls. I gave mine a box of Brownie Mix. This label did not exist then, but if it did, I would have used it!

You can also go onto YouTube and see what others have done so you can be inspired. Remember to look at how long each video is...then reassure yourself that you've got this!

Girl Scout Bridging Decorating Ideas

I am a big believer in the adage "less is more". You do not have to go crazy with the rainbow theme. A few select pieces are all you will need to create the perfect atmosphere. 

Girl Scout Bridging Food Ideas

As the leader, you have invested a lot of time and energy into your troop. This is the one time you need to take it easy on yourself. Bridging is an important Girl Scout milestone...it is not a reason to lie awake at night planning.

This tool did not exist when I started as a leader, but I use it now for all of my volunteer activities at my synagogue. Sign-Up Genius is a great tool for organizing events like this one. Create a Signup and assign yourself paper goods. Food should be easy and not require a lot of fuss.

Ask parents to sign up for:

Pony waters

Juice boxes

Cut up vegetables

Cheese

Crackers

Fruit

Chips and Dip

Photo by Hannah Gold

As you can see from the picture, taken seven ten years ago when my troop bridged from Brownies to Juniors, the cake I baked was no-fuss, pre-Pinterest easy to implement idea. And guess what? While it might not be the prettiest cake you have ever seen, it was eaten up by all of the girls! 

You can easily bake cupcakes and use rainbow themed wrappers. You can even personalize them for your troop for this auspicious occasion!

Your Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout bridging ceremony should be fun, memorable, and as little stress on you as a leader as possible. I hope these tips will work for you.

What are you planning on doing for your Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout bridging ceremony?

The Bridging from Girl Scout Daisies to Girl Scout Brownies Guide

Updated October 2019

It's closing in on the end of April and you are getting ready for your Daisies to bridge to Brownies. I am sure you are both excited and nervous about this Girl Scout milestone, but I am here to tell you to relax! These are girls going into second grade...the ceremony should be short, cute and stress free for all involved.

Photo by Hannah Gold and Image Created on Canva

In this blog post, my ultimate planning guide for your bridging ceremony, I have it all laid out for your step-by-step. I have been there and done that, so it is my goal to help you not stress about anything at all. Everything from who buys the Brownie uniform to what food to serve is discussed.

One thing I would like to know is that it whatever you decide to do, it does not have to be Pinterest pretty. The hours some leaders spend making things pretty is better spent on other activities. My co-leader and I spent about an hour painting these flower pots for our bridge.

Photos by Hannah Gold

Here is my rule for doing anything-KISS Keep It Simple Sister. You volunteer your time, your heart and your energy for the important things like meetings. Bridging is important, but it is not a wedding. People are going to remember the joy of the occasion, not the perfectly presented badges.

On my Scout Leader blog, you can read about bridging here and get some more ideas.

Keep the bridging decorations simple, and ask parents to bring items you need. 

Don't forget to breathe and enjoy this occasion!

How to Earn the Girl Scout Bridging to Brownie Award

While the weather in many parts of the country is not feeling very "spring" like, the calendar says that it is. Cookie season is winding down and leaders are feeling a sigh of relief.

For those of you with second year Daisies, it is time to start thinking about bridging to Girl Scout Brownies.

My next few posts will be about this wonderful Girl Scout milestone, and this first one is how girls can earn the Girl Scout Bridging to Brownie Award. 

Photo from Canva

The bridging badge is one that needs to be earned, not just purchased when girls fly up to Brownies. There are two steps to earning this patch.

Step 1-Pass It On

Girls will share something fun about being a Girl Scout Daisy.

Step 2-Look Ahead

The girls will meet with a Brownie troop and learn something from them.

For more ideas and directions on how to earn the Girl Scout Bridging to Brownie Award, visit the Girl Scout website here. It has all the information you need to get your girls started on this important first step to bridging.

Free Printable Daisy to Brownie Bridging Certificates

*Updated February 2025

For those of you who are planning your Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout bridging ceremony, you may be considering giving the girls something as they cross over the "bridge". Many leaders like to give girls some kind of certificate, which makes the event look so much more grown up and official.

Photo from Pixabay

There are several free online Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout bridging certificates that you can print. If you do not want to waste your own ink, print one original and then take it to your local Staples or other print shop to have them done on more sturdy paper. Save the receipt to get reimbursed for your expense.

You can find free printable Daisy to Brownie bridging certificates at these websites.

Free Printable Certificates

Service Unit 701 Files

Girl Scout Printables

The Ultimate Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony Guide

*This post contains affiliate links.

Updated February 2025

At the end of first grade, Daisy Girl Scouts who choose to continue their scouting experience will become Brownie Girl Scouts in second grade. A bridging ceremony to celebrate this Scouting milestone is typically held during the last meeting, although it can take place over the summer or even at your first meeting in the fall. While I highly recommend having the ceremony at the end of the year so it feels like an accomplishment after a year (or two) of earning petals and doing service, you, as the leader, need to figure out what is best for your troop. 

