Leominster Girl Scouts
(a member or the Montachusett Girl Scout Council and Apple Valley Association)

Thinking Day Ceremonies

Needed: A large felt board with a blue background. Cutouts of the World Trefoil Pin, made from felt, separated into the different sections that the girls will place upon the board as they recite their part.

First Girl: These leaves represent the four corners of the earth. It is the emblem of friendship among people. Upon this background we will place the trefoil known to all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the world. I place mine with the hope that we may soon again clasp friendly hands around the world. (Place leaf)

Second Girl: I place my leaf for all those that comes from the high mountain regions. May the world again know what it means to be safe. (Place leaf)

Third Girl: This leaf I place for those who come from farms, plantations, and ranches, it is with the hope that hunger shall be driven from places far and near that I place this leaf. (Place leaf)

Fourth Girl: This stem represents the arts and sciences, through them all women are sisters. May they become friends through understanding. (Place stem)

Fifth Girl: The stars in the two leaves of the trefoil stand for the promise and laws, They are the leading stars which we shall always keep before us. (Place stars)

Sixth Girl: The vein or line the compass needle which will always give us the right course or way in scouting. (Place compass needle)

Seventh Girl: This flame like base, the flame of the love of mankind, symbolizes the highest thought in international friendship. It completes the whole. I put it here with the hope that there will one day be life abundant for all ages and races and creeds. May this flame encircle the world with good will and always burn brightly and intensely in the heart of all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides. (Place outside circle with flame)

Eighth Girl: The golden trefoil represents the sun shining in a blue sky which is over all the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of the world. And now let us all repeat our Girl Scout Promise, which is universal.

Group repeats the Girl Scout Promise.

Pins are given to girls by the leader and are pinned on each other by her ”buddy” or the girl next to her. They give the Girl Scout handshake.

 

World Trefoil Ceremony #3

Needed: Replica of the World Trefoil Pin, 72 Narrators and at least 5 girls.  

Girl1: The world trefoil pin is a badge of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. 

Girl2: On Thinking Day all Girl Scouts plan to think of one another, throughout the world.

Girl3: We wear this pin as do Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from other countries.

Girl4:  This pin has a special meaning.

Girl 5: The Bright blue stands for the sky and the gold for the sun.

Girl 6: The trefoil in the middle stands for the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise.

Girl 7: The base of the stalk represents the flame of the love of humanity and the flame that burns that burns in the hearts of the Girl guides and Girl Scouts everywhere.

Girl 8: The vein in the middle of the trefoil stands for the compass needle that guides us.

Girl 9: The two stars stand for the promise and the law.

After the Pin pieces are in place.  Pin your members of the troop who haven't received their pins.

Optional prayer: We are many and we are strong; grant us to grow in numbers and strength that we may continue to work steadfastly for Thee in this work which is Thine.  Grant that the uniform we wear may never be put on simfly from force of habit or convenience.  Let it be a perpetual reminder to use who we are and what we are striving to be.  Grant that the law which we have promised to obey many never become mere empty words.  Let it be the guiding principle of our lives.  Grant that are promise may be to help us each morning as we prepare to face a new day, and a strength to us each evening when we turn to rest.  Amen.

THINKING DAY CEREMONY #1--FEBRUARY 22 (adapted to incorporating the new G.S. Law  Jan. 2002 by Laura S.)

NARRATOR:

Today is THINKING DAY -the joint birthday of our founder, the late Lord Baden-Powell, and his wife, Olave Baden-Powell, our World Chief Guide. On this day Guides and Scouts everywhere gather to think of their sister Guides throughout the world, and to send them greetings. In our international family we are bound together by the unseen chain of our three-fold Promise and the Law. Let us now bring the Law in

the world of other countries. (Each girl with Law comes forward and lights her candle and then gives the Law of another  country, following which another girl gives a corresponding part of the Girl Scout Law, and then stands to form a horseshoe.) This is the first Law from Nigeria.

First Guide: A Guide's honor is to be trusted.
Our First Law: I will do my best to be honest.and fair

NARRATOR: The Second Law from Spain:

Second Guide: A Guide is aware of the rights of others and of her own duties
Our Second Law: I will friendly and helpful.

NARRATOR: The Third Law from Argentina:

Third Guide: A Guide serves and helps other people without expecting reward or praise.
Our Third Law: I will do my best to be considerate and caring.

NARRATOR: The Fourth Law from New Zealand..

Fourth Guide: As a Guide I am friendly and cheerful.
Our Fourth Law: I will do my best to be courageous and strong.

NARRATOR: The Fifth Law from Central African Republic

Fifth Guide: A guide is welcoming. She is there for all.

Our Fifth Law: I will be responsible for what I say and do.

