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• Ceremonies can be very simple and very elaborate and everything in between.
• Older girls may feel they want it simple - say their Promise, receive their pin and that is all for enrollment.
• Younger children may want an elaborate theme based on favourite stories, cartoons, toys.
• You can have a special guest attend - Commissioners, people from the city or town office, anyone that could add meaning to the event.
• You can ask the parents to participate in an active way such as presenting their daughter or being involved in a skit with their daughter
• All that really matters is that the ceremony is something that the girls want, and even our Sparks can express an opinion and be involved in the planning.

• Any ceremony - simple or elaborate - needs to be planned.
• Even the younger girls should be involved in at least a portion of the planning.
• Pathfinders and Rangers should be doing it all
• Having a surprise for the younger girls is always a good way to add some fun.
• Sparks or young Brownies can help to choose the menu, make the invitations, work on the entertainment.
• If it has been planned and rehearsed everyone will be more relaxed and enjoy the ceremony more.
• Remember - if something is missed, or does not work as planned - it is OK - just laugh it off and move on to the next part.

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• Ceremonies need to be entertaining for the guests and for the participants.
• Invite a clown or magician to entertain, arrange for a dance instructor to come in and teach everyone a new dance or a folk dance
• Have the girls spend a couple of meetings preparing a dance, skit or variety show where they can show off (be sure to find a comfortable way for the child who does not like to perform to participate - hold a sign, be a curtain holder - but do not force any child (or adult) to perform if they do not want to).
• Have an Arts Adviser from your Training Team come and teach the girls new songs, dances or singing games to use in the entertainment

• All ceremonies should have a purpose
• Changing branches, enrollment, special events, badge and emblem presentations (do not delay giving the girls badges or emblems to save for a special event - present them at the meetings and either re-present or mention all badges received that year at a special ceremony), recognizing Members and non-Members for their contributions to Guiding
• Make sure the girls understand why this is a special night
• Make sure the parents understand why Guiding sees the completion of enrollment requirements, being ready to move to another branch, completing badge work or emblems as important

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• Guests can be invited to any ceremony.
• Each child should be allowed to invite guests even if they are not the main focus of the ceremony.
• If a child does not have a guest the leaders should try to find a way to make her feel special.
• Always be careful when having a Mother or Father and daughter event that every child has a Mother or Father to invite.
• If even one child does not have someone to invite change it to favourite adult or something that will allow all children to be included

• It is important that all Members of the unit be involved.
• Girls who are being enrolled or are changing branches can be focused on but a role needs to be found for every girl unless they do not want one.
• Leaders need to share the duties and honour of presenting to girls as they are all equally important to the girls.
• Leaders can be honoured at ceremony nights too - enroll adults with the girls if they are comfortable with the idea, mention trainings they have completed so parents are aware of the commitment they have made.

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• If the girls are involved in the planning and organizing of the ceremony it will be what they want to have.
• It is important to not change things that the girls have planned as they will have more FUN and feel important if their plans are carried out
• If the leaders want to they could add something special without telling the girls (younger children especially will love the surprise but be careful when planning surprise for the older girls that it is really something they would want)
• If they feel important, special and that their wishes were respected they will leave happy, and smiling.
• That is the most important part of any ceremony!

• Ceremonies do not have to be formal.
• They can have themes, be game based, involve a lot of fun and activity.
• Have girls catch balloons, wear costumes, dance into formation, sing the Promise at enrollment
• For the younger girls, especially, have surprises and lots of activity in the ceremony
• Do the ceremony in the dark with flashlights lighting up each girl or group as they are involved
• Have the ceremony at a campfire, outdoors under the stars.
• Ceremonies should be FUN!!!

