Something you may not know is that along with the badges designed by the Girl Scouts, which are focused on various areas such as art, science, technology, and mathematics. There are also Religious Recognitions (which are not created by Girl Scouts, but your own religious organization) the girls can earn and wear on their Girl Scout uniform.

My Promise My Faith

Everything in Girl Scouting is based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law. The Girl Scout Law includes many of the principles and values common to most faiths. Thus, while a secular organization, Girl Scouts has, since the movement began, encouraged girls to take spiritual journeys via their faiths' religious recognitions.

Girls of all grade levels can now earn the My Promise, My Faith pin developed by Girl Scouts of the USA. This pin, which girls can earn once a year, complements existing religious recognitions and allows all girls to further strengthen the connection between their faith and Girl Scouts (see images of the pins below). A girl earns the My Promise, My Faith pin by carefully examining the Girl Scout Law and directly tying it to tenets of her faith. Requirements for this pin are included in The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for all levels, see a summary

P.R.A.Y. Awards

The following national organizations have created religious recognitions to encourage girls to grow stronger in their faith. The Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. has approved of these programs and allows the recognition insignia to be worn on the official uniform, but each religious organization develops and administers its own program. Check with www.praypub.org or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum books and recognitions.

How to get started on your program

1. Girls must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.

·         Contact the religious organization directly

·         Each girl needs her own booklet to document progress.

·         Some religions offer adult manuals and recognitions for counselors and mentors.

2. Parents should review the program guidelines.

·         Some programs require that girls be official “members” of the religious institution.

·         Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.

·         Each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor.  Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselor.

3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program.

·         Most programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization.

·         Many programs require a religious leader’s signature.

4. Girls must complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition or pin.

·         These recognitions or pins are not available at the Girl Scout Service Center.

·         The award should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the girl’s religious institution.

·         The award can be presented at any time of the year.  (Don’t forget:  Girl Scout Sunday/Sabbath is in March).