Glossary of Girl Scout Terms
Advisor- An adult who provides guidance to a Senior Girl Scout troop or planning board.
Badge- A round badge that can be earned by Junior Girl Scouts for completing a required number of activities in a certain area of interest such as science or camping.
Bank Account
- Troop bank accounts are made out in the name of "Girl Scout Council of the Columbia River, Troop #_____ (see Policies Standards and Procedures under Finances for detailed information).
Blue Book of Basic Documents
- A book for council administrators containing the Girl Scout Congressional Charter, Constitution, By-Laws, Membership Requirements, procedures for credentials, policies. The abridged version for leaders is called "Leader's Digest."
Board of Directors
- The governing body of the local Girl Scout Council: elected by the Delegate Body at the Council's Annual Meeting.
Bridge to Adults
- A pin worn on the adult uniform on the right side underneath the name tag, showing that a Senior Girl Scout spent part of her last year preparing for Adult Girl Scouting and participated in bridging activities.
Bridge to Brownie Girl Scouts
- A patch worn on the sash or vest showing that a Daisy spent part of her last year in Daisies preparing for Brownie Girl Scouting and participated in bridging activities.
Bridge to Cadette Girl Scouts
- A patch worn on the sash or vest showing that a Junior Girl Scout spent part of her last year in Juniors preparing for Cadette Girl Scouting and participated in bridging activities.
Bridge to Junior Girl Scouts
- A patch worn on the sash or vest showing that a Brownie Girl Scout spent part of her last year in Brownies preparing for Junior Girl Scouting and participated in bridging activities.
Bridge to Senior Girl Scouts
- A patch worn on the sash or vest showing that a Cadette Girl Scout spent part of her last year in Cadettes preparing for Senior Girl Scouting and participated in bridging activities.
Bridging
- Sequential activities that emphasize the continuance of the program and introduce girls within each age level to the next one. These activities also give the older girls a sense of personal responsibility for younger girls.
Brownie Girl Scout
- A Girl Scout in grades 1-2-3.
"Brownie Girl Scout Handbook"
- A book produced as both badge book and a resource which contains some activities through which you can earn "Try-its" for specific areas of interest. However, the handbook also contains chapters dealing with some of the problems that girls of this age group might be dealing with, and how to deal with them.
Brownie Gold
- The dues that Brownie Girl Scouts pay are called "Brownie Gold."
Brownie Ring
- A "Conference circle" or "talk-about" ring in which all members of the Brownie Girl Scout troop do planning and deciding. A form of troop government at the Brownie level.
Brownie Story
- Comes from an English tale, "The Brownies."
Brownie Wings
- Gold embroidered wings on green worn by Junior Girl Scouts to signify previous membership in a Brownie Girl Scout Troop. They are presented at a Fly-up Ceremony.
Buddy System
- A safety practice which requires that two girls of equal ability in an activity (e.g. swimming, hiking) keep watch over each other. The buddy system is used whenever girls leave the direct supervision of an adult.
Cadette Girl Scouts
- A Girl Scout in grades 7-8-9 (9th grade girls have the option of becoming a Senior Scout).
"Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Interest Project Patches"
- A book introduced and used since 1987 which contains Interest Projects and their accompanying patches. In order to attain an Interest Project Patch for a specific area an older girl must complete activities in various areas ranging from technology to service and career exploration for that topic.
C.I.T.
- Councilor-in-Training is an opportunity offered to older Girl Scouts to work with children in the out-of-doors while interning as a counselor in a Girl Scout camp.
Challenge Preps
- Prerequisites designed to test readiness to meet a challenge.
Challenges
- Real-life situations designed to challenge girls' abilities, knowledge, skills and leadership in Girl Scouting. The Cadette Girl Scout Challenge (The Challenge of Being a Girl Scout), is a requirement of the Silver Award. The Senior Girl Scout Challenge, (The Challenge of Living the Promise and Law) is a requirement of the Gold Award, and is designed to be earned by Senior Girl Scouts.
Cluster
- A grouping of Girl Scout Councils within a small geographic area who meet at least twice a year for input to the National Board.
Color Guard
- The team which carries and guards the flag at every flag ceremony; consists of flag bearers and guards and a Girl Scout in charge.
