Girl Scout Traditions
Juliette Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, understood how special words and signs helped girls feel they are members of a group. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all around the world share special signs like a handshake, a squeeze, a motto, and a slogan. These special signs overcome barriers of language and culture as they remind us of the rules that we live by.
The Friendship Circle
Like in King Arthur's court, all girls in the friendship circle are equal. All have a say!
It symbolizes the link between all the girls in the troop,
as well as all Girl Scouts throughout the world
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The Girl Scout Motto "Be prepared." |
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The Girl Scout Slogan "Do a good turn daily." |
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The Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try
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The Girl Scout Sign
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The Girl Scout Sign is made by raising the three middle fingers of the right hand and holding your pinky finger with your thumb. This sign stands for the three parts of the Promise. |
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You give the sign when:
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The Girl Scout Handshake
The Girl Scout handshake is a formal way of greeting other Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
You shake hands with the left hand and give the Girl Scout sign with your right hand.
The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful, considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others, respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Taps
Singing TAPS is special that way that Girl Scouts say good-bye to one another at the end of a meeting or ceremony. Girls should stand in a circle with their right arm crossed over their left, and grasp the hand of their neighbor at both sides. Girls should be quiet, as this can be a good time for the leader to relay last minute instructions and reminders.
TAPS should be sung with reverence, and can be followed by the friendship squeeze.
Day is done, gone the sun, from the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.
The Friendship Squeeze
The Friendship Squeeze is usually done immediately following the singing of Taps. Girls should hum Taps until the squeeze is complete. It should act as a reminder to the girls of their link to all other Girl Scouts.
Girls remain in the circle with their right arm crossed over their left, and keep holding their neighbors hands.
The leader squeezes the hand of the girl to her right who then squeezes the girl to her right, and so on until the squeeze once again reaches the leader.
At this time the leader raises her hands into the air above her head (still crossed and holding her neighbors hands), and the girls do the same.
Each then turns to the outside, so the now uncrossed hands are behind their backs. Each girl then lets go and they are then free to leave.
GIRL SCOUTS
Growing to your fullest potential Sharing your experiences with others Caring for the environment Opening doors to the future Undertaking new adventures Traveling to new places Showing others how special YOU are! |
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You say the Girl Scout Promise.