CUB SCOUT CEREMONIES
for Cub Scout Den or Pack Meetings

Use costumes, props and your imagination. Anything that requires throwing, catching, hitting, running, jumping, breaking, popping, bouncing, stomping, rolling, crawling, climbing, swinging or dropping is bound to bring a smile to the face of a nine-year-old. Sean Scott

 

Some Basic Ideas  Make Your Ceremonies Work
Purpose of Ceremonies	Kinds of Ceremonies
Using Ceremonies	10 Commandments of Ceremonies
Some Hints	Using Themes
Ceremony Props	Installation Ceremonies
General Purpose Awards For All Occasions
Advancement
Openings and Closings
Webelos Arrow of Light and Graduation

It doesn't need to be elaborate, just fun and memorable. Use costumes, props and your imagination. Anything that requires throwing, catching, hitting, running, jumping, breaking, popping, bouncing, stomping, rolling, crawling, climbing, swinging or dropping is bound to bring a smile to the face of a nine-year-old.  Don’t be afraid to explore and write your own ceremonies! Sean Scott

Check out Sean's Web Site!

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Last Update: 7/5/04

SOME OF THE BASICS

Ceremonies are one of the oldest forms of human communication. They pre-date history. Good Ceremonies are the ones that people remember. They commemorate something important that the people involved should remember. You want to the boy and his parents to remember, not just the ceremony, but what it all stands for.

To make your ceremonies that effective, try to incorporate drama, ritual, symbolism and and a message into each of the ceremonies that are presented in your pack or den.

Drama: Focus the audience's attention with the unusual. Use special lighting, music, props and other effects. Do something unusual to grab and hold their eyes and ears.

Ritual: Drive your message home with symbols and actions that are familiar and meaningful to all concerned. Keep it dignified and comfortable to participants and the audience.

Symbolism: Use symbols to repeat parts of your message. Use sight, sound, touch, smell and taste to underline your ideas. The candles, the badges, the pine boughs and the campfire can all represent elements of Scouting and its ideals.

Message: Your ceremony must say something important. Pay careful attention to what it is that you want to say. To whom do you want to say it? How will drama, ritual and symbolism get your message across and make it memorable?

WHAT ARE CEREMONIES?

Ceremonies are a formal opportunity to present awards and honors to Cub Scouts who have worked hard for them. Ceremonies are your chance to praise a boy's work in front of his parents, his friends and even in front of strangers, thus making him the focus of attention for a short, but significant period of time. At the same time ceremonies encourage other Cub Scouts to complete their own programs. The key to any and all Cub Scout ceremonies is the boy.
Even when honoring adults, presenting charters, doing patriotic programs, the boy must be the center of the program. He is the one who will wiggle through your long-winded passages, tell his neighbors about his new bike during the flag salute, and let you know that your ceremonies are too long by asking to go to the bathroom in the middle of one of your "best lines". Keep him in mind, let him be your guide - when the Cub Scout is the center of the program, your ceremonies will be meaningful, not to just the Cub Scout, but to all assembled.
When the lights are lowered and the candles are being lit, his eyes will open wide and his jaw will fall open with amazement as the tom-tom beat sets a mood and the ceremony begins. And than you call his name ... You've got him right where he wants to be - in the center.

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To establish a regular plan to present awards promptly, as soon as possible after they are earned.

To emphasize the Character Connections in Cub Scouting.

To focus attention on the accomplishments of Cub Scouts by awarding badges and pins - and recognizing parents and Den Leaders at the same time.

To acknowledge the work of another.

To provide high points in the advancement plan.

To make visitors and guests welcome and by making them a part of the program.

To honor pack leaders by recognizing Den Chiefs, Den Leaders, Cubmaster, Assistants, Pack Trainers, Webelos Den Leaders and Pack Committee.

To give special recognition to Cub Scouts and parents for recruiting, service projects and special activities.

To provide the opportunity to present the ideals of Cub Scouting in a dramatic and lasting manner, not only for those being recognized, but for those watching.

To promote parent participation by helping to explain the parent's role in Cub Scouting and creating parent interest and desire to help in the planning and staging of ceremonies.

To improve the program by making a beginning and end to both den and pack meetings; helping to provide a change of pace; indicating when something important is coming up; and getting and maintaining control at meetings.

To be a vehicle for the make believe and pageantry that Cub Scouts love so much.

To encourage attendance and participation at meetings.

To say thank you for a special job.

To create an incentive for others to work so that they too may be recognized.

KINDS OF CEREMONIES
• Opening Ceremonies: These can be patriotic or not as you choose. Although tradition indicates that there should be some sort of flag ceremony at the beginning and the end of a pack or den meeting.
• Closing Ceremonies: Can be very simple. A very good example is the Cub master's (Den Leader's) Minute. The idea here is to slow things down so that the boys go home knowing that they had a good time but are in a reflective mood (parents will sure appreciate it when trying to get them into bed). A good place to bring up Character Connections.
• Advancement Ceremonies: Probably the ceremony most often performed  at pack meetings. The Scout is ALWAYS the center of this ceremony. Be careful to vary the ceremony.
• Patriotic Ceremonies: Usually in connection with openings, but can occur at any point in the meeting, especially when there is a patriotic holiday or similar occasion.
• Induction Ceremonies: Used when boys are being brought into the pack, , or possibly when they move into the next den level (e.g. from Wolf to Bear). See Webelos Scouts, Graduation Ceremonies.
• Webelos Ceremonies: As the boys advance in the pack the achievements for advancements get harder. The boys also need to be congratulated for sticking with the program. So make Webelos ceremonies a little more elaborate. Graduation Ceremonies typically lake place in the spring as the boys move from one den level into the next. The Webelos crossover  to Boy Scouts should be a high point of the year.
• Leader Induction's and Appreciation: Leaders devote a lot of time to the pack. Be sure to recognize this fact at every opportunity. Everything we say about the boy's need for recognition also applies to the adult leadership. Don't forget the committee members

HOW TO USE CEREMONIES

With Costumes ( They don't have to be elaborate)

With Flashlights and Spotlights (Especially if fire regulations prohibit fires or candles)

With Fans to make the flag ripple

With Music (this can really set a ceremony off)

With an artificial campfire made from logs (An effective way to have a campfire ceremony on those odd winter evenings.

With Painted backdrops (Really neat. Requires a lot of effort)

With Puppets

With Props - Logs, balance scales, ladders, signs (KISMIF)

With Candles (Be sure and check fire regulations)

With IMAGINATION (You really DO have one!)

 

 
 

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10 COMMANDMENTS OF CEREMONIES

Thou shalt have one every month.  Thou shalt keep it simple, make it fun (KISMIF.)  Thou shalt not repeat a ceremony, no matter how many adults want to (or how good you look in an Indian Headdress.)  Thou shalt not ask Cub Scouts (or adults) to memorize or read a lot of big words.  Thou shalt be heard and be seen by all.  Thou shalt include both child and his parent.  Thou shalt not forget Webelos Activity pins; make them important, also.  Neither shalt thou ignore the Tigers for they are small and easy to forget.  Thou shalt understand Cub Scout Advancement and how important it is to the boys.  Thou shalt use thy brain to come up with new ideas by a Scouts-L friend, Henry Mowry

HINTS FOR CEREMONIES Here are some points to remember when developing your ceremonies:

Base your ceremony on Cub Scout ideals: the Promise, Law of the Pack, Motto.

Plan the ceremony to build Cub Scout spirit.

It should inspire and have color, but should be sincere.

It should be well planned and staged to avoid delays and mix-ups.

It should instill high regard for patriotism and citizenship.

Use candles, campfire, flag or Cub emblem as a focal point.

If specific speaking parts are required, have them read from a script with the speaker out of sight of the audience. Be sure he can be heard. Ceremonies are lifeless if the speaker can't be understood.

A good ceremony can be measured by the Cub Scout yardstick: FUN!

Each person involved should have a copy of the script. Have extra copies in case you need someone to pinch-hit at the last minute.

Homemade costumes enhance the ceremony and mean much to parents and boys.

Ceremonies mean more to Cub Scouts who help make the "props".

Careful consideration must be given to the place where the ceremony will take place. Ceremonies can be changed, but often your location cannot.

Make your ceremonies dignified. Rule out horseplay. Avoid situations which will create laughs or yawns.

