The Badge Archive

Bridging – Brownie Story

This is for a ceremony only. It does not meet the Rainbow Bridging badge requirements. Troops should earn their Rainbow Bridging badge at a troop meeting prior to this ceremony, where they are awarded their Rainbow Bridge badge.

Preparation

  • Invite Participants: Invite a Brownie troop, parents, or helpers to attend and assist. Send them the date, time, and a copy of the script. Confirm their attendance.
  • Review the Brownie Story: Read The Brownie Story to the Daisy troop 2–3 times before the ceremony so they understand its meaning.
  • Practice: Rehearse the entire ceremony with the Daisy troop, especially the transitions and what to expect.
  • Review Traditions: Teach the Girl Scout handshake and remind girls of the Girl Scout slogan: “Do a Good Turn Daily.”
  • Prepare the Space: Set up the bridge or stepping stones, and place the mirror (representing the pond) near the Brownie Ring where the Brownie troop will welcome the new Brownies.
    • The Daisy troop lines up at the start of the bridge in their Daisy tunics or vests, along with one co-leader.
    • At the other side of the bridge, a co-leader/helper waits with the Brownie sashes/vests.
    • If a Brownie troop is present, they form a Brownie Ring near the end of the bridge to welcome the new Brownies.

Items Needed

  • Bridge, stepping stones, or arch
  • A mirror to represent a magic pond
  • “The Brownie Story” (from page 18 of the Brownie Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting)
  • Brownie sashes/vests for each girl
  • Brownie pins
  • (Optional) Certificates for each new Brownie

Instructions

  1. Ceremony Start:
    • Start with normal troop opening routine and/or Reciting the Promise and Law.
    • Leader: “Welcome to our Daisy to Brownie Bridging Ceremony. Today, we celebrate our Daisy Girl Scouts as they take their next big step into the world of Brownie Girl Scouting. This bridge represents their growth, their learning, and the exciting new adventures that await them as Brownies.”
  2. Crossing the Bridge, Stepping Stones, or Arch:
    • Call each Daisy Girl Scout’s name, one at a time.
      • The Daisy crosses the bridge, where she is greeted by a Brownie, co-leader, or helper.
      • The helper assists her in removing her Daisy vest/tunic and putting on her new Brownie vest/tunic.
      • The new Brownie then joins the Brownie Ring.
  3. Finding the Brownie Elf and Receiving the Brownie Pin:
    • Set up the “magic pond” (a mirror) in the center of the Brownie Ring.
    • Leader: “To prepare for today’s bridging ceremony, our troop read The Brownie Story. It’s about girls who went into a forest to find ‘very helpful persons’ called Brownies. There, a wise old owl told them to look into a magic pond and complete a special rhyme to find the Brownie. Now, we’ll perform this little piece of magic too!”
    • Read the Brownie Elf Poem:
      “Cross your little fingers, stand upon your toes,
      That’s a bit of magic that every Brownie knows.
      Now we all are standing inside a forest glade,
      Listen very carefully; see the magic made.
      And tucked inside this great big wood,
      You’ll find a pond that’s pure and good.
      Then turn yourself around three times,
      Gaze into the pond; complete the rhyme“
  4. One at a time, each new Brownie steps forward to the pond.
    • A co-leader or helper gently spins her in a circle while another helper recites:
    • Helper: “Twist me and turn me and show me the elf, I looked in the water and saw…”
    • The new Brownie looks into the mirror and says: “Myself!”
  5. Afterward, the new Brownie receives her pin and then returns to the Brownie Ring:
    • A Leader places the Brownie pin upside down on her new vest and says:
      Leader: “Congratulations! Your Brownie pin is upside down to remind you to do three good turns—one for each part of the Girl Scout Promise. Once you’ve completed them, have a family member turn your pin right side up.”
  6. (Optional) Certificates
    • Once all the Daisies have become Brownies, hand out their certificates.
    • Use the Girl Scout handshake as you congratulate each girl.
  7. Celebration Ending:
    • Form a Friendship Circle with the entire group, including families.
    • Leader: “Congratulations to our new Brownie Girl Scouts! We are so proud of your journey and can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you will accomplish as Brownies.”
    • (Optional) The ceremony concludes with everyone singing either the “Brownie Smile Song” or “Make New Friends.”

Reference:

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Tia Kennard