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Girl Scout Troop 1260
(Newport News, Virginia)
 
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GLOSSARY OF GIRL SCOUT TERMS


Bridging
An important transition in a Girl Scout's life. It's a defining moment when a girl becomes aware of her achievements and is ready for new adventures and responsibilities

Friendship Circle
The friendship circle is often formed at the end of meetings or campfires as a sort of closing ceremony. Everyone gathers in a circle where they cross their right arm over their left in front of them and hold hands with the people on either side. Once everyone is silent, the leader starts the friendship squeeze, which is passed from hand to hand. Often the girls will make a wish after their hand has been squeezed before they pass the squeeze along. Also, in some larger groups, the girls put their right foot out into the circle when they receive the friendship squeeze, so that everyone can see it travel along the circle.


Girl Scout Birthday
March 12 is the Girl Scout birthday because it marks the first meeting of Girl Scouts in the U. S. A. in Savannah, Georgia, in 1912.

Girl Scout Handshake
This is the way many Girl Scouts and Girl Guides greet each other. They shake their left hands while making the Girl Scout sign with their right hand. The left-handed handshake represents friendship because the left hand is closer to the heart than the right.

Girl Scout Sign
The official Girl Scout greeting. The right hand is raised shoulder high with the three middle fingers extended and the thumb crossing over the palm to hold down the little finger. These three fingers represent the three parts of the Girl Scout Promise. You give the sign when:
  • You say the Promise.
  • You are welcomed into Girl Scouting at an investiture ceremony.
  • You receive a patch or badge.
  • You greet other Girl Scouts and Girl Guides

Investiture
Welcoming new members, girls or adults, into the Girl Scout family for the first time. Girls receive their Girl Scout, Girl Scout Brownie, or Girl Scout Daisy pin at this time.

Juliette Gordon Low (nicknamed Daisy)
Founder of Girl Scouting in the United States, she formed the first troop that met in Savannah, Georgia on March 12,1912.

Kaper Chart
A grid system, wheel, or table showing the job assigned to each girl or group of girls for any given project. Useful for meetings, camp-outs, and special events. http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unitcustom.aspx?UID=12695&CUSTOMID=40886

Quiet Sign
The Girl Scout signal for silence in a group situation. In order to maintain order at lively Girl Scout functions, the leader raises her right hand for silence. The girls follow in the motion; as their hands go up, the conversation stops, until everyone has their hand up and the room is silent.

Rededication
An opportunity for girls and adults to renew their commitment to the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Sit Upon
A "cushion" often made by Girl Scouts to use when the ground is damp or to keep their clothes clean.

Slogan
"Do a good turn daily."

SWAPS
Acronym for Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere or Share With A Pal. A SWAPS is a little remembrance that one Girl Scout gives to another. SWAPS are handmade, thus the girl is giving a part of herself to show friendship. SWAPS are exchanged at National Conventions, Council events, Wider Ops, service unit or neighborhood events, troop meetings and most frequently at day camp. They can have a tag attached with the event name and date or the troop number, council name or State. In some countries SWAPS are called 'hat crafts'. Swapping promotes friendship. It encourages girls to talk to other people. SWAPS are great mementos of a good time as well as a great way to share something about where we live and what we do. More info: http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/swaps/ or http://www.scoutlander.com/publicsite/unitcustom.aspx?UID=12695&CUSTOMID=37861

Thinking Day
Celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts throughout the world, February 22 is the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell and lady Baden-Powell. This is the day for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to think about their sisters around the world, through special projects, international program activities or pen pal projects.