Never sacrifice dignity for fun.

Every sound, action, and prop has meaning. This is symbolism. When you put it all together, you have a ceremony.

Avoid mass ceremonies for presentation of awards. Each boy is an individual, and should be recognized as such!

Always give immediate recognition.

OCC

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CEREMONIAL PROPS

A few attractive props help set the scene for an impressive pack meeting. Many props can be made from scrap material. They do not have to be expensive to be impressive. The following are a few basics which your pack might like to use:

A Blue and Gold Tablecloth: This can be used on your awards table.    Make the tablecloth from yellow cloth and trim it with blue binding or vice versa.

Electric Candle: These can be made from discarded electric candle type Christmas wreaths. Run the wiring through a piece of conduit for the candle part. Cover with blue or gold foil gift wrap. Posters of various ranks can be placed on a small easel between the candles on your head table. Change the poster to correspond with the rank being awarded.

Campfire: A log cabin or tepee-type fire can be nailed to a plywood base and lined with yellow, orange, or red cellophane. Use a small string of individual blinking Christmas lights underneath. Use only flameproof materials. You could also use a regular light bulb and cover the area with red cellophane.

Bridge: A bridge can be built from scrap lumber, doweling for poles and white rope to string along the top.

Arrow of Light: This can be cut from scrap plywood, painted yellow and mounted atop another piece of plywood for the base. Holes can be drilled to hold candles.

Costumes: They should reflect this month's theme.

Candles: Be sure to have a good supply of candles in blue, white and yellow.

Flag: Be sure to have the pack flag as well as the American flag.

Flashlight: A large flashlight is essential. It can be used as a spotlight or for reading when doing a candlelight ceremony.
 

ARTIFICIAL CAMPFIRE If you don't want to start a real fire, but have it look fairly real, here is an idea I used at our first pack meeting. My CC brought in and set up a tent, cooler, backpack, lantern, etc. in the school cafeteria. I brought in 6-8 small logs, stacked them with two alternating, pointing each way and put  an orange shaded trouble light in the middle to give a fire glow. I then put  a large pot (filled with dry ice) on top. In my case I had another pan in the center with neckerchiefs to give to new Cubs. I made a ceremony of  adding blue and yellow colored water and got the expected steam effect  coming from the pot. You could just add a little water to the dry ice now  and then to keep it cooking. Marty Linn

INGREDIENTS FOR BUILDING GOOD CEREMONIES

ACTION: Use as many people as possible,
             Keep them moving,
             Use props.
ADVENTURE: Relate and identify the theme of the month (through action, narrative and costume)

COORDINATION: Plan ahead, anticipate needs, brief everyone concerned, and recheck everything just before the meeting.

DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY:    Rely on and use your assistants, committee personnel and anyone else who will help.

DIGNITY: Important. Don't permit horseplay that will distract from the dignity of the occasion.

IMAGINATION: Find someone with a flair for showmanship and let him have a free hand.

IMPROVISATION: Use materials easily found; low-cost materials.

INSPIRATIONS AND IDEALS: Help your participants and audience understand the spirit of Cub Scouting through your interpretation of the  ideals as expressed in the CUB SCOUT PROMISE and the LAW OF THE PACK, THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,  and inspirational skits based on the lives of GREAT AMERICANS.

MOOD: Set the stage and get your audience into a recep-tive frame of mind.  (Announcements, good and proper lighting, music, display of props or all of these.

PARTICIPATION: Bring parents into ceremonies with their sons.  Invite Den Leaders to participate. Invite outsiders who are related to the theme to help out (fireman, policeman, conservationists, athletes, railroaders, scientists -- to name  a few that would probably be glad to help)

SIMPLICITY: Keep it simple and make it fun.
 

PROPER STAGING: Make sure everyone can see and hear.

VARIETY: Do not use the same ceremony meeting after meeting.
 
 

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At our pack meeting this month (which will be our first with the new pack) we're doing an 'Academy Awards' theme, since the awards show is just a couple days before our meeting. I'll confess that the idea is not original, I think Em did this at the beginning of the year.

We have cardboard stand-up Oscars to hand out to all the boys, and envelopes from which we'll reveal "And the winner is..." from categories like "(Did his) Best Advancement Towards the Webelos Rank". It probably helps that I only have a dozen boys, not too many categories to come up with!

My CAs and I are dressing the part -- Tuxedoes for Rich and I and my wife in a gown. I've been asked not to do 'lame major awards show MC jokes'. We'll probably do some kind of formal initiation for the new pack, though. We're working on making it impressive since we'll also be holding a recruitment and the newspaper is supposed to be there. (Advantage of a small town, they show up to stuff like this!)

Sean Scott, CM, Pack 614

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OUTDOOR CEREMONIES

Ceremonies are important, even in the outdoors.  Outdoor pack activities usually call for an opening and closing ceremony (or closing campfire).  Outdoor pack activities that take the place of regular pack meetings should also include advancement ceremonies so awards can be presented promptly. The outdoors is a good place to hold the Webelos Scout Crossing the Bridge Graduation Ceremony when the weather permits.  (See Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies for more detail.) More info on planning outdoor ceremonies can be found in the Cub Scout Leader Book available at your Scout Shop. Cub Scout Leader Book

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Recognition:

GENERAL PURPOSE AWARDS

BADGE OF OFFICE AWARD This is a nice year-end thank you for your leaders.  Mount the appropriate badge (i.e., Den leader, Cubmaster, etc.) on a wood plaque along with a message of appreciation.

STAR AWARD This is a great thank you for someone who really shines at a job.  Cut a large star out of metallic poster board (check an Art Supply store).  Use rub letters to add your message.

JEWEL AWARD Mount a large jewel like ornament on a plaque, along with a message, including, "You're a Real Jewel (or Gem)"

PACK FAMILY Cut  a slice of wood from a log.  Glue on several nuts in the shell (acorns, almonds, peanuts, etc.).  Glue tiny goodly eyes on the nuts.  Either burn a message in the wood, or use a permanent marker to write your message, including, "You're the nicest nut in our Pack Family Tree!"

SKELETON AWARD Mount a tiny skeleton on a plaque, along with your message, including, "Thanks for working yourself to the bone for us!"

Istrouma Council, BB

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THANK YOU TO ALL UNIT LEADERS
A Ceremony for the Charter Presentation Personnel:
Chartered Organization Rep.,
Head of Chartered Organization,
Pack committee chairman,
Pack committee members,
Den leaders and Assistants,
Cubmaster,
Assistant Cubmaster,
Webelos Den leader,
Scoutmaster,
Den Chiefs and
Webelos scouts for escorting each leader to be recognized,
operators for lights.

Equipment:
Ladder with proper emblems,
table,
two candles, and flashlight,
certificates of appreciation, or "Thanks" badges, or plaques.

Arrangement:
Stage is set, room light dimmed.

Chartered Representative: Tonight we honor the leaders of Pack   for the outstanding work done during the past year.  Webelos scouts will now light the candles representing the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack.  Will our leaders please stand: As your name is called, a Webelos Scout will escort you to the front.
The Scouting Coordinator reads names and describes the job of each leader to be recognized.  A spotlight is focused on the leader.  As he proceeds to the front, a flashlight is focused on the appropriate emblem.
Our pack committee chairman is (name).  Working with him/her on the committee are (names).  We appreciate their advice, planning, and administration of our pack.  They are our board of directors.
Now a group that our dens and den leaders could not be without, are our den chiefs.  These Boy Scouts give valuable leadership to our Cub Scouts and help to our den leaders.  We are proud to recognize den chiefs (name) of Troop.  Tonight we also honor our den leaders for their unselfish service.  By their devotion they help our Cub Scouts grow in stature and character.
We are proud of our den leaders.  (Introduce the den leaders).
Also important among our leaders are our assistant Cubmaster and Webelos den leaders.  (Introduce them.)  They guide our pack meeting programs and prepare our older boys for Boy Scouting.
It is now my pleasure to introduce to you a man/woman we love and appreciate for his/her example, guidance, and leadership our Cubmaster, (name).
Many of our Cub Scouts have been graduated into our own Boy Scout troop. (Name), our Scoutmaster has helped provide our pack with many den chiefs.  We appreciate his/her cooperation and are happy for our Webelos Scouts when they graduate into his/her troop.  Will the den chiefs accompany Scoutmaster (name) to the front, and each Webelos Scout so assigned bring the other leaders forward.
I am happy to introduce (name), the head of our chartered organization.

