Traditions and Global Girl Scouting
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Global Girl Scouting
Global Girl Scouts strives to increase girls’ awareness about the world, promote cross-cultural learning opportunities, educate girls on relevant global issues, and inspire them to take action. Our goal is to encourage a global voice for girls and foster responsible global citizens who make the world a better place while creating a global sisterhood.
Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel
Visit our Travel page for more information on how to travel with Girl Scouts.
Be sure to check out our monthly Five Minute Global Enrichments
Five Minute Global Enrichments 
- September 2024: Travel Progression
- October 2024: International Day of the Girl
- November 2024: World Thinking Day
- December 2024: Destinations
- January 2025: World Centers
- February 2025: WAGGS Trefoil Pin
- March 2025: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- April 2025: The World Song
- May 2025: World Environment Day
- September 2025: Sangam World Center
- October 2025: Nuestra Cabana World Center
Visit our Travel page for more information on how to travel with Girl Scouts.
Global Action Award
In 2015, leaders worldwide agreed to work together to accomplish 17 goals by 2030: the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). They focus on topics like taking care of the environment, making sure all people have enough to eat, and improving people’s health. Although they’re big goals, Girl Scouts know a thing or two about changing the world!
Our Global Action award calls for girls to address the SDGs by discovering, connecting, and taking action in their communities and beyond. In 2023 we're emphasizing SDG 12: Responsible Consumption (how we use things) and Production (how we make things).
The Global Action award is an official national award, so Girl Scouts can wear it on their vest or sash.
Global Action Team
Have you ever thought about changing the world? That is what Girl Scouts (and their sister Girl Guides all over the world) do on a day-to-day basis. Global Girl Scouts is one way to interact with girls and communities around the world through participation in cross-cultural learning opportunities. Whether traveling internationally or working on project in their local community with a worldwide impact, Girl Scouts are learning leadership skills while making the world a better place.
You probably already know that there are Girl Scouts all over the United States, but did you know that your sisterhood stretches around the world, too? Girl Scouts of the USA is part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which includes 10 million girls in 150 countries. All those girls in all those counties are working to make the world a better place – just like you are!
Global Girl Scouts mission: To inspire girls and young women to reach their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world.
Opportunities to support Girl Scouts include traveling the world, earning the Global Action Award, donating to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, and participating in Global Action Days.
Questions? Email gscoglobal@gmail.com
Global Action Days Toolkit
Every Girl Scout is part of a special group of girls that stretches not just across the United States, but around the world. Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which includes 10 million girls in over 150 countries. All those girls, in all those countries, are working to make the world a better place. Throughout the year, girls have the opportunity to work together and participate in Girl Scout programming that relates to different global issues affecting women and girls.
This toolkit describes nine international days and is designed to help volunteers engage with Girl Scouts on these global days of action.
Global Girl Scouting Patch Program
In a world that is rapidly changing and developing, it can sometimes be hard to remember how we connect to other girls — especially the ones that aren’t in our immediate presence.
This workshop aims to help Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies develop a sense of connection to the rest of the world. Many of the activities included were inspired and adapted from activities described in Girl Scout resources and handbooks, with publications ranging from 1926 all the way up to last year, 2019. By mixing the ideas of the past with the current knowledge and resources of today, we can gain new insight about ourselves and our Girl Scout and Girl Guide sisters around the world.
WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts)
As Girl Scouts we are all members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Together we are the largest voluntary movement dedicated to empowering girls and young women in the world. WAGGGS enables girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. WAGGGS creates free downloadable activity packs addressing issues that face girls and young women globally.
Visit wagggs.org for activity packs and more information.
WAGGGS World Centers
Located in Africa, Switzerland, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. WAGGGS centers are wonderful places to connect with Girl Guides and Girls Scouts from around the world and learn about different cultures. To learn more about the WAGGGS World Centers visit: worldcentres.wagggs.org/
World Thinking Day
On February 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day -that’s one big celebration! The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), along with Girl Scouts of the USA and the other WAGGGS member organizations, have celebrated World Thinking Day since 1926. That’s when delegates from around the globe met at Camp Edith Macy—now called Edith Macy Conference Center—in New York and agreed that February 22 would now be known as a special day for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide.
