Quicklinks
Girls
Religious Recognitions
Preamble, Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America
“We, the members of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God…believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one.”
The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Girl Scouting promotes and encourages girls to participate in faith-based programs. It has been part of the Girl Scout tradition since its inception in 1912 and remains a cornerstone of the Girl Scout program.
Girl Scouts recognizes the religious diversity that exists within our communities. Many times, girls in the same troop represent a wide variety of faiths. Troop Leaders help girls develop respect and appreciation for each others’ individual beliefs.
National Interfaith Committee helps girls explore their faith.
The National Interfaith Committee for Girl Scouting was established to help strengthen girls’ individual religious beliefs. The committee represents a variety of faith-based organizations that have developed age-specific religious programs for girls. Upon completion of these programs, girls receive awards that recognize their accomplishments. These awards may be worn on the Girl Scout sash or vest.
How to get started on your program
1. Girls must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.
- Contact the religious organization directly
- Each girl needs her own booklet to document progress.
- Some religions offer adult manuals and recognitions for counselors and mentors.
2. Parents should review the program guidelines.
- Some programs require that girls be official “members” of the religious institution.
- Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.
- Each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselor.
3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program.
- Most programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization.
- Many programs require a religious leader’s signature.
4. Girls must complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition or pin.
- These recognitions or pins are not available at the Girl Scout Service Center.
- The award should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the girl’s religious institution.
- The award can be presented at anytime of the year. (Don’t forget: Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath is in March).
My Promise My Faith
Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Girl Scout Law includes many of the principles and values common to most faiths. Thus, while a secular organization, Girl Scouts has, since the movement began, encouraged girls to take spiritual journeys via their faiths' religious recognitions.
Girls of all grade levels can now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin developed by Girl Scouts of the USA. This pin, which girls can earn once a year, complements existing religious recognitions and allows all girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts (see images of the pins below). A girl earns the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels, see a summary
The following national organizations have created religious recognitions to encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has approved of these programs and allows the recognition insignia to be worn on the official uniform, but each religious organization develops and administers its own program. Check with www.praypub.org or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum books and recognitions.
To find out more about the particular religious recognition you are interested in click on the faith below.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)
Protestant and Independent Christian Churches
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
United Pentecostal Church International
For information on the following religions, please refer to the contact information listed below.
Bahai
Baha’I National Center, Education & Schools Office
1233 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201-1611
847-733-3492
Email: schools@usbnc.org
www.education.usbnc.org/child_spir_ed/scoutin.htm
Buddhist
National Buddhist Committee on Scouting
415 42nd Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94403
650-574-4527
Email: viwamura@sbcglobal.net
www.geocities.com/bcascout
Churches of Christ
Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting
401 Cypress Ste. 406
Abilene, TX 79601
325-370-1679
Email: info@goodservant.org
www.goodservant.org
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Young Women’s and Primary Organizations
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
76 N. Main St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
Ages 8 – 11 call 801-240-2391
Ages 12 – 18 call 801-240-2141
Community of Christ
World Community Program Series
1001 W. Walnut
Independence, MO 64050-3562
816-833-1000 or 1-800-825-2806
Email: mhoffman@cofchrist.org
www.cofchrist.org/OnlineResources/WorldCommunity/worldcommunity.asp
Hindu
North American Hindu Association
847 E. Angela St.
Pleasanton, CA 94566
925-846-3811
Email: info@naha.us
www.naha.us
Islamic
Islamic Committee on Girl Scouting
31 Marian St.
Stamford, CT 06907
203-359-3593
www.nicgs.com
Jewish
National Jewish Committee on Girl Scouting
33 Central Dr.
Bronxville, NY 10708-4603
914-738-3986
Email: njcgs@gmail.com
www.njcgs.org
Polish National Catholic Church
National Committee on Scouting
Polish National Catholic Church
11 Everette Pl.
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-694-9457
Email: rodaum@verizon.net
Unitarian Universalist
ATTN: Bookstore
25 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
617-742-2100 ext 102
1-800-215-9076
Unity Church
Association of Unity Churches
PO Box 610
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
816-524-7414
