We gather today as Girl Scouts, sisters to all Girl Scouts around the world. Our Troop is only one of many around the world, but we share the same goals, as stated in the Girl Scout Promise.

(Recite the Girl Scout Promise here)

Like many troops before us, we are unique as each of our girls are individuals. Each girl is important to the Troop and is a vital part of our Troop spirit. This spirit is what ties us together - to each other and to Girl Scouts around the world. We share the same values, as spoken in the Girl Scout Law.

(Recite the Girl Scout Law here)

We, Troop #______, have chosen the ____________(insert Troop Crest selected).

We have chosen this because: (insert your own wording focused around the meaning of that particular crest and the "spirit" of your girls/troop.)

My own wording is here: We, Troop #711, have chosen the Wild Rose. We have chosen this because our scouts have a "wild" or curious nature to explore all possibilities as they learn about the world. They have a perseverance to obtain their goals. As they learn from their mistakes and try again, they are learning adaptability in the face of adversity. They are developing their own inner strength - their own inner beauty as an individual.

I now will present each girl with a troop crest to be proudly worn on her uniform. This will remind her of our Troop spirit.

Well, I hope this quick, corny "flash" can help someone out there!

YIS
Brenda "mamoose" Holser :-)
Troop #711, Grand Blanc, MI

Brenda "mamoose" Holser posted a wonderful Troop Crest ceremony a day or so ago. I took her words, added them to what I found on Sharon Gilbert's Junior web page (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/4342/juniors.html) and here's what I came up with for our new troop crest. Once again, I take credit only for borrowing and rearranging what others have given on this great list... We'll use this ceremony during our Court of Awards (so we'll have already done a flag ceremony, promise, law, etc.)

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In the early days of Girl Scouting, troop crests were used to identify a troop. The rapid growth of the movement soon made numbering necessary, but crests were kept as a symbol of a troop's goal or main interest.

Troop 338 did not have a crest, so we started by looking carefully about the crest we should choose. We looked at the meaning behind each symbol used, and we encouraged the girls to select one that would have a special meaning to them, one they can pass along to new members each year.

The troop crest symbol can be used on a troop flag or to mark troop equipment. Every member from here on out should know what our crest is and what it means. A new crest will not be chosen ever again for Troop 338 - our crest will now be used for the life of a troop. When new girls enter our troop, they will take on the crest of our troop. So, as you can see, tonight is very special, as we all take on our new troop crest.

We gather today as Girl Scouts, sisters to all Girl Scouts around the world. Our Troop is only one of many around the world, but we share the same goals, as stated in the Girl Scout Promise.

Like many troops before us, we are unique as each of our girls are individuals. Each girl is important to the Troop and is a vital part of our Troop spirit. This spirit is what ties us together - to each other and to Girl Scouts around the world. We share the same values, as spoken in the Girl Scout Law.

We, Troop # 338, have chosen the Falling Star as our Troop Crest.

The Falling Star symbolizes good luck and making wishes come true. There were so many crests and symbols to chose from...some represented nature, others friendship and loyalty. The troop chose the Falling Star for several reasons. First, the beauty of the stars, especially that special falling star that you can see on a clear night, when we're all out camping, learning more about the out-of-doors. Good luck and making wishes come true is also important to our girls. The Junior Girl Scout years mark a time of wishing for the future...for seeing what can be achieved. As to "good luck", the National Executive Director of Girl Scouting, retired Admiral Marty Evans recently said, "It seems the harder I worked, the luckier I got along the way". Hard work almost always pays off...but a little good luck is nice, too. Finally, the part of "making wishes come true" - the adults in this troop are committed to making sure any wish that this troop makes will come true.

I now will present each girl with a troop crest to be proudly worn on her uniform. I hope it will remind each scout of our Troop spirit.