Scouts’ Own

Ceremonies
A SCOUTS’ OWN is a quiet type of ceremony with a theme. It
is called a SCOUTS’ OWN because girls and their leader plan
it
themselves. It is not a religious service or ceremony and does
not take the place of going to church, temple or synagogue. It
is an occasion in which girls express their deepest feelings
about subjects, which are meaningful to them.

A SCOUTS’ OWN can be held at any time, indoors or out, at a

troop meeting, inter-troop gathering, or in camp. It is difficult
for Brownies to plan a SCOUTS’ OWN. However, in being
present at one, Brownies may begin to sense the deeper values
of Scouting as they hear girls express their feelings, convic-
tions, aspirations or ideals.

First choose a THEME. Examples: friendship, sisterhood, the beauty of nature, the life of the
Juliette Low, the first day of Spring, flags, senior citizens, the spirit of a special day like
Thanksgiving, citizenship, service, the world of tomorrow.

If you are going to hold the SCOUTS’ OWN outdoors, choose a special place, one with a view,
or under a special tree. If indoors, you might choose a symbol, such as, a flag or a special pic-
ture or scene.

Choose just one major theme, then make a list of different ways you can tell or show your
theme. Examples: songs, poems, a choral rendition, a story, a legend, a show play, music played
on an
instrument, pantomime ... or thoughts about what the theme means to her, spoken by each Girl
Scout.

From your list choose one idea to open the SCOUTS’ OWN. Select one or two or half a dozen
other ideas you want to include. Decide how to end your ceremony.

Decide who will perform or lead each part and who will lead the girls to the place for the
ceremony and back again.

It is a Girl Scout custom to walk quietly to the place where this ceremony is held and leave
quietly after it is over.

The plans for every SCOUTS’ OWN should provide for definite, thoughtful leadership —
leadership which will quietly maintain the essential qualities of reverence and aspiration.

Keep the ceremony short - 10 to 15 minutes - but in the atmosphere of quiet expression and
free exchange of earnest feeling, allow the girls their full share, both in the planning and in
carrying out the ceremony.
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 RAINBOW SCOUTS’ OWN
Materials: Three white candles and 10 colored
(one each blue, gold, green, yellow, pink,
silver, orange, red, brown, and white).

SPEAKER: Let us light three candles symbolic of the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise, and
let us say our Girl Scout Promise:

ALL: (Recite Promise)

light white candles

1st Candle: This candle represents duty of the Girl Scout to God as the creator of all things.
2nd Candle: This candle shows love of country and love of people no matter what nationality,
religion, or color of skin.
3rd Candle: This candle shows the basic code of Girl Scouting that is the Girl Scout Law. A Girl
Scout lives by this Law.
light colored candles

THE GIRL SCOUT LAW: I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE....

1. HONEST AND FAIR: BLUE the color of the sky. A Girl Scout’s honesty in dealing with her
family, her friends and her country should be as dependable as the blue of the sky.

2. FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL: Watching the PINK in the changing sky at sunset gives us a
sense of peace and reminds us to be friendly and helpful to everyone.

3. CONSIDERATE AND CARING: GREEN the color of nature, useful and helpful to all, remind-
ing us of our Promise to be considerate and caring of others.

4. COURAGEOUS AND STRONG: YELLOW is a symbol of strength and courage, like the flow-
ers of the field that lays dormant during winter and return each spring.

5. RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT I SAY AND DO. GOLD represents the suns rays. They shine on
everyone regardless of color creed or race. And to

6. RESPECT MYSELF AND OTHERS. WHITE representing clean falling snow, reminds us that
Girl Scouts should show respect for themselves and others through words and actions.

7. RESPECT AUTHORITY. ORANGE represents the sunset. Even the sun must obey nature’s-
orders as it rises and sets each day.

8. USE RESOURCES WISELY. RED is the color of fire, we must use fire with great care, just
as we must be thrifty with all our resources.

9. MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. BROWN makes us think of the color of the earth.
We must protect, improve and keep our planet healthy.

10. BE A SISTER TO EVERY GIRL SCOUT. SILVER symbolizes a beautiful calm lake, as we
think of all the Girl Scouts around the world.
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 CHAIN OF LIFE OUTDOOR CEREMONY
Photocopy this sheet and cut each part in strips. Glue strips onto larger color paper
strips. As each person says her part, link the strips making a chain circle. Leaders
can start and finish the circle. Combine or divide the different parts of the chain
of life to fit the number of girls in your ceremony. Blank strips can also be used so
that every girl is included in making the chain.

