Directions to La Loma Bridge:

Address: 799 La Loma Road, Pasadena, CA 91105

Please park on California, near Arroyo Blvd., trying not park directly in front of anyone's house.

Directions for Performing Your Girl's Bridging:

1. 1. Cross the street and walk 2 minutes over to the corner of La Loma Bridge.

   2. When it is time to bridge (according to the directions below), you will stay on the same side, and walk across to the middle of the last 2 lamp posts. There are 9 lamp posts in all, so you will be between lamp posts 8 and 9.

   3. Take your picture there, with the background of the San Gabriel Mountains. There is also a palm tree near the location.

Troop Leader:

Good Evening Girl Scout Troop 4601—girls, parents, and friends. It is so nice having you here today. This is a special ceremony honoring our Girl Scouts in a special Court of Awards.

From the earliest times, women, men and children have held ceremonies to celebrate numerous events such as changes of seasons, births, victories, or deaths. In modern times, it is often our ceremonies and traditions that bind us together as a family or group. Ceremonies can bring meaning to life experiences and offer a means of self-expression.

Girl Scouts also have ceremonies to mark special events throughout the year. Like other ceremonies, Girl Scout ceremonies can be planned on a grand scale to celebrate major transitions (such as awards, bridging, investitures, and end-of-year activities). Or they can be planned on a smaller scale to celebrate more frequent occurrences (such as the beginning or ending of a meeting, a campout, friendship, etc.).

From the very beginning, Girl Scout ceremonies have been observed to reinforce values, pass on traditions and give life to the beliefs set down in the Promise and Law by highlighting accomplishments that illustrate a Girl Scout belief. Ceremonies also reinforce the Girl Scout heritage by reminding us of the contributions made by the women who nurtured the movement in its infancy and began so many of its traditions.

These special rituals form a framework for today’s actions and provide inspiration for the future. The rich Girl Scout heritage of strong, old school values should be cherished and preserved. Many of the unique characteristics are passed on from generation to generation-through beautiful and precious ceremonies like this one. We use them as frequently as possible because they have a special meaning in Girl Scouting.

Today is a Court of Awards, a ceremony to honor and recognize accomplishments, which may include presenting earned insignia (a badge or pin or distinguishing mark of membership of an organization; an official emblem), certificates, etc. When someone places a pin or a badge on a Girl Scout's tunic, vest or sash, it symbolizes an important achievement.

We will do the following:

Bridging: Girl Scouts move from one program level to another after fulfilling bridging requirements and receive their bridging recognition. " Brownies Fly-Up when they continue as Girl Scout Juniors. Only Brownies who continue as a Juniors receive and can wear Brownie wings. This is separate from Brownie bridging requirements. Juniors will "climb up" to become Cadettes.

Investiture: An investiture is a special ceremony saying you are a Girl Scout.

Rededication: Girl Scouts who are already invested renew their Girl Scout Promise and Law each year.

Welcome: Girls who have already been officially invested as a Girl Scout, but who are new to Troop 4601 will be introduced as a new member of the troop during a regular meeting or during one of the aforementioned ceremonies. They will receive a Troop 4601 Welcome Certificate in the mail or in person.

Pinning: Celebrates girls receiving program-level Girl Scout pins

Troop Leader: Girls joining Girl Scouts for the first time recite the Girl Scout Promise and are welcomed to Girl Scouting. They receive the appropriate membership pin (Girl Scout Daisy Pin for Daisies, Brownie Girl Scout Pin for Brownies, or Official (or Traditional) Girl Scout Pin for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors). Individuals are invested only once in their lifetime.

Traditionally, girls receive and wear their membership pins for the first time at an investiture. The three leaves of the trefoil and the three-fold message it bears, gives you, as you start your Girl Scouting, the feeling that you are entering into a comradeship that will bring you joy as you work together, play together, and seek together. Today in every land this trefoil emblem points the way to sisterhood, friendliness, and good citizenship.

Girl Scout: Repeats the Girl Scout Promise and receives her membership pin as parent pins it on his or her girl.