Organization Head: On behalf of our organization, the boys and their families, we are happy to present you leaders with these certificates of thanks.  (He/She presents certificates.)  We pledge ourselves to the continuing support of the pack and to the purposes and objectives of Cub Scouting.  We will "Do Our Best."

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CM INSTALLATION CEREMONY

The Pack Committee Chair introduces the Chartered Organization Representative at the front of the pack.
CC: Would Cub Scout Kevin Sojak please come forward and bring his dad along with him.
(The two come forward and stand facing the pack.)
CC: Kevin was a Tiger Cub and is now a Bobcat in Wolf den 3. His dad, Roger Sojak, was Kevin’s Tiger Partner and, as Kevin worked on his Bobcat, Roger took on the role of Akela, Kevin's special leader who would guide him through the Wolf and Bear ranks. Now Kevin, when you were a Tiger, you learned to share ideas, memories and god times. Tonight you have agreed to share something very important and very valuable: you will share your Akela with all the Cub Scouts in our pack as your dad becomes Cubmaster of Pack 28.
CR: As the representative of Tsunami Falls Elementary School PTO, it is my pleasure to officially install you, Roger Sojak, as the new Cubmaster of Pack 28. Kevin, would you please present your dad with his Cubmaster patch.
(Kevin presents the badge, and gives his dad a Cub Scout handshake. The CC and CR congratulate the new CM, thank Kevin, and all retire to their seats.)

DEN LEADER INDUCTION

Equipment: For each leader being inducted, the appropriate emblem and copy of the Cub Scout Leader Book.

Personnel: Cubmaster, Pack trainer, committee chairman, new leaders.

CUBMASTER:     Tonight we want to welcome our new den leaders. Would _______ Pack trainer, bring our new den leaders forward and introduce them?

PACK TRAINER: It is a pleasure to introduce _______ and , and Webelos Den ______. I know that you will do your best to be good den leaders, and I promise to do my best to assist you.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Den leaders are indispensable to our pack. Being a den leader is a rewarding responsibility.  Now I will ask our new den leaders to repeat after me:

As a den leader I promise to do my best to show interest and concern for all the boys in my den, to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack.

CUBMASTER: Wearing the den leader's uniform not only identifies you as a very important member of the Boy Scouts of America, but it also sets a good example for the boys of your den. It is a privilege to present the den leader's emblem for your uniform and the Cub Scout Leader Book to be a guide for you.
Now, Cub Scouts, let's welcome our new den leaders with the Den Leader Applause.

Adapted from 1982 Pow Wow Book, Heart of America Council, Kansas City, Kan

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AWARDS  FROM  THE  HEART

Banana Award    For the person with great appeal - (wax/plastic banana mounted on a piece of wood)

Big Heart Award    For those who always seem to have one (Heart shaped craft material of any kind - decorated)

Bright Idea Award  For those who had some bright ideas (light bulb mounted to a piece of wood)

"Egg"cellent Job/Idea Award    For those who did an excellent job (hard boiled egg mounted on a piece of wood)  (FUN style use a raw egg)

Gold Kiss Award   For those who REALLY deserve a kiss (Hershey's pecan kiss - gold foil)

Helping Hand Award      For those who were willing to help (trace hand on construction paper & mount on a piece of  cardboard)

Life Saver Award    For that person who saved you (lifesaver on a string)

Hornblower Award     For those who never/always blow their own horn.   (mount a plastic bicycle horn)

Measure Up Award    For the person whose performance set the standard (ruler mounted to a piece of wood)

Nuts About The Job Award   For the person who had to be nuts (2 or 3 peanuts glued to a piece of wood)

Order Of The Spare Marble Award      For the person who's lost 'em (marble glued to a small piece of wood/string)

Ringy Dingy Award       For those who are your phone call addicts. (mount a plastic phone or two cans on a string)

Scouting Spirit Award      For those who show spirit  (make a ghost from a ball & rag with the scout sign on it)

Spark Plug Award     For the person who is the spark of a project (spark plug mounted to a piece of wood)
Remember these are  A W A R D S.  How you make the presentation is just as important as the award themselves, so ham it up - especially with some of the more humorous awards!!! Most require about five minutes of your time to make, many take even less.  If it costs you money then you flunk Scouting 101!

SELF  EXPLANATORY  AWARDS
Use your crafting ability to mount or prepare the following awards for presentation.

Band-Aid Award       For those who can fix anything

Key to Success Award    For those who were key to making it happen

Order Of The Level Award     For the person who is one bubble short of plumb

Soggy Shoe Award    For the new adult hiker who wore loafers on the pack hike.

Whale Award   For those who did a whale of job

Added A Spark Award     4th of July sparkler

Best Foot Forward Award      12" ruler or a sock with the toe cut off

Charged Us Up Award            A battery

Cheerleader Award    Mount a stiff wire through a box of Cheer laundry soap and add pom pons to the wire

Coveted "Dime And Pin" Award      Glue a pin to a dime

Plunged Right In Award   Small sink plunger

Really Tacky Award    Mounted thumb tacks

Right On Target Award    A target pasted to cardboard with "writing" on it

Rose To The Occasion Award  An artificial or ribbon rose

Barb Stephens <bsteph@creighton.edu>, Cub-Scout-Talk

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RANK ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES
 
 

BOBCAT CEREMONY C'mon - you aren't even LOOKING for another ceremony if you don't know this one. You just line 'em up and use that Crayola paint that comes in red, yellow, blue, etc. (I like the little packs that are sealed up - you peel the top back, use 'em once, then throw the rest away. The ceremony goes something like 'Yellow is for the sun - it reminds you to be of good cheer and to be happy (paint a stripe on the cheeks of the boy), Blue is for truth and to be faithful to the Bobcat ways and the trail of Cub Scouting (paint a paw print with your finger on his forehead - just dot your fingertip three times), Red is for courage to know right from wrong and to help your fellow Cub Scout even when it isn't easy for you. (paint his chin).

 You can make up any more you might have colors for - heck say Green is for the environment that you will help to make cleaner for picking up litter and planting trees. Purple is for pride in your accomplishments, Gold is for good luck - silver reminds you to be thrifty yada yada yada (I just use Blue, Red, Yellow because we usually have a lot of cubs to get through)

But here's the best part - the part the cubs love most. The parents were up standing behind them right?
Wellllll.... WHITE is for Love and Guidance, your parents are always with you - in your heart and in your spirit. They will always do the right thing and will help you achieve all your Scout goals and keep you on the track of life until you are a man and can soar with the Eagles. Then you swipe their noses - I use a good grease paint because I want it on GOOD.

Some of those cubs don't let the parents wash their faces all night.…  messy pillows!

CT-Mike Bradley

 

Plus you can have fun, meaningful ceremonies that don't take a lot of time. My youngest will never forget his Wolf ceremony (and he's 17 now.) He was called forward with a few of his peers who had also finished and handed a balloon and a small plastic sword, accompanied by a few meaningful words about the badge. The boys were told to pop the balloons and voila--out popped a Wolf Badge! That is the ceremony he remembers most - not the more verbose, more serious ceremonies that accompanied some of his other badge presentations. Which, of course, brings us to the whole point of this exercise - do what is fun and meaningful to the boys, not the leaders or parents. You know the old saying, "If it's not for the boys, it's for the birds." Of course, your mileage may vary. CT-Judy Yeager

 

Bobcats are Hard to Find

Try this one! This one was done at my older son's ceremony a few years ago.
Bobcats are small wildcats, about 3 feet tall or shorter. Bobcats are hard to find, especially between the hours of 3 to 5 p.m., when it is time to take out the trash, cut the grass or take a bath. They hide behind trees, under beds or behind imaginary tanks or trucks, waiting for the enemy to pass.
They feed on hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, pizzas, cakes and candy and hunt for food wherever they can find it. Bobcats can be found in trees, mud puddles, under leaves, in old rain barrels, on the roof or wherever girls aren't. They can be found as far away as the school playground or as near as the neighbor's yard, pulling the cat's tail.
The Bobcat's ability to run, jump and hide is legendary. T.V. movies, Walt Disney and John Wayne have been known to be able to lure these wild creatures in close for the catch. Many a mighty and crafty hunter has been foiled in his attempts to tame these strange creatures.
But here now if you are ready -- but stand back because they are unpredictable -- I present to you some Bobcats; tamed, washed, combed and about as lovable as they can be -- each probably with a frog in his pocket.

beverly hutchings, pack 172, mcminnville, tn

 

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BOBCAT CEREMONY

Equipment: Four candles

CUBMASTER: You who knock at the gates of Cub Scouting. Are you ready to follow the Scouting trail through four years of Cub Scouting? Future Bobcats repeat with me the Cub Scout Promise.
(Light first candle.) The Cub Scout follows Akela.