All of God’s creations fit together like a chain, each with its own job to do. Each form of life depends
on another part of the chain to survive. What happens if one part of the chain of life is destroyed?

Plants: Plants are necessary for life. There are many different kinds of plants on Earth and they are
all important. They clean the air and make oxygen for humans and animals to breathe. The roots of
plants help keep soil from being blown or washed away.

Plants are used to provide food or homes to insects, animals, and humans. Humans use plants to make
many of the items that they use every day, including the products used to make the clothing and shelter
that they need to survive.

Fruits, vegetables, & nuts are the parts of plants that are eaten by humans most often. Eating these
parts of plants helps provide vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health.

Grass: Grass is a plant that covers much of the Earth’s surface. Grass is good for holding the soil in
place. Grains that humans eat, such as wheat and rice, are a grass. Animals that humans raise for food
often eat grasses. Wild animals and insects also use grass for food and shelter.

Trees: Trees are another kind of plant that has many uses for different living creatures. Like
all plants, trees clean the air. Many animals and insects get their food from trees. Some crea-
tures make their homes in trees. Trees also provide shade from the sun. Humans use trees to
make things such as paper and wood.

Insects: Insects often are needed pollinate plants so that more plants can grow. Many fish,
birds, and other animals eat insects.

Animals: Some animals eat plants, some animals eat insects, and some animals eat other animals.
This allows for balance, so that there is not so many of one kind of creature that there is not
enough food for it.

Animals also fertilize the soil with their waste, helping plants grow. Animals put out carbon
dioxide when they breathe, which plants make into oxygen.

Many humans use animals to provide meat and dairy to eat and drink. Humans may also use
animals to make products such as leather and wool.

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Birds: Like other animals, birds help keep the balance of nature. Most birds feed on plants or insects, while
others eat smaller animals. Many animals, including humans, use the meat and eggs of birds for food. A very
important part that birds play in the chain of life is eating and scattering seeds so that new plants can grow.

Humans: Humans need plants and animals for sources of food, clothing, and shelter. Humans differ greatly
from other animals because their brains make them the most complex living creature yet known. Because of
the brain, humans can reason, letting them unlock many secrets of the universe.

Humans have more knowledge about the balance of the chain of life because they have studied and learned
about each link of the chain. Working together, humans have the greatest power to make good decisions to
help keep this important balance so that life on Earth can continue.

Bacteria: Bacteria are tiny, but very important. Bacteria helps break down organisms such as waste or
dead creatures so that they are made into chemicals that are necessary for new life to begin.

Everything on Earth has a certain job to do. Every living thing on Earth fits together like a chain. What
happens if one part of the chain of life is destroyed?

Hold completed chain above the heads. You may sing “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands.”

Nobody Told Me

Reader 1: Nobody told me I would really feel part of something so big, so wonderful, that when we
said the Promise together tonight that I would mean every word. Will I ever know all the
words? You’ll learn them, I was told.
Reader 2: Nobody told me that while I worried about about “doing the right thing at the right time,”
I would now be looked upon as “knowing all the answers” by the younger Girl scouts. What
if they won’t listen to me? They’ll learn from you, I was told.
Reader 3: Nobody told me I would really have to cook on an open fire. “I don’t know how to scramble
eggs or put up a tent.” You’ll learn, I was told. Nobody told me that I would really want to
go camping again. You’ll learn, I was told.
Reader 4: Nobody ever told me that I would become queasy or that my voice would crack when I
led the Flag Ceremony. “But, I’ve never done a flag ceremony, I said. What if I forget
the words? You’ll learn, I was told.
Reader 5: Nobody told me that the Girl Scout Law was made to help us become better people. How
will I learn to get along with so many girls, we’re all so different? You’ll learn, I was told.
Leader: Nobody told me that getting to know these girls would be so much fun. Nobody told
me, I learned.
In Unison: We are Girl Scouts. Four words, but, behind them, hundreds of feelings and thoughts.
We are Girl Scouts because we love the out-of-doors, singing, reading, learning how to
make things, and because we enjoy sharing with our friends in Girl Scouting. Nobody told
us that we would make so many friends! Nobody told us. We learned.

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