9 DIY Ideas for Bridges for Your Bridging Ceremony
If you’re not as lucky as this Florida troop who were able to borrow a pretty bridge, you are in the right place. We’ve put together nine DIY bridges you can make for your ceremony.
Bridging is such a monumental milestone in a Girl Scoutās journey! Itās that sweet spot where you celebrate everything the girls have accomplished while looking forward to the new adventures waiting for them at the next level. Bridging to the next level demonstrates that your scouts have followed through on their commitment to scouting.
Whether you are looking for something traditional or a bit more “outside the box,” here are nine suggestions to make it memorable.
The core of bridging is the physical act of “crossing over.” You can use a real bridge, or you can create one. Also, ask around. Service Units will sometimes purchase and store a portable a wooden bridge for troop use. Let the girls decorate the bridge based on a chosen theme. Common themes are rainbows, flowers and stars but your troop can decide on their own unique theme.
Keep it Light With Balloons
Balloons are the ultimate “festive on a budget” tool. Theyāre easy to set up and instantly make a space feel special.
The Floating Arch: All you need are helium balloons and some weighted cups to create a simple, airy walkway.
Park Bridge Decor:
Head over to your local playground with a climbing bridge and decorate it with inexpensive daisy balloons and streamers to transform it into a scout-worthy crossing.
DIY Pallet Bridge
Use resources wisely and make your bridge from reclaimed wood.
The Budget Build: Use tree stakes and plywood for a simpler version. Pro tip: Loweās and Home Depot will usually cut your plywood to size for free!
The “Pro” Version: If you have older girls, get them involved in the build! Cadettes can earn their Woodworker badge while building. The sturdy design shown in this video is durable enough to pass on to other troops, and Cadettes will earn their Woodworker badge in the process.
The next two ideas are from MomsMinivan.com.
Reclaimed Fence Posts:
You’ll be surprised how easy this was to construct. She used reclaimed fence posts, pallets, and cardboard. The only purchase is for the balloons and the flower garland.
Easy and Portable:
Her ribbon bridge is super easy to transport and breaks down to fit easily into a car trunk.
She estimates the cost at $40.
Stepping Stones
DIY stepping stones provide the girls in your troop an opportunity to take home a special memento they can keep in a garden at home or bring to a special place to decorate in your community such as a butterfly garden or a wildlife preserve. For the ceremony, lay down a blue tablecloth to represent water and lay the stepping stones on it.
A stepping stone kit like this one will help the girls feel involved in the planning and make a beautiful keepsake to remind your girls of their journey.
You will pay around $25 per kit. If you don’t have the budget for it you can make stepping stones without using a kit.
Plastic plant saucers are available everywhere, usually for about $1. You can expect to get 10 stepping stones from a 50lb. bag of premixed concrete substrate (about $30). You’ll also need tile pieces, beach glass or other decorative options and be prepared to sacrifice or purchase a mixing bin.
Budget about $100 for ten 10″ stepping stones. Get step by step instructions from Hellowonderful.com.
Wrapping it Up
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter if your bridge is made of high-end cedar or reclaimed pallets and balloons. What the girls will remember is the feeling of accomplishment and stepping forward into their next big chapter.
Don’t forget to order your bridging patches earlyāthey tend to go fast as ceremony season hits! Whatever style you choose, have fun with it. Youāre building more than just a bridge; youāre building memories.
