Girl Scout DAISY

Investiture Ceremony Sampler

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Sample Daisy Investiture Ceremonies

Girl Scouts of all ages are officially welcomed into the Girl Scout and Girl Guide

family at a special ceremony, called an investiture, where they make the Girl

Scout Promise and are invested with the symbols of Girl Scout membership – the Girl Scout and World Trefoil pins. Many traditions have grown up around the

investiture ceremony, but there is no “one right way” for girls to be invested, as long as each girl has a chance to make her Promise and receive her pins.

NOTE: If you have returning Girl Scouts in your troop and need to make your ceremony a combined Investiture/Rededication, it’s easy to ask returning girls and

adults (and any Girl Scouts in the audience) to join you in renewing their Promise “at this time.” The “time” could be immediately after new members have made their Promise, or whenever it seems to fit best into your ceremony. Returning girls

Typically, every Girl Scout ceremony has three parts:

the opening, which begins the ceremony

the main part, which is the reason for having the ceremony, or the focus of the ceremony

the closing, which ends the ceremony.

Some of the resources girls might choose from as they plan the parts of their

ceremony are songs; music (recorded or performed live); poems, stories, essays and other readings; girls‟ own thoughts; flag ceremonies; skits and short plays; campfires; candle-lighting (or, for Daisies, “faux” candle-lighting – see below.).

Ceremony Dress Code: the official Girl Scout or adult uniform, unless costumes

are being worn for skits or plays.

in·ves·ti·ture (noun) 1. The action of formally investing a person with honors or rank.

2. A ceremony at which honors or rank are formally conferred on a particular

person.

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“Story of Daisy” Investiture Ceremony

OPENING:

Leader(s) welcome families and explain the meaning of “investiture”.

Girls sing a favorite Girl Scout song or recite a “Daisy” poem (see below) or hold the flag and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

INVESTITURE:

Girls sit in a half circle, facing leader; the leader, facing the audience, reads

or tells the story of Juliette Low, explaining how Daisy Girl Scouts got their name; or, Daisies can act out the story of Daisy and the Girl Scouts. (See below)

Girls give the Girl Scout sign and make their Promise.

Leaders pin each girl with her Girl Scout Daisy and World Trefoil Pins, give her the Girl Scout handshake, and welcome her into Girl Scouting.

CLOSING:

Make a Friendship Circle (girls may invite families to join, if they wish) and

sing “Make New Friends.” (Option) Girls invite parents to share refreshments.

“Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden”

This is especially appropriate if the girls have been working on their “Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden” Journey. You will need: a daisy flower poster or felt

board; the flower center, petals, stem and leaves (felt, craft foam, paper); a way to attach the center and petals if you are not using a felt board.

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Welcome by leader or girl(s)

Opening flag ceremony or song (poem, etc.) as chosen by girls.

1st Leader (to girls): “You are starting a big adventure. Amazing Daisy will show us the way.”

2nd Leader: “The Daisy Flower Garden is an amazing place, filled with flowers of

all colors and shapes and sizes – just like Girl Scout Daisies!” Girl Scout Daisies: I’m a Girl Scout Daisy! Take a look at me.

I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be. I’m going on a journey,

With friends along the way, I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, Hip, Hip, Hurray!

I’m a Girl Scout Daisy! Take a look at me. I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be. We’re having fun and sharing,

Each and every day. I’m a Girl Scout Daisy,

Hip, Hip, Hurray!

(Music can be found at www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_world/daisy)

1st Leader: (placing gold flower center on board) The first Girl Scout Daisy was

Juliette Gordon Low. Her nickname was Daisy – and she was amazing! She brought Girl Scouting to America in 1912.

2nd Leader: Each petal of our Daisy has a place in the Girl Scout Law. The Law

shows how Girl Scouts try to act toward each other and the world.”

Daisy: (placing first petal) “I will do my best to be honest and fair,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “friendly and helpful,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “considerate and caring,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “courageous and strong, and”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “responsible for what I say and do,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “and to respect myself and others,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “respect authority,”

Daisy: (placing next petal) “use resources wisely,”

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Daisy: (placing next petal) “make the world a better place,”

Daisy: (placing last petal) “And be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

Leader: “The most important part of being a Girl Scout is making the Girl Scout Promise. When you make a promise, it means you will do what you say you will

do.” Leader: “Girl Scouts promise, on their honor, to serve God and their country; to

help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law. If you are ready to make you Promise, make the Girl Scout sign with your right hand.” [makes sign]

Leader: “Girl Scouts all around the world make this sign. The three fingers help us

remember the three parts of our Promise. Let’s say it together…”

All: “On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.”

