What is a crest, and who uses them? Used by Junior, Cadette and Senior level troops,
troop crests are a symbol of a troop's goal or main interest.
In the early days of Girl Scouting, they were used to identify
a troop. The rapid growth of the movement soon made numbering
necessary, but crests were kept as a symbol of a troop's
interests. Today's Girl Scouts should choose a crest carefully
and find one that has special meaning to them. Every member
of the troop should know what their crest is and what it
means.
How and when do you choose a crest?
Once chosen, a crest is used for the life of the troop. If a girl enters an
established troop, then she takes that troop's crest. If a troop bridges
to the next level and forms a new troop, they may choose to keep the previous
crest or select a new one. If part of the troop bridges and forms a new
troop, they can choose a new crest. The girls remaining behind should keep
the old crest unless the focus of the troop has drastically changed from
when the original was selected.
How
many crests are there? 24 crests, including a blank
for troops wanting to design their own.
Current crests available:
BLUEBIRD
Known for its song,
and bright color. At home in the city or the
wild. Traditional symbol of happiness and cheerfulness.
CARDINAL
Known for
its whistle "Good
Cheer!"
CLOVERLEAF
Traditional symbol
of good luck; also the shape of the Girl Scout
Trefoil.
DAFFODIL
Spring flower; symbol
of sunny personality.
DOGWOOD
New life, rebirth;
a spring-flowering tree.
FALLING
STAR
Symbol of good luck;
makes wishes come true.
FORGET-ME-NOT
Long standing symbol
of friendship and loyalty.
HAWAIIAN
LEI
Symbol for circle
of friendship.
LIGHTNING
Symbol of power
in nature.
LILY
OF THE VALLEY
Symbol of purity;
in folklore, it is known as fairy bells.
MORNING
GLORY
Symbol of awakening
of new day and glory to God.
MUSICAL
NOTES
International symbol
of music and song.
PINE
TREE
Symbol for boldness,
loyalty and stability.
PURPLE
PANSY
Stands
for service and friendship. Also known as "hearts ease".
PURPLE
VIOLET
Symbol today of
clean environment and a clean earth.
RED
ROSE
The "All-American" flower;
symbol of beauty and love.
SAILBOAT
Symbolizes freedom
on the wind of an adventurous journey.
SEA
SHELL
A promise of discovery;
a gift from the sea.
STAR
OF BETHLEHEM
A guide or beacon
that shows the way; a goal.
UNICORN
Symbol of magic,
mystery and purity.
WATERFALL
Symbol of preservation,
redemption and cleansing. Also symbol of quest
for the truth.
WHITE
ROSE
Symbol of the Royal
House of Stuart; it stands for loyalty and
challenge. It was also the crest of the first
troop in Savannah, GA.
WILD
ROSE
Perseverance and
adaptability even in the face of adversity,
beauty in strength, and exploring possibilities.