Who is Akela? In Cub Scouting, Akela means "Good Leader." Akela may be your mother and father, your teacher, your Cubmaster, and other people who have shown that they are the kind of people who are able and willing to help you. Follow Akela.
(Lights 2nd candle.) The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

When you become a Cub Scout, you are no longer just a boy. Now you are a member of a den and a pack. You can't think only of yourself, but you must think of your fellow Cub Scouts. Help the pack go by coming to all meetings, following the leaders, and in every way making the pack better because you are in it.
(Lights 3rd candle.) The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

You will have more fun when you join the pack. You will learn things from other people. And you will learn to do things with them. That's the real fun of Cub Scouting. You help the pack go and the pack helps you grow.
(Lights fourth candle.) The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

You will find that if you smile at your friends, they will smile back. Look for things to do for others. "Smile" and "help" - these are two fine Cub Scout words.
 

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CEREMONY FUN We shot awards in on some balloons a few months back. Tie up a string with some cut straws, fill some balloons, tape the award to it and the balloon to the straw, then let the air coming out propel the award/balloon rocket down the string.
We also once taped the awards to the underside of some Frisbees and throw them out to your boys standing in the back of the room. Have them throw them back to you, and then let an assistant reload the Frisbees. You'll need 4-5 minimum. (We also use this during our CLBT to cover the aims and methods, and I R&D'd that from Nat'l Camping School. R&D, of course=Rip-off and Duplicate!) Or put them on paper airplanes. I had a small tree in our yard that died, potted it and put paper leaves on it with the awards stuck to the leaves.

Here are some other ideas that spring to mind:

Place the awards in a piñata and have them go at it with a stick, one or two hits each. While they're taking their swings you can announce who got what.

Hide the awards around the room and give each boy a treasure map to find their award. Tell everyone what they got while they're looking, or hide 'coins' that the boys can use to 'buy' their award from the CM, er, I mean pirate king at the front of the room.

Have them pan for gold nuggets and exchange them at the bank for their awards. You could make a speech about them being more precious than gold while you're at it.

Dish them out of a pot dressed as a chef. Or make cupcakes or a cake and stick them in the icing on top.

Have someone dressed as a UPS, FedEx, US Postal or other delivery person "hand deliver" important packages to the boys during the meeting. Or have them dress as a military courier or paratrooper, with open parachute dragging behind them. (I'd make sure they took as lengthy a route through the room as possible in order to catch and twist the 'chute around as many things as possible. Ham it up!)

Fire them from catapults your Webelos made. Make castle walls from refrigerator boxes and shoot from inside the castle (or outside, depending on where you want to be...)

Give them out as carnival prizes, with each boy performing some simple, fun skill. (Don't make it so hard that your Tigers can't do whatever it is, and  just get something handed to them.)

Find someone who's good at magic or sleight of hand to conjure them out of the boys ears, from under their hats or neckerchiefs, etc.

Put them inside Wiffle balls or balloons and hit them out to the boys with a big plastic bat. Let them "field" the award. It doesn't need to be elaborate, just fun and memorable. Use costumes, props and your imagination.

Anything that requires throwing, catching, hitting, running, jumping, breaking, popping, bouncing, stomping, rolling, crawling, climbing, swinging or dropping is bound to bring a smile to the face of a nine-year-old.

CT -Sean Scott, Pack 614, California Inland Empire Council

A HISTORY OF CUB SCOUTING
(Note: ceremonies should be modified to suit the specific awards being giving at the meeting.)

The Boy Scout movement in America was started by William Boyce after he was directed to an address in London by a boy who refused a tip because he was a Scout. Mr. Boyce was so impressed by his talk with Lord Baden-Powell that he helped incorporate the Boy Scouts of America of February 8, 1910.   It is this date that we celebrate each year with our Blue and Gold Banquet.
Almost as soon as Scouting began, younger boys started clamoring for a chance to participate in Scouting. This resulted in the Wolf Cub program being started in England in 1916. It wasn't until August 1,1929 that the first demonstration Cub units were started. By 1933, it was felt the time had come for promoting Cub Scouting as a part of the Boy Scout program.
As we read in the Wolf book the basis for much of the program came from THE JUNGLE BOOK by Rudyard Kipling. In this book is the story of two wolves who find a man cub who is being hunted by SHERAKAN, the tiger. They take in the boy, whom they name Mowgli, (which means frog) and raise him as part of their family.
The wolves are part of a pack, which is led by Akela, the great gray Lone Wolf. Once a month, the new cubs are presented to the pack for acceptance.
In looking back at old Cub Scout books, we are reminded that the Cub Scout program has survived with very little change. In a 1934 Cub Book, the rules for becoming a Bobcat are:

He has taken the Cub Promise.

Explained & repeated the Law of the Pack.

Explained the meaning of the ranks.

Shown the Cub sign and Handclasp.

Given the Cub Motto and Cub Salute.

Today as Bobcats, we must do the same requirements. When Akela says that we are ready, we are presented to the Pack or recognition.

BOBCAT
List names of Bobcat recipients and call them with their parents to the front of the room.
Just as the Wolf cubs learned about the world around them by taking short trips into the woods, so have our own Cubs grown in their understanding of nature and of their families.
WOLF
List names and invite them with their parents to come forward
Originally, only two arrow points could be earned for each rank. The basic rank was called the Bronze Badge. The first ten electives earned the Cub the Gold Rank, and the next ten elective the Silver Rank. Today we award the Gold Arrow Point for the first ten elective and Silver Arrow Points for each ten additional electives.
ARROW POINTS
List names and invite them with their parents to come forward.
Just as Baloo the kindly Bear, taught the young Wolves the secret names of the trees, the calls of the birds and the language of the air so must each of you help others in you Den in order to meet the requirements for Bear.
BEAR
List off Bear candidate names and invite them and their parents to the front of the room.
Up until a few years ago, the next rank was Lion. In 1967, this was dropped and the Webelos program expanded to cover an entire year. The Webelos Colors (GOLD representing the Pack; GREEN, the Troop, and RED the Explorers) and 15 activity badges were added at this time. A new Webelos Badge was also created and the original Webelos Badge retained as the
ARROW OF LIGHT
The Webelos rank is the transition between Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting. Originally the name was derived from the three ranks: Wolf, Bear, Lion and Scouts. To become a Webelos requires a further expanding of one's horizons. Activity Pins must be earned and involvement in Church and Civic activities are encouraged.
List names and invite them with their parents to come forward.

York Adams Council

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PATRIOTIC ADVANCEMENT This ceremony could allow some leaders to portray the characters in costume.

CUBMASTER: Ladies and gentlemen, we have some honored guests here tonight. I would like to introduce Uncle Sam, Lady Liberty, and Yankee Doodle. Each of these individuals is an important symbol to the people of our country. Tonight, they are here to present some other symbols to some deserving young men. These symbols represent hard work, diligence, and jobs well done.

YANKEE DOODLE: We have some Cub Scouts who have earned some special awards. Would the following Cub Scouts and parents please come forward? (Call the names of those receiving Wolf badge and arrow points.)

LADY LIBERTY: I would like to call forward those Cub Scouts who have been working for some time and have achieved much. I would like them to present them with their awards. (Call the names of those receiving Bear badge and arrow points and their parents.)

UNCLE SAM: I would like to recognize some of the older boys in this group. You have given unselfishly of yourselves. For your loyal support over the years, I would like to present you with your awards. (Call the names of those receiving Webelos badges, activity badges, or compass points and their parents.)

CUBMASTER: I would like to thank our three guests for coming to help us tonight. And a special thanks to all the boys who have worked so hard to be examples and role models of good American citizens!

