| Ceremony #1 | Four Freedoms Ceremony |
| Ceremony #2 | Basic Indoor Ceremony |
This ceremony is appropriate for the opening, closing or any other inspirational spot in a program.
Personnel: Five Scouts. (One as Narrator)
Equipment: Flag, four candles, and torch.
Arrangement: Each of the four Scouts hold a corner of the United States flag in one hand and a candle in the other. The flag is tilted so the audience can see it. The Narrator stands behind the flag with his hands and shoulders showing. Very solemnly he lights each candle with the torch, then returns to his position and reads.
NARRATOR: What you see here represents the past, the present and the future. The stripes of Old Glory stand for the original thirteen colonies. The stars represent the present states. The Girl Scouts represent the women of tomorrow. The light and warmth of the four candles remind us of the great Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. Eliminate any one of these freedoms and our world would become a darker and colder place.
(At this point the Girl Scouts blow out the candles, one by one. As each is extinguished, the Narrator says, in turn: "Freedom of Speech," "Freedom of Worship," "Freedom from Want," "Freedom from Fear."
When the room is in darkness, the Girl Scouts quickly shift their positions so that when the lights go on two Girl Scouts are holding the flag high and the other two are saluting it.
NARRATOR: In this world of potential cold and darkness, of rule by few, stands the United States of America. Here the Four Freedoms do exist and are an example of warmth and light for all.
Let us all stand and sing "God Bless America."
PURPOSE: For an opening and/ or closing of an activity.
MATERIALS NEEDED: American Flag, and /or Troop Flag, bearer for each flag, guard for each flag, flag, stands (red sashes and white gloves, optional)
SETTINGS: Indoors
Ceremony-
1. The girls stand in a horseshoe. The Girl Scout in charge says, Color Guard prepare the colors." The Color Guard goes to where the flags are.
2. The Color Guard salutes the flag and picks them up. The American flag is always lined first. The girls carrying the flags stand side ~ side. The guards stand on either side of the flag bearers.
3. The Girls Scout in charge says, "Color Guard present the colors." The Color Guard marches in the open end of the horseshoe. Everyone is standing at attention.
4. Members of the Color Guard stand silently throughout the ceremony because their job is to guard the flag. All other Girl Scouts salute the flag.
5. The Girl Scout in charge says "Girl Scouts, the flag of your country, pledge allegiance." She then leads the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. She may also then lead them in the Girl Scout Promise and/ or a suitable song.
If the flags are to be placed in stands to remain throughout the meeting, the Girl Scout in charge says, "Color Guard, post the colors." The flag bearers place the flags in their respective stands with the American flag being the last one placed All members of the Color Guard salute the flag in unison.
6. The Girl Scout in charge says, "Color Guard, retire." the Color Guard leaves the horseshoe and carries the flags back to their stands or the place where they are stored. The ceremony is over when the Girl Scout in charge dismisses the Color Guard with, "Color Guard, dismissed," and then the group "Girl Scouts dismissed."