Cookie Program
- The annual sale by girls of Girl Scout Cookies. As a leader you will be asked by the Neighborhood Cookie Manager to appoint a Troop Cookie Chairman (a Troop Committee member or parent) to receive information and supplies to pass on to your troop. Your responsibility is to interpret to the girls why cookies are sold and to help them to be good salespeople.
Council
- A group of local men and women organized for the purpose of developing, managing maintaining Girl Scouting within a defined jurisdiction under a charter issued by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
Court of Awards
- An occasion at which Girl Scouts receive insignia for activities completed.
Daisy Girl Scouts
- A Girl Scout program level for 5 year old girls, or girls in Kindergarten.
Daisy Girl Scout Circle
- A form of government used by Daisy Girl Scouts that usually meets once a month. The girls, along with their leader, meet in a circle to plan, solve problems and make decisions. It differs from the Brownie Ring in that the Leader plays a more active role in structuring, directing and decision making in Daisy Girl Scouts.
Daisy Girl Scout Certificates
- Recognitions that Daisy Girl Scouts receive.
Daisy Girl Scout Scrapbook
- A book in which the Daisy Girl Scout keeps track of her accomplishment during first year as a Girl Scout.
Daisy Gordon Lawrence
- The first registered Girl Scout and niece of Juliette Gordon Low. Mrs. Lawrence celebrated her 65th year of Girl Scouting at the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut in Wilton in 1977.
Delegate Body
- The voting body of the council, composed of the delegates elected from each Neighborhood, Delegates to the National Convention, the officers and members of the Board of Directors, and members of the Council Nominating Committee. This body
gathers at the Annual Meeting.
Disclosure Policy
- A policy to present guidelines for handling the public information aspects of emergency situations in which council volunteers, girls, personnel or property are involved.
Dream Box
- A box containing girls' ideas to be used at a future time. Used in Brownie Girl Scout Troop Government; a good way of responding to each girl's suggestion.
Dues
- Troop dues are decided by the troop - whether or not to have them, how much and how often; these funds are used for troop activities.
Annual Membership Dues - Are collected from all girls and adult members of your troop each year to register as a member of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.; the national organization, which provides new programs, books, supplies pins, uniforms, and insurance, etc.
Dunk Bag
- A drawstring bag made of net or dish cloths to hold the eating utensils and plates of a camper. Each girl does her own dishes, rinses them, and then puts them in her bag and sanitizes the whole thing. She then swings the bag to dry the dishes or hangs
them to air dry.
Emergencies
- Report as soon as possible to the Girl Scout Service Center.
Executive Director E.D.
- The paid staff administrator who provides professional advice and assistance to the council, the Board of Directors, the President and other officers, committees, and chairman. She/he is responsible for administration of all work delegated to staff, and supervises the work of executive and clerical staff members. The E.D. is supervised by the council President.
Encampment
- A campout of several troops, usually from the same Neighborhood.
Fly-up
- A bridging ceremony at which a Brownie Girl Scout receives her Brownie wings, receives the Girl Scout Pin, renews the Girl Scout Promise, and becomes a Junior Girl Scout. Daisy Girl Scouts can also bridge to Brownie Girl Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts can
bridge to Cadette Girl Scouts, and Cadette Girl Scouts to Senior Girl Scouts.
Foot Traveller
- A symbol earned by Junior Girl Scouts indicating knowledge and skill in a particular subject. In the words of Juliette Low, "Badges are not medals to wear on your sash to show what a smart girl you are. . . a badge is a symbol that you have done the thing it stands for enough to be prepared to give service in it."
From Dreams to Reality
- A career exploration resource for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts designed to give hands-on experience in considering career possibilities; an important supplement to the Cadette and Senior Girl Scout program.
Girl Guide
- The term used instead of "Girl Scout" in many countries.
"Girl Scout Badges and Signs"
- A book introduced and used since 1980 which contains proficiency badges for Junior Girl Scouts that are known as "Foot Travellers." In order to attain a badge a Junior Girl Scout must complete activities in various areas dealing with a specific interest area.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
- The formal title of the Girl Scout Movement in the United States.
Girl Scouts on the Move
- A national program to assist girls moving into new communities by keeping them involved in Girl Scouting. Encourages young Girl Scouts to think of the move as an opportunity to carry the message of Girl Scouting from their old neighborhood to the
new community. A booklet with a button is available for each new girl planning to move.