Parent: This pin tells everyone you are a Girl Scout. I know you will wear it proudly. I am going to attach your pin upside down. As Girl Scout tradition goes, to affirm your belief in Girl Scouting, do something nice to someone and have that person put your pin on upright.

To confirm this welcome, we will give the Girl Scout handshake by making the Girl Scout sign with your right hand and shaking with your left.

Parent: Welcome to the Girl Scout organization and to Troop 4601!

Troop Leader: Bridging is an important transition in a Girl Scout’s life. It’s a defining moment when a Girl Scout becomes aware of her achievements and is ready for new adventures and responsibilities.

There are five opportunities to bridge:

1. Daisy to Brownie
2. Brownie to Junior
3. Junior to Cadette
4. Cadette to Senior
5. Senior to Ambassador
6. Ambassador to Adult

Bridging ceremonies often utilize a bridge as girls take literal steps toward the future. For Girl Scouts, the act of crossing the bridge is both a physical and symbolic step. A ceremony may incorporate a real, photographed, or imaginary bridge. This year, we chose to invite girls to take part in their Bridging Ceremony with a parent at La Loma Bridge in Pasadena.

The La Loma Bridge is a 1914 Neoclassical Revival-style bridge that carries La Loma Road across the Arroyo Seco (which means "dry stream" in Spanish). It also has a breathtaking, scenic view of the San Gabriel Mountains. It runs 379 feet along La Loma Road above Lower Arroyo Park, connecting the Lower Arroyo neighborhood with San Rafael Heights. It has been recognized as a landmark on both the state and national level.

Ceremony Script

Troop Leader: This is our first bridging ceremony today, for Daisy bridging to Brownie Girl Scouts.

They are:

1. Anala Walker

2. Mila Perez

3. Valentina D'Apuzzo

Anala, Mila, and Valentina are ready to cross the bridge to become Girl Scout Brownies. You have spent a year of laughter, fun, and discovery with your flower friends as you learned the values in the Girl Scout Law.

*Before crossing the bridge, parent will recite the poem below to her/his girl.*

Parent:

The Daisy is a flower,
As pure and lovely as can be.
Juliette Low was called Daisy,
She started Girl Scouts, you see.
And now the time is near,
Daisies will bridge to brownies,
For another Girl Scout year.

You can cross over the bridge, leaving the fun days of Daisies behind and into the new world of Brownies!

*Girl Scout Daisy walks over the bridge with parent. At the 8th lamp post, parent turns to girl and recites poem to her.*

Parent:

Brownie you’ll be for two short years
Make the most of each day that goes by
Be cheerful and helpful and do a good turn
And greet each Girl Scout with a “Hi"
Your Daisy years were lots of fun
Now it’s over and Brownies have begun!

Parent: This Brownie Membership Pin tells everyone you are a Girl Scout. I know you will wear it proudly. I am going to attach your pin upside down. The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” So as Girl Scout tradition goes, to affirm your belief in Girl Scouting, go now and do three good turns for your family– one for each part of the Girl Scout Promise. When your good turns are done, have a member of your family turn your pin right side up.

Parent: Please raise your right hand with the Girl Scout Sign and repeat the Girl Scout Promise after me:

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

Parent: Repeat the Girl Scout Law after me:

I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do, and
to respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

To confirm this welcome, we will give the Girl Scout Handshake by making the Girl Scout sign with your right hand and shaking with your left.

*Parent may give the Bridging Certificate to the Brownie*

Parent: Welcome to the Brownies!

*Take picture (with and without the certificate) between lamp posts 8 and 9with San Gabriel Mountains in the background and showing the bridge.*

Email 2 pictures to Troop Leader

Note: Daisy Girl Scouts going into Brownie Girl Scouts: receive the Brownie GS pin, receive a membership star, receive Bridge to Brownies patch, and if appropriate, are rededicated with the Brownie Girl Scout troop.

Troop Leader: This is the Fly Up Ceremony for girls bridging from Brownie to Junior Girl Scouts.