This is an important event in the life of a Girl Scout, parents are invited to witness their daughter's transition from Daisy to Brownie.

Here is my updated guide for planning your Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony.

Photo from Pixabay

Important Decisions to Make Before Your Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony

Time and Date

There are several things your co-leader and you need to discuss and decide before your bridging ceremony. The first is the place and the time. Since meeting dates are known in advance, this would be the best time, in my opinion, to have your ceremony. After all, this time slot is already carved out in the child's weekly schedule. If your meeting time is after school, then parents should be notified of the bridging ceremony about two months beforehand. This is necessary because parents who work full-time will need to be able to arrange their work schedules to attend. It is also necessary to give ample notice so parents with other children can arrange for childcare for them if they are young and may disrupt the bridging ceremony.

New Uniforms

Once you have established the time and date of the bridging ceremony, then you need to decide who is going to buy the vest or sash, pins and patches...will it be the parents or the troop? I am firmly against troop funds being used to buy these items, as time and again, I have read in Girl Scout forums and Facebook groups how leaders buy them, as well as the tabs, pins, and patches, only to have a girl not return in the fall. Your troop has now lost this money, which could have been used for earning Brownie Badges or taking a field trip.

Parents need to have some skin in the game. It needs to cost them money, the same way a sport or dance class costs them money. Dance studios do not buy each child's costume for the year end recital, parents do. Teams do not buy cleats for the team, parents do. While I understand that some leaders want their girls to be self-sufficient and pay for all troop related costs, it is not wise to spend money on an unknown. I did have one girl bridge from Daisies to Brownies, only to have her not return in the fall. Her parents bought her vest for the bridging ceremony, so they were out the money, not my troop bank account.

Even if a girl loves your troop and being a Girl Scout, schedules change. What was a free time in first grade many not be free time in second grade, and therefore she will not be able to continue with your troop or with scouting at all.

But if you feel strongly about buying the girls their new Brownie uniform, email the parents asking for the size their daughter needs (I suggest going up one size as girls will grow in two years). Then you can make your life easier and buy most of the uniform online. You can find all your Girl Scout supplies, except for your local Council ID badge sets, (they do have a few of those on the site), here at Boscovs.

Brownie Girl Scout Uniform from Boscov's

Brownie Girl Scout Tab from Boscov's

Bridge to Brownie Arc from Boscov's

What to Serve

Since this is a celebration, of course you will be serving food! Create a Sign Up Genius event (my PTA and synagogue use this for organizing their events and it rocks!) and then put enough items on the list so that everyone is able to sign up to bring something. On your sign up list, make sure there is a place for parents to RSVP how many guests they will be bringing so people know how much to buy or make. Keep it simple; finger foods work best with younger children. Here are some ideas:

Plates

Napkins

Plastic Table Covering

Juice Boxes

Pony sized water bottles

Donut holes

Cookies

Hershey Kisses

Mini cupcakes

Veggies and dip

Fruit (grapes, strawberries, bags of pre-sliced apples)

Hummus and pita chips

Brownies (of course!)

Before you make your list public via a troop email, be sure that your co-leader and you sign up for what you want to bring. Make it easy on yourself! Personally, I always brought the paper plates. The theme for bridging is a rainbow. Here are some fun party goods for your celebration.

The Daisy to Brownie Girl Scout Bridge

One of my mottos in life is to keep it simple. Complicated is too...complicated! When my troop bridged, I took two large pieces of oaktag, cut them in half, and taped them together to look like a bridge. Then I made "steps" on green construction paper and wrote one word on each...."Now I am a Brownie Girl Scout." The girls walked along it and crossed over to my co-leader, their parents, and myself. 

The Ceremony

Remember that your girls are only in first grade. Keep the ceremony short and simple! You will want to spend your meeting before the bridging ceremony practicing what will happen so girls will not be surprised. Young children like to know what to expect.

We had the girls do the Pledge of Allegiance, the Girl Scout Promise and the Girl Scout Law. Then I said a few words about what we had done with the girls over the past two years. The girls sang "I've Got Something in My Pocket" and used the word "Daisy" for "Brownie". 

Then we called each girl one at a time. Her parent helped her put on the Brownie vest, and I pinned on her pins while my co-leader took a picture. We handed each girl a bridging certificate and a baggie with her bridging patch in it.

After each girl crossed the bridge, we sang "I've Got Something in My Pocket" and said "Brownie smile" extra loud. Then we took hands with the parents, did our friendship squeeze, and sang "Make New Friends". 

Then we had our refreshments. 

Here are some other Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremonies to inspire your own.

This easy Daisy to Brownie bridging ceremony is one your co-leader and you can easily put together.  It is a great way to end this chapter of your Girl Scout leadership!