How to Perform a Flag Ceremony

Girls outdoors holding an American flag together.

Flag Ceremony Overview

A flag ceremony honors the American flag as the symbol of our country and all the hopes, dreams, and people it represent. If your group includes girls from other countries, they can honor their flags, too, and conduct an international flag ceremony.

Flag Ceremonies may be used for:

Opening or closing meetings
Opening or closing special events
Beginning or closing a day
Honoring a special occasion or special person
Retiring a worn flag

There are many opportunities for scouts to lead a flag ceremony in La Canada:

School Board Meetings
Service Unit Leader Meetings
Troop Meetings
Girl Scout Ceremonies such as Bridging or the Gold/Silver/Bronze Award Ceremony
LCF Girl Scout Day Camp

Where flag ceremonies occur:

Flag ceremonies may take place in meeting rooms, outdoor settings, large auditoriums, onstage, or even on horseback. During a flag ceremony, the American flag is carried by a color guard for protection. All flag ceremonies share one thing - respect for the flag.

Guidelines:

Keep it simple. Emphasis needs to be on respect for the flag rather than on the commands or techniques.

Planning with the Girls:

Who will carry the flag?
Who will the color guards be?
Who will give the directions for the ceremony?
What song will you sing? Who will sound the pitch and start the song?
Will a poem or quotation be included? Who will say or read it?
After the Pledge of Allegiance, will the Girl Scout Promise and Law be said?
What order will the ceremony follow?
When will the group practice?
Where will the flags be placed at the end of the ceremony?