The Badge Archive

What Is a Troop Crest?

A Troop Crest is a small embroidered emblem chosen by a Girl Scout troop to represent their shared values, spirit, or goals. It’s worn on the uniform starting at the Brownie level, placed just above the troop numerals on the vest or sash. These are completely optional. Some troops choose a Crest as a way to express their identity and celebrate what makes them unique. Some choose to never have a crest. They do not do anything except uphold a tradition from the early years of scouting.

Troop Crests are symbolic. Each one has a meaning behind it, like teamwork, creativity, courage, or friendship. The image is paired with a description that helps scouts connect the symbol to real-life qualities they want to grow in together. But they are not required.

Why Troop Crests Were Created and Why They Matter Differently Today

Troop crests were originally used to help Girl Scout patrols identify themselves. Borrowed from British Girl Guides, these embroidered symbols gave small groups within a troop a way to show unity and pride, especially before troop numbers were standardized.

Over time, crests became a way for entire troops to express their shared values, interests, or personality. Some troops even designed their own, choosing images that reflected local culture or personal meaning.

Today, troop crests are no longer required or tied to advancement. They don’t serve a logistical purpose, but they still matter. Choosing a crest together can help girls reflect on who they are as a group, spark conversations about values, and create a sense of tradition that lasts across years and levels.

When Do You Choose a Troop Crest?

Most troops choose their Crest early in the year, often during the first few meetings of the Brownie level. However, it’s never too late. Troops can select a Crest at any point in their journey. Some multi-level troops wait until all members are Brownies or older so everyone can participate in the decision.

Crests are optional, so if a troop prefers not to choose one, that’s perfectly okay.

How Do You Pick a Troop Crest?

Choosing a Crest is a collaborative process. Here are a few ways troops have decided on their troop crests:

• Present the meanings first: Instead of showing the images, leaders share the written descriptions of each Crest. This helps scouts focus on the values, not just the pictures.
• Small group discussion: Scouts break into groups to read, ask questions, and talk about which ones feel “most like us.” Each group picks 1–2 finalists that are then used for a final vote.
• Try mini activities: Leaders prepare short, themed activities that match the finalist Crest meanings.
• Vote as a troop: Scouts vote for the Crest that best represents their troop with raised hands, slips of paper, a questionnaire, or voting cards.

Whichever option you choose, encourage reflection, teamwork, and fun to help scouts connect the Crest to their real experiences.

How Long Do You Use a Troop Crest?

Once chosen, a troop Crest is typically used throughout the Girl Scout journey. It stays on the uniform from Brownie through Ambassador unless the troop decides to change it. Some troops like to change them each time they bridge to a new level, choosing one that reflects their growth or new interests, but the tradition was to keep it from start to finish.

Changing a Crest is allowed, especially if the troop feels they’ve grown in a new direction or want to reflect a different value. Some troops revisit their Crest every few years, while others keep the same one as a lasting symbol of their shared story.

A Bit of History

Troop crests are one of the oldest official insignia in Girl Scouting, dating back to its earliest days. Originally inspired by heraldic traditions from the British Girl Guides, these embroidered symbols were introduced to American troops by Juliette Gordon Low in 1913, just one year after founding the Girl Scouts of the USA.

At first, crests weren’t assigned to entire troops but to patrols (smaller subgroups within a troop). The very first Savannah troop had patrols named after flowers like White Rose, Carnation, Red Rose, and Poppy. These crests were embroidered on black felt with bright colors and red borders, and formally adopted by GSUSA in 1920. One notable adaptation came in 1922, when the Blackbird crest was redesigned with blue thread and renamed “Bluebird” because the original stitching was nearly invisible on black felt.

By 1914, some troops were already being identified by their crest rather than their number, as seen in a Washington Post article referencing the “Surrey Poppies.” This tradition continued for decades, with crests serving as a visual representation of a troop’s personality, values, or local identity.

From 1918 to 2011, troops could even design their own crests, often reflecting regional landmarks, cultural symbols, or personal interests. These custom designs were deeply meaningful to the girls who wore them, even if their symbolism wasn’t officially documented.

In the 1920s, crests began appearing on uniforms as formal emblems, often embroidered in rich colors like fuchsia on black backgrounds. At the time, only a handful of designs were available, mostly floral, and they were reserved for Junior-level troops and above. Brownies did not wear troop crests.

Between 1923 and 1930, GSUSA encouraged troops to build traditions around famous women (real or fictional) who had made significant contributions to society. While crest meanings were not formally assigned in the early years, modern GSUSA materials now include symbolic interpretations for each design.

As Girl Scouting evolved, so did the crests. In the 1970s, they were produced on khaki uniform fabric to match the changing style. Then in 2010–2012, GSUSA revamped the entire crest collection. The classic oval shape was replaced with a modern shield design, and dozens of new symbols were introduced to reflect broader themes like creativity, resilience, and friendship.