Girl Scout Service Center
- The council office building.
Girl Scout Shop
- The name of the council retail sales outlet.
Girl Scout Week
- Celebrated each year during the week in which March 12th, the anniversary of the first Girl Scout troop meeting, falls. Girl Scouts were founded on March 12, 1912 (the Girl Scout Birthday).
Gold Award
- The highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Girls wishing to pursue this award must be a Senior Girl Scout, at least 14 years of age when they begin the requirements. Earning the Silver Award is a good experience to do beforehand, but is not required.
G.R.E.A.T. Guide
- Columbia River Girl Scout Council's training and program calendar.
GSUSA
- Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the registered name of the national organization, which is headquartered in New York.
Horseshoe
- A formation used by Girl Scouts. It is a symbol of good fortune, and signifies there is always room for one more.
Individual Girl Record Sheet
- A record of each girl's membership in Girl Scouts; to be passed on to her future leaders. (Helpful hint - put her registration I.D. Number at the top of the sheet; it will save time later.)
Insurance Brochure and Claim Form
- To give you information on insurance and a form with which to make claims. Brochure is included in your Registration Packet.
Interest Project Patch
- A rectangular patch that can be earned by Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts for completing a required number of activities in a certain area of interest.
"Interest Projects for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts"
- The newest older girl program book introduced in 1997 which contains Interest Projects and their accompanying patches. In order to attain an Interest Project Patch an older girl must complete activities in various areas ranging from technology to
service and career exploration.
Interest Project Patches
- Rectangular-shaped badges that can be earned by Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts for completing a required number of activities and service in a specific area of interest.
Investiture
- The ceremony during which an individual becomes a member of the Girl Scout movement by making the Girl Scout Promise, and receives her membership pin.
JLWFF - Juliette Low World Friendship Fund
- A voluntary fund to which Girl Scouts throughout the United States contribute each year. Funds are used to help build friendship and better understanding around the world through Girl Scouting by sponsoring international exchange projects and other
activities.
Juliette Gordon Low
- Founder of the Girl Scout movement in the United States. She was born October 31, 1860, founded Girl Scouting at the age of 52, and died January 17, 1927.
Junior Girl Scout
- A Girl Scout in grades 4-5-6.
Junior Aide Patch
- A patch earned by Junior Girl Scouts by participating in events helping Brownie Girl Scouts cross the bridge to Junior Girl Scouting.
"Junior Girl Scout Handbook"
- A book produced as an accompaniment to the badge book which contains some activities, but also contains chapters dealing with some of the problems that girls of this age group might be dealing with, and how to deal with them. There are also a few
badges in the book, along with the signs, and the activities that accompany them.
Kaper Chart
- A chart showing each girl or each patrol what its job is in any given project. It provides rotation for jobs.
Leader and Assistant Leader
- The most important adults in Girl Scouts, the leader and her assistant(s) are responsible for helping the troop carry out program in accordance with Girl Scout standards and values. They must agree to uphold the Promise and Law by signing the
Letter of Agreement, and must attend training offered by the Columbia River Girl Scout Council.
"Leader Magazine"
- A magazine published by the national organization and provided to all registered adult members. It contains news of projects, announcement of new materials, program helps, and success stories.
L.I.T. - Leader in Training
- A special program offered to Senior Girl Scouts to teach leadership skills. The girls then put these skills into use by working with a younger troop in their area as a troop
assistant.
"Leader's Digest"
- A booklet for leaders and other Girl Scout adults: an abridged version of the Blue Book, which contains official Girl Scout documents, policies and procedures.
Leadership Awards
- Awards to recognize Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts for having taken leadership roles in and out of Girl Scouting. The award for Cadette Girl Scouts is silver, and is gold for Seniors.
Macy
- Edith Macy Conference Center, located in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Opened in 1982, GSUSA operates this national center for the purpose of adult training and development.
Medical Forms
- See "SAFETY-WISE" camping standard #114 (page 42) for requirements and a sample form in this manual. Parents complete a medical history record (side one) and a physician's statement of examination (side two) is completed if needed.
Membership Director
- The executive staff member from the Girl Scout council office who works with the neighborhood and Innovative Program staff to further Girl Scouting in the area.
