Religious Recognitions

The motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one. Every time we make the Girl Scout Promise, we promise "To serve God." Girl Scouts have many faiths and are welcomed to replace the word "God" with the term that best fits their spiritual beliefs. Though we may not all believe in the same god or practice our faiths in the same ways, exploring one's faith can help girls grow as Girl Scouts and as young women.

The religious recognition programs are one way that girls can fulfill the Girl Scout Promise and grow as young women in their communities. GSNEG wants every Girl Scout to know about the religious recognitions. You, as the leaders, are the best ones to tell your girls about these programs.

Leader's Role

The purpose of this page is to provide information for you to pass on to girls and their families so they may decide whether or not to participate in the religious recognition program of their faith. We provide information, not religious instruction. Girl Scouting recognizes that religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders. First, parents have to know that these programs exist and as the Girl Scout leader you are critical in getting information about the religious awards to the girls and their families.

The Religious Recognitions

The religious recognitions programs are programs that have been created by the national religious organizations, not by the Girl Scouts of the USA. They encourage girls and women to become more active members in their own religious groups and they encourage spiritual development by providing specific religious instruction. These programs offer recognitions (medals or pins) that are approved for wear on the front of the Girl Scout uniform.

Four Steps

1. The girl must get the specific booklet for her religion. These books may be purchased directly from the religious organization. The Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y. http://www.praypub.org) lists contacts for each faith on their "To Serve God" brochure available at the Marilynn Carr Information Center or on their website. Click on "Partnerships" and then "Girl Scouts" and you'll see the link to "To Serve God Color Brochure."

2. Girls and parents must review the specific guidelines for their particular program. Each faith group sets its own guidelines. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors; other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors. It is the responsibility of the parents to check the specific guidelines for their particular program.

3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and, if possible, show them the booklet before beginning a program.

4. The girl needs to complete the requirements, get the proper signatures and follow the instructions to order the recognition. The Girl Scout Shop does not sell these pins and medals.

Action Steps

You are the critical link in passing information to your troop and parents. We encourage you to do the following things.

1. Show the "To Serve God" brochure to the girls in your troop.

2. Support the girls while they are working on the recognitions. Help with a suitable service project if one is needed. Encourage a group of parents to work together to talk to their clergy. Each parent does not have to do it alone.

3. Give the girls a forum for sharing if that is what they need. Girl Scouts do not provide religious instruction, but do encourage sharing about members' religious faiths.

4. Recognize the girls who have earned their religious recognitions.

5. For more information, or to ease conversation about religious recognitions, please refer to the FAQ. Send a letter home to parents about the program using this template.

Remember to submit names, addresses, awards earned, and faith communities with which girls worked to GSNEG so girls can be recognized at the council level as well.

In summary, religious recognitions can have a positive impact on Girl Scouts and you as the Girl Scout leader are the key person in getting information about these programs to your girls and their families.

Adult Recognitions

Adult recognitions are entirely different. Whereas the girls earn their recognitions, adults are nominated to receive recognitions. If you know of a Girl Scout volunteer who is also active in a religious institution, you could nominate that person for an adult award.

Most recognitions require a completed application form, a résumé of the person's qualifications, and letters of recommendation. Many of these recognitions also require a minimum number of years of service.

Other Resources

When planning your activities for the year, it is good to be sensitive to the faith obligations of all the girls in the troop. You may find an Interfaith Calendar www.interfaithcalendar.org helpful in identifying major holidays for various religions. This particular web page not only has a calendar, but also explanations of the various holidays and links to further information on the faiths listed.