NARRATOR: The Sixth Law from Madagascar

Sixth Guide: A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to other Girl Scouts .
Our Sixth Law: I will do my best to be a sister to every Girl Scout.

NARRATOR: The Seventh Law for Haiti:

Seventh Guide: A Guide knows how to obey.
Our Seventh Law: I will do my best to respect authority.

NARRATOR: The Eighth Law from Malta:

Eighth Guide: A Guide makes good use of her time.
Our Eighth Law: I will do my best to use resources wisely.

NARRATOR: The Ninth Law from Guyana!

Ninth Guide: A Guide takes care of her own possessions and those of other people.
Our ninth law: I will do my best to make the world a better place

NARRATOR: The tenth law from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Tenth Guide: A guide is self-controlled in all she thinks, says and does.
Our tenth law: I will do my be a sister to every Girl Scout

NARRATOR:

These are our laws.  We try hard to keep them so that the spirit of Girl Scouting may bring light into the world, even as our candles bring light into this room.  While each law is followed, the flame of the Girl Scouting spirit will never die.  People also give presents on birthdays and therefore Girl Scouts and Guides give to the Thinking Day Fund.  The fund is used to start Girl Scout troops in countries where people need help.

[If you are collecting money you may also include the following paragraph]

In our country we collect for the Juliette Low World Friendship fund.  Juliette Low wante

Sing: Girl Scouts Together

THINKING DAY CEREMONY--#2

Leader: "The horseshoe fomation in which we stand symbolizes the open friendship circle. In the open end of our horseshoe stand our sister Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world who are not able to be with us on this particular day, but are thought  about as though they were actually here. We will use candles to remind us of the meaning of Thinkjng Day in our ceremony. My candle represents February 22, Thinking Day."

Girl Scout 1: "Today we light these candles as symbols of our friendship for more than 8.5 million sister Girl Scouts throughout  the world."

Girl Scout 2: "I light my candle in memory of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting and Guiding. February 22nd was his birthday."

Girl Scout 3: "I light my candle in memory of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, who was the World Chief Guide. February 22nd was her birthday."

Girl Scout 4: "Because February 22nd is the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell, it was set aside in 1926 as Thinking Day -the day when Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world think of each other and of what Scouting and Guiding mean to them.

Girl Scout 5: "My candle is for the World Trefoil Pin which symbolizes our membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It is worn by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides in over 100 countries. The light ofmy candle is a brave light and we ask those Girl Scouts and Girl Guides who can openly give and uphold their Promise to think more seriously of its meaning."

Girl Scout 6: "My candle represents the Thinking Day Symbol. The World Trefoil at the center represents the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. The arrows pointing towards the Trefoil represent action, and give direction for that action, and represent how the World Association can be helped by all its members. The round shape represents a world-wide movement."

Girl Scout 7: "I light my candle for the money donated by girls to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. It is used to support the four World Centers: Our Chalet, Our Cabana, Sangarn, and Pax Lodge and sends Girl Scouts to member countries to visit."

Girl Scout 8: "I light my candle to represent the service Girl Scouts are prepared to give to others."

Girl Scout 9, 10, 11: "Because the Promise is the same for all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides although it is said in different languages, we three represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise. As we light our candles will you all renew your Girl Scout Promise?"

Leader: "Shall we close with Dutch Padvindster's Goodnight?"

"I am a link in the golden chain of world Scouting and I must keep my link strong and bright."

Close with a Friendship Circle and an appropriate song.

Hands across the circle (Action story ceremony to give out the World Trefoil Pin.)

Golden Circle Ceremony (From either Karen Hobson or Margo Mead)   Additional countries can be added as needed by using the World Trefoil Book"

Leader: As Girl Scouts we are not only members of our own troop, and Girl Scouts of the United States, but we have 'Sister' Girl Scouts or Girl Guides in 136
countries around the world. Each of our Sister Scouts has accepted a Promise and Law much like our own. , In the Netherlands, a Girl Guide is called a
Padvindster. As Padvindster's close their meetings with a friendship circle, each girl says in turn. "I am a link in the golden chain of world friendship , and I will keep
my link strong and bright. ", As each of us adds a link to build our Golden Chain of Friendship, lets think about our Sister Scouts in other countries. About how
things may be different for them but also about how much we are the same and about how each of us is an important link i n the Golden Chain of Friendship. (This
section can be separated into 3 parts for older girls to read.),

All together: Say Promise or Promise and Law. Each girl in turn, reads her country and information and adds her strip to the growing chain. The last link added
should close the chain. , *Optionally, each girl could also add a link with her own name on it.