Equipment: Box made up to look like a computer, large cards with the words BOBCAT, WOLF, BEAR, etc. on them
Cubmaster: In keeping with our theme of DOES NOT COMPUTE, I would like to unveil my latest invention. (Uncovers or brings in computer.) This amazing device is able to collate all the information that comes in from our Pack committee members, den leaders, Webelos den leaders and parents. It can then determine which Cub and Webelos Scouts are eligible for which awards. Allow me to demonstrate.

(Show BOBCAT card and insert into slot in machine. Pick up pre positioned awards from rear of box.)

Will the following boys and their parents please come forward.

(Follow a similar procedure for the awards of Wolf, Bear, Arrow Points, Activity Badges, and Webelos rank.)

(Cubmaster then calls for Arrow of Light recipients and their parents.)

These young men may or may not be real geniuses, but they have shown the truth of the old saying that 90% of success is perspiration. They have worked long and hard -- some as long as 3 years -- to achieve their goal. What they built was not a better mousetrap, but something far more valuable to the world today - a better young man. In recognition of this achievement, we can't give them a patent, but we can present them with an award that is so highly thought of that it is the only badge in the Cub Scout Program that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. Of course, I mean the Arrow of Light. (Present the awards to the parents to present to their sons.) I want to congratulate you and your parents. The whole Pack is proud of your accomplishment, and we're sure you'll continue to DO YOUR BEST

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Personnel: Cubmaster, the advancing Cub Scouts and their parents.

Equipment- Pinhole planetarium punched for the Big Dipper and North Star, flashlight.

[The lights are dimmed. Cubmaster beams the flashlight through the pinhole planetarium at the ceiling or a wall, showing the Big Dipper and North Star. Call advancing boys and their parents forward.]

Cubmaster: "For thousands of years, men have known that the North Star is fixed. Shepherds knew it before the time of Christ. Seamen have used the North Star and other heavenly bodies to guide their ships to port ever since they first dared leave the sight of land. Even today, the stars are important in navigation for ships, jet planes and spaceships.
Cub Scouts don't need the stars to find their way. But even so, you do have your own guiding stars to help you through life. There is your church, for instance. Your school is another example. So is Cub Scouting. In Cub Scouting, our navigational aids are the Promise and the Law of the Pack. They tell us how we should act and what we should do for ourselves and for others. The Promise and the Law of the Pack are just like the stars by which the seaman steers his ship.
Tonight we honor these Cub Scouts who are navigating straight and true on the Cub Scout trail. With their parents' help, they have advanced a track and have shown that they live by the Promise and the Law."

[Give badges to the parents for presentation to their sons.]

MDS

ON-THE-AIR

Equipment: Three handheld micro- phones (real or made of wood), badges and certificates to be awarded.
Personnel: Cubmaster, assistant, Webelos den leader, boys earning awards, and their parents.
CUBMASTER: “This is Station C-U-B-S reporting from the pack meeting of Pack _____. Tonight we have selected several of our new listeners for awards. They are to become official Bobcats. Let's welcome them now.” (Call forward Bobcat candidates and their parents.)
“Cub Scouts, will you please show that you're ready to receive your badges by joining me in the Cub Scout Promise. (Say Promise.)
“Fine. It is a pleasure to present, you Bobcat badges. (Give badges to parents to pin on boys’ shirts.)
ASSISTANT (in audience): “This is Station C-U-B-S mobile unit out on the Cub Scout trail. We have spotted several Cub Scouts who have reached the Wolf station. I’ll send them to your location.”
(Wolf candidates and parents go forward.)
CUBMASTER: “We are very glad that you have earned the 12 achievements to reach Wolf rank. I know your parents have helped you a lot so I will give them the honor of pinning on your new badges.” (Present badges)
Continue in the same fashion with arrow points and Bear awards. Webelos den leaders present activity badges and Webelos badges in the same way.
CUBMASTER: “This is Station C-U-B-S signing off the air but inviting you to stay tuned to the great Cub Scouting in Pack ______

Adapted from Roundtable Guide of Crater Lake Council, Central Point, Ore.

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FLYING SAUCERS 

You need several Frisbees.  Tape badges rank, arrow points, and other awards to them.  Have a leader who is good at sailing Frisbees stand some distance from the awards table, preferably behind the audience. When the Cubmaster or a Webelos den leader has called forward boys and their parents to receive their badges, he then calls for the appropriate awards from “outer space.” The assistant then sails a “flying saucer” to the front.

ROCKET TO THE TOP

Equipment: NARRATOR: This month's theme, "Space: The New Frontier," reminds us that the Scouting program, like the space program, has the ability to launch these boys to new horizons and to reach where they have never been before. Also like a rocket ship, Scouting is built in stages, which helps these boys reach their final destination. In the space program, that destination may be a far-off galaxy. In Cub Scouting, it is the Arrow of Light and becoming a Boy Scout. Prepare boxes to stack on top of each other. Pin or tape awards to each section, to be removed as boys come forward.

The Bobcat badge is like the launching pad of a rocket. It is the foundation on which the Cub Scout program rests. It gives Cub Scouts a solid base from which to blast off into their adventure in Cub Scouts. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The Wolf badge is like the booster rockets that lift the rocket off the launch pad into the sky. The boy has not yet made it into outer space, but he has begun his journey toward his destination. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The Bear badge is the stages of the rocket that help propel the ship out of the earth's atmosphere. The boy is well on his way toward a new frontier. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The Webelos badge is like the next stage of the rocket, which keeps the ship on path as it approaches its final destination. (Call boys and parents forward.)

The Arrow of Light is like the final stage of the rocket. These boys have enjoyed their journey through Cub Scouting, but they eagerly anticipate the new adventure that is now before them in their destination of Boy Scouting. (Call boys and parents forward.)

Congratulations to all these boys, who have faced the challenge of meeting their own new frontier.

ROCKET The rocket is made by threading a straw with the launch line. Cub blows up a long balloon. He and the Cubmaster attach it to the straw with tape. The Cub then goes to the other end of the launch area and waits by his parent. Cubmaster then attaches the award to the balloon and releases the balloon. It rockets to the parent for the award to be given to the Cub.

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ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY We have all the boys NOT receiving an advancement form two straight lines on either side of the aisle leading up to the advancement  ladder and bell.  They salute each boy as he's announced.  Once a boy receives his badge, moves his clothespin up the ladder, rings the bell, and shakes the Cubmaster's hand, and gets applause from the audience, he joins  the line of saluting scouts.

CT, Valerie, Wolf CS Den Leader, Salem, OR

ADVANCEMENT CEREMONY Since all were achieving advancements of some kind, we included the tigers with an advancement of their own. I made pins for their uniforms of orange and white craft foam, with a tiger paw drawn in the center. [This was before the present Tiger Badge.] They were attached with a safety pin, and had blue yarn on one side and yellow yarn on the other, They were instructed to have the boys hold the yellow and the adult hold the blue and tie a square knot symbolizing the strength between the adult and the partner, and the blue and gold that was already within them. Good luck on your Blue and Gold!

Purpose: to illustrate to the Tigers, that there is a little Cub Scout in them already. This is done using an acid, a base and a color indicator (phenolphthalein) which is red in base and clear in an acid.

Prior to ceremony, mix the following:
Glass 1: 1/2 cup water, 3 drops yellow food dye, 4-5 drops phenolphthalein,
1/8 tsp. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3). This liquid should be orange colored.
Glass 2: 1/2 cup water, 20 drops muriatic (hydrochloric acid).
Glass 3: 1/4 cup water, 1 drop blue food dye.

Begin: Have Glass 1 on a table. Ask them what color represents Tigers. When they answer "orange", tell them that the year is almost over and they already have a little "Cub Scout" in them. I am going to show you this with colors.

Pull out Glass 2: This is magic water I have received from the tears of  Shere Kahn. It will reveal one of the Cub Scout colors in the orange glass before you. [Pour Glass 2 into Glass 1 and stir, should now be yellow).

Discuss what the yellow means (for example, cheerfulness).

Pull out Glass 3: There is one other color a Cub Scout has within him.

Discuss what the blue means (for example, truth, honesty). So here are the two Cub Scout colors that they will see during the next few years. There is one final color to think about. (Mix yellow and blue). Green symbolizes the growth you are going to experience in Scouting.

