Ceremonies can make magical moments for all of us involved in Guiding.
Who doesn't remember being enroled as a Brownie in a magical forest of
christmas lights, magical stones, toadstools and elves? From the very youngest
of us to the very oldest, a special ceremony can make memories the
girls will treasure forever. Remember this when planning your ceremonies.
They can be strictly Guiding themed, or not, but put your heart into it,
the girls and their parents will notice your efforts!
Here are a few to get you started, most can be adapted for any age group!
Be sure to discuss the ceremony with the girls involved and make sure
they all understand what is going on, who will be there, and WHY the
ceremony is occurring. Make sure, especially with Sparks, that they
understand what it means to belong to something, what the enrolment is and why we have ceremonies.
This little chat is beneficial for every branch of Guiding.
Have the girls make their own invitations for their special guests and
be sure to invite appropriate Commissioners, etc. well ahead of time.
Don't forget to use your Guider Manuals and PO&R's for Guidelines
regarding your enrolments. Have Fun! Have them outside, have them at
Camp, use props, have a theme, the possibilities are ENDLESS!
P.S. Don't forget the refreshments!
GONE FISHING ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
THE NORTHWIND ENROLLMENT
CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY FOR GUIDES AND PATHFINDERS
SPARK TREASURE CHEST
ZINNIA ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
ANOTHER CANDLELIGHT GUIDE CEREMONY
PATHFINDER ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
FLOWER ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY
STREAMER ADVANCEMENT
CAMPFIRE CEREMONY
LADY BADEN POWELL ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY
LITTLE CHICKS LEAVING THE NEST
SPARKS HAVE SPARKLE
TRUE TREASURES
RIBBONS AND CANDLES CEREMONY
GONE FISHING ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
Make paper trees and flowers along a river bank. Make paper or foam plate
fish. For each girl to be enroled, make a paper fish tail and two fins.
Have crepe paper and streamers in several shades of blue and green.
Make a large fishing rod, with string and a extra large cardboard hook.
A fish net and a great big fisherman hat with lures would add to the fun!
Any water song would go appropriately with this enrolment, as you "Catch"
your enrollees. For Sparks, Row Row Row Your Boat would be good,
Michael Row Your Boat Ashore is another good one.
Girls in the Unit hold the streamers to form the stream or river.
They can go across as well as side to side. The girls wave the streamers
to make waves. A fishtail is attached to the back of each girl to be
enrolled and a fin to each arm. Each girl is then put up the river to
swim. Other girls can be fish too, if your unit is large. Each enrollee
is "hooked" by the Guider at the top of the stream who them listens to
her Promise, pins her, and puts her back in the water. This continues until
everyone being enrolled has been "hooked", said her Promise and been
pinned.
Additional Ideas: Have a blue punch, goldfish crackers and other theme
related food. This adds to the fun!
THE NORTHWIND ENROLLMENT
Make paper snowflakes and snowmen throughout your hall. Make snowflake
headgears for everyone in the unit except Patrol Leaders or Circle Leaders.
All girls being enrolled and members of the unit except for P.L's and
C.L's are wearing their snowflake head gear. They are dressed in white
or in uniform with white streamers tucked into their pants, belts, etc.
The North Wind blows. (This is P.L's/C.L's howling, whistling and
floating thru the hall. The snowflakes are scattered, they move around the
room as if blown by the wind. One P.L or C.L catches one of the
enrollees and brings her to the Guider who, after listening to her
Promise, pins her. The NorthWind blows again and the snowflake rejoins
the storm. The next P.L or C.L catches another snowflake and the
process repeats itself until they are all finished. This is a great ceremony
if you hold off on your enrolments until December.
Additional Ideas: Have a frosty white punch, make snowflake invites
for your special guests. Wandering Wind is a good themed song.
CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY FOR GUIDES AND PATHFINDERS
Have some streamers and balloons around the hall, traditional decor for a
party/ceremony.