Leader: Repeat after me the saying from Padvinsters in the Netherlands. All Together: 'I am a Link in the Golden Chain of World Friendship, and I will keep my
link strong and bright.',

1. In the Bahamas, Brownie Scouts promise to have courage and be cheerful in difficult situations.

2. In Ghana, an Ananse Guide promises to make good use of her time.

3. In Guatemala, Little Riding Hoods promise to smile and sing under all difficulties.

4. In Italy, a Ladybird promises to love and respect nature.

5. In Madagascar, a Little Wing promises to do all she can to create peace around her.

6. In Nigeria, a Ranger Guide promises to be useful and help others.

7. In Papua New Guinea, a Sunbird promises to take care of her own possessions and those of others.

8. In Spain, a Pioneer promises to get to know the place she is living and be involved in its improvement.

9. In Turkey, a Venture Guide promises to be a friend to animals and plants.

10. In Greece, a Star promises to be conscientious in her work and reliable.

11. In Korea, a Cadet promises to be thrifty.

12. In Liechtenstein, a Little Bee promises to seek and convey joy.

13. In Malta, a Dolphin promises to be self-controlled in all she thinks, says and does.

14. In Jordan, a Ranger promises to be frank and make it a

point of honor to deserve trust.

15. In Grenada, a Guide promises to be obedient.

16. In Germany, a Caravelle promises to share and be grateful.

17. In Austria, a Brownie promises to pay attention to all human beings and seek to understand them.

18. In Australia, a Gumnut Guide promises to be friendly and a sister to all Girl Guides.

19. In Switzerland, a Ranger promises to rejoice in all that is beautiful.

20. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to be a sister to every other guide, no matter to what country, class or creed, the other may belong.

21. In Israel, an Ofer (or Brownie) promises to live life correctly and do her duty.

22. In England, a Rainbow promises to love her God and be kind and helpful.

23. In Canada, a Pathfinder promises to be true to herself.

24. In Argentina, Little Wings promise to obey the law of the pack.

25. In Bangladesh, a Yellowbird promises to help other people every day especially those at home.

26. In Botswana, a Sunbeam promises to do her best.

27. In Columbia, a Fairy promises to generous and always tells the truth.

28. In Cyprus, a Butterfly promises to bring happiness at home.

29. In the Philippines, a Star Scout promises to lend a hand.

30. In Rwanda, a Wagtail promises to do a Good Turn every day.

31. In Sri Lanka, a Little Friend promises to give in to older folk.

32. In Argentina, a Sun Guide promises to be thrifty and

respect other people's property.

33. In Belgium, a Beaver Guide promises to be cheerful with others.

34. In Bolivia, an Intermediate Guide promises to be kind to animals.

35. In Brazil, a Brownie promises to participate actively and responsibly in her community.

36. In China, a Ranger promises to smile and sing under difficulties.

37. In Costa Rica, a Brownie promises to listen to and obey her leader.

38. In Denmark, a Mini-Guide promises to listen to the opinion of others and to form her own.

39. In Egypt, a Guide promises to be useful and help others.

40. In Estonia, a Guide promises to be pure in thought in word and in deed.

41. In Finland, a Flickscout promises to develop herself as a human being.

42. In France, a Girl Scout promises to enjoy work and endeavor to do nothing by halves.

43. In India, a Bulbul promises to keep the law of the Bulbul Flock.

44. In Ireland, a Ladybird promises to be a friend to all, and

a sister to every other Guide.

45. In the Ivory Coast, a Jeanette promises to be always active.

46. In Japan, a Junior promises to be courteous.

47. In Kenya, a Guide promises to be courageous and cheerful under all circumstances.

48. In Latvia, a Little Fire promises to be active and thrifty.

49. In Lebanon, a Faradole promises to obey and have team spirit.

50. In Luxembourg, an Aventure Guide promises to be ready to help her neighbors.

51. In Malaysia, a Pandu Guide promises to be loyal.

52. In Mexico, a Fairy Guide promises to help everybody every day.

53. In the Netherlands, a Beaver promises to play together with others in her troop.

54. In New Zealand, a Pippin promises to care for herself, her home and her community.

55. In Oman, a Zahra promises to fulfill her duty towards God, her country and the Sultan.

56. In Paraguay, a Dawn Guide promises to admire and respect nature.

57. In Portugal, a Little Bird promises to always tell the truth.

58. In Romania, a Flower promises to listen well.

59. In Sudan, a Bluebird promises to always do her best.

60. In Thailand, a Bluebird promises to speak the truth.

61. In Tuvalu, a Sunbeam promises to make good use of her time.

62. In Uruguay, a Bee Guide promises to think first of others.

You can end the ceremony with a song such as Girl Scouts Together, On My Honor, Change the World or Circle of Friends.

For additions, corrections, or information about the Leominster Girl Scout web page contact Laura Sykes.
Last updated January 19, 2002