I will now invite the Adult partners to join our Tigers around our circle.
Will you all please recite the Tiger Cub Motto?

For the past few months you and your family have explored all sorts of new and exciting things and places. You have taken each part of the Tiger Cub motto, Search, Discover, Share, and used it in your home, school, and neighborhood. In a few month you will be crossing over to Cub Scouts but until then use this award to remember that each of your has a little bit of Cub Scout in you.

Wolf
Preparation: Cut small strips of dissolving paper. On each piece of paper write one of the boys names. Have a large jar filled with warm water and something to stir it with. Gather 20 or so small thing twigs.

Cubmaster: This evening a number of our young scouts will take their final test to earn their Wolf badge. As I read your name, come forward and take this piece of paper with your name. To earn your Wolf badge you have completed 12 achievements. These require knowledge of the flag, of keeping strong, of tools and knots, of safety and your neighborhood, of books and reading. You have mastered several feats of skill, have made a collection and have shown willingness to help and take part in family fun. Are you ready to take your final test to earn your Wolf badge. One important lesson you have learned is the importance of working together as a team in your den and with your family. As an individual you stand alone and are weak. [Pass out twigs to each boy]. [Hold this single twig and break it in half] Bundle one of your broken twigs together with mine. [Collect one twig from each scout and wrap together with a rubber band].

Each of you take this bundle and attempt to break it in half. As you can see, there is strength in the unity of the pack. Together you are stronger than any single individual. Each of you have been given a piece of paper with your name. This is no ordinary paper. What you hold is truth paper. This is paper handed down from generation to generation to test the truth of an individual. If you have spoken the truth of your accomplishments this paper will disappear into
the water, never to be seen again. However, if you paper remains solid, you are not yet ready to continue on your journey of scouting. [Have each scout place their piece of paper in the water, stir the water a little, show the
scout the paper dissolved and hand them their badge].

Since you all pass, will all of you please recite the Cub Scout Promise?

Bear
Setup: Use a short candle in a glass jar to represent a camp fire. In the glass jar place a teaspoon of Baking Soda. Place the candle behind the Akela spirit bottle. Have another small (4 oz) decorative jar filled with Vinegar (Spirit Water). Cut pieces of Beef Jerky to represent Bear meat. The Akela spirit bottle is filled about 1/4 full with concentrated Hydrogen
Peroxide. Potassium Iodide (KI) are used as a catalyst to initiate the break down of the H2O2 to produce the smoke effect. In a dark corner of the stage or behind the stage in a dark room place a chair with a candle. A person with Mountain Man or Indian close sits ready to pass out the Jerky (A.K.A. Bear meat).

CUBMASTER: There are Scouts among us tonight who have earned their Bear rank in Cub Scouting. We honor this achievement with a special ceremony that recognizes their effort as they take one more step toward the Arrow of
Light, becoming a boy Scout and possibly even someday an Eagle Scout. These are all steps along the trail to becoming Akela. Akela is a leader -- coaches, Den Leaders and parents are all Akela. Because each Scout will someday be Akela we perform this ceremony in the presence of the spirit of Akela. Please listen as we call upon the spirit of Akela to be with us. Audience is warned that the lights will be turned out. Candles are lit on ceremony table and light under campfire is turned on. Lights are turned out. Many moons have passed. Our Young Scouts are now ready to become young braves.

Many were young Tigers. They have learned the way of the Wolf and now the way of the Bear.
We must summon the spirit of AKELA with these orange crystals. Place the KI crystals into the AKELA spirit bottle.

CUBMASTER: The spirit of AKELA Is with us.

Cubmaster calls the name of each Scout who has earned his Bear badge to come forward. They stand facing Cubmaster with their Den leaders behind. The Cubmaster explains the last requirement for Bear (each Bear candidate must
survive the Bear cave). Each of you must enter the Bear cave and get the meat of the Bear. Your Den leader will lead you to the Bear cave. They send each Bear Cub into the Bear cave separately. The Bear growls and the boys
scream. After about 30 seconds it gets quiet and the boys exit the cave with the Bear meat. They line back up in front of their parents. The Cubmaster asks the Den leader if they have completed the last requirement. They answer yes. The
Cubmaster then asks each boy to step forward. The Cubmaster then tells the young Bears that they may taste the Bear meat. The boys are presented their badge by their Den leader and congratulated by the Cubmaster. The Cubmaster
then tells the parents to be proud of their young braves for they have taken another large step along the Scouting Trail.
We now close this ceremony by pouring this spirit water (Vinegar) into our camp fire to magically put out the flame. All turn and face audience for a cheer and then sit down.

Webelos
Preparation: Arrow wrapped in flash paper.
Call the scouts forward.
Scouts, tonight you are taking your first step toward earning the highest award that a Cub Scout can earn, The Arrow of Light. Along this path you will be faced with many challenges. Your den leader have informed me that each of you have completed the requirements for your Webelos badge.

Is this true?

Tonight your will be presented with several test to demonstrate to our young scouts that you truly earned your Webelos badge. Are you ready to accept this challenge?

Please recite the Scout Oath.

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country And to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, Mentally awake, and morally straight.

Very good, but you must pass one more test.

This must be done because the Arrow of Light which you will receive soon next year is the highest award in Cub Scouts and the only Cub Scout award you are allowed to take with you into Boy Scouts. The only way you can earn
the Arrow of Light is to earn the Webelos Badge. Are you ready for your final test? Then take this white string which shows purity, and tie the one and only true knot of scouting (square knot), to this arrow.
Now if you truly have Scouting Spirit, the arrow will burn but will not be consumed. (Pass the arrow over the flame. It will flame up and go out quickly.) You have passed the test.

Sean Scott <sscott@intekinfo.com>

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GENIUS CEREMONY As each boy receives his recognition (in den or Pack meeting), let him give his own idea of a genius.  What… why… how… where…
Computer Awards
Equipment: Box made up to look like a computer, large cards with the words BOBCAT, WOLF, BEAR, etc. on them
Cubmaster" In keeping with our theme of Genius Night, I would like to unveil my latest invention.  (Uncovers or brings in computer.)  This amazing device is able to collate all the information that comes in from our Pack committee members, den leaders, Webelos den leaders and parents.  It can then determine which Cub and Webelos Scouts are eligible for which awards.  Allow me to demonstrate.
(Show BOBCAT card and insert into slot in machine.  Pick up pre positioned awards from rear of box.)
Will the following boys and their parents please come forward.
(Follow a similar procedure for the awards of Wolf, Bear, Arrow Points, Activity Badges, and Webelos rank.)
(Cubmaster then calls for Arrow of Light recipients and their parents.)
These young men may or may not be real geniuses, but they have shown the truth of the old saying that 90% of success is perspiration.  They have worked long and hard --some as long as 3 years --to achieve their goal.  What they built was not a better mousetrap, but something far more valuable to the world today --a better young man.  In recognition of this achievement, we can't give them a patent, but we can present them with an award that is so highly thought of that it is the only badge in the Cub Scout Program that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.  Of course, I mean the Arrow of Light.  (Present the awards to the parents to present to their sons.)  I want to congratulate you and your parents.  The whole Pack is proud of your accomplishment, and we're sure you'll continue to DO YOUR BEST.

BB

BUILDER'S CEREMONY Props: Cubmaster dressed in a work smock wearing a carpenter's tool belt.  Awards and mother's pins are taped to pieces of wood scraps that are hidden in his tool belt.  Be sure to emphasize the "puns" though out the ceremony.

Cubmaster: Tonight, we have some boys who "saw" the opportunity to "nail down" some advancements.  At times these boys had to keep "hammering" on some of the tougher requirements, but, they kept on "drilling", "curving" and "sanding" and finally "cut" through.  We "wood" like to honor them tonight.
Will Cub Scout   please come forward with his parents?    has "chiseled" through the requirements for the Wolf badge.  (Cubmaster takes the Wolf award from his tool belt and holds it up.)  We "wood" like to have his parents present him this award.  (Cubmaster hands the award to the parents who present the boy the award.)    "wood" you please pin the mother's pin on your mother.

Other "puns" which could be used when making presentations include: "filed", "planed", "sharpened", "glued", "cut", "painted" or any other tool related name or adjective.

