The Christian centered Pioneer Girls Club began in 1939 in Illinois and was called the Girls Guild. This group was for girls of all ages and had four ranks; Royal Helper, Royal Maiden, Royal Lady and Royal Princess. They could earn badges in four fields; outdoor, nature, music and hostess. The program was the sister-program of the all-boy Christian Service Brigade.
In 1941 the program's name was changed to Pioneer Girls and the program was revamped. Girls under the age of 10 were Pilgrims and could earn a star and two badges; music and nature. Girls 11 and older were Pathfinder, Homesteader and Harvester ranks. Generally speaking girls 15 and older were considered Explorers, but at this time it was not a rank.
Later the Pioneer Girls had 3 age levels; Pilgrims, Colonists and Explorers, and in 1974 there were 5 age levels.
Through the years the program continued to grow and change. Finally the Pioneer Girls and the Christian Service Brigade merged to become the Pioneer Clubs and continues today.
The Early Years:
In 1943 the Pioneer Girls incorporated and went national. Slogan: Christ in every phase of a girl's life. Colors: Sky blue and scarlet tanager red
1948 Pioneer Girls Handbook This was the handbook for both the Pilgrims and the Colonists. Until 1963 both programs were in the same book.
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Pioneer Girls Membership Pin |
Uniform for Pioneer Girls |
Pilgrims were in school grades 3-6 and worked on 3 ranks |
Pilgrim ranks Voyager
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Settler
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Townsman
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Pilgrim badges had words on them, such as Sew Craft, Example of a Pilgrim age level badge - Sew Craft
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Colonist were in Junior High School and worked on 3 ranks |
Colonist Ranks Pathfinder
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Homesteader |
Harvester pin is a sickle and grains of wheat |
Colonist badges had images on them. Example of a Colonist age level badge - Service
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Although Pioneer Girls in high school weren't an official rank yet, they did have their own embroidered emblem and were called Explorers.
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The Pioneer Girls Club had its own series of juvenile fiction books:
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1962 |
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1968
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1963 brought program changes - a new program level - Explorer, ranks, new badges, and new handbooks.
Pilgrims
Pilgrims were now sub-divided into 2 groups; 3-4th graders and 5-6 graders
![]() 1963 First Edition |
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Pilgrim ranks Voyager
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Discoverer (added 1963)
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Settler (1620 has disappeared from the Rock on the Settler rank) |
Townsman
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Pioneer Girls uniform beanie
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Pioneer Girls uniform beanie
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Pilgrim badges continued as words embroidered in red on blue fabric.
Badge list for all Pilgrims: Book, Citizenship, Handcraft, Kitchencraft, Loyalty, Nature, New Life, Outdoor, Pets, Safety, Sewcraft, Song, Water, Advanced Water
Badge List for 5th and 6th grade Pilgrims: Advanced Kitchencraft, Air Riflery - Marksman, Air Riflery - Sharpshooter, Bible, Campcraft, Collections, Drawing, Games, Garden, Hiker, Home Care, Intermediate Swimming, Memorization, Missions, Naturecraft, Nature Exploration, Sightseeing
Colonists
In addition to a new rank and new badges, there were also now "group badges", to be earned in a group setting.
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Trailblazer - pin is a tree stump (added in 1963)
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pin design changed from an open book to a Conestoga wagon
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Homesteader |
Harvester - pin is a sickle and grains of wheat |
There were 82 badges a Colonist could earn |
Missionary Badge |
Group badges had a star in the corner |
Explorers
The new rank of Explorer was added in 1963, and was for girls in high school. However, the term Explorer had been part of Pioneer Girls from the early days.
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Explorers worked on earning keys; Bronze Key, Silver Key and Gold Key
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The highest honor for a Pioneer Girl to earn was a Wing in one of 3 categories | ![]() |
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Camping was an integral part of Pioneer Girls experience. Generally all Pioneer Girls camps were called Camp Cherith.
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The Pioneer Girls Club also offered jewelry and other items through their catalog.
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1963 Pioneer Girls pin
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Pioneer Girls ring
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Pioneer Girls 25th Anniversary Pin
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Pioneer Girls Sing - songbooks
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![]() 1970s era Pioneer Girls t-shirt |
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1972 edition of the Pioneer Girls songbook |
In 1974 the Pioneer Girls program changed it's program age levels:
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During this time, Pioneer Girl badges were round, blue embroidery on yellow fabric. Examples:
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In 1980 the Pioneer Girls, Inc. changed its name to Pioneer Ministries, and continued with the Pioneer Girls program, added a Pioneer Boys program, as well as added other programs. They continue today as co-ed. Visit their website to learn more:
Pioneer Clubs
The Pioneer Club symbol
past badge styles of the Pioneer Club
current badge styles of the Pioneer Club
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