There are many common questions leaders have when it comes to bridging their troop to the next level. Here are 8 Girl Scout bridging questions and answers to make this scouting milestone go more smoothly.
It is getting close to the end of the school year, and many leaders are getting ready for their troop to move up to the next scouting level.
What exactly is Girl Scout bridging?
This is how the GSUSA describes bridging:
Bridging is a beloved Girl Scout tradition that honors girls’ achievements throughout the year and celebrates their “crossing the bridge” to the next Girl Scout level.
There are a lot of common questions that arise when it is time to bridge to the next scouting level. Here are 8 Girl Scout bridging questions and answers.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #1
Can my Daisy troop bridge if they did not complete all the petals?
Yes, they can. Bridging happens automatically, because the girls are moving up to second grade, which is the Brownie level of scouts. Petal completion is not a requirement.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #2
Does my troop have to do the bridging activities in order to move to the next level?
No, they do not. If you want your troop to earn the bridging patch that goes on the front of the vest or sash, then yes, they need to complete the required bridging activities. If they don’t complete them, then the girls cannot wear the bridging patch. Moving up to the next level of Girl Scouts is automatic, since it is based on a girl’s grade in school.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #3
What time of year does my troop bridge?
The answer depends on your troop. Many leaders bridge the girls according to the school calendar. So if school ends in May, that is when leaders hold their Girl Scout bridging ceremony. If school lets our in June, then leaders hold the event at that time.
There are also leaders who wait until the fall to bridge, because that is when the girls are officially in the next grade. It is also an opportunity to see who has returned to your troop and if you have new member (if a new girl or girls join your troop, you can have an Investiture and Rededication ceremony after the girls bridge).
Girl Scout Bridging Question #4
Do I have to have a bridging ceremony?
The short answer is no, you do not have to hold one. But I would ask you why not have one? It is such a memorable scouting milestone and it something the girls will look back at fondly. You can have it during your regular meeting time or, if you are lucky, your entire Service Unit plans everything and bridges all the girls who will be moving up a level.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #5
Do I need to give the girls their new uniforms at the ceremony?
You are in control of what you do and do not include in your bridging ceremony. Most leaders do have the girls receive their new uniforms as they cross the bridge. My advice to you, especially if you bridge in the spring, is to have the girls’ parents purchase the uniforms. It not only gives them skin in the game, it prevents the loss of troop money. If a girl does not return, the troop loses the money used to purchase the vest or sash. The girls worked way too hard for that to happen.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #6
Do I need to create my own bridging ceremony?
No, you do not. There are plenty of different bridging ceremonies for each level. You can use any one as a guide, create your own ceremony, or do a combination of the two.
This Girl Scout Bridging Guide for All Levels has all links to guides and videos to ceremonies, broken down by level.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #7
I have girls who are not bridging. How can I involve them in the ceremony?
For the girls who are not bridging, you can have honor them with a completion of their first year in that level certificate, which are available on Teachers Pay Teachers. I have them for all levels of Girl Scouts.
Girl Scout Bridging Question #8
Do I have to give my troop a bridging gift?
Again, the short answer is no, you do not have to give the girls a gift. That is a choice that your co-leader and you need to make. If you do want to give them a gift, it needs to come out of your pockets and not troop funds.
If you need ideas for bridging gifts, here is a bridging gift guide for you to peruse. It is for all levels of scouts.
If you want to focus on the older girls, here is a gift guide to help you select a meaningful gift.
Girl Scout Bridging Certificates for All Levels
When your scout crosses over the bridge, you will want to hand her a certificate to mark this occasion. Take a photo with her and it and the certificate can go into her Girl Scout scrapbook.
I have certificates for every level of scouts, including bundles so you can buy one product for multi-level troops. Leaders write on the certificates with colorful markers to make each one unique and personal.
Here is an example:
This certificate and one for every level
One More Resource
The GSUSA has a guide to your very first Girl Scout bridging ceremony. You will find it here.
When are you planning to have your bridging ceremony?
