Discover | Activities | Event Calendar | Girl Scout Celebrations

Girl Scouts love nourishing the heart of their communities. When there is an event that helps reflect important values and spread goodwill, Girl Scouts are there! You often can find Girl Scouts helping honor holidays, participating in parades, and taking the lead in local ceremonies. There are even some special occasions celebrated within the Girl Scout community!

New Girl Scout Year Begins: Oct 1 toggle arrow

Girl Scouts begin a new membership year on October 1! That means a whole new year of friendship, fun, and adventure.

Did your Girl Scout get a new uniform this year? We have resources available to help families find out where to put badges, patches, insignia and awards.

Girl Scout Traditions:
Here are a few traditions that every Girl Scout knows:

Girl Scout sign: Girl Scouts make the Girl Scout sign—raising three fingers of the right hand with the thumb holding down the pinky—when they say the Girl Scout Promise. The three fingers represent the three parts of the Promise.

Motto: The Girl Scout motto is "Be prepared." In the 1947 Girl Scout Handbook, the motto was explained this way: "A Girl Scout is ready to help out wherever she is needed. Willingness to serve is not enough; you must know how to do the job well, even in an emergency." The same holds true today.

Slogan: The Girl Scout slogan is "Do a good turn daily." The slogan, which has been used since 1912, is a reminder that Girl Scouts can make a difference in big and small ways.

Greeting: Girl Scouts can greet one another with the Girl Scout handshake, used by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides all over the world. The handshake is made by shaking hands with the left hand and making the Girl Scout sign with the right. The left hand is nearer to the heart and signifies friendship.

Friendship Circle: Representing the unbroken chain of friendship among Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world, the Friendship Circle involves Girl Scouts standing in a circle, crossing their right arms over their left, and clasping hands with their friends on both sides. Everyone then makes a silent wish as a friendship squeeze is passed from hand to hand around the circle.

International Day of the Girl: Oct. 11 toggle arrow

October 11

On International Day of the Girl (IDG) the global community comes together to celebrate the power of girls and highlight, discuss, and take action to advance the rights of and opportunities for girls everywhere. By supporting and investing in girls, we can make the world a better place.

See International Day of the Girl activities.

Founder's Day: Oct. 31 toggle arrow

October 31

Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low was born on October 31, 1860 in Savannah, Georgia. Girl Scouts nationwide celebrate her incredible legacy by hosting honorary birthday parties, learning about our movement's history, or giving back through a community service project. Learn more about Juliette Gordon Low.

National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend: TBA toggle arrow

National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend is a celebration of the #1 girl-led business in the world! This sweet celebration takes place each year when most of the country is in cookie season. Girl Scouts often host cookie booths for customers to visit, and national media may feature the iconic treats!

Learn more about Girl Scout Cookies.

World Thinking Day: Feb. 22 toggle arrow

February 22

Making the world a better place is Girl Scout Law, so it’s no surprise we have a holiday dedicated to doing just that. Each February 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries celebrate World Thinking Day. It’s a day of international friendship and a time to stand up for causes that could improve the lives of girls around the globe. And while the holiday itself comes in February, the World Thinking Day Award can be earned at any time of year!

See World Thinking Day activities.

Girl Scout Week: March toggle arrow

March

Girl Scout Week

Girl Scout Week is celebrated each March, starting with Girl Scout Sunday and ending with Girl Scout Sabbath on a Saturday, and it always includes Girl Scouts’ birthday, March 12.

Girl Scouts celebrate in a variety of ways - including wearing their uniforms to school, throwing birthday parties, hosting flag ceremonies, meeting with local officials to proclaim Girl Scout Week in their community, and exploring their faith. Often, they also conduct a special service project or give back in some way to share the movement's powerful legacy.

Girl Scouts' Birthday

Girl Scouts’ birthday, March 12, commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first 18 members in Savannah, Georgia.

Read more about Girl Scouts' history!

Girl Scouts Celebrate Faith: March toggle arrow

During Girl Scout Week in March

Many Girl Scouts take the opportunity to deepen their connection to their faith during Girl Scout Week. Celebration days include Girl Scout Sunday, Girl Scout Jummah, and Girl Scout Sabbath/Shabbat. Girl Scouts may participate in special ceremonies at their place of worship, experience a faith journey by earning the My Promise, My Faith pin, or earn religious recognitions.

Learn more about Girl Scouts and faith.

Volunteer Appreciation Month: April toggle arrow

April

Volunteers are essential to the Girl Scout Movement! Their dedication makes an incredible impact on girls' lives and futures. Every April, we honor this service during Volunteer Appreciation month.

See Volunteer Appreciation Resources.

Girl Scout Leader's Day: April 22 toggle arrow

April 22

Girl Scout Leader's Day honors all the volunteers who work as leaders and mentors in partnership with girls. On this day, Girl Scouts, their families, and their communities find special ways to thank their Girl Scout volunteers.

National S'Mores Day: Aug. 10 toggle arrow

August 10

While this delicious day is celebrated nationally, it has a special connection to Girl Scouts! The first recorded recipe for this treat was published in Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts in 1927.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: September toggle arrow

Every year, Girl Scouts explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. Discover new opportunities on the state parks page of our website!