Membership Stars
- Stars which a girl member wears indicating each year that she has been a registered Girl Scout. Colored discs worn behind the stars indicate the level of scouting at which the star was received. (green = Brownie; yellow = Junior; white = Cadette; red = Senior)
Mess Kit
- Easily-transported eating utensils (plate, cup, pan, etc.) usually carried in a dunk bag.
Motto
- "Be Prepared." A maxim adopted as a guiding principle for members.
National
- A term used to refer to the national organization of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. (GSUSA)
National Centers
- Meeting places for Girl Scouts that are owned and operated by GSUSA. These centers sponsor events for girls and adults throughout the year.
- Juliette Gordon Low's Birthplace - Savannah, Georgia
- Edith Macy - Briarcliff Manor, New York
National Council Meeting
- "The convention" at which general direction to the Girl Scout movement is given by the National Council at its triennial meetings, to which our council sends delegates, the number being based on membership.
Neighborhood Chairperson
- The administrator of a fixed area in the district, appointed by the Board of Directors and responsible to the Field Executive. She/he is in charge of all troops within the specified area, presides at the Neighborhood Meetings, and is delegate to the Annual Council Meeting.
Neighborhood Meeting
- A get together of registered volunteer members (especially leaders) in a neighborhood for the purpose of conducting Council and neighborhood business, for discussing problems, planning neighborhood events, and evaluation of needs and Girl Scout Program.
Neighborhood Service Team (N.S.T.)
- A group of adults which provides direct supportive services to troops and leaders within a neighborhood and which plans and assists the Neighborhood Chairperson in conducting the business of the neighborhood. Composed of troop consultants, troop
organizers, the neighborhood registrar and other positions as needed. (i.e. Neighborhood Cookie Chairperson, Calendar Chairperson, Special Events Chairperson, etc.) The Membership Director usually attends meetings of the N.S.T.
New Games
- A new concept in non-competitive games which emphasizes cooperative effort. Many games can be played with no special equipment, and no athletic skills are needed.
Nominating Committee
- A committee that is aware of people in the community and within the council who have an interest in, or might benefit from Girl Scouting.
- Council Nominating Committee - Interviews prospective
Board members and delegates to the National Convention
and proposes a slate to the Delegate Body for election
at the Annual Meeting.
- Neighborhood Nominating Committee - Selects appropriate
candidates for the position of Neighborhood Chairperson
and delegates to be approved at a Neighborhood Meeting.
The Neighborhood Chairperson is recommended for
appointment to the Board Members.
Nosebag
- A lunch that is carried on a hike or field trip which can be eaten while walking.
Parent Consent Form
- Written permission, completed annually, from the parent or guardian for each girl to be a Girl Scout and to join a troop.
Patrol
- A group of girls with a girl leader, usually a subdivision of a Girl Scout troop; patrols generally contain no more than eight girls.
Patrol Cords
- A gold braided double circle attached to a green felt epaulet and worn on the left shoulder of the Patrol Leader. The smaller circle symbolizes her duty to the patrol, the larger circle symbolizes her duty to the troop.
Patrol System
- A representative form of troop government which is distinctive to Girl Scouting; composed of patrols and a Court of Honor.
Permission Slip
- Written parental consent for every girl wishing to participate in an activity that is held at a different place and/or time from the regularly scheduled meeting and/or involves unusual risk.
PLEASE
- Initials Standing for the Girl Scout Safety Principles, as described in SAFETY-WISE:
P = Parental Permissions and Health Examinations
L = Leadership
E = Equipment and Clothing
A = Activity and Transportation
S = Safety conscience
E = Emergency Procedures and First Aid
Policy
- An established course of action that is established by the Board of Directors. Policies are binding on those whom they affect. The Policies of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America are found in the Blue Book (and in the abridged version, Leader's Digest).
Product Sale
- The Girl Scout Council of the Columbia River has approved two Council-wide product sales: cookies and calendars.
Program Aide (P.A.)
- A girl member who is trained to give service to younger Girl Scouts, often in a camp situation, and who shares with them her talents, skills, and enjoyment of Girl Scouting.
Program Consultant
- A person who shares his/her interests and special abilities with troop members, usually by working directly with the girls, but sometimes by advising or instructing leaders or camp staff.
