Badge/Badges
When a girl completes a set of similar projects from her handbook, this
is what she earns, which is sewn onto her vest or sash.
Bridging
Progression from one Girl Scout program grade level to the next.
Bronze Award
The highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. Girl Scout Bronze
award recipients receive a Bronze Award pin.
Campus Girl Scouts
An adult Girl Scout group comprised of college students.
Cookie Sale
Annual fund raiser in which girls learn business and social skills and
accept financial responsibility by selling Girl Scout Cookies. The
annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale begin February 20.
Dunk Bag
A net bag, holding washed dishes and eating utensils, which is dunked
into hot water before being hung to dry.
Fly-up
What a Brownie Girl Scout does when she bridges to Junior Girl Scouts.
Friendship Circle
Standing in a circle, each person crosses her/his right hand over
her left. Then she/he holds hands with the person standing on either
side of them.
Friendship Squeeze
The person in the friendship circle starts the friendship squeeze. When
you feel your hand squeezed, you put your right foot into the circle and
then squeeze the hand on the other side of you. Everyone is silent as
the friendship squeeze is passed around the circle. It stands for
friendship with Girl Scouts everywhere. Once everyone has felt the
squeeze everyone says: "Goodnight Girl Scouts!" and turns to the right
under their right arms never letting go hands until you are facing out.
Girl Scouts' Birthday
Celebrated annually on March 12 in honor of the first Girl Scout troop
started in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia.
Girl Scout Cookie Sale
The annual fund raiser in which girls learn business and social skills
and accept financial responsibility by selling Girl Scout cookies. In
Germany, we sell at tables on Military Installations only (not door to
door), starting in January. In the States, the annual Girl Scout
Cookie Sale begins February 20.
Girl Scout Court of Awards
A meeting set aside, typically at the end of the year, to recognize the
achievements of each troop member for the year. Some troops hold this
meeting quarterly or twice a year.
Girl Scout Gold Award
The highest honor a Senior Girl Scout can achieve
Girl Scout Gold Award recipients receive a Gold Award pin.
Girl Scout Law
A pledge that members make to themselves and to their fellow Girl Scouts
when they join Girl Scouts. See page one of the Council Guide for
entirety.
Girl Scout Leader
An adult volunteer mentor who delivers enriching program experiences to
girls. See troop leader.
Girl Scout Leader, The
A magazine printed by GSUSA for leaders and other adult registered
members.
Girl Scout Leadership Experience
Girl Scout Membership Categories
Daisy Girl Scouts (Kindergarten and First Grade).
Brownie Girl Scouts (Grades 2-3)
Junior Girl Scouts (Grades 4-5)
Cadette Girl Scouts (Middle School, Grades 6-8)
Senior Girl Scouts (Grades 9-10)
Ambassador Girl Scouts (Grades 11-12)
Girl Scout Mission
The official Girl Scout mission states: “The purpose of the Girl Scout
Movement is to inspire girls with the highest ideals of character,
conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and
resourceful citizens.”
Girl Scout Motto
“Be prepared.”
Girl Scout Own
A quiet ceremony with a theme planned by girls allowing them to express
their deepest feelings.
Girl Scout Program
The activities and events that are provided to girls in support of Girl
Scouts’ program goals. Volunteers help deliver Girl Scout program.
Girl Scout Program Goals
The four Girl Scout program goals are: developing values, relating to
others, contributing to society, and developing self-esteem.
Girl Scout Promise
A pledge members make to themselves and their fellow Girl Scouts when
they join Girl Scouts. See page one of the Council Guide for entirety.
Girl Scout Silver Award
The highest honor a Cadette Girl Scout can achieve.
Girl Scout Silver Award recipients receive a Silver Award pin.
Girl Scout Troop
A group of girls who meet regularly to participate in Girl Scout
program. A Senior Girl Scout troop; Brownie Girl Scout Troop #123.
Girl Scout Week
A weeklong celebration that begins with Girl Scout Sabbath and Girl
Scout Sunday and includes the Girl Scout Birthday.
Girl Scout World Centers
Edith Macy Conference Center - located in New York
Our Cabana - located in Mexico
Our Chalet - located in Switzerland
Pax Lodge - WAGGGS office and World Center in England
Sangam - located in India
The Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center - located in
Savannah, Georgia
Girl Scouts, Girl Scouting
The preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls that provides
enriching experiences for girls to grow strong in mind, body and spirit.
See “Who We Are” on page one of the Council Guide. NEVER: Scouts or
Scouting.
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)
The national organization of America. NEVER: Girl Scouts of America.
Interest Project
Also known as Interest Project Award (IPA) or Interest Project Patch (IPP).
The item that a Cadette or Senior receives when she completes a set of
similar projects from her handbook.
Investiture
A ceremony in which girls are welcomed in to Girl Scouts.
Juliette Gordon Low
Founder of Girl Scouts in the United States. Her birthday is celebrated
on October 31 every year.
Juliette Low World Friendship Fund (JLWFF)
A fund to which members donate money that is used to support Girl Scouts
and Girl Guides throughout the world. Contributions can be sent to all
regional offices.
Kaper Chart
A method for organizing “kapers,” or chores, that provides a visual
reminder of the tasks that need to be completed.
Law
See Girl Scout Law.
Leader’s Day
Celebrated annually on April 22 to honor adult mentors. Part of National
Volunteers Week.
Nosebag
Sack lunch.
Patch/Patches
Similar to badges, but received for participating in a fun event or
activity. Does not require work from the program level handbooks.
Program
See Girl Scout program.
Promise
See Girl Scout Promise.
Quiet Sign
Signal for silence, where one person raises their right hand and others
respond by raising their right hands and ceasing to talk.
Rededication
A ceremony reconfirming a girl or adult’s dedication and membership in
Girl Scouting.
Safety-Wise
This book is the basic safety guide for girls and adults in Girl
Scouting. It is produced by GSUSA and can be purchased in the USAGSO
Store.
Slogan
“Do a good turn daily.”
Sponsorship
An organization who donates money or goods, such as meeting space or
supplies to a troop.
Tag-a-long
A non-registered individual attending a Girl Scout activity. (Also a
Girl Scout cookie)
Thinking Day
Annual celebration on February 22 in honor of Lord and Lady Baden
Powell, founders of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in England.
Trefoil
The international symbol of WAGGGS. The three leaves represent the three
parts of the Girl Scout Promise.
Try-It
The item that a Brownie Girl Scout receives when she completes a set of
similar projects from her handbook. See Badge/Badges.
Troop
See Girl Scout Troop.
Troop Dues
Each troop individually agrees on an amount that each girl will bring to
a meeting to help fund troop activities. Troop dues stay within the
troop.
Troop Leader
See Girl Scout Leader.
United Way
A non-profit agency that raises money for other non-profit organizations
who are members. All materials MUST have the words A United Way Agency
printed clearly on them.
Voluntarism
Refers to the activities of agencies & organizations.
Volunteer
A person who donates their time and services. Place the word “volunteer”
before the word “staff” when they occur near each other.
Volunteerism
Refers to the activities of an individual volunteer.
Web Site --
http://www.gsusahd.org
Program and camp availability, adult educational opportunities, and
general Girl Scout info can be found on the Heidelberg web site.
Wider Opportunity
Special travel opportunities for Senior Girl Scouts, often in the
summer. The Wider Opportunity Committee chose three Senior Girl Scouts
to attend a wider op this summer.
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) The
association is made up of all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides throughout the
world.
Young Adults
The term refers to young women at the Cadette and Senior level of Girl
Scouts.
