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KEY TO THE GOLD CEREMONY
LEADER:
Tonight we gather to honor those girls that have completed their journey
in Cadette Girl Scouts ages 11-14. These girls are ready to accept the challenges
offered to them in the Senior Girl Scout program ages 15-18. The challenges are great,
but the rewards are even greater. As they move up to the final level of Girl
Scouting, they enter a world of new friends, new travels, new discoveries
and new dreams. This is not the end of their Girl Scout journey, but rather
the beginning of a another new and exciting journey,
and tonight we offer them the keys to unlock doors to the world of Senior
Girl Scouts ages 15-18 and the Gold Award.
Have 11 gold candles (or white candles tied with gold ribbon/bows) arranged
in a straight line on a table. 11 keys are cut from gold poster board (or
white covered with gold foil or spray painted). On these are written:
PERSONAL GROWTH, UNDERSTANDING, FRIENDSHIP, VALUES, INTEGRITY, RESPECT,
CHOICE, LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, THE WORLD, GOLD AWARD . As each candle is lit, the key (taped to
the table) is flipped over the side of the table, so the audience can see it
and what it says. Or, 12 Senior girls may hold up the keys. Or, if you have
a lot of girls, one may light the candle, while one reads the part taped to
the back of the key she is holding up. Miscut keys may be available free
from a hardware store and can be painted gold.
GIRLS:
#1 - I light this candle to represent the key to PERSONAL GROWTH. As I
discover and develop all my talents and abilities may I always try to help
others to discover theirs.
#2 - I light this candle to represent the key
to UNDERSTANDING As I learn to accept who I am, may I always be accepting
of who others are, no matter how different they may be.
#3 - I light this candle to represent the key
to FRIENDSHIP. As I make new friends, may I never forget the old, for one is
silver and the other gold.
#4 - I light this candle to represent the key
to VALUES. As I discover what I value most, may I always protect my own
values while respecting the values of others, no matter how different from
my own.
#5 - I light this candle to represent the key
to INTEGRITY. As I learn to always "do the right thing", may I remember to
be honest and fair in all my dealings.
#6 - I light this candle to represent the key
to RESPECT. As I learn to give respect to those around me, and respect the
rules I am given, may I gain the respect of others.
#7 - I light this candle to represent the key
to CHOICE. As I make more choices in my life, may I always be guided by the
Girl Scout Promise and Law and my own values.
#8 - I light this candle to represent the key
to LEADERSHIP. As I learn to lead others, may I always lead them down the
right path and remember that one day they shall also become leaders.
#9 - I light this candle to represent the key
to SERVICE. As I learn that I can do no greater good in this world than to
give of myself to others, may I never forget those less fortunate than
myself.
#10 - I light this candle to represent the
key to THE WORLD. As I learn to protect it and its resources may I better
understand it and improve it through my words and actions.
#11 - I light this candle to represent the
key to the GOLD AWARD. As I work hard to achieve the highest award
available to any Girl Scout may I never forget those who helped me
along the way.
LEADER:
As your name is called please cross over the bridge and receive your
bridging patch and your gold key.
(all girls cross the "bridge" and receive a gold key and patch from the leader or
older Senior scouts)
LEADER:
You have each received a gold key. Protect it and cherish it for it is
your key to a whole new world. The key represents your challenge to look
wider still in all you do while always remembering to be honest and fair,
friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong,
responsible for what you say and do, respectful of yourself and others,
respectful of authority, wise in your use of resources, and always trying
to make the world a better place while being a sister to every Girl Scout.
If you are willing to accept this challenge please raise your right hand in
the Girl Scout sign and repeat the Girl Scout promise with me. (all girls
and leader say the promise together)
WELCOME TO SENIOR GIRL SCOUTS
AGES 15-18, YOU HOLD THE
KEY TO YOUR FUTURE!
By Kathy Little
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