The Badge Archive

Bridging – J-U-N-I-O-R Wings

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

  • Create the Tree and Nest:
    • Design the nest with the troop’s help (e.g., painting a tree and nest on cardboard or building a ground nest).
    • Ensure it is sturdy and visually appealing.
  • Make Wings:
    • Outline wings on heavy paper or cardboard (around 4–6 feet long).
    • Have girls paint both sides and add handles or straps for wearing. Cover the underside with clear contact paper for strength and to prevent paint from rubbing off.
  • Assign “Junior” Letter Definitions:
    • Each girl writes and practices a short sentence about a letter in “Junior” (e.g., J is for Joy, U is for Understanding).
  • Invite Guests:
    • Confirm attendance with a Junior Girl Scout troop or helpers. Share the time, date, and a copy of the script.
  • Prepare Uniforms:
    • Ensure Junior Girl Scout vests or sashes are ready.
  • Practice the Ceremony:
    • Rehearse with the girls (and guests if possible).
  • Formation:
    • Bridging girls duck behind the nest at the start of the ceremony.
    • Junior Girl Scouts or helpers stand at the end of the bridge, ready to welcome each bridging Brownie.
    • Leader stands with the Brownie troop at the nest, while another Leader waits by the bridge with Junior vests/sashes.

Items Needed

  • Bridge, stepping stones, or arch
  • Large piece of cardboard for the tree and nest (e.g., a painted tree or bowl-like nest on the ground)
  • Wings for each girl (made of cardboard or material with handles or straps)
  • Paint, markers, and craft supplies for decorating wings
  • Junior Girl Scout vests/sashes for each girl

Instructions

  1. Recite the Girl Scout Promise and Law as a group.
  2. JUNIOR Letters:
    • Leader: “Today, we celebrate a special moment as our Brownie Girl Scouts ‘fly up’ to Junior Girl Scouts. Let’s hear from the girls as they describe what being a Junior Girl Scout means to them.”
    • One by one, each girl pops up from behind the nest, says their line describing a letter of “Junior,” and ducks back down. (Each troop creates their own JUNIOR definition, see example below)
    • After all girls have spoken, they stand together and say: “We are ready to fly up and become Junior Girl Scouts!”
  3. Fly Up:
    • Leader: “Two years have passed since you first stood,
      By the magic pond and learned you could,
      Do lots of things in a Girl Scout way,
      And truly live by the words you say. So Brownie Girl Scouts fly up and find, That Junior Girl Scouts are true and kind. And so we give you Brownie wings, That you may fly to bigger things!“
    • All girls chant together: “Now it is time to say goodbye. Break the ring and out you fly.”
    • The first girl is gently pushed out of the nest by the next girl and walks across the bridge.
    • She is met by Co-Leader 2 and a Junior Girl Scout or parent who helps her remove her Brownie vest/tunic and put on her Junior vest/sash.
    • Repeat until all girls have crossed. The last girl can be pushed out by a co-leader or “trip” out herself for fun.
  4. Presentations:
    Present Junior badges, certificates, or other recognitions using the Girl Scout handshake.
    Leader: “Congratulations to our new Junior Girl Scouts! You’ve worked hard to reach this milestone, and we are so proud of you.”
  5. Form a Friendship Circle with the new Junior Girl Scouts, guests, and parents.
    Leader: “Welcome to Junior Girl Scouting! We cannot wait to see the amazing things you’ll accomplish in this next phase of your Girl Scout journey.”
    (Applause and cheers.)
  6. Concluding Song:
    End the ceremony with a group sing-along of “When E’re You Make A Promise” or “Make New Friends.”

JUNIOR Example

  • J is for Joy.
  • U is for Understanding.
  • N is for New Adventures.
  • I is for Inspiration.
  • O is for Opportunity.
  • R is for Responsibility.

Reference:

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Tia Kennard