Angela Hart

About 7,500 Girl Scouts from eight states, including California, will trek across the Golden Gate Bridge Saturday morning for a rite-of-passage ceremony, marking their transition from junior scout to cadet.

The girls will spill out into Crissy Field in San Francisco and be honored during a day-long celebration. As a sort of "thank-you" day for the scouts' community services, local organizations including the American Red Cross, the San Francisco Zoo and Save the Bay will offer up their praise to the sixth- and seventh-graders during the celebration.

The event will be filled with music and dancing, arts and crafts. Kites will waft through the air along with the echo of karaoke songs.

"This is very inspirational for the girls," said Marina Park, CEO for the Girl Scouts of Northern California, a group with 55,000 members.

Sarah Kunz, leader for Troop number 31709 from Roosevelt Elementary School in San Leandro, has two daughters "bridging" on Saturday. "They're so excited, all they're talking about is meeting the girls from other states," she said.

The girls come from all over — from Washington and Oregon to Texas — to be a part of this. For many, it's their first time walking over the Golden Gate Bridge, and it will help build life-long bonds, Park said.

"This is a fabulous opportunity for the girls," said Martha Bratton, leader from Troop 30159 from San Lorenzo. She led her own daughter over the

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bridge 24 years ago, and continues to lead the scouts.

"The girls gain confidence and self-esteem," she said.

Bratton helps teach her girls about recycling, sometimes turning old materials into scrapbooks and gift cards. "They learn through activities and become independent women," she said.

The step from junior to cadet scout means a more independent troop, led by the girls more than the troop leaders. Greater opportunities present themselves through community service and fundraising; some troops raise enough money to pay for a trip to Disneyland or even Europe.

Being a cadet means they can begin working independently on a community or ecological project of their own that can earn them an independent bronze, silver or gold medal.

Projects range from handing out energy-efficient light bulbs and recyclable bags, to running a school lost-and-found, to throwing a prom for high school students with developmental disabilities.