- Celebrate World Thinking Day with Your Troop | Girl Scouts
- GSUSA World Thinking Day Resources
- WAGGGS World Thinking Day Resources
- Countdown to World Thinking Day
- Best Practices for a Successful World Thinking Day Event
2024 materials
- World Thinking Day 2024 Activity Guide for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors
- World Thinking Day 2024 Activity Guide for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
Planning a World Thinking Day event? Let us know.
Girl Scout History - All Levels
Girl Scout History Center
Did you know that Girl Scouts of Colorado has a history center? It’s a great place to learn about Girl Scouting history with lots of displays to view, old handbooks to browse, and uniforms to try on! The center’s display case has historic items from our vast collection like cameras, cookie incentives, jewelry, camping equipment, and dolls. There’s even a scavenger hunt! We can also provide uniforms, flags, or specialized program boxes (and sometimes in-person programs) for badge work or special events.
The center is located in Loveland and open for tours by individuals or troops. There is also a camping display in the Homestead House at Girl Scouts of Colorado’s Meadow Mountain Ranch. Learn more on the History page.
Contact gscohistory@gmail.com to make an appointment.
Girl Scout History Collection
The Girl Scout History Collection is a comprehensive history of the Girl Scout movement, seen through memorabilia, located in the Congress Park neighborhood of Denver. Thousands of items are on display including uniforms through the years, photos, camping gear, badges and insignia, and dozens of other categories. The collection is not open to the public, but you can schedule a tour for your Girl Scout troop. The tour consists of three or four parts, depending on troop level – a walk-though orientation, group discussion of Girl Scout history, and an opportunity for girls to explore the collection and ask about features that catch their attention. Girl Scout Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors may also elect to view the 1918 silent film, “The Golden Eaglet”.
To schedule a tour, email girlscoutcollection@gmail.com. If your troop is using the tour as part of the requirements toward a specific badge, let us know so the tour can be tailored to your needs. The exact address of the collection (Congress Park neighborhood of Denver) will be provided upon confirming your tour.
Tour duration:
Daisies – 45 minutes
Brownies – 1 hour and 15 minutes
Juniors and older – 1 hour and 30 minutes
Learn more about the Girl Scout History Collection on our blog.
Ceremonies & Traditions - All Levels
Girl Scouts love participating in time-honored celebrations, ceremonies and traditions, and they love making up their own traditions, too. Sharing traditions with millions of Girl Scouts—and the huge network of Girl Scout alumnae who came before them—helps remind girls they belong to a big, powerful sisterhood.
Girl Scout celebrations:
Founder’s Day
Juliette Gordon Low was born on October 31, 1860 a few months before the Civil War began. Girl Scouts of all ages honor Juliette Low’s birthday on or near October 31. Younger girls enjoy hearing the story of the founder, some plan a field trip or special outing like roller-skating, while older girls may choose to do a service project.
Learn more about Juliette Gordon Low here.
Girl Scout Leadership Day
Girl Scout Leader’s Day was first commemorated about 25 years ago on April 22. Originally designed to honor adult volunteers who led Girl Scout troops, over the years Leader’s Day has evolved to recognize the contributions of volunteers throughout our Movement. It is now more appropriately called Girl Scout Leadership Day, an inclusive term that acknowledges the important role that older girls, staff members and others play in striving to make Girl Scouting the premier leadership development organization for girls
Girl Scout Week
The first Girl Scout meeting was held on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga. On or near March 12 each year girls celebrate by eating birthday cake and ice cream, attending a unit event, joining with other troops and singing songs, conducting a service project or attending a council-sponsored event.
On this day Girl Scouts and Girl Guides worldwide celebrate international friendship. Each year on Feb. 22 they “think about one another” and the millions of members in this sisterhood. Learn more on the GSUSA website.
