Bridging to Cadette

What do Cadette Girl Scouts do?

Cadette Girl Scouts take the lead! They may organize a basketball league for girls in their community, help plan a badge workshop for younger Girl Scouts, or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

They also set their sights on the world outside their local area. They can plan a group getaway to another state or go on a Destinations trip with Girl Scouts from all over the country.

Cadettes have several Journey choices. Once girls have completed a Journey, they can earn their Girl Scout Silver Award—the highest award a Cadette can earn. They can also earn the Leadership in Action award by helping their younger Girl Scout sisters.

Earning the Bridging Award

To earn the Bridge to Cadette award, complete one bridging activity from the two bridging steps: Pass It On! and Look Ahead!

Bridging Step One: Pass It On!

Do one or more of the following or create your own:

Make a short video of girls speaking about their favorite Junior Girl Scout memory and why they can’t wait to climb up to Cadette. Show the video to a group of Brownie Girl Scouts.
Invite Brownies to attend a meeting and demonstrate a skill that will make them look forward to becoming a Junior Girl Scout. For example, show them photos from a favorite outdoor adventure and demonstrate how you prepared for the trip.
Invite girls who are the same age, but who aren’t Girl Scouts, to join you in a fun Girl Scout activity. If you are doing a Take Action project, ask your buddies to tag along! Inspire them to pitch in for their community.
Have girls that earned the Bronze Award hold a question and answer session for other Girl Scouts wishing to earn the award. Describe how projects were chosen, the planning process, and any obstacles along the way. Inspire them to go for the Bronze, too!

Bridging Step Two: Look Ahead!

Do one or more of the following or create your own:

Ask a Cadette to talk about her experiences and maybe even teach a new skill she learned as a Cadette. Can she share a favorite experience from her time as a Cadette?
Discover what it takes to earn the highest award a Cadette can earn—the Girl Scout Silver Award. Find a Cadette that has earned this honor and ask her what was involved and what she learned.
Do some investigating to find out what the Cadette Journeys are. What are their themes, which Journeys interest the group the most?
Ask a Cadette troop that has traveled out of state to share their experience.
Attend a council event for Cadettes the spring before sixth grade.

Plan a Ceremony

Celebrate earning the Bridge to Cadette Award with a favorite ceremony from your Junior Journey—or make up a new one. Then proudly add bridging patches to sashes or vests!

For more ideas, see the Bridge to Senior or Ambassador sections of this packet, talk to other troops, or go online. If girls are working online, remember to sign the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge

The Silver Key

Flag or opening ceremony
Recite Girl Scout Promise and Law
Bridging ceremony
Present certificates and other awards
Activity (see instructions/script)

Supplies:

Whatever girls decide is needed for their bridging ceremony
1 silver key per bridging girl in a glass bowl

Preparation:

Work with girls to determine how and when they want to do this portion of the ceremony.
Distribute the lines from the script evenly between girls. They may end up with more than one line, but they only get one key.
Ask girls to make sure new Girl Scout vests/sashes are ready for the ceremony.

Formation:
To be decided during the planning process. Make sure to place the bowl of keys where girls can reach them and the audience can see them.

Instructions/Script

Co-leader: Now we will present each member of our troop with a silver key, which will symbolize that you are seeking to unlock the door to Cadette Girl Scouts as you begin your work on the Leadership in Action award and Girl Scout Silver Award.

Co-leader: You are about to enter another phase of Girl Scouting. You will find yourself entering a world of new experiences where you will gain an understanding of your own self worth and individuality.

As you accept more responsibility you will experience a growth in your knowledge, abilities, and judgments. Use these tools wisely.

Co-leader: (Name of new Cadette Girl Scout), are you willing to accept the challenges and responsibilities of a Cadette Girl Scout?

Girl Scout: I am.

Girls read the lines below and take a silver key from the bowl as a symbolic gesture to show they are willing to accept the challenge of Cadette Girl Scouting.

I challenge myself to have confidence in myself and my abilities and to achieve my goals.
I challenge myself to form beliefs and values based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
I challenge myself to gain skills that will prepare me for a positive, healthy, and independent future.
I challenge myself to develop a positive attitude toward learning and seek opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills and to set challenging goals for myself and take appropriate risks.
I challenge myself to examine ideas from a variety of viewpoints.
I challenge myself to have more positive and trusting in relationships with others.
I challenge myself to have a greater understanding of team building.
I challenge myself to have a greater understanding of how conflict-resolution skills contribute to effective leadership.
I challenge myself to be more aware of people from various backgrounds.
I challenge myself to understand the importance of community networks.
I challenge myself to address deeper causes of issues in my community.
I challenge myself to seek out community support and resources to help achieve my goals.
I challenge myself to recognize the importance in advocacy in accomplishing positive changes.
I challenge myself to show increased commitment to educating others on how to better our community.
I challenge myself to use my leadership skills to affect change in my life and my community.