Program Emphases
- The four program emphases sum up the ways in which we hope individuals will grow through their Girl Scouting experience. In the Girl Scout Program, the goal for everything we do is the realization for each girl of these kinds of growth. The four
program emphases are:
- Developing Self-Potential
- Relating to Others
- Developing Values
- Contributing to Society
Program Standards
- Guides for councils and troops in judging and improving the quality of program for girls: established by the national organization and outlined in SAFETY-WISE.
Public Relations
- Each girl and adult in Girl Scouting is a part of the council's public relations and, when in uniform or doing Girl Scout activities, represents Girl Scouting in his/her community.
Quiet Sign
- The raising of the right hand with all five fingers extended to remind others of the fifth part of the Girl Scout Law, "I will do my best to be friendly and considerate," Upon seeing this reminder each person should stop talking and raise their own hand until everyone is quiet.
Recruitment
- A continuous process of encouraging more and more people to join the Girl Scout Movement, both as girls and adults.
Registered Girl Scout
- Any member of the Girl Scouts, girl or adult, who has paid the national membership dues, meets membership requirements and has his/her name listed with a troop, a committee, a council, or any other capacity.
Resource Centers
- Locations within the council where you may borrow Girl Scout materials.
Roster
- A yearly listing of service team members, chairmen, delegates, leaders and assistants within a neighborhood, with addresses and phone numbers for easy reference.
Roundtable
- A discussion group of people in the same position or interest, sharing experiences, solving problems, and/or learning new information. An informal get-together, usually with a specific purpose.
"SAFETY-WISE"
- A booklet for leaders who work with girls. It provides information for general safety consciousness, and safety references for specific Girl Scout activities. It covers safety
principles, activity check points, program standards, camping standards, and sample forms. This booklet should be kept with your leader manual. It is a resource for anyone working with troops, giving direct assistance or supporting services to leaders and the council.
Scout's Own
- A Girl Scout ceremony with a theme that is a special, quiet occasion set apart from work and play. The occasion is created from whatever is meaningful to you in Girl Scouting - to elaborate on one of the many inspirations, universal themes associated with Girl Scouting. All girls participate, each adding to the mood of expression of serious thought.
Senior Girl Scouts
- A Girl Scout in grades 9-10-11-12. (9th grade girls have the option of being a Cadette Girl Scout).
Service
- A Foundation element of Girl Scouting. Be sure the service is needed, the girls feel it is worthwhile, and that the service project is suited to the girls' age and abilities and relates to the on-going program of the troop. Girls should share in hoosing, planning, and evaluating the service they want to give. Your Troop Committee and Troop Consultant can keep you informed of community needs.
Service Mark
- The official emblem of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. This emblem, redesigned in 1978, incorporates the shape of the trefoil with forward-looking, contemporary girls' faces.
Service Team
- See N.S.T.
Signs
- Recognitions earned and worn by Junior Girl Scouts. Each sign includes many different subjects to explore.
Silver Award
- An award designed to be earned by Cadette Girl Scouts. This is the highest award which can be earned by Cadettes, and replaced the First Class Award.
Sister Troops
- Two troops of different levels who share activities throughout the year.
Sit-Upon
- A cushion to sit on in the out-of-doors; usually made from plastic and newspapers.
Slogan
- "Do a good turn daily."
S'Mores
- A campfire snack or dessert making a sandwich of a toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate squares of a candy bar, and graham crackers.
Senior Planning Board (S.P.B.)
- A group offering opportunities for planning and coordinating inter-group and council opportunities for Senior Girl Scouts. Troop representatives, an executive committee (president, vice president, secretary, and unit manager), and an adult advisor meet regularly from September to June. It is important that all Senior Girl Scout Troops participate in S.P.B. in order to make it an active, productive group. It serves as a supplement to troop program.
Sponsorship
- A method by which an interested club or organization may agree to provide meeting space and/or non-financial support.
Standard
- An established model or example which helps people achieve effective results through consistent action. Standards differ from policies in that they are models which should be followed, rather than strict rules for action which must be followed. National Camping Program Standards are found in "SAFETY-WISE," council Standards are located in the Program Level Guides.
Suzy Safety
- A symbol displayed in connection with any activity containing a potential safety hazard. (See SAFETY-WISE)
Thanks Badge
- The highest award which may be given to an adult volunteer in Girl Scouting. Potential recipients are recommended by the council Recognition Committee to the Board of Directors for approval.