Have 7 candles in holders arranged on a center table around a large
blue or green candle. 7 girls who are already enrolled will come
forward and light one of the candles and recite one of the Guiding
Laws. (Be Honest and Trustworthy, Use your resources wisely..etc.) Once
All the Law candles are lit, each enrollee comes forward to recite her
Promise. Once all the girls have recited and been pinned, another girl or
Guider (if you have no girls left) lights the large candle in the centre (The Promise
Candle) and says words to the effect of...This Promise Candle is lit
to recognize the Guiding Promise that each of these girls have made
tonight. Keep the ideals burning in your hearts from here on.
Additional Ideas: Make New Friends, Whene'er You Make A Promise are
appropriate songs for this ceremony.
SPARK TREASURE CHEST
Have the girls decorate a box at a previous meeting to be your treasure
chest. You can get wonderful jewels from Craft stores, use yarn, tinfoil
or any other recyclables that make your box beautiful.
Guide Store sells some lovely (and relatively inexpensive) necklaces with
Sparks on them, or the girls can make a necklace for the occassion.
As each Spark says her Promise, they reach into the treasure chest and
receive a "Spark"ling necklace.
Additional Ideas: Have treasure chest invitations made for the guests.
Have refreshments with lots of pink and silver candy sprinkles.
ZINNIA ENROLLMENT CEREMONY (Owls and Toadstools April 1980)
Girls to enrolled are "planted" by their Circle Leaders. They can be curled up on the floor.
The gardener (Brown Owl)comes along with a watering can.
"I wonder if it is time for these Zinnia seeds to sprout. I guess before they grow they will
have to have the special ingredients needed to make a flower grow and bloom. Let's see if
we can sprinkle everything that is needed."
"Let's sprinkle the first one with a Brownie Promise."
"The second one will get the Brownie Motto."
"The third one will hear the Brownie Story."
"The fourth one can learn the Brownie Law."
"We can use the Guiding handshake to help the fifth one grow."
"And a lovely Brownie Smile should start the sixth one growing."
Girls being enrolled could be sprinkled with confetti. As each is sprinkled the Brownie's
parent can come up and tie on their tie.
"Now a food dose of Brownie fun and laughter, and a rousing Grand Howl should do the trick.
Let's see what will happen."
Brownies do the Grand Howl and the Zinnias stretch and grow tall.
"Look, now we have six new Brownies!"
Additional Ideas: Have some theme treats, like dirt (crushed oreos) and gummy worms! An
appropriate song would be I Love the Flowers.
ANOTHER CANDLELIGHT GUIDE CEREMONY
For this particular candlelight ceremony you will need a large Globe of the world, 1 large
blue candle, 1 large white candle, 7 small white candles and 11 small blue candles. You will
need candle holders or play dough to hold the candles.
The globe goes in the centre of a table. Horseshoe is formed. As the large blue candle is lit
and placed on one side of the globe, the Guide Promise is said by the entire unit.
As the large white candle is lit on the other side of the globe, a Guider recites the Aim of
Girl Guides.
Guides to be enrolled will have the small candles.
Guides take turns reciting each Law and when finished a white candle is lit and placed in
holders or play dough and when complete, will circle the globe.
The same is done with the objectives, the blue candles are placed between the white candles.
Once all the candles are lit, enrol the new Guides. Dim the lights.
When all the girls have been enrolled:
Leaders say: As the candles circle this Globe of the world, so does Guiding. Each small candle
represents a Law or objective leading towards the goal of keeping our Promise and meeting our
Aim. Let these flames show you the way.
Additional Ideas: Any Guiding songs are appropriate, On My Honour, The Guide Law Song, The
Guide Marching Song.
PATHFINDER ENROLLMENT CEREMONY
Green ribbons, about 2 ft. long with each girls first name written on them.
As each girl is enrolled, the ribbon is pinned on her right sleeve. Girls join in a circle
holding onto ribbons between one another. Or create a May Pole using green ribbon attached
to a pole in the centre of the circle. As girls are enrolled, they hold one end of the ribbon.
FLOWER ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY
For each advancing girl, 7 flowers are required. Depending on what is available in season or what is least expensive will
dictate what flowers you may use. The 7 flowers are each representative of a Guide law and an appropriate referal to the Guide Law should be used.
For example, The first Guiding Law challenges us to be honest and Trustworthy. Take this white Lily as a symbol of purity, and may we always
strive to be honest to ourselves and others.
