The Badge Archive

WARNING – This traditional Poem does include the reference to “Our Father”. For troops that do not have a belief in God or a Higher Power, an alteration would be required.

Preparation:
Prepare paper cut-out golden trefoils for younger scouts or traditional golden membership pins for older scouts. Arrange seating for families and set up a ceremonial area with a table or display for the trefoils or pins.

Items Needed:

• Golden paper trefoils or membership pins
• A printed or memorized copy of the poem
• Flag for the opening ceremony

Ceremony Instructions:

1. Opening: Begin the ceremony with a flag presentation, led by the scouts, and a Girl Scout song chosen by the troop to celebrate the occasion.
2. Welcome Address: The leader welcomes attendees and explains the significance of an Investiture Ceremony, where new scouts officially join Girl Scouting by reciting the Promise and receiving their trefoil or pin.
3. Poem Introduction and First Verse: The leader holds the trefoils or pins and recites:
   “These golden trefoils in my hand,
   Upon our new Girl Scouts we will bestow.
   But first the meaning that the trefoil bears,
   The spirit of our Promise we must know.”
4. Reciting the Promise: New scouts are invited to step forward. Together, they recite the Girl Scout Promise:
   “On my honor, I will try:
   To serve God and my country,
   To help people at all times,
   And to live by the Girl Scout Law.”
5. Explanation of the Trefoil – Poem Continuation: The leader continues with the next verses of the poem, explaining the symbolism of the trefoil:
   “Three gold leaves that the trefoil wears,
   Threefold the Promise that it bears:
   To serve God and your country dear,
   To bring others hope and cheer,
   And every day, in every way,
   The Girl Scout Law learn to obey.”
6. Presentation of Trefoils or Pins: One by one, the new scouts step forward to receive their trefoil or pin. As each trefoil or pin is presented, the leader recites:
   “And yet another message too,
   These three gold leaves should bring to you:
   There are three ways each scout should grow,
   Three sides of life each Scout should know.”
7. Reflection on Growth – Poem Continuation: After all new scouts receive their trefoil or pin, the leader recites the final verses:
   “Your body is the temple of your soul,
   Oh, Girl Scouts, build it strong and straight and fair.
   In God’s great out-of-doors, your kingdom lies,
   Health and happiness await you there. In beauty, too, in this great land
   Our Father made so fair,
   Seek long for beauty, and even more,
   Make beauty where no beauty was before.”
8. Closing Ceremony: Conclude with a Friendship Circle and sing a troop-selected Girl Scout song to celebrate the unity and commitment of all scouts.

Reference:

Bridging Ceremonies by GSEM

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