Girl Scouts of the USA is a member of the largest organization for girls and women in the world, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Currently there are 144 member countries of WAGGGS. WAGGGS operates four World Centers: Our Cabana in Cuernavaca Mexico, Our Chalet in Adelboden Switzerland, Pax Lodge in London England (adjacent the World Bureau) and Sangam in Pune India, where Girl Scouts and Girl Guides (adults and girls) from around the world are welcome to enjoy the sisterhood of Girl Scouting. The WAGGGS organization promotes a triennial theme of significance to the well being of girls worldwide. More information and practical activities relating to World Thinking Day is available on the WAGGGS Web site and the World Thinking Day site.
Girl Scout Traditions
Girl Scouts make the Girl Scout sign when they say the Girl Scout Promise. The three fingers represent the three parts of the Promise.
The Girl Scout motto is "Be prepared." In the 1947 Girl Scout Handbook, the motto was explained this way: "A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency." The same ideas are true today.
The Girl Scout slogan, which has been used since 1912, is "Do a good turn daily." The slogan is a reminder of the many ways girls can contribute positively to the lives of others.
Girl Scouts can greet each other with the Girl Scout handshake, used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. The handshake is made by shaking hands with the left hand and making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is nearest to the heart and signifies friendship.
The friendship circle stands for an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Everyone stands in a circle, crosses their right arms over their left, and clasps hands with their friends on both sides. Everyone makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand.
Girl Scouts often make small tokens of friendship to exchange with the Girl Scouts they meet when they travel. These little gifts are called SWAPS, which stands for Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere or Shared With A Pal.
Important Ceremonies in Girl Scouting
Flag ceremonies: It is a tradition for Girl Scouts to perform a flag ceremony at their troop meetings or at their schools, special events or other occasions.
Bridging ceremonies mark a girl's move from one level of Girl Scouting to another.
A Fly-Up is a bridging ceremony for Girl Scout Brownies bridging to Girl Scout Juniors. Girls receive the Girl Scout pin along with their Brownie wings.
A Highest Awards Ceremony honors Girl Scouts who have earned Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
Girl Scouts' Own is a girl-planned program that allows girls to explore their feelings around a topic, such as friendship or the Girl Scout Promise and Law, using spoken word, favorite songs, poetry, or other expressions. It is never a religious ceremony.
Investiture welcomes new members, girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Girl Scout Brownie, or Girl Scout Daisy pin at this time.
Journey ceremonies honor Girl Scouts who have earned the final award along a Journey. The ceremonies are usually held at the troop/group level and invite the girls to develop a themed celebration of their Journey, often including friends and family.
- Opening ceremonies start the Girl Scout meeting.
- Pinning ceremonies help celebrate when girls receive grade-level Girl Scout pins.
- Rededication ceremonies are an opportunity for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
The first Girl Scout meeting was held on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga. On or near March 12 each year girls celebrate by eating birthday cake and ice cream, attending a unit event, joining with other troops and singing songs, conducting a service project or attending a council-sponsored event.
Girl Scout Traditions:
Girl Scouts make the Girl Scout sign when they say the Girl Scout Promise. The three fingers represent the three parts of the Promise.
The Girl Scout motto is "Be prepared." In the 1947 Girl Scout Handbook, the motto was explained this way: "A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency." The same ideas are true today.
The Girl Scout slogan, which has been used since 1912, is "Do a good turn daily." The slogan is a reminder of the many ways girls can contribute positively to the lives of others.
Girl Scouts can greet each other with the Girl Scout handshake, used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. The handshake is made by shaking hands with the left hand and making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is nearest to the heart and signifies friendship.
The friendship circle stands for an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Everyone stands in a circle, crosses their right arms over their left, and clasps hands with their friends on both sides. Everyone makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand.
Girl Scouts often make small tokens of friendship to exchange with the Girl Scouts they meet when they travel. These little gifts are called SWAPS, which stands for Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere or Shared With A Pal.
Important Ceremonies in Girl Scouting
Flag ceremonies: It is a tradition for Girl Scouts to perform a flag ceremony at their troop meetings or at their schools, special events or other occasions.