The second Guiding Law challenges us to Use our resources wisely. Take this yellow Sunflower as a reminder that Our Resources are as
precious as Gold and should never be wasted.
The third Guiding Law challenges us to Respect Ourselves and Others. Take this fern to remind us never to be green with envy of anyone else.
Love one another as we love ourselves.
The fourth Guiding Law challenges us to Recognize and use our talents and abilities. Take this baby's breath as a reminder
that we are born innocent and develop talents and abilities throughout our whole lifetime. May we always be accepting to
learning new things about ourselves, like when we were children.
The fifth Guiding Law challeges us to Protect our Common Environment. Take this red rose as a reminder of the beauty of our earth.
No flower is more beautiful than the red rose.
the sixth Guiding Law challenges us to Live with Courage and Strength. Take this white carnation as a symbol of strength. The carnation lasts
the longest of all the flowers in a bouquet. May we draw strength from it.
The last Guiding Law challenges us to Share in the Sisterhood of Guiding. Take these forget me nots (or any other flower that
comes collectively) to remind us of all our Guiding Sisters, those we know and those that are yet to come.
Finish off by tying each girl's bouquet with a lovely blue and green ribbon.
STREAMER ADVANCEMENT
The Unit completes Horseshoe and the advancing Girls fall out and form a line at the base of the horseshoe. The remaining girls
turn the horseshoe formation into two straight lines. One streamer for each Advancing girl is strung from one side of the line to
the other. Typically, I compose a poem with a paragraph for each girl. As they hear their section of the poem, they step through, or cut through the streamers until they are
in a line at the front of the group, at which time they can be pinned, receive their certificates, and awards.
CAMPFIRE ENROLMENT/ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY
If doing as an enrolment ceremony, choose songs that represent what Guiding is all about, for Advancements, use the approach of what the girls have learned.
For example, an appropriate opening for an enrolment might be "You have made good friends in Guiding already, in Sparks and
Brownies. But the fun and friendships are not over! Sing: Make New friends" and so on. Be sure that everyone knows the songs that
you have chosen and have practised beforehand.
LADY BADEN POWELL ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY
This great new ceremony was written by Melanie Tucker, 14th Guides. The nice thing is that
it doesn't just have to be for the Lady Baden Powell Award, with a quick change of some words
it is adaptable for fun and Challenge pin recipients or Senior Branch!
Each girl receives a pre made shoebox, decorated to look like a suitcase with the letters
L.J on it prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
These "# of girls" young ladies tonight will be presented with their Lady Baden Powell award.
They have worked hard all year to complete the necessary badges, program and Guiding
Principles to achieve this.
Lady Baden Powell was a woman of conviction and purpose. She was a lover of travel; actually
meeting her future husband, Lord Baden Powell on a cruise ship. She always carried with
her her suitcase of precious belongings, which had L.J (standing for Long Jouney)
inscribed upon it.
As these girls receive their precious gifts tonight, they can place them in their own suitcase
as they leave us and prepare for their own long journey. We are very confident that
their journey into their futures will be filled with purpose as well as fun.
You completed your Discovering Challenges in your community,which gave you the opportunity
to pass on your knowledge to others. Thake this notebook on your journey with you
so that you may continue to share your knowledge with others in your lives.
You completed your Discovering Challenges for the Outdoors which taught you about the Earth
around you and gave you the opportunity to experience the outdoors and all it has to offer
with your peers. Take this compass on your journey so that if you stray from
your path you can always find your way.
You completed your Discovering Challenges for the Horizons, which taught you about your
likes, dislikes, and feelings and that whatever they may be they are yours alone. Take this
mirror to remind you that you should never be afraid to just be yourself; and
that there will always be people that love and cherish you, just because you're YOU!
You completed your Discovering Challenges for the Future which taught you to look forward
and not backward; and to be ready and willing to try new things. Take this timepiece
to remind you that time should always be treasured, and to live every moment fully.
We have treasured your time with us in Guides. We look forward to a new FUTURE on the HORIZON
for you. Continue to love the OUTDOORS and CHALLENGE yourself. Be a role model for your
COMMUNITY.
Enjoy your LONG JOURNEY.
Girls would then receive their pins and close with an appropriate song and taps. An appropriate
song might be the Happy Wanderer.