BB San Francisco Bay Area

Personnel: 7 Cubs
Equipment: Each boy should have a candle to light from a central candle.  Each lights his candle and reads the following statements.
Cub 1: We have been observing and studying Nature's treasures.
Cub 2: We will help to maintain nature's balance.
Cub 3: We will help and learn from nature's animals.
Cub 4: We will help and learn from nature's resources.
Cub 5: We will protect them from harm.
Cub 6: We will follow the law of nature.
Cub 7: The Outdoor Code:
      As an American, I will do my best to
      Be Clean in my outdoor manners.
      Be careful with fire.
      Be considerate in the outdoors.
      Be conservation minded.

BB - Heart of American Council

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BUILDING A BETTER WORLD 11 Cub Scouts, each holding a card with a letter on the front and his line on the back.  Each speaker holds up his letter as he says his line.  Last line delivered by all.

B for BROTHERHOOD, boosting for each other's good
E for EVERY LAND to share in earth's riches everywhere
T for TRUSTFULNESS, trusting more and fearing less
T for TEAMWORK, for joining hands to put things through
E for EQUAL CHANCE for each nation to advance
R for REAL RESPECT in spite of race, creed, or sect.
W for WILL TO WORK for peace with faith and skill
O for OPPORTUNITY to keep our speech and action free
R for REVERENCE for a guiding providence
L for LOVE TO SPREAD around when need and bitterness are found
D for DIGNITY of man devoted to a better plan.
           (All hold up letters)

There you have it, that is how you build
a BETTER WORLD.

BB - Bill Hart District,  courtesy of Judy Polak

OPENING CEREMONY

GROWING Cast: Narrator, 4 Cubs in costumes appropriate for the part.
Cubmaster or Narrator: "Some of our Scouts have some thoughts about the future and how they might be able to do something positive.

Cub #1: "When I grow up I would like to use my creativity to invent a cure for diseases and help people everywhere become more healthy.

Cub #2: "When I grow up I would like to help people from all over develop an understanding of each other so that everyone, old and young; rich and poor, men and women, and east and west will work together.
Cub #3: "When I grow up I would like to use my self discipline to contribute to my community, strengthen my family and grow personally."
Cub #4: "When I grow up I would like to help people learn to grow crops that will feed more people but use less space to do it"
Narrator: These boys: and the other Cub Scouts here tonight will be the scientists, leaders and trailblazers of tomorrow. I think our future is in good hands.

Pacific Skyline

FOUR WINDS Equipment:  Artificial campfire.  Stick for each one in ceremony.
Arrangement: All boys dressed in Indian costume, (and families, if they wish to participate), carrying a stick to add to the campfire.  Lights dimmed.  All participants divide into four groups, each in a corner of the room.
Cubmaster: (Dressed as Indian Chief) Let the North Wind enter.  (All those in the North corner of the room enter; place their sticks on the campfire and sit beside the campfire).  As they enter, the boys from the North corner of the room say . . .
North Wind: The North Wind that brings the cold, builds endurance.
Cubmaster:  South Wind, enter (All those from the South corner enter, and place their sticks on the campfire, then sit down.)  As they enter the say…
South Wind: The South Wind brings the warmth of friendship.
Cubmaster:  East Wind, enter.  (Boys and others from the East do the same as North & South Winds.)  As they enter, they say…
East Wind: The East Wind brings the light of day.
Cubmaster: West Wind, enter.  (All those from the West, do the same as North, South - and East Winds.)  As they enter, they say…
West Wind: The west Wind from the direction where the sun sinks brings night and stars.
Cubmaster: The Four Winds will light our council fire.  (Plug in campfire).

BB

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BLAST OFF TO FUN Prepare eight sections of cardboard cut to represent a rocket ship (i.e., have one section pointed like the nose cone of a rocket; perhaps have two extra sections shaped like rocket fins). Paint them, if desired, and put large letters on each section spelling BLASTOFF. As the narrator reads, Cub Scouts hold up the sections and "build" the rocket.
NARRATOR: As we begin our pack meeting tonight, let us remember what Cub Scouting is all about.

B Boys --without whom there would be no Scouting
L Leaders --who guide boys through their journey of Scouting
A Akela  -the great leader of the pack
S Skills --learning to do new things
T Training --to help us be better citizens
0 Outings --that increase our awareness
F Families --helping and caring
F Flag --the symbol of our country

Will you please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag?

(After the Pledge of Allegiance, the boys should hold up the cards once again, forming the shape of a rocket. All the boys will yell, "Blast off to fun!" as they run off stage.)
 

Props:
Hammer with “Do My Best” sign on it
Screwdriver with “”Do My Duty” sign on it
Pliers with “to God and Country” sign on it
Saw with “Help Other People” sign on it
Block plane with “Law of the Pack” sign on it
Setting: Cub Scout is on stage. He is about as scruffy as one can imagine. His shirttails are out, his face is grungy, his hair is a mess, he is slouching, and he has the most forlorn frown on his face.
Other Cub Scouts enter and proceed with the repairs…
Cub 1: Wow! This guy's in pretty bad shape. We'd better fix him up. I’ll use my “Do My Best” hammer.  He “hammers” on the Cub Scout and the Cub tucks in his shirt and begins to stand straight.
Cub 2: Well, that's a start! Let me use this “Do My Duty” screwdriver. [He pretends to “make adjustments” to the lad and the Cub combs his hair and stands a little straighter.
Cub 3: That's getting him somewhere! Here, I’ll give these “to God and Country” pliers a try.  Again, the Cub gets tweaked a little more and he stands at attention.
Cub 4: Hey, he's just about there! Let me work on him with this “Help Other People” saw.  Don't really use it! But as Cub 4 cuts away, the Cub Scout wipes off his face with a wash towel.
Cub 5: By Golly! I think we're about done! Just let me give him a little touchup with this “Law of the Pack” plane. [A little shave here and a little shave there and the Cub Scout responds by changing the frown into a great big smile.
Former Grubby Cub: Gee, thanks, guys! I guess I just needed to get with the program —the Cub Scout program, that is. Let's all stand now and join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

BB York-Adams Area Council

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THE FLAG SPEAKS Arrangements : The flag stands alone, lights are dimmed with a spotlight on the flag, speakers are offstage.

Voices of the Flag : Cub Scouts

Scout #1 : I am your flag. I have a special meaning to the Boy Scouts of American because the Scout Promise emphasizes duty to god and country and I am your country.
Scout #2 : I am a symbol of America. I suppose you might say I am America. I am great cornfields in the Midwest, throbbing industries in the great cities, orchards and vineyards in the great valleys of the west. I am mountains, rivers and lakes.
Scout #3 : I am the citadel of democracy and the vanguard of freedom in the world, we both are being threatened with annihilation.
Scout #4 : I am the opportunity for any boy to become most anything if he has the skill and the will to scale the heights. I am most things to everyone, and everything to most people. As a matter of fact, I guess that's what I am most people ... free people.. YOU!
Scout #5 : Let us rededicate ourselves to our duty to keep American people and our country great and free. Please rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

MDS

BILL OF RIGHTS OPENING Props: Have each boy come in with a small American flag, and then recite the freedoms guaranteed us in the Bill of Rights.

1st Cub: The right to worship God in one's own way.
2nd Cub: The right to free speech and press.
3rd Cub: The right to peaceable assembly.
4th Cub: The right to petition for a redress of grievances.
5th Cub: The right to privacy in our homes.
6th Cub: The right to habeas corpus - no excessive bail.
7th Cub: The right to trial by jury - innocent until proven guilty.
8th Cub: The right to move about freely at home and abroad.  Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

BB, Denver Area Council

OUR HERITAGE
OPENING OR CLOSING CEREMONY

Equipment:     Spotlight, three neckerchiefs or strips of cloth.
Personnel:     The Cubmaster, a den chief and a Cub Scout who is blindfolded gagged, and bound at the wrists.
CUBMASTER:    This is an American boy The American Revolution won him his freedom.
(Den chief unbinds wrists.)
The Constitution guarantees him freedom of speech.
(Remove gag.)
A free education has given him the ability to see and understand.
(Remove blindfold.)
Let us all, both parents and leaders teach him to preserve and enjoy his glorious heritage and become a good citizen
Let us now join in singing “God Bless America.”

I AM ME CUB SCOUT 1:I am me. There is not another human being in the whole world like me.

CUB SCOUT 2: I am unique, I was not stamped out of a mold to be exactly like someone else.

