We’re at the mid-point of the cookie season, which means that our other favorite time of the year will soon be upon us. That’s right—it’s almost Girl Scout Week! Each March (this year it’s March 8–14), we dedicate a week to celebrate our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, and to salute all those who help make that possible. Girl Scout Week begins with Girl Scout Sunday, includes Girl Scout Jummah, and ends with Girl Scout Shabbat/Sabbath. It always includes Girl Scouts’ birthday (March 12).
Though we are a secular organization, Girl Scouts has always recognized our partnerships with faith communities. Partnering with faith communities during Girl Scout Week exposes more people in that community to the benefits of Girl Scouts, affirms relationships with faith leaders and adult volunteers, and builds the Movement’s diversity.
Faith can be intensely personal and specific—two people can share the same religion, but practice it very differently. Girl Scouts enables girls to honor their spiritual journey in a way that’s authentic to their faith—here’s how you can support them during Girl Scout Week and throughout the year.
Celebrate During Girl Scout Week
Girl Scouts Celebrate Faith observances can be celebrated by any faith group during Girl Scout Week (or at another mutually agreeable time with their faith partner in the future). In 2020, celebration dates include:
- Girl Scout Sunday (Christian): March 8
- Girl Scout Jummah (Muslim): March 13
- Girl Scout Shabbat/Sabbath (Jewish): March 13–14
During these three days, girls are encouraged to participate in their worship services, pre- and/or post-service events with their faith community, and community service projects. This is also a great opportunity for girls to explore faiths other than their own. Girls who participate can commemorate the event with a special patch.
Participate in a Religious Recognition Program
Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) was created by national religious organizations as a way to encourage the spiritual growth of youth members. These religious emblems are sanctioned by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and can be worn on the front of official uniforms. Each religious organization develops and administers its own program, so connect directly with the organization for guidelines and awards. Check out the partnership page for a full list of participating organizations. If you don’t see your religious organization listed, they might not be affiliated with P.R.A.Y. and you may need to contact your local religious leader to find a similar program.
Earn the My Promise, My Faith Pin
Girls of all program grade levels can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin, a religious recognition program developed by GSUSA. The requirements for the pin allow girls to strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts by examining the Girl Scout Law and tying it directly to their religion’s tenets. Girls can earn the My Promise, My Faith pin each year. Find the steps to earn the pin in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting, online on our Spirituality and Faith page, or Girl Scouts River Valleys’ activity plans.
A quick note about the difference between the religious recognition awards and the My Promise, My Faith pin—while the My Promise, My Faith pin helps girls connect Girl Scouting with their faith, the religious recognition awards are created by individual faith groups for their members to grow in that faith. Troop leaders are not expected to provide religious instruction for their troop, but instead, share information about these programs with their girls and families. As mentioned before, faith is unique to each girl, so the religious recognition awards should be earned through the girl’s specific congregation.
Everything in Girl Scouts is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, which also encompasses many of the principles and values common across multiple religions. Since its inception, Girl Scouts has and continues to be a place where girls of all faiths can honor their spirituality and embrace the diversity of the Girl Scout Movement.
Lily Yu –Lily is a Program Resource Specialist at River Valleys. She earned her BA in comparative literature and Japanese from Hamilton College and has a background in publishing and advertising. Though she wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up, Lily is making up for lost time as a volunteer and troop cookie manager for her daughter’s Brownie troop. In her free time, she enjoys going for long walks, reading, and spending time with her family (and rescue dog, Neil!)