LITTLE CHICKS LEAVING THE NEST
This one is SO cute, and the parents just LOVE it! It is guaranteed they will be snapping photos
throughout the entire ceremony!
* Make a big “nest”; you can use comforters, or any kind of bedding; you could build one
if you are so inclined; or even use real straw, perhaps in a child’s swimming pool
(keep in mind that your whole unit should be able to fit inside together for maximum cuteness!)
* Ahead of time, make a bird mask for each girl; as fancy or plain as you like
* Cut a pair of wings for each girl– you may decide only the girls advancing to Brownies will have wings,
because the others are too young to leave the “nest” yet; or you may decide to give the advancing girls
orange wings and the ones staying pink ones...it is up to you! A good material for wings is dollar store
tablecloths– they are inexpensive, come in many colours, and you can get a lot of wings from just one!
* The leaders can dress up as Mother Hens– I will leave that costume idea up to you...but we have found
after years of leading Sparks that everyone loves it when we dress the part and get really involved in what we are doing.
SPARKS HAVE SPARKLE
This theme can include lots of glitz and sparkle, add anything you think fits the bill!
* Make crowns for all the girls using star garland and lots of curling ribbon to hang down
* Make wands for the girls using whatever you have on hand, with lots of glitter and sequins
* Buy Glow Stick stuff– like necklaces, bracelets, etc.– they come in many colours, last for
a few hours, and everyone loves them!
Proceed with your presentations, as your 2nd year Sparks “Sparkle Up” to Brownies.
TRUE TREASURES CEREMONY
True Treasure in life
Is not silver or gold.
More precious than jewels
Are the values we hold.
(“Treasure Chest “for each girl, fake jewels as mentioned below.)
You each promise to be:
Honest and Trustworthy as true blue as the sapphire…
Use your resources wisely protect the future as amber protects the past…
Respect yourself and others valuing yourself and others like precious diamonds…
Recognize and use your talents and abilities like pearls of wisdom…
Protect our Common Environment like sky and water as pure as aquamarine…
Live with courage and strength ready to solve problems hard and dark red ruby…
And Share in the sisterhood of Guiding as full of loving light as the glowing opal.
(Perhaps these could be made into necklaces or crowns of Guiding Values, or peel and stick
jewels could be formed into trefoils...At this point you can mention ways they have learned these valuable treasures of Guiding!)
RIBBONS AND CANDLES CEREMONY
This ceremony was adapted for use in Canadian Guiding by Melanie Tucker, originally found
on www.kidslist.com
Materials needed: 7 white candles tied with specific colored ribbon
Each girl reads a line and lights the candle.
I have done my best to:
Be Honest and Trustworthy: The purple ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Guides’
sense of being careful with resources. She uses her materials, money, time and energy wisely.
A Girl Guide does not waste the Earth’s resources.
Use My Resources Wisely: The green ribbon in this candle represents a Girl Guides’ sense
of integrity. A Girl Guide directs her thoughts and deeds to encompass her own beliefs
and to be sensitive to, and respectful of the beliefs of those around her.
Recognize and use my talents and Abilities: The gold ribbon on this candle represents
a Girl Guides’ sense of ownership and pride in her work. She readily admits her strengths
and weaknesses and is aware of the consequences of her actions. A Girl Guide is up front
with their intentions.
Protect our Common Environment: the brown ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Guides’
sense of improvement. A Girl Guide strives to be clean, conserve and enrich the world
around her. She believes it is important to leave a place better than when she found it.
Live with courage and strength: The red ribbon on this candle represents a Girl Guides’
sense of adventure and independence. A Girl Guide attempts new tasks and braves new
endeavors. She is confident and self–assured in her actions.
Share in the sisterhood of Guiding: the silver ribbon on this candle represents a Girl
Guides’ loyalty to sisters all over the world. A Girl Guide is always ready to accept
more friends into her ever widening circle. She treats all of her sisters with kindness,
acceptance and warmth.
(Once all of the readings are finished and candles lit, you could sing an appropriate song
and say a few departing words to advancing Girls, pin them and wish them well!) An
appropriate song for this ceremony might be make New Friends, On My Honour or the Guide Law
Song.