Importantly, this redesign also expanded who could wear crests. Brownies were officially allowed to choose and wear troop crests for the first time. Daisies, however, were still not assigned troop crests. The idea is that a Daisy troop is still forming its group identity. By the time girls reach Brownies, they’ve had time to grow together and can choose a crest that reflects who they are as a troop.

Click Here – List of Troop Crests

This is based on the Vintage Girl Scout Online Museum and the current GSUSA 16 Crests.

Early Crests (Pre-2012)

• Blank Crest (1918–2011)
• Bluebell – Version 1 (1913–1951)
• Bluebell – Version 2 (1952–1988)
• Bluebird (1920s–current) – This crest has appeared in several fabric versions:
  • Black felt with red border – Early version, likely pre-1920s.
  • Khaki fabric (no red on chest) – Used in the 1920s.
  • Grey-green fabric (no red on chest) – Circulated between 1928–1938.
  • Khaki with red chest – Popular from the 1950s through 2011.
  • Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• Bluebonnet (1919–1988)
• Brown Pansy (1913–1988)
• Buttercup (1913–1988)
• Cardinal (1920–2011)
• Cardinal Flower (1920–1984)
• Carnation (1912–1984) – Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• Clover (flower) (1912–1984)
• Clover (leaf) (1912–2011)
• Cornflower (1919–1953)
• Crocus (1913–1984)
• Daffodil – Version 1 (1913–1952)
• Daffodil – Version 2 (1952–2011)
• Daisy (1913–1988)
• Dogwood (1913–2011)
• Falling Star (1989–2011)
• Forget-me-not (1913–2011)
• Fuchsia (1913–1953)
• Goldenrod (1913–1984)
• Hawaiian Lei (1989–2011) – Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• Holly (1913–1984)
• Iris (1913–1984)
• Jonquil (1913–1984)
• Lightning (1989–2011) – Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• Lily-of-the-valley (1913–2011)
• Meadowlark (1913–1984)
• Morning Glory (1913–2011)
• Mountain Laurel (1919–1988)
• Music Notes (1989–2011)
• Narcissus (1913–1984)
• Nasturtium (1926–1963)
• Oak (1913–1984)
• Pine Cone (1919–1988)
• Pine Tree (1926–2011)
• Poppy (1913–1988)
• Purple Pansy (1913–2011)
• Purple Violet (1913–2011)
• Red Rose (1913–2011)
• Robin (1926–1988)
• Sailboat (1989–2011)
• Scarlet Pimpernel (1913–1984)
• Seashell (1989–2011)
• Star-of-Bethlehem (1913–2011)
• Sunflower (1913–1984)
• Thistle (1913–1952)
• Unicorn (1989–2011) – Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• Waterfall (1989–2011)
• White Rose (1913–2011) – Shield-style redesign in 2012 and still used today.
• White Violet (1913–1984)
• Wild Rose (1919–2011)

Revamped Crests (2012–Present)

• Arrow (2012–current)
• Bee (2012–current)
• Bluebird (2012–current) – New version.
• Carnation (2012–current) – New version.
• Crane (2012–current)
• Eagle (2012–current)
• Lei (2012–current) – New version.
• Lightning (2012–current) – New version.
• Nautilus Shell (2012–current)
• Pansy (2012–current)
• Shooting Star (2012–current)
• Sun (2012–current)
• Trumpet (2012–current)
• Unicorn (2012–current) – New version.
• Waterfall (2012–current) – New version.
• White Rose (2012–current) – New version.

Today, there are 16 official troop crests available, each with a unique meaning compared to the 53 options before 2012. Some troops will design their own and wear it despite GSUSA not allowing non-official patches on the front of the uniform. The spirit behind all (new, retired, and unofficial) remains the same: to give every troop a visual symbol of their shared values, personality, and goals.

References:

• “Girl Guides Troop Crest, circa 1914-1927 – Georgia Historical Society.” Georgia Historical Society, Nov. 2023, http://www.georgiahistory.com/artifact/girl-guides-troop-crest-circa-1914-1927/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2025.
• “Girl Scout Troops Crests | Vintage Girl Scout.” Vintage Girl Scout , 2023, summerpearl8.wixsite.com/girlscout/girl-scout-troops-crests. Accessed 27 Sept. 2025.
• “Guide to Troop Crests.” WildernessAndWhimsy.com, 14 May 2025, wildernessandwhimsy.com/2025/05/guide-to-troop-crests.html. Accessed 27 Sept. 2025.
• GSWAC-Amy. “Choosing a Troop Crest | Girl Scout with a Cause.” Girl Scout with a Cause, 5 Jan. 2017, girlscoutwithacause.dawgtoons.com/2017/01/choosing-a-troop-crest/. Accessed 27 Sept. 2025.
• Robertson, Ann. “A Brief History of Girl Scout Troop Crests.” Girl Scout History Project, 4 Dec. 2019, gshistory.com/2019/12/04/girl-scout-troop-crests/.