[Or, girls may be called one at a time to make their Promise]

Leader: “This is your Girl Scout Daisy pin. It shows you have made your Promise and are a member of Girl Scouts of the USA. You always wear it on your left side, above your heart.” (begins pinning girls, followed by the Girl Scout [Left]

handshake.)

Leader: “This is your World Trefoil pin. Girl Scouts all around the world wear this pin. The blue and gold colors stand for the golden sun in a blue sky over all the

children of the world. The World Trefoil pin is worn over your Girl Scout Daisy pin.” (begins pinning girls, followed by the Girl Scout [Left] handshake.)

Closing: “I’m a Daisy Girl Scout” (or other chosen by girls)

Girls: (with motions – can be sung to the tune of „I’m a Little Teapot”) I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, standing tall (stand tall)

I am a Daisy, friend to all (wave to everyone)

I’m caring and helpful, every day (hands reaching out, palms up) A Daisy lives the Girl Scout way! (make Girl Scout sign)

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A Girl Scout Daisy Petal Investiture

Supplies: 1. Girl Scout Daisy pins and World Trefoil pins for new members.

2. Blue felt board or a piece of poster paper (if using poster paper, place a piece of rolled tape on the back of each Petal and Promise Center).

3. Blue paper or felt Promise Center.

3. Ten felt or paper Petals, 1 of each Law color

OPENING as chosen by girls

LEADER: (To visitor ‟s) Welcome to our investiture ceremony. This special ceremony welcomes girls to Girl Scouting. It is a time when each girl makes her

Girl Scout Promise and is invested with the symbols of membership: the Girl Scout Daisy pin and the World Trefoil pin.

LEADER: The first Daisy was Juliette Gordon Low. Her family called her Daisy.

When Daisy was a girl, she loved to ride horses and climb trees. She loved to draw pictures and put on plays. As Daisy grew older, she wanted girls to have as much fun as she did. She wanted them to grow up to be whoever they wanted in life. That’s why she started the Girl Scouts.

2nd LEADER (To the girls): You are about to become Girl Scout Daisies. The most

important part of becoming a Girl Scout is making the Girl Scout Promise to serve God and your country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

[Name] will you place the Promise Center on the board? [Girl places blue center on felt board.]

LEADER: The ten petals on our daisy stand for the ten parts of the Girl Scout Law. ALL: I will do my best to:

1st Daisy: (places light blue petal on felt board) Be honest and fair

2nd Daisy: (places yellow petal on felt board) Be friendly and helpful

3rd Daisy: (places spring green petal on felt board) Be considerate and caring

4th Daisy: (places red petal on felt board) Be courageous and strong

5th Daisy: (places orange petal on felt board) Be responsible for what I say

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6th Daisy: (places purple petal on felt board) Respect myself and others

7th Daisy (places magenta petal on felt board) Respect authority

8th Daisy: (places green petal on felt board) Use resources wisely

9th Daisy: (places rose petal on felt board) Make the world a better place

10th Daisy: (places violet petal on felt board) Be a sister to every Girl Scout.

LEADER: If you are ready to make your Girl Scout Promise, raise your right hand

and make the Girl Scout Sign [makes Sign]

All girls make the Girl Scout sign and repeat the Promise, either individually or as a group.

Leaders pin the Girl Scout Daisy tab with both pins on the left side of the girl’s vest or tunic. Welcome girls with the Girl Scout Handshake.

CLOSING as chosen by girls.

ANOTHER “DAISY FLOWER GARDEN” INVESTITURE CEREMONY!

Girls to be invested could be "planted" by their parent(s) or by older Girl Scouts. Or

they can just “plant” themselves before the ceremony begins! They can be curled up on the floor or squat with their arms around their knees and their heads down.

The gardener(s) [troop leader(s)] comes along with a watering can. If you don’t mind the mess, girls being invested could be sprinkled with confetti.

First Leader: "I wonder if it is time for these Daisy 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.”

Second Leader: "Let's sprinkle them with a Girl Scout Promise."

First Leader: "Next, let’s use the Girl Scout Law."

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Second: "I’ll sprinkle them with the Girl Scout Motto – „Be prepared.‟”

First: "And I’ll use the Girl Scout Slogan, „Do a good turn daily.‟”

Second: "We can use the Girl Scout handshake to help them grow."

First: “Now for a good dose of Girl Scout Cookies. That should do the trick!”

The “planted” Daisies stretch and grow tall.

Leaders: "Look, now we have new Daisies!"