Bridging ceremonies mark a girl's move from one level of Girl Scouting to another.
A Fly-Up is a bridging ceremony for Girl Scout Brownies bridging to Girl Scout Juniors. Girls receive the Girl Scout pin along with their Brownie wings.
A Highest Awards Ceremony honors Girl Scouts who have earned Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards.
Girl Scouts' Own is a girl-planned program that allows girls to explore their feelings around a topic, such as friendship or the Girl Scout Promise and Law, using spoken word, favorite songs, poetry, or other expressions. It is never a religious ceremony.
Investiture welcomes new members, girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Girl Scout Brownie, or Girl Scout Daisy pin at this time.
Journey ceremonies honor Girl Scouts who have earned the final award along a Journey. The ceremonies are usually held at the troop/group level and invite the girls to develop a themed celebration of their Journey, often including friends and family.
- Opening ceremonies start the Girl Scout meeting.
- Pinning ceremonies help celebrate when girls receive grade-level Girl Scout pins.
- Rededication ceremonies are an opportunity for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Community Service - All Levels
From educating communities about food production and selling Treasury Bonds during WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic to planting victory gardens and training in first aid during WWII, Girl Scouts have always stepped up in times of need, and our current COVID-19 crisis is no different. All across our country and our world, Girl Scouts have leapt to the aid of others by engaging in wonderful acts of service and kindness.
Visit the GSUSA National Service Projects page to learn how you can get involved in these projects.
Remember: While Girl Scouts are encouraged to volunteer in their communities, they are not allowed to raise funds for other organizations.
Other service opportunities:
- Prom Dress Exchange Community Service: Every year around prom season, Prom Dress Exchange hosts an event where girls throughout Denver can shop an inventory of gently used and new formal dresses. Girl Scouts can engage with Prom Dress Exchange in the following ways:
- Prom Dress Drives: This is an opportunity for Girl Scouts and/or troops to host a dress drive during the year and learn about event promotion, planning, hosting, sorting, and wrapping up a successful event.
- Prom Dress Inventory: We purge, sort, tag, and inventory prom dresses a few times yearly on a "need-based" schedule. We don't have a brick-and-mortar facility and operate out of a storage pod.
- Fashion Show: We would be open to donating dresses if any Girl Scouts and/or troops would be interested in hosting a fashion show focused on sustainability, gently used garments, repurposed dresses, redesigned dresses, etc.
- Upcycle: We would be happy to donate our purge dresses, which might otherwise end up in the landfill, for girls to cut up, experiment with, redesign, and/or make into other products.
- Promotion: We would love to let the girls loose to spread the word about what we do by promoting our one-day pop-up shop to Colorado High Schools. This would expose the girls to grassroots efforts, cold calling, marketing, and event promotion.
Please contact Jessica Montour at Contact Us — Prom Dress Exchange
- Volunteer with Family Promise: Family Promise is a homeless shelter for Denver-area families. We need volunteers every weekday night or weekend day to help serve meals to the families, participate in craft activity and just spend time with the children and parents transitioning out of homelessness. Please email hello@familypromiseofgreaterdenver.org to learn more and/or participate!
- Reading Partners - Elementary School Reading Tutoring: Reading Partners is a literacy non-profit that provides one-on-one tutoring services for children struggling with basic reading skills. By pairing students with a community mentor we are able to provide them with the attention and help they need to be stronger students and individuals. We have 11 centers located around the Denver-metro area, all with diverse schedules. This is a week day volunteer opportunity, and perfect for any troop looking for community service, badge-work, or potential Gold Award projects. Click on the title above for additional information and a list of participating schools. For more information, contact Susan Andersen at VolunteerCO@readingpartners.org or call (720) 965-0266.
- Project C.U.R.E.: Kits for Kids - The Kits for Kids program supplies families in the developing world with common "medicine cabinet" items. Everyday supplies that we find in U.S. households like bar soap, antibiotic ointment, and bandages are very rarely found in clinics or homes in the developing world. You can send Kits for Kids to clinics and households all around the world in some easy steps:
- Complete the Kits for Kids Request Form.
