The Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey are holding a ceremonial “bridging” event later this month, during which as many as 5,000 girls, volunteers and alumnae will cross the George Washington Bridge from Fort Lee in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, the organization announced.

“Bridging” is a traditional ceremony among Girl Scouts, signifying the passage from one level of scouting to the next, and organizers decided to do it on a large-scale this year to mark the organization’s passage into its own next century.

“Bridging is such a significant part of Girl Scouting, which is why this historic bridging event is the perfect way to kick off our 100thanniversary celebration,” said Susan Brooks, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey Council in a statement. “Bridging represents an important transition in a Girl Scout's life. It's a defining moment when a girl becomes aware of her achievements and is ready for new adventures and responsibilities.”

Brooks added that all four New Jersey councils—the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Central and Southern New Jersey, Heart of New Jersey and Jersey Shore—will come together “to celebrate this milestone,” and the councils say that because of interest from Girl Scout organizations in neighboring states, they are opening the event up to Girl Scouts nationwide.

Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni also issued a statement on the Girl Scouts’ big day, calling it, “a monumental event” that “will be remembered by generations to come."

"We are proud to come together with an organization as steeped in history and tradition as the Girl Scouts,” Baroni said, noting that the bridge itself, which he called an “American icon” celebrated an anniversary of its own recently—its 80th.

In addition, the Port Authority will light the “necklace lights” on the George Washington Bridge green in November in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, much as the agency lit them pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Registration for the Nov. 13 “bridging event” is open to all Girl Scouts, but space is limited, according to the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey. To register, all participants, including adults, must already be registered with the Girl Scouts. For more information or to register for the event or with the Girl Scouts, visit the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey online. Registration is $50 per participant.

The Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary “bridging” event across the George Washington Bridge starting in Fort Lee is Sunday, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m.

Credit to: Patch