OPTION: Parents come stand behind their Daisy and slip on her vest or tunic or beanie.

Girls: I’m a Girl Scout Daisy! Take a look at me.

I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be. I’m going on a journey,

With friends along the way, I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, Hip, Hip, Hurray!

I’m a Girl Scout Daisy! Take a look at me. I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, happy as can be. We’re having fun and sharing,

Each and every day. I’m a Girl Scout Daisy,

Hip, Hip, Hurray!

(Music can be found at www.girlscouts.org/program/journeys/your_world/daisy)

OR: “I’m a Girl Scout Daisy” - with motions; can be sung to the tune of „I’m a Little

Teapot‟: I’m a Girl Scout Daisy, standing tall (stand tall)

I am a Daisy, friend to all (wave to everyone) I’m caring and helpful, every day (hands reaching out, palms up)

A Daisy lives the Girl Scout way! (make Girl Scout sign)

Girls make their Promise and are pinned by leaders.

Additional Ideas: Have some theme treats, like dirt (chocolate pudding topped with

crushed Oreos) and gummy worms! Another appropriate song would be “I Love the Flowers.”

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“GONE FISHING” INVESTITURE OR BRIDGING CEREMONY

Ahead of time: Girls make paper trees and flowers along a “river bank”. For each

girl to be invested, girls make a paper plate fish tail and two fins. They make a large fishing rod, with string and an extra-large cardboard hook. A fish net and a

great big fisherman hat with lures would add to the fun! You’ll need crepe paper and streamers in several shades of blue and green for your “river.”

Any water song would go appropriately with this ceremony, as you "Catch" your enrollees. For Daisies, “Row Row Row Your Boat” would be good.

1. Girls already in the troop 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. In a new troop, older Girl Scouts or parent helpers could make the waves.

2. A fishtail is attached to the back of each girl to be invested, and a fin to each arm. Each girl is then put in the “river” to swim. Other girls can be fish too, if

your unit is large. 3. Each new Girl Scout is "hooked" by the troop leader at the top of the stream

who then listens to her Promise, pins her, and puts her back in the water. This continues until everyone being invested 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” INVESTITURE

This is a great ceremony if your investiture until December or January! Or, adapt it for autumn by having colorful fall leaves blowing in the wind.

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Ahead of time: Girls make paper snowflakes and snowmen to hang throughout

your meeting place. They make snowflake headgear for everyone in the troop except returning members of the troop,* who will be playing the part of the North Wind.

1. All girls being invested are wearing their snowflake head gear; they are

“snowflakes.” They are dressed in white or in uniform with white streamers tucked into their pants, belts, etc.

2. The North Wind blows (i.e. your helpers howling, whistling and floating

through the room.) 3. The snowflakes are scattered - they move around the room as if blown by

the wind. 4. One helper catches one of the new girls and brings her to the troop leader

who, after listening to her Promise, pins her. 5. The North Wind blows again and the invested “snowflake” rejoins the storm.

The next helper catches another “snowflake” and the process repeats itself

until they are all finished. *In a new troop, recruit older Girl Scouts or troop parents to be the North Wind.

Additional Ideas: Have a frosty white punch, snow man snacks, and make

snowflake invites for your special guests. Use Pinterest for ideas!

“CANDLE-LIKE” CEREMONIES

Girl Scouts have included candles in their ceremonies for many years. Sometimes

candles are used to set the scene or create the mood for a ceremony. More often, candles are lighted as a symbolic part of the ceremony, often representing the Girl Scout Promise and Law or the “spirit of Girl Scouting.” Lighting candles – or

candle-lighting – can be part of an investiture, rededication, Founders Day, World

Thinking Day, Leader Appreciation, Court of Awards, or Girl Scouts Own ceremony. When real candles can’t be used, consider using electric (battery) candles,

flashlights, or candles made from craft spoons or felt (see “Daisy Candle-Like Investiture,” below.)

A Daisy “Candle-Like” Investiture

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Option #1: Girls make the “candles” (flames, actually) in advance. You will need:

yellow and orange tempera paint and paint brushes or yellow and orange markers; 13 flat wooden craft spoons; craft knife [adults only!]; and 13 sturdy paper cups.

Directions: Girls paint the wider ends of the craft spoons (fronts and backs) to resemble yellow-orange flames. Meanwhile, an adult uses the craft knife to cut a ¾

inch slit in the bottoms of the cups. When it’s time for the ceremony, the cups are placed “bottoms up” on the table and the girls “light” their candle by inserting the bottom of the wooden spoon flame in the slit of the plastic cup candle.

