Girl Scouts learn the significance behind our nation’s greatest symbol and how to properly care for and display the American Flag. Girls will learn how to participate in a flag ceremony, practice carrying the flags, learn how to fold a flag, and learn how to properly retire the American flag.
Bet you didn’t know that we’ve had 28 different versions of the American Flag over the last 200 years of American History did you? It’s true!
Why? Through the years the number of stars in the canton has increased with the addition of new states.
Unlike other countries, America only has two national symbols, the bald eagle and the American Flag.
The flag has been the inspiration for holidays, songs, poems, books, artwork and more. Can you name a song written about the American Flag? (Star Spangled Banner or It’s a Grand Old Flag)
Can you name some holidays when the flag is displayed? Fourth of July, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Labor Day, Patriot’s Day, and Veteran’s Day
Please check out our Activity Calendar for more Flag Training opportunities!
Handling the American Flag
The display of the American Flag is governed by law to ensure that it will be treated with respect. This is known as the Flag Code.
Some of the Flag Code's rules most useful for Girl Scouts are:
- The American Flag should be placed in the center, and higher, when displayed with a group of state, local, or organizational flags flown from staffs. It may also be positioned to the right of other flags (if you were to hold the flag while facing your audience, your right side would be the flag's own right).
- "When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience."
- Girl Scouts will learn more rules during training.

Girl Scouts who complete Flag Training will receive a flag training patch.