Founder’s Day Patch Program®

Celebrating Founders Day (Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday on October 31st) is a milestone event for any troop. It’s the perfect opportunity to honor the history of Scouting, bring your girls closer together, and have a lot of fun.

Here are some great ideas to help you plan an unforgettable celebration:

---

1. Throw a Birthday Party for “Daisy”

Since Founders Day is Juliette Low’s birthday, why not throw her a classic birthday party?

• Vintage Games: Play games that were popular in 1912 when Scouting began, such as Kim’s Game (a memory game), potato races, or bobbing for apples.
• Birthday Cake & Tea: Serve a birthday cake decorated with daisies. Juliette was known for her love of hosting, so a mini tea party with punch and cookies is a perfect fit.
• Happy Birthday, Daisy!: Have the girls sing “Happy Birthday” to Juliette and share their favorite things about being a Scout.

2. Host a “Bring-a-Friend” Recruitment Event

Founders Day is one of the best times of the year to grow your troop or service unit.

• Interactive Stations: Set up simple craft, game, and science stations.
• Scout Showcase: Have your current girls show off their vests, share stories of their favorite trips, and teach new girls a simple camp song.
• Parent Info Table: While the girls are busy crafting, host a Q&A session for interested parents to make onboarding easy.

3. Hold a Rededication or Investiture Ceremony

October is a fantastic time to officially welcome new members and renew the commitment of returning ones.

• Candle Lighting: Conduct a beautiful candle-lighting ceremony where girls recite the Promise and Law.
• The Daisy Pinning: Use this formal moment to pin new girls with their membership pins.
• Investiture SWAPs: Have girls create and trade special ceremonial SWAPs to remember the day.

4. Complete a Founders-Inspired Service Project

Juliette Low was deeply committed to community service, making a troop service project a meaningful way to honor her legacy.

• Birthday Bags: Assemble “birthday party kits” in gift bags (cake mix, frosting, candles, and balloons) to donate to local food pantries for families in need.
• Daisy Garden: Plant daisy bulbs at your meeting location or a local park so they bloom in the spring.
• DIY to Donate: Work on a simple hands-on craft project to donate to local senior centers or animal shelters.

5. Dive into Scouting History

Help your girls understand the story behind the uniform and the movement they are a part of.

• Learn About Juliette: Read stories about Juliette Low’s adventurous life—from her love of art and athletics to her determination to start Scouting despite being nearly deaf.
• Vintage Fashion Show: Have girls research and draw (or dress up in) historical uniforms from different eras.