-
Encourage
girls to share ideas - after all, it's their ceremony
-
Devote
sufficient time to planning the ceremony. Good ceremonies
have a clear purpose and enrich the meaning and mood of the
ceremony.
-
Keep
the ceremonies short (less than an hour) so the girls don't lose
interest.
-
Take
safety precautions when using candles or fires, or when
constructing bridges or platforms.
-
Let
the girls know that the mood of the event can be
serious, festive, or quiet, though for younger girls, an
active or festive mood may be most appropriate.
-
Relate
bridge or flying up to moving from one school grade to another so the
girls can understand its significance.
-
Add
personal elements to traditional ceremonies, such as using
favorite poems, songs or sayings, or write something of your
own.
-
Consider
the role of colors and symbols that you might use in your
ceremony.
-
Encourage
creativity and innovation for a truly fun an inspiring event.
-
Let
the girls know they can participate in a variety of way: sending
invitations, telling stories, writing poems, or making collages.
-
Offer
every girl a role to play, but know that some girls may choose not to
participate in the planning. Of course, girls who don't take an active
role should still be able to participate in the ceremony.
-
Suggest
ways for girls to acknowledge the cultural richness within their
group. For example, bilingual troop members can teach others a phrase
to incorporate into the ceremony.
-
Before
the ceremony, let the girls know of the great adventures in store at
their next level of Girl Scouting! Then, at the ceremony, make sure
girl hear even more about what they'll do.
-
Take
lots of pictures to share.
-
Have
awards on hand for all the girls.
-
Be
free with praise of girls' accomplishments
