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Flag Day
While always prepared and ready to adapt to modern times, Girl Scouts also has deeply rooted ceremonies and traditions. One of Girl Scouting’s most honored traditions is the opening and closing of events with a flag ceremony. This always includes the American flag but can also include flags for WAGGGS, the state or municipality, the Girl Scout or Council flag, and even troop flags. Flag ceremonies can also include reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise and Law. It might even include a patriotic song such as “America the Beautiful” or the reading of a poem.
Flag Day, a national observance, is day to honor the American flag, a symbol of the hopes, dreams and people of the United States. Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th, and commemorates the adoption of the flag on that day in 1777. Let’s celebrate Flag Day this year with a look at Girl Scout flag ceremonies, ways to retire or respectfully dispose of flags once their time of service is ended, and a fun, new flag design challenge!
How to Perform a Girl Scout Flag Ceremony
The Girl Scout in charge (often referred to as the “caller”) uses these suggested commands to lead the color guard (one or more Girl Scouts to carry each of the flags being used) through the steps of the ceremony.
- “Girl Scouts, attention” - Used to announce that the flag ceremony is to begin.
- “Color guard, advance” - This signals the color guard to advance with the flags.
- “Color guard, post the colors” - This directs the color guard to place the flag in flag standards, or to attach the grommets to a flag pole rope.
- “Please join us in saying the Pledge of Allegiance” (followed by an appropriate song, quotation, Girls Scout Promise or poem if so desired).
- If retiring the flag, eliminate post the colors; color guard should honor the flag, assembly may sing “Taps” and caller inserts “Color guard, retire the colors”. This asks the color guard to remove the flag from standards, or to lower the flag, detach from the rope, and fold prior to being dismissed.
Flag Retirement and Disposal
One of the most meaningful ways to show respect for the flag is by participating in a flag retirement ceremony. When do flags retire? According to the U.S. Flag Code when a flag is “in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning”. While the U.S. Flag Code does not provide an outline for this ceremony, UShistory.org offers good suggestions for conducting a ceremony of final tribute before a ceremonial burning. As with all flag ceremonies, it’s best to keep it simple and place the emphasis on respect for the flag rather than on the commands or techniques. The National Flag Foundation offers other ways to respectfully dispose of flags, including the Stars for our Troops program.
Flag Day Design Contest
In honor of Flag Day this year, we invite all GSCCC Girl Scouts to design a flag that represents them! Whether you create one for yourself or work together as a troop, think about the symbolism of the shapes, colors, and imagery that you use. Your amazing and inspiring flag could win you the top prize of a $25 gift certificate to the GSCCC Shop, or a “surprise” item from the shop!
Contest Guidelines:
- This contest is open to all active GSCCC Girl Scouts (K-12).
- Only one entry per Girl Scout OR per troop.
- Design must be submitted on the official template.
- Caregiver permission is required to enter.
- The deadline for entry is June 25, 2025. Winner will be announced June 30 on GSCCC’s Facebook page.
Send your entries to marcomm@gsccc.org with subject line, “Flag Day Contest” — Good luck!
