Creating Sacred Spaces: A Silver Award Project Honoring Flag Traditions

This fall, a meaningful Silver Award project is taking root across several Girl Scouts of Colorado camp properties. Dedicated Cadettes have designed and installed flag burial markers at six locations: Twisted Pine, Tomahawk Ranch, Sky High Ranch, Meadow Mountain Ranch, Lazy Acres and the Grand Junction Service Center. These burial markers serve a special purpose: to provide a sacred space for troops to bury flag ashes after flag retirement ceremonies, whether held at camp or before arriving. This thoughtful initiative gives Girl Scouts a respectful and permanent place to lay retired flags to rest, deepening the traditions and symbolism that come with flag ceremonies. Flag retirement ceremonies are a powerful part of many Girl Scout camp experiences, often marking the close of day, the end of a camp session or a time of reflection. Until now, troops didn’t always have a dedicated place to bury ashes after a flag burning ceremony. This Silver Award project ensures that Girl Scouts have a dedicated, honorable location to complete this final step in the flag retirement process. 

Planning a Flag Retirement Ceremony? Troops wishing to hold a flag burning at camp must first contact the property manager ahead of time to discuss fire safety guidelines and permissions. Once your ceremony is complete, the new burial markers will be ready for your use.

This project not only honors our country’s flag but also empowers Girl Scouts to take the lead in preserving tradition, respecting history, and leaving a legacy for others to follow.