Helping Girls Select Bridging Activities

FIRST, nurture their decision-making skills. By giving them confidence in themselves, you make it possible for them to try new things. Help them explore their current age-level and become accomplished in the activities they find there. Then, give them the spirit of adventure and a look towards their future as a Girl Scout. Imagine the possibilities with them and lead them into the bridging activities.

NEXT, find out where and what the bridging activities are for your girls' program age-level. They are located in the GSUSA age-level resource books:
     The Guide for Daisy Girl Scout Leaders - pp. 62-64
     Brownie Girl Scout Handbook - pp. 136-137
     The Guide for Junior Girl Scout Leaders - pp. 256-257
     Cadette Girl Scout Handbook - p. 142
     A Resource Book for Senior Girl Scouts - pp. 142-143

EXPLORE activities together, letting the girls decide what they want to do, how they will do it, when they will do it, where they will do it, and who will help them do it.  Don't take away the joy of making good decisions from your girls.

FACILITATE girls choices of activities or guide them in making the necessary arrangements to accomplish the bridging steps. Your role as a leader of younger age-levels is to do whatever the girls are unable to do themselves to accomplish the steps. Your role as a leader of older girls is to guide them as they make the arrangements necessary to accomplish the steps on their own.

CELEBRATE with a girl-planned Bridging Ceremony. Younger Girl Scouts should help as much as possible in planning the Bridging Ceremony with adult guidance. Planning responsibilities should increase as girls mature with 11 to 17 year olds doing it all. After all, it is their opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments.

The Bridging Ceremony is the culmination of all the activities the girls have done to bridge the gap between their current program level to the next one. It's the celebration, the time to be recognized for their achievements, and a welcome into another level of Girl Scouting.