What do you think of when someone says Girl Scout traditions? Do you think of camping, cookie sales, s'mores, trefoils? Do you think of the Promise, Law, or camp legends? Maybe you think of Scout's Owns and Friendship Circles.

Juliette Low realized the value of traditions and built them into the Girl Scout program. Actually, each troop/group also creates their own traditions.

The dictionary says tradition is "the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice." That indeed sounds like what volunteers include in the Girl Scout program to make the experiences very special for girls.

·Campers at Camp Agnes Arnold learn the legend of the purple hippo. They learn about the Magic Elf and Indian Joe, too. There is a large white notebook labeled "Navajo Stories" which is full of stories and legends about Camp Arnold in the Treasured Time library.

·In the entry hall of the lodge at Camp Casa Mare is a wall book full of information about the camp including the traditional legends which have developed over the years.

·Girl Scouts traditionally celebrate some special days. World Thinking Day is celebrated by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 144 countries all over the world on February 22. It is the mutual birthday of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. He started the Scouting Movement for both boys and girls; she joined him in promoting the Movement after their marriage. It is the day that Girl Guides and Girl Scouts send messages to their sisters in other countries and learn more about the world. Another tradition is giving contributions to the World Thinking Day Fund which promotes our organization throughout the world. Members of

GSUSA contribute to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund which in turn contributes to the World Thinking Day Fund. Any member can wear a special pin that commerates this day.

· Another day that Girl Scouts celebrate is March 12, Girl Scout Birthday. This is the date in 1912 that Juliette Low invited girls who attended her cousin's school to come to her home and hear about the English Girl Guides. Juliette Low made it sound like such fun they all signed up on the spot as the first Girl Scout troop in the USA. It is traditional to celebrate during the whole week that contains March 12. This week also includes Girl Scout Sunday and Girl Scout Sabbath which girls observe by attending the church of their faith in uniform.

· A fairly recent traditional day to celebrate is Leaders Day on April 22. Girls show their appreciation for their leaders on this day by doing something special for them.

· October 31 is Juliette Low's birthday (also known as Founder's Day). A birthday party is the traditional way to celebrate this day.

l Ceremonies play an important role in Girl Scout traditions. A new member formally joins Girl Scouts by participating in an investiture ceremony. Traditionally, this is when a girl receives her membership pin from the troop leader. This is after she learns the Promise and Law. Girls learn the Girl Scout Sign and Handshake at this time, too.

·Some troops also have a rededication each year in conjunction with the investiture ceremony. This encourages all of the girls to think about the meaning of the Girl Scout Promise and Law and how they have a positive influence on their way of life.

· When a girl moves to another level in the Girl Scout program there may be a bridging ceremony. During this ceremony girls are welcomed to the new level of Girl Scouts. The ceremony for moving from Brownies to the Junior level is called a fly-up. There are special bridging activities that can be done at this time.

· Flag ceremonies are also a traditional part of Girl Scouts. Honoring the flag of our country is an important part of Girl Scouting. Some troops have a flag ceremony at every meeting. Special events often open with a flag ceremony. Adult events often have a flag ceremony conducted by girls. Other organizations frequently ask Girl Scouts to perform flag cermonies for them.

· A Girl Scouts Own is a ceremony girls plan when they want to express their feelings about something. Girls often hold a Girl Scouts Own during a camping trip.

·A friendship circle is the traditional way to end a Girl Scout meeting. Girls hold hands and make a circle large enough to include everyone. It's traditional for girls to cross their arms, right over left, when making a friendship circle. Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is in the "Guinness World Records" for making the largest Friendship Circle in the world. They did this at Six Flag AstroWorld in Houston.

Library Friends Have you ever thought about a special, unique and meaningful way to honor a very special person? One way is to become a Girl Scout Library Friend. Monetary gifts to the library fund are used to purchase books. All donations are inscribed with a bookplate, and a card will be sent to both the honoree and the donor. Just pick up form F-46 the next time you visit the Girl Scout Center.