The Badge Archive

GSUSA Traditions

Remember that every council has slightly different rules and regulations, and everything you read online that is general for all of USA should always be double checked with your local council rules and regulations.

Games

Playing games is a tradition of Girl Scouts from the founding of the organization.

Ceremonies

There are many kinds of ceremonies done in the Girl Scout experience.

Holidays

While scouts can always celebrate any Holiday, here are some of the more traditional scout specific ones:

  • Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday/Founder’s Day – October 31st
    • Many will do a celebration alongside their Investiture, Re-Dedication, or Bridging Ceremonies in October.
    • Celebrating Juliette’s birthday can be part of the requirements to earn most Girl Scout Way badges.
  • World Thinking Day – Feb. 22
    • The World Thinking Day badge can be earn at anytime during the year of the GSUSA theme, but most like to make it a tradition to earn it sometime in February to follow the tradition of World Thinking Day.
    • It no longer earns the official World Thinking Day badge, but many Communities and Service Units find a Festival of Nations as a worthwhile tradition to continue and earn a fun patch.
  • Girl Scout’s Birthday – March 12th
    • Many troops do a Girl Scout Birthday Bash meeting as a reason to just have a fun meeting to celebrate all the troop members birthday at one time in the year.
  • Girl Scout Week – Sun through Sat of the week with March 12th in it
    • Most councils will have a “Week” activity printout you can give your Girl Scouts to earn a fun patch.
  • Girl Scout Sabbath/Shabbat/Sunday/Jummah – The appropriate day of the week during Girl Scout Week.
    • Another tradition that girls can do something and you can have an option for them to earn a fun patch.
  • Volunteer Appreciation Month – April
    • If you want to celebrate this GSUSA has some ideas for activities.
  • Girl Scout Leader Day – April 22nd
    • Most troops focus on Earth day for April 22nd, but it is always good to mention to families that it is the official Girl Scout Leader day in case they want to do something special for the adult volunteers in the troop.

Traditions

These traditions can be incorporated into normal troop meetings and do not need a specific event or meeting to go over them. Find descriptions of all of them on GSUSA.

  • Girl Scout Sign – The sign is made by raising the right hand, palm forward, with the thumb holding down the little finger, leaving the other three fingers extended. The fingers stand for the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise
  • Motto “Be prepared.” – It’s been part of the movement since its earliest days, echoing the original motto of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. In How Girls Can Help Their Country (1913), this phrase was even described as the “secret password” among scouts. It was a reminder to always be ready to help others and face challenges with confidence.
  • Slogan “Do a good turn daily.” – This slogan has roots in early scouting traditions and was included in the 1913 How Girls Can Help Their Country. It’s still used today to inspire service, empathy, and everyday leadership. It encourages Girl Scouts to make kindness and helpfulness a daily habit. While the motto (“Be prepared”) focuses on readiness, the slogan emphasizes action: doing something good for someone else, every single day.
  • Greeting – The traditional Girl Scout greeting is the Girl Scout handshake, a meaningful blend of symbolism and connection. So when two Girl Scouts meet, they greet each other by shaking left hands while simultaneously making the sign with their right. It’s a gesture used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. It’s often used during ceremonies, troop meetings, and special events to reinforce unity and respect.
  • Friendship Circle – A cherished tradition that symbolizes unity, trust, and the global sisterhood of Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. It’s often used to open or close meetings, ceremonies, or special events. The circle represents an unbroken chain of friendship, a visual reminder that every Girl Scout is part of something bigger. It’s a quiet, powerful way to close a meeting or mark a meaningful moment.

How to do the Girl Scout Handshake

  • Shake with the left hand: This hand is closer to the heart and symbolizes trust and friendship.
  • Make the Girl Scout sign with the right hand: Raise three fingers (index, middle, ring) with the thumb holding down the pinky. This represents the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.

How to Form a Friendship Circle

  • Stand in a circle with everyone shoulder to shoulder.
  • Cross your right arm over your left in front of you.
  • Clasp hands with the people on either side. Your right hand holds the left hand of the person next to you.
  • Stay silent as a moment of reflection or connection begins.

The Friendship Squeeze

  • One person starts by gently squeezing the hand of the person next to them.
  • That person passes the squeeze along, one by one, around the circle.
  • When the squeeze returns to the starter, the group may say goodbye, sing a song, or simply smile.

Some troops add a twist: when your hand is squeezed, you step your right foot forward to show the squeeze is moving.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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Tia Kennard