Opening Flag Ceremony:
To begin…Girls that are calling are waiting quietly “off stage” ready to come when called. Flag Bearers wait with flags
ready and in line at back or room or in next room/hallway (avoid having girls and flags having to pass through doorways
at the start of the ceremony).
When caller(s) is called forward she proceeds to podium/position in the front of room to get ready.
Girl Scouts Attention
The audience rises if seated. Stands silent with their hands at their
side if they are standing.
Audience can be standing in a number of different formations: rows,
horseshoe, etc. depending upon the number of participants. Most
important is to have a clear aisle wide enough for the Color Guard
to walk through.
Color Guard, Advance
The Flag Bearers and Color Guard proceed in order to the front of
(“Color Guard Attention” can be used as a command
the room. Once at the front of the room, they stand next to their
before this command, however, the Color Guard should flag stands. (If there is room to stand behind or next to the stands
already be standing at attention from the moment
that is best. Otherwise do what “looks good”.)
they have the flags in their hands.)
Color Guard, Post the Colors
Color Guard, Honor the Flag of your Country
Please Join Me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“I Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of
America, and to the Republic for which is stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and
Justice for all.”
Optional:
Special Reading/Song/Moment of Silence
(This can also be placed after the Girl Scout
Promise.)
(Thank you…)
Please Join Me in the Girl Scout Promise.
“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.”
Color Guard, Dismissed
The Flag Bearers place their flags into the flag stands and then
stand at attention. The American Flag should be posted first and
the others follow.
Suggested Action: The Flag Bearers and Color Guard silently count
to three. On three they quietly place their hands over their heart
for a moment and then return their hands to their sides and all
stand at attention (other traditions have developed but any action
honoring the flag should be quiet and respectful).
The audience and caller recite the pledge with hands over their
hearts. The Flag Bearers and Color Guard stand at attention with
hands at their sides and do not participate in the recitation.
Special Reading: Choose a brief poem or narrative that fits the
occasion/event – this does not need to be read by the caller but
other Girl Scouts can be involved
Song: Choose a patriotic song such as the National Anthem to be
song by an individual or group
Moment of Silence: The caller bows her head and slowly counts to
15. When she has reached 15, she raises her head and continues.
Color Guard and Flag Bearers stand at attention with hands at their
sides and do not bow their heads.
The audience and caller recite the promise with the Girl Scout sign.
The Flag Bearers and Color Guard stand at attention with hands at
their sides and do not participate in the recitation.
Flag Bearers and Color Guard recess to the back of the room
following the same path they took to the front. American Flag
Bearer and Guard must still go first and in the order/formation they
processed in.
Girl Scouts, please be seated
Depending upon the nature of the event, the audience may need to
or
be seated for other presentations or can be dismissed to proceed to
Girl Scouts, Dismissed
other activities. This call can be adjusted to meet the need of the
event.
Remember to tell the girls when & where to return for the Closing Flag Ceremony.
Closing Flag Ceremony:
Have caller(s) ready to proceed to the podium/position in the front of the room when called and all color guard/flag
bearers ready and in line in the back of the room.
Girl Scouts Attention
The audience rises if seated. Stands silent with their hands at their
side if they are standing. Audience can be standing in a number of
different formations: rows, horseshoe, etc. depending upon the
number of participants. Most important is to have a clear aisle
wide enough for the Color Guard to walk through.
Color Guard Attention
The Flag Bearers and Color Guard members are asked to stand at
attention and be ready proceed. They should be lined up the same
way they were for the opening flag ceremony even though they do
not have flags.
Color Guard Advance
The Flag Bearers and Color Guard proceed to the front of the room.
They stand next to or behind their corresponding flags.
Color Guard Retire the Colors
The Flag Bearers reach for the flags and take them out of the
stands. The American Flag should be taken out last and the others
go first (American Flag is retired last). After the flags are retired,
Color Guard should stand in formation ready to process down the
aisle while they wait for the next command.
Color Guard Dismissed
The Flag Bearers and Color Guard recess down the aisle in
formation. The American Flag should go first and all others follow
in line until they reach the back of the room. If using only the
American and one other flag, the flags can move side by side
accompanied by the Color Guard.
If possible, girls may process all the way out of the room or finish at
the back of the room. Flags should be placed respectfully in a
location where they can be picked up during clean-up.
Girl Scouts Dismissed
Audience is dismissed or may sit down. Callers leave the stage.
Notes:
A diagram is attached to show how to post the flags. If you have all the flags together the American Flag should stand a bit taller
than the others. So, use a block or riser to make the American Flag Stand a bit taller.
Always have the American Flag (and/or its Flag Bearer and Color Guard) lead all processions. After the American Flag the order
would be Wisconsin State Flag, WAGGGS Flag, Council Flag, Brownie Flag (Optional) and Daisy Flag (Optional).
Assign roles based upon the girls you have present. Take into account maturity and comfort level.
The Color Guard always walks on the left of the flag or on both sides when there are two.
When the sashes are worn: The Flag Bearer may wear the red sash over her right shoulder (the same as a Girl Scout Sash), tied
in a square knot on left side of waist. The Color Guard may wear the red sash around her waist tied in a square knot left side.
White gloves can be a little bit slippery and hot. Use only in ultra-formal ceremony occasions.
Diagram: