Oriole Girls

 

The Oriole Girls of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were remarkably similar to Camp Fire Girls in their early days, and more like Girl Scouts in their later days. I can find no indication that the Oriole Girls program continues today under the Community of Christ Church.

Emblem of the Oriole Girls

The symbol of the Oriole Girls  is a spreading tree, symbolic of service and beauty; orange on a field of black.

 

The Oriole Pledge

Trusting God for help

I will try to be true to my very best self,

always helpful to others and loyal to God and His church

and to the purpose of this circle.

 

 

 

An early newspaper clipping of the Oriole Girls	1925 Oriole Girls Handbook
Began:  April 1915 Sponsoring Organization: Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - renamed  Community of Christ Church in 2000. Oriole Girls no longer seems offered. Age Level: (1938) Ages 12- 15 yrs. (1946) ages 11-16 yrs. (1950) ages 11-15, (1983) ages 9-11 yrs.	An early article on the Blue Birds Program for younger girls Younger girls could join as Blue Birds or (1983) Skylarks

Oriole Girls are formed into "Circles"

Blue Birds or Skylarks are formed into "Bands"

A lone girl unable to join a circle is called a "Forest Oriole"

 

Uniforms of the Oriole Girls:

 

1940

1946

A rare example of Honor Badges tab worn hanging from the belt of the uniform. Most of the badges can be identified below, but not all, indicating it is older than 1983.

This Oriole Girls Honor Badges tab was recently seen on Ebay.

1983 Badge Program for the Oriole Girls:

 

Arts	Archery	Basic Aid and Safety	Birds	Boating	Book of Mormon	Campcraft
Canoeing	Christian Church History	Unknown	Child Care	RLDS Church History	Citizenship	Conservation
Cooking	Food Preservation	Crocheting	Cycling	Dramatics	Gardening	Home
Handcraft	Health and Fitness	Hostess	Interpersonal Relationships	Knitting	Media	Music
Nature Appreciation	Nature Craft	Needlework	Outdoor Cooking	Reading	Sewing	Scripture
Skating	Sports and Games	Stewardship	World Outreach

 

Handbooks of the Oriole Girls Program:

 

1940

1946

1983

 

This 1965 article notes that Oriole Girls and the younger Blue Birds earned Service Honors  in the form of color-coded feathers

This 1966 article notes that Oriole Girls are an international program with groups in Germany, Netherlands, Tahiti and other countries.

 

Ranks of the Oriole Girls:

1940	Ranks: Pledge; Oriole Girl, Songster, Second Rank Builder, First Rank Builder
1946	Ranks: Pledge; Oriole Girl, Songster, Second Rank Builder, First Rank Builder
1983	Ranks:  Flight of the Spreading Wings, Flight of the Silver Wings, Flight of the Gold Wings

 

Oriole Girls Service Star pin