They are:

1. Avery Lewis

2. Daryn Bigby

3. Lilah Rich

4. Luna Roman-Smith

5. Naila Walker

6. Teleia Lyles

The time has come for you to take wings and fly-up to Junior Girl Scouts. We have had much fun together, learning new songs, gardening, playing games, creating art, and more. I hope that when you think of your years as a Brownie, you will remember them with much pleasure.

Since you have been a registered Brownie Girl Scout, you are entitled to wear the Brownie Wings on the sash of your Junior uniform and on every uniform thereafter. It gives me great pleasure to present them to you. I hope you wear them proudly.

Parent(s):

1. Presents Brownie Wings to her “Fly-Up” Girl Scout

2. Pins Fly Up Girl Scout with Membership Star

3. Recites this Brownie Poem to her Fly Up:

Brownie, you are just about
To become a Junior Scout
This year you will find
That Junior Scouts are true and kind.
So now I give you Brownie Wings
So you may fly to bigger things.

Parent: Now it’s time to say goodbye, break the ring and out you fly.

*Girl and parent will walk across the bridge and take a picture with Bridging Certificate.*

Congratulations, you are now a Girl Scout Junior!

Notes: Brownie Girl Scouts going into Junior Girl Scouts: • receive the trefoil Girl Scout pin • receive the fly-up wings • receive a membership star • receive the Bridge to Juniors patch, if appropriate • are rededicated with the Junior Girl Scout troop.

Troop Leader: This is our third bridging ceremony today, for a Junior bridging to Cadette Girl Scouts. Similar to Brownies who fly up, Juniors "climb up" to their next level.

She is:

1. Danielle Walker

Parent: Danielle is ready to cross the bridge to become Girl Scout Cadette. As a Junior Girl Scouts, you tried your best to live by the Girl Scout Law. It should be a daily reminder of how you should act at home, at school, in your community, and wherever you are. This Law is an important part of the Promise.

*Girl Scout Daisy walks over the bridge with parent.*

Parent: I am presenting Danielle, who is eager to accept the challenge of Cadette Girl Scouting. Girl Scout Cadette: I challenge you, Danielle, to serve your younger sister Girl Scouts, your community, and your country, as we have served you. Danielle, do you accept this challenge?

Danielle: Yes, I will accept this challenge.

Parent: Please recite the Girl Scout Promise after me:

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

*Parent pins girl and says*

Parent: This trefoil pin tells everyone you are a Girl Scout. I know you will wear it proudly. I am going to attach your pin upside down. As Girl Scout tradition goes, to affirm your belief in Girl Scouting, do something nice to someone and have that person put your pin on upright.

*Parent presents certificate*

Leader: You are now a Girl Scout Cadette. The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” Go now and do three good turns for your family– one for each part of the Girl Scout Promise. When your good turns are done, have a member of your family turn your pin right side up.

Parent: To confirm this welcome, we will give the Girl Scout handshake by making the Girl Scout sign with your right hand and shaking with your left.

Leader: Welcome to the Cadettes!

Leader: We present you a silver key, which will symbolize that you are seeking to unlock the door to Girl Scout Cadettes as you being your work on the Leadership in Action award and Silver Award. Use it as a symbol that you are in pursuit of the gold at the end of your Girl Scout Journey.

Leader: You are about to enter another phase of Girl Scouting. You will find yourself entering a world of new experiences where you will gain an understanding of your own self worth and individuality. As you accept more responsibility you will experience a growth in your knowledge, abilities and judgments. In these tools place your new enthusiasm for the future– use them wisely.

Leader: (Name of new Girl Scout Cadette), are you willing to accept the challenges and responsibilities of a Girl Scout Cadette?

Girl Scout Cadette:

as a symbolic gesture to show they are willing to accept the Challenge of Cadette Girl Scouting.)

1. I challenge myself to have confidence in myself and my abilities and to achieve my goals.

2. I challenge myself to form beliefs and values based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

3. I challenge myself to gain skills that will prepare me for a positive, healthy, and independent future.

4. I challenge myself to develop a positive attitude toward learning and seek opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills and to set challenging goals for myself and take appropriate risks.