- Fill bags: Please include ALL items listed here.
- Drop bags: Please take completed Kits for Kids to our Centennial warehouse at 10377 E. Geddes Ave, Ste. 200 Centennial, CO 80112
- Track your Kit(s) by using the tag on the bags if you would like to find out where they go!
- One Warm Coat
One Warm Coat is a national non-profit that partners with agencies that support communities in need (that need coats) and volunteers (that hold coat drives). In our 30 years of operation, One Warm Coat has provided over 8 million coats to those in need, partnered with over 1,500 non-profit agencies and kept millions of tons of clothing waste out of landfills.
Every year, my daughter and I hold a coat drive for a local middle school's students experiencing homelessness and a local homeless shelter. I would love to be connected with some front range troops to see if they would also support local coat drives to support these non-profit groups supporting those in need. One Warm Coat has a Girl Scout badge for volunteers: https://www.onewarmcoat.org/home/organizer-resources/schools-youth/girl-scout-patches/
One Warm Coat has really awesome resources for volunteer groups and companies that do Coat drives. For example, there are resources to create flyers here: https://www.onewarmcoat.org/organizer-resources/flyers/
Troops with questions and want to coordinate a Coat Drive, and/or are in Northern Colorado, can contact Susan Peterson, susanpetersonsturm@gmail.com.
Girl Scouts and Faith - All Levels
Celebrating Spirituality and Faith
Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which include many principles and values that are common across religions. Because we understand that religious instruction is at the center of many families and communities, we invite Girl Scouts to take spiritual journeys via their faith’s religious recognitions. Girl Scouts is welcoming and inclusive to members of all faiths.
See how members can connect their faith with their Girl Scouting activities.
Meet Juliette Gordon Low - All Levels
Meet Juliette Low
"Meet Juliette Low” is a one-woman live 50-minute presentation suitable to all your Girl Scouts from Daisies to Leaders. Wearing an authentic costume, Charlotte will provide a lively interactive program (the girls learn quick semaphores, formal tea drinking, answering questions and more) including highlights of Daisy’s life and the founding of Girl Scouts in the USA. A display with photos from her life and bookmarks for participants are provided. As a life-long Girl Scout I have enjoyed performing for tea parties, Founders Day, Thinking Day and other events for Service Units, large individual troops and the statewide council in Colorado and Wyoming.
Download the flyer for full details.
You can contact Charlotte at Charlotte.Talbert@comcast.net.
Songbird choir - All Levels
Songbird Choir
Songbirds Girl Scout Choir has been singing since 2002 and is open to all who wish to sing and learn songs from the past and present in the Girl Scout traditions. All ages are welcome. Guitar class is offered. Song books are provided. The choir can perform where requested wearing royal blue logo polo shirts. There is no cost and no registration is required. Open to all Girl Scouts, troops, neighbors, parents, friends -- anyone of any age! The more the merrier. Choir director is Penny Roberts, probertscolo@gmail.com, PO Box 211, Estes Park, Co. 80517 or 970 586 1775.
Get-togethers are held September through May on the second Saturday of every month, including holidays. No registration or fee required!
Place: Berthoud Elementary School, Bunyan Avenue
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Performances: As requested, usually two to three per year, usually in the spring, depending on participation. We usually prefer 10 - 12 singers to make a good showing.
Provided by the choir: "Big" song book, guitar book, "Singing Games & Clapping Hands." We can do Lemmie Sticks, royal blue polo shirts with embroidered logos.
Other Activities - All Levels
“Latines y El Futuro” Plan de Estudios
En este plan de estudios, agregué el esquema que seguí para organizar mis eventos (incluidas actividades, notas para quienes los organizan y otros detalles). Hice esto con laintención de que los eventos se realicen después de la escuela (o similar), pero también se puede adaptar a un día de clase regular. Espero que esto pueda ayudar a organizar este evento en el futuro y seguir inspirando a los líderes del futuro.
