Excerpted from Ceremonies in Girl Scouting, copyright 1990, Girl Scouts of the USA, used with permission. You may check out this and other helpful books from the council library.

The presentation ceremonies of both the Girl Scout Silver Award and the Girl Scout Gold Award should follow the basic ceremony worksheet found in this book (page 7). These are the two highest awards in Girl Scouting and should be publicized as much as possible.

Factors to take into consideration when planning the ceremony

• The date, time of day, and location.
• Who will be invited?
• Who will take an active part in the ceremony?
• Refreshments/reception: Where will it be held, what will be served, and who will pay for it (parents, troop, service unit)?
• Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors, formal or informal?

The main differences between Silver Award and Gold Award ceremonies are the atmosphere or mood to be set and the formality of the ceremony.

The Silver Award is the highest award available to a Cadette Girl Scout and may be shared with guests in a more informal, youthful manner. It represents a service given to others, but also presents a further challenge to its recipient. It challenges the Cadette Girl Scout to do more for those around her and to reach for an even higher goal.

The Gold Award is the highest award given to a Senior Girl Scout and is usually earned closer to the time that the Senior Girl Scout reaches adulthood and takes on new responsibilities. Most Girl Scouts who receive this award have put in long hours of work.

Through it all they have pressed onward and grown in the knowledge that through their unfailing service to others they have received a great deal in return. In the Gold Award ceremony they receive the symbol of the highest Girl Scout achievement - a symbol indicating that the Girl Scout wearing the award has not only set a goal, but has striven to reach that goal and then gone beyond.

Others see the Gold Award recipient as an adult willing to face challenges with a high level of energy and determination.

Sample Girl Scout Gold Award Ceremony

This ceremony can be adapted for girls who are receiving the Girl Scout Silver Award.

Opening: A flag ceremony done by members of her troop or service unit. A poem or reading done by the honoree that has a special meaning to her.

Musical Interlude: A song or instrumental solo.

Profile of the Honoree's Years as a Girl Scout: By an adult volunteer or staff person.

Overview of Her Girl Scout Gold Award Project: By the adult(s) with whom she worked on the project.

Reading or Poem: This may be one which expresses service as its theme, followed by any personal statements the adult may want to make about the honoree. This can be done by the troop leader or by an adult Girl Scout.

Presentation of the Following:

• Letter from the President of the United States
• Letter from GSUSA Girl Scout Gold Award (by Council CEO/President)
• Parent pin (miniature of Girl Scout Gold Award), if desired

Presentation of Gifts: From the troop, service unit, or person she worked with.

Closing: The retiring of the flag; a song, poem, or favorite quotation presented by members of the honoree's troop or service unit.

Refreshments: Hosted by members of the troop or service unit (parents, girls, adult leader).