(Traditionally, girls say the parts of the Promise and Law as they “light” their candles.)

Option #2: Girls make their “candles” and “flames” out of felt, and place them on a square of flannel, polar fleece or felt during the candle-lighting.

CEREMONY:

OPENING: Flag ceremony or song, as chosen by girls; welcome to family and

friends; explanation of Investiture.

INVESTITURE: Girls make their Promise, receive their Girl Scout Daisy pin [and World Trefoil pin] and are welcomed with the Girl Scout [Left] handshake.

Girls take turns speaking and “lighting” candles:

1. “These three candles stand for the three parts of the Promise we just made: 2. “To serve God and my country,

3. “To help people at all times, 4. “To live by the Girl Scout Law.”

1. “These ten candles stand for the ten parts of the Girl Scout Law. They

remind us to be: 2. “honest and fair, 3. “friendly and helpful,

4. “considerate and caring, 5. “courageous and strong, and

6. “responsible for what I say and do, and to 7. “respect myself and others,

8. “respect authority, 9. “Use resources wisely,

10. “make the world a better place, and 11. “be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

ALTERNATELY, girls can place a real or artificial daisy in a vase for each part of the Promise and Law, ending with a centerpiece of daisy flowers.

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CLOSING: a favorite song, poem, or Friendship Circle, as chosen by the girls.

DAISY CEREMONY RESOURCES

“WHO IS A DAISY GIRL SCOUT?” (A Re-Wording of the Girl Scout Law)

Who is that girl they’re all talking about?

Why don’t you know?

She’s a Daisy Girl Scout! That Daisy is honest –

She knows what is true. She tries to be fair when she’s playing with you.

She helps where she’s needed – She’ll get the job done. She’s friendly and helpful to everyone!

She’s courageous and strong! And responsible, too,

In the things that she says and does with you.

She listens to parents, and leaders as well. She uses resources wisely, and that you can tell.

She takes care of her world

and gives back what it needs. She shows others she cares through her words and her deeds.

She’s respectful of others

whenever she’s out, And acts like a sister to every Girl Scout.

Now you don’t have to wonder

who that Daisy can be. You knew all along that Daisy is ME!

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A DAISY SONG (Tune: “ABC Song”/”Twinkle. Twinkle”)

Girl Scout Daisies lead the way, see us work and see us play;

We can dance and we can sing, we can do most anything. We have fun and help each day, Girl Scout Daisies, here to stay!

DAISY, DAISY! (tune: “Bicycle Built for Two”)

Daisy, Daisy, I always know it’s you! You’re so happy,

And you are friendly too.

You know the Girl Scout Promise, You know the Girl Scout Law;

You sing and play And learn each day,

I think the world of you!

- Vicki Strauch, Girl Scouts – Seal of Ohio Council

DAISY LOW STORY GAME

SOUND EFFECTS: Whenever the name Daisy is read, girls say “We’re Daisies too!”

STORY:

“Once there was a girl named Juliette Low who lived in Savannah, Georgia. Her

nickname was Daisy. Daisy was an artist, but she also loved pets, playing

outdoors, and helping others. When Daisy grew up and got married, she moved to

England, where she met Lord Baden-Powell, who started the Boy Scouts and Girl

Guides. Lord Baden-Powell told Daisy about the Girl Guides, and she decided to

become a leader. Daisy liked Girl Guiding so much, she wanted to share it with her

friends and family in Savannah. So Daisy said good-bye to the Girl Guides in

England and took the ideas that Lord Baden-Powell gave her home to Georgia.

There she formed a group of girls who loved animals, art, the outdoors and helping

others. These American girls called themselves Girl Scouts instead of Girl Guides,

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but they were all part of the same world-wide family. So aren’t you glad that

[speed up here]

Juliette Low from Savannah, Georgia, Who

was an artist and loved the outdoors,

went to England and met Lord Baden-Powell,

Learned about the Girl Guides,

and came home to start the Girl Scouting in the USA

where the youngest Girl Scouts are called Daisy!”

Juliette Gordon Low (tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

Chorus: Juliette, Juliette Gordon Low Founded the Girl Scouts long ago

From Savannah she did roam

But Daisy always called it home

Juliette, Juliette Gordon Low

Founded the Girl Scouts long ago

She met a man named Baden-Powell

Starting the Boy Scouts was his goal

Chorus

Daisy came back to the USA

Started the Girl Scouts right away

Chorus

In 1912, some girls they met,

and had tea with Juliette

Chorus

Girl Scouts she came here to start And I thank her from my heart.