CUB SCOUT 3: I have different thoughts and feelings than my friends. We don't always have to agree. That's OK.

CUB SCOUT 4: I sometimes enjoy doing different things than my friends want to do. That's OK. We're still friends.

CUB SCOUT 5: I have different strengths and weaknesses than my friends. I do some things better than them, and they do some things better than me. That's OK.

CUB SCOUT 6: Our differences don't matter --especially in Cub Scouting where each of us is expected only to do our personal best at whatever we try.

CUB SCOUT 7: God made each of us different for a reason. And Cub Scouts help us to be the best we can be.

DEN CHIEF: Please join me in repeating the Cub Scout Promise.

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BACKYARD ADVENTURE Boys come on stage looking around and noticing what's around them.
What's that up there in the sky - dragon or a cloud?
I've never seen a bug like this before, have you?
I wonder what kind of tree that is? Do you know how to tell?
Wouldn't it be fun if we had a picnic out there?
Let's ask our den leader if we can have a picnic today.
I never realized there was so much adventure in my own backyard!
Ask everyone to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

IMAGINE CEREMONY Preparation -6 signs with a big question mark on the front need 6 boys
Boy 1 -Imagine what the world would be like without Cub Scouts.
Boy 2 -Imagine what the world would be like without gravity.
Boy 3 -Imagine what life would be in the future.
Boy 4 -Imagine what the world would be like without cars and trucks.
Boy 5 -Imagine what the world would be like without computers.
Boy 6 -Imagine what the United States would be like without our freedom? (Pause for a minute for reflection) Please join me in pledging allegiance to that freedom.

BB -Trapper Trails Council

G*I*V*E*S CEREMONY Equipment: Five Cub Scouts with 5 large cards each with a letter forming the word G*I*V*E*S. Each one has the sayings written on back.

Arrangement: Each Cub Scout holds up his card and says the following:

G    Stands for Giving, It's always good to give.
I     Stands for Intentions, May mine always be right.
V    Stands for Valiant, A trait of great might
E  Stands for Earnest, From beginning to end.
S    Stands for Sharing, This makes me a friend.

AMERICA IS SPECIAL TO ME Arrangement: Eight Cub Scouts in uniforms stand in a straight line. Seven boys hold poster boards, each with one letter of AMERICA on one side. The other side shows a colorful drawing by the Cub Scout that corresponds to the description or of what America means to him. Begin with all drawings facing the audience. The Cub Scouts turn over their letters one at a time as they speak.

A Abounding wildlife running free M Majestic mountains from sea to sea E Eagles soaring through evergreen forests R Raging rivers and nature's own chorus I Immeasurable love God has for us C Courageous people who love this land A Adventures in Scouting, lessons firsthand

CUB SCOUT 8 (dressed as Uncle Sam and holding an American flag): Will you please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

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FORMAL FLAG CEREMONY Leader Commands
Will the audience please rise!  (Pause)
Please remove all non uniform hats!  (Pause)  Attention!
Color guard, advance the colors!
Salute! (While they march to the front.)
Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. (turn to face the American flag)
Color guard, post the colors!
Two!
Color guard dismissed!
(Turn to the Cub/Scoutmaster.) The colors are posted!

 

Color Guard        At least one color        guard with each         flag bearer;         American and         Pack/Troop/State         (PTS)

Normal Processional:
Colors side by side with American on right side.  Colors held vertical.  Guards walk/stand one step behind the flag bearer if not enough room to stand on outside or more than one guard is provided for each flag.
PTS colors and guard slow at edge of stage to allow American flag and guard to cross first to the left side of the stage, then the PTS colors and guard cross to the right side.
Single File Processional:
American flag guard leads, American flag, PTS flag with guard following.  Additional guards between colors.
During the Pledge of Allegiance: PTS flag bearer dips his flag.  Color guard does not salute, nor repeat.  Look straight forward.
When the colors are posted, the PTS flag is done first.  The PTS guard salutes for 3 seconds, and then the American flag is posted and its guard salutes for 3 seconds.
When dismissed, quietly walk together back down the aisle to the back of the room or to your seat.

(Have a large blower or fan behind the flag and to one side of it so it will look like it is blowing in the breeze. Spotlight the flag with flashlights and have someone recite the following.)

This old flag is my protection. This old flag is my birthright. This old flag is full of beauty. May it fly both day and night. It’s an honor to salute it. And with pride we hold it high. We will keep it flying o’er us Like a symbol in the sky.”

This is followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Cascade pacific Cncl. 2000 Pow Wow

CLOSING

Leader Commands

Will the audience please rise!  (Pause) Attention!
Color guard prepare to retire the colors!
Advance!
Retire the colors!
Audience dismissed!

Color Guard

One color bearer and at least one guard for each flag gathers at the back/side of the room.  Come to attention, march to the front (as if bearing the flags) and remove the flags.
American flag guard, then flag proceeds for single file, otherwise side by side.
Proceed side by side for single guard or two guards follow colors.

Les Miller

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FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA BOOM!!  SIZZLE!!  Oooh!  Aaah!  Don't you just love a good fireworks display on the Fourth of July?  The colors are so beautiful, lighting up the night sky.  But did you ever stop to think how boring it would be if all the fireworks were exactly the same?  You'd have to sit there in your lawn chair for 20 minutes watching one after the other, every single one being red or yellow or green.  You'd be ready to go home in just a little while.  What really makes a fireworks show interesting is its variety, when you never know what's coming next.  That's true for our wonderful United States, too.  Americans come in all sizes and shapes and colors.  We have different religious beliefs, different family customs, different ideas about everything.  But our differences are good, because they make it possible for us to learn new things from one another.  Our differences make us a better people.  If everyone were just like us, life would be boring.  But when people are different, and when they respect each other's differences, then life is rich and exciting, just like a good fireworks display.

BB, Scott Thayer, Sequoia Council, California

 

TAPS Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, From the sky; All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. Fading light, dims the sight, And a star gems the sky, Gleaming bright, From afar, drawing nigh, Falls the night Thanks and praise, for our days, 'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, 'Neath the sky. As we go, this I know, God is nigh.

TUNE

THIS IS MY COUNTRY BOY 1: This is my country. I will use my eyes to see the beauty of this land.
BOY 2: I will use my ears to hear its sounds.
BOY 3: I will use my mind to think what I can do to make it more beautiful.
BOY 4: I will use my hands to care for it.
BOY 5: I will use my feet to serve it.
BOY 6: With my heart, I will honor it.

CLOSING CEREMONY S - is for summer, which is already here
U - is for Us boys who need scouting all year.
M - is for the many outings which Cub Scouting does bring
M - is for more fun, cause that's our thing
E - is for every parent who does their share
R - is for a roaring summer program you've planned cause you cared.

After all the boys have said their lines, they turn over their cards to spell "THANKS".

BB, Viking Council

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CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR ANY THEME

The following closing vespers have a good thought behind them and could be used effectively for the Closing of any Pack Meeting. They could be used as the closing itself or in connection with some spoken words from 'the Cubmaster or a Cub Scout. Be sure to make up copies to distribute to audience so they can easily sing along.

CLOSING VESPER
(Tune: Tannenbaum, Oh Christmas Tree)

Quietly we now will plan, Pledging ever in our heart,
To strive to do our best each day, As we travel down life's way.
Happiness we'll try to give,
Till all the world be joined in love, Living in peace under skies above.

A DAILY VESPER
(Tune: Tannenbaum) As I travel down life's way,
May I do something good each day. May I ever thankful be,
For the blessings given me.
May I join my fellow man,
Doing for others, what I can.
So a better world we all will see, Living together in harmony.

PARTING VESPER
(Tune: Tannenbaum)

Now it's time for us to go,
Taking with us a friendly glow,
From joining together in teamwork,
Our responsibilities never to shirk,
        May all of us, soon meet again,
And bring new friends, that we did win.
While we're traveling down life's way,
May our paths cross another day.

The Cubmaster asks Cub Scouts and their parents to join hands all around the room. Cubmaster explains that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link. The real joy of Cub Scouting comes when complete unity exists between parents and Cub Scouts. Every boy and his parent here tonight can help Scouting keep America strong - by learning more about our great heritage. "Do Your Best"

Anmatics - Grand Canyon Council

DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE I am a part of Nature .I am a part of everything that