The Badge Archive

GSUSA – Year End Celebration

As the Girl Scout year comes to a close, troops gather for a Year-End Celebration—a special time to reflect on accomplishments, honor achievements, and have fun before summer break begins. Whether it’s a formal gathering with families, a family-style celebration, or a troop-only event, this meeting helps scouts look back on their journey, reconnect, and get excited for the future.

Option 1: Formal Awards & Bridging Ceremony with Families

Many troops choose to invite parents and guardians to this event, making it a meaningful occasion to recognize scouts’ hard work and mark transitions between levels. Common elements of a formal celebration include:

  • Awards & Badge Recognition: Scouts receive their earned badges and pins in a special presentation.
  • Bridging Ceremony: Scouts crossing into a new Girl Scout level walk across a symbolic bridge, celebrating their growth and leadership.
  • Year-End Reflection & Highlights: Leaders may share stories, accomplishments, or photos showcasing the troop’s journey.
  • Scout Speeches & Gratitude: Older scouts may give short speeches, thanking their troop members, families, and leaders.
  • Family Refreshments & Social Time: A casual gathering with cake or snacks allows families to connect and celebrate their scouts’ successes.

Option 2: Family-Style Celebration with Fun Activities

For a more casual, interactive approach, troops can host a celebration where families and scouts engage in games, crafts, and shared activities. Here are fun ways to organize this:

For Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts:

  • Memory Lane Craft: Scouts decorate picture frames or scrapbooks with memories and troop photos.
  • Outdoor Picnic & Games: A relaxed gathering with relay races, parachute games, and scavenger hunts.
  • Ice Cream or Cupcake Decorating: Scouts design their own treats with troop-themed decorations.
  • Karaoke or Dance Party: A fun way to sing, dance, and celebrate friendships!
  • SWAP Exchange: Scouts trade handmade SWAPs (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) to remember the year.

For Teen Scouts:

  • Troop Superlatives: Scouts vote on fun awards like “Best Camping Buddy” or “Most Likely to Start a Campfire.”
  • DIY Team Challenge: A group activity like escape room-style puzzles, relay races, or adventure challenges.
  • Bonfire & Story Sharing: Gathering around a fire (or LED candles for indoor settings) and sharing favorite scouting memories.
  • Vision Board Craft: Scouts create personalized boards with future goals, troop aspirations, or scouting dreams.
  • Talent Show or Troop Trivia: A lighthearted showcase of skills, jokes, and knowledge from the year.

Option 3: Troop-Only Celebration

For a small troop gathering without families, the focus can be on scout bonding, fun patches, and traditions. Activities might include:

  • Secret Scout Appreciation: Scouts write kind notes about one another, swapping them like secret messages.
  • Adventurous Outing: Hiking, swimming, or team-building games to wrap up the season with excitement.
  • Promise & Law Reflection: A circle discussion about their favorite moments and how they’ll continue living by the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
  • Badge Planning for Next Year: Scouts vote on themes, trips, or awards they want to pursue in the future.

No matter how you celebrate, Year-End Celebrations are a time to reflect, honor achievements, and strengthen scouting friendships. Whether formal or fun, the event creates lasting memories and gets everyone excited for the adventures ahead!

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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