5. I challenge myself to examine ideas from a variety of viewpoints.

6. I challenge myself to have more positive and trusting relationships with others.

7. I challenge myself to have a greater understanding of team building.

8. I challenge myself to have a greater understanding of how conflictresolution skills contribute to effective leadership.

9. I challenge myself be more aware of people from various backgrounds.

10. I challenge myself to understand the importance of community networks.

11. I challenge myself to address deeper causes of issues in my community.

12. I challenge myself to seek out community support and resources to help achieve my goals.

Troop Leader: This is our fourth bridging ceremony today, for Cadettes bridging to Senior Girl Scouts.

They are:

1. Alina Rodriguez-Gould

2. Destin Wimsatt

Parent: Alina and Destin are ready to cross the bridge to become Girl Scout Seniors.

The trail of Girl Scouting winds wide and long,
From Girl Scout Brownies and beanies and sit-upons.
To campouts and Girl Scout Cadettes and badges to earn;
So much to do, so much to learn.
Then over the bridge and on to Girl Scout Seniors,
With memories and pleasures we’ll never forget.
Now Girl Scout Seniors tried and true,
Cross over the bridge, a symbol just for you.

*Girl Scout Cadette walks over the bridge with parent.*

Parent: I am presenting Alina/Destin, who is eager to accept the challenge of Senior Girl Scouting.

Parent to daughter: I challenge you, Alina/Destin, to serve your younger sister Girl Scouts, your community, and your country, as others have served you. Alina/Destin, do you accept this challenge?

Alina/Destin: Yes, I will accept this challenge.

Parent: Raising your right hand with the Girl Scout sign, please recite the Girl Scout Promise after me:

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

*Parent pins girl and says*

Parent: This trefoil pin tells everyone you are a Girl Scout. I know you will wear it proudly. I am going to attach your pin upside down. As Girl Scout tradition goes, to affirm your belief in Girl Scouting, do something nice to someone and have that person put your pin on upright.

*Parent presents certificate*

Leader: You are now a Girl Scout Senior. The Girl Scout slogan is “Do a Good Turn Daily.” Go now and do three good turns for your family– one for each part of the Girl Scout Promise. When your good turns are done, have a member of your family turn your pin right side up.

Parent: To confirm this welcome, we will give the Girl Scout handshake by making the Girl Scout sign with your right hand and shaking with your left.

*Parent and girl shake hands*

Leader: Welcome to the Cadettes!

Troop Leader: This is our rededication ceremony, for girls who have already been invested into the organization of Girl Scouts and who will renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

They are:

1. Juleza Dancer

2. Peyton Hampton

3. Anala Walker

4. Mila Perez

5. Nzoi N'Gouamba

6. Valentina D'Apuzzo

7. Avery Lewis

8. Daryn Bigby (4th Grade)

9. Lilah Rich (4th Grade)

10. Luna Roman-Smith (4th Grade)

11. Naila Walker (4th Grade)

12. Teleia Lyles (4^th Grade)

13. Alicia Randall (8th Grade)

14. Anneliese Airitam (8th Grade)

15. Avery Bigby (7th Grade)

16. Azza Brummer (8th Grade)

17. Cassandra “Cassy” Eberl (8th Grade)

18. Danielle Walker (6^th Grade)

19. Jordan Patterson (8^th Grade)

20. Kayleen Lee (7th Grade)

21. Naomi Lambert (7th Grade)

22. Nichelle Walker (8th Grade)

23. Alina Rodriguez-Gould (9th Grade)

24. Destin Wimsatt (9^th Grade)

25. Makia Talbert (12th Grade)

During this ceremony, we also take the time to Welcome new girls into our Sisterhood of Troop 4601. They are:

Closing Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven, we know we are your children, we want to serve you faithfully, and we want to keep our Girl Scout Promise. Help us to listen to your voice; help us to be willing and quick to do your work; help us to be friendly and loving; and help us to thank you every day for all your gifts to us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.