• A ceremony should be something exciting.
• There should be a sense of accomplishment.
• There should be evidence of pride for the accomplishment of the children.
• It should be an event that will be remembered.
• The excitement should be evident from the leaders in the way they talk and participate.
• If the adults demonstrate the excitement the children and guests will follow

• Ceremonies should not be uncomfortable or tense.
• Look at the personalities of the girls and the leaders and try to make the ceremony something that everyone will be able to enjoy.
• Be flexible and prepared for surprises such as forgotten lines, missed cues, trips, etc.
• Do not worry if something does not work perfectly - the guests will not know the difference.
• If one of the children makes a mistake quickly help her to recover and move on without criticism
• Take the time to enjoy the children, the guests and the reason for the ceremony.
• Do not ask any child or adult to do something that they will not be comfortable with - such as saying their Promise all by themselves in front of a crowd if they are not able to do it comfortably.
• The most important thing is the FUN!

• Whether you have a formal or casual ceremony be enthusiastic about every child that is being recognized for a badge, enrollment, changing branches, anything else that you can think of.
• Take the time to know each child so you can say something positive, and interesting about her.
• Participate in such a way that the leaders are setting an example of FUN and EXCITEMENT about the ceremony and the reason for the ceremony

• Have you considered all of the participants strengths and weaknesses in your planning?
• Have you reviewed the menu and the health forms to make sure no foods that some of the children can't have are included or that an acceptable alternative for them is provided?
• Have you checked out the location of the ceremony to see if they have restrictions that you need to consider?
• Have you considered the time and date carefully to make certain most families can attend?
• If you are planning a weekend event have you checked to see if you are avoiding the time of everyone in the unit's church times?
• Have you made certain that your theme will not be upsetting to any of the parents for cultural or religious reasons?
• Have you communicated the date and time well enough in advance to allow the guests to juggle their schedules?
• Have you delegated fairly all the things that need to be done amongst the leadership team?
• Have you included the girls in the planning?
• Are you allowing the older girls to do most, even all, of the planning and organizing?

• Ceremonies do not have to be in the meeting place.
• Have them outdoors - in a field, at a playground, at a park, at camp, in a backyard.
• If you are having an outdoor ceremony make sure the girls and the guests are told to dress for the occasion - jeans or shorts may be appropriate!
• If you are having the ceremony outdoors have a backup plan in case the weather does not cooperate.
• If the ceremony is outdoors make sure there is a way for people to attend easily - take into consideration grandparents or people with little ones who may have a harder time walking distances or handling a rough trail.
• Ask parents to bring any chairs they may want to have for themselves.
• Have insect repellent, sunblock, lots of fluids on hand for everyone.
• Warn the parents of the environment in case they need to bring medications for people with allergies to grasses, flowers, etc.

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• Ceremonies do not have to be at the same time as your unit meets.
• If you meet right after school it may be very difficult for some parents to attend.
• Plan your ceremony at a time when all of the girls and leaders and all the parents can attend easily.
• Day time ceremonies might be better planned for a weekend, with lots of notice to parents so they can work their schedules around the date.
• If you plan a ceremony at the dinner hour consider making it a pot luck event so that families coming straight from work will have an easier time attending.
• Night or day - a ceremony only works if the girls involved can have their families present to make it a special time

• When planning an indoor ceremony check with the building to find out if anything you are planning is not covered by their insurance (candles, sparklers).
• When setting up for a ceremony indoors make sure you have enough chairs for everyone who could come and have extra chairs on hand just in case.
• Reserve the best seats for the parents who have a child participating in a key role.
• Try to have an area where parents can take crying babies so they can still see but not disrupt the ceremony.
• If the ceremony will be long take into consideration the smokers and allow a break outside for them.
• Check your health forms and if you have asthmatics or other medical conditions where scented products will be a concern request that the guests not use them.

• After the ceremony evaluate it:
  • Did everything work well?
  • What would you do again? not do again?*
  • Did the children have fun?
  • Did the parents enjoy it?
  • Was everyone included?
  • Was there anything that was missed?
  • Does the leadership team feel good about the ceremony?
  • Did the children involved feel important and special?
• Make notes and keep them in mind when planning the next ceremony.