Key Advancement Ceremony
Thanks to Wendy Baker, who posted this idea to the Guiding Mailing List.
Equipment: A large cardboard shaped door or gate with a lock made in proportion to the key. The key should be about 12” in length or it will not be seen by the participants or audience.
If a Brownie is going on to Guides:
Brown Owl hand the Brownie the KEY and her Brownie pin and sends her on her way to the DOOR or GATE saying:
- Brownie Land had magic,
- That only Brownies see,
- Guides have another land
- And you must have the KEY.
The Brownie is met at the door or gate by a patrol leader, saying,
- We welcome you with open hearts,
- But you cannot enter free.
- Open the LOCK to Guiding Land,
- Fit in your Brownie KEY.
The Brownie fits the Key into the lock and is then taken into the horseshoe.
If a Brownie is leaving the unit:
Brown Owl hands Brownie the KEY and the Brownie pin. The units says the following verse as the Brownie advances to the DOOR or GATE:
- You stand at the door of future day,
- We’ve all enjoyed our Brownie ways,
- But now it’s time to try new things,
- Farewell, here’s the KEY and we’ll miss you.
The Brownies may turn and wave good-bye before placing the Key in the Lock. After opening the door with the magic key, the Brownie is met by her Mother of some other symbol of a wider world (Grandmother, Father, Neighbour, Teacher, etc.)
A Guide going on to Pathfinders:
The leader gives the KEY to the Guide leaving. As the Guide takes the key, she says:
- As a Guide, I’ve learned so many things,
- To camp, to hike, to sing and laugh,
- To share with friends and use my eyes
- And now they see a widening path.
- A gate is stretched from side to side,
- But my KEY of knowledge will open it wide.
The Guide is met at the door or gate by a Pathfinder, saying:
- Welcome stranger to our side of the gate.
- Your KEY of Knowledge has brought you straight
- From Guiding ways to Pathfinder goals,
- You’ll make true friends as you pass our shoals.
- That path grows wider as you travel along
- With your eyes wide open and your aims still strong.
This ceremony could end with the Guides and Pathfinders joining to sing “Make New Friends”.