What is bridging?
Watch or listen to a 20-minute Take 5 episode on what Girl Scout bridging is.
Virtual Bridging Ceremonies
With members staying home to stay safe this spring, we wanted to share some creative ideas to help you celebrate the girls in your troop or service unit bridging to the next Girl Scout level. You can also watch or listen to our 15-minute Take 5 episode on creative virtual bridging ceremony ideas.
- Format: Consider hosting a live virtual event (using Zoom or another platform), a pre-recorded video that can be shared among troop members, or postponing your celebration to the fall for a more traditional in-person event.
- What you need: Girl Scout bridging ceremonies have a few basic elements:
- Opening: Set the context of what bridging is and why it’s important.
- Main section: Girls, whether physically or symbolically, cross a bridge and are welcomed to the next Girl Scout level.
- Closing: Reflect on what has happened and move forward together as Girl Scouts.
- The rest is up to the girls! Let your girls get creative with how they’d like to celebrate—this is the fun part!
2020 Creative Bridging Ideas
Here are some ideas to spark your girls' creativity from other Girl Scouts around our movement. For in-person events, remember to follow GSEMA’s COVID-19 guidelines for in-person gatherings.
- A “red carpet” bridging, where each girls get to walk under a balloon rainbow, take pictures, and feel like a super star. Families schedule individual slots, and a designated volunteer helps ensure safety protocols are being followed.
- A drive-thru ceremony in a safe location, where each girl can get cheers from her troop leaders. Families schedule individual slots, and a designated volunteer helps ensure safety protocols are being followed.
- Have girls make bridges at home out of pillows, stuffed animals, or anything else girls can safely walk across.
- Put girls' engineering skills to work to create bridges from scrap wood or sticks in the backyard.
- Take a virtual tour of a famous bridge and walk across it together (local examples include the Sagamore, Bourne, Zakim, and Tobin Bridges).
- In lieu of a closing Friendship Squeeze, girls could learn and perform a new song (like the Brownie Smile Song, for Daisies bridging up).
- Create a YouTube Live Stream video compilation of girls bridging individually, then combine these into one video with a slideshow of pictures from the bridging troops. (idea submitted by the Acton/Boxborough Service Unit.)
- Contact your local cable access channel and let them know about your bridging Girl Scouts, especially high school seniors.
Have an idea to share or want help brainstorming? Let us know!
Bridging to Brownies
Stepping Up! Daisies to Brownies is a 15-minute video that gives a Daisy Leader who is moving up to Brownies an overview of Brownie meetings, troop year, Brownie program, resources, and support.
Learn more about planning your first bridging ceremony! Daisies can engage with older girls, try fun Girl Scout Brownie activities, and share their favorite things about being a Daisy. They can also be part of the bridging ceremony and receive their Bridge to Brownie Awards!
Bridging to Juniors
Stepping Up! Brownies to Juniors is a 10-minute video that gives a Brownie Leader who is moving up to Juniors an overview of how troop meetings and the girl-led experience shift at this program level.
To help guide your girls’ transition from Brownies to Juniors, your troop can earn the Bridge to Junior Award by completing two steps: Pass It On! and Look Ahead! More information about these steps can be found in the handbook section of the Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, and on page 10 of the Girl Scout Bridging Guide.
Bridging to Cadettes, Seniors or Ambassadors
Girls can take the lead in big ways in the oldest program levels. Share the Girl Scout Bridging Guide with them and let them design their own ceremony!
Are your girls unsure which adventures to pursue as Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors? They can attend Bridging to the Future: Exploring Opportunities with Girl Scouts to learn more about service and travel opportunities, outdoor activities, women's empowerment activities, and more for older girls.
Do your girls want to do big things and improve their community in the process? Girl Scout Highest Awards show future colleges, employers, and the community that your girls are changing the world. Learn more about how you can help them earn the Silver Award or Gold Award!
Bridging to Adults
Her adventure as a Girl Scout alum begins now! Check out our Graduating Girl Scouts page for regalia, certificates of completion, and ways to stay connected to the movement.
