Girl Scout Traditions
The Girl Scout Sign
is made when you say the Girl Scout Promise. Hold the three middle fingers of your right hand up. This sign stands for the three parts of the Promise.
The Girl Scout Handshake
is the way some Girl Scout friends greet each other. Shake hands with your left hand while making the Girl Scout sign with your right.
The Friendship Circle
stands for an unbroken chain of friendship with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. To make a friendship circle, both Girl Scouts and the leaders stand in a circle with one another. Cross your right arm over your left and hold hands with the girl next to you.
A Friendship Squeeze
begins when you hold hands in a friendship circle. One girl will begin. With her right hand she squeezes her neighbor’s hand. Then that girl squeezes with her right hand. Everyone makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand. One by one, each girl passes on the squeeze until it travels around the circle. The squeeze is finished once it gets back to the person who began.
A Kaper Chart
shows jobs that need to be done and the names of the girls who will do the kapers (jobs). If everyone pitches in the work gets done much faster and easier!
The Quiet Sign
is used in meetings and other gatherings to let people know it is time to stop talking. The sign is made by raising your right hand high. You keep five fingers up to remind others of the fifth part of the Girl Scout Law, “I will do my best to be friendly and considerate.” As people in the group see the quiet sign, they stop talking and also raise their hands.
The Buddy System
pairs girls who will be responsible for staying together and helping each other. Leaders will call out "buddy check" to make sure everyone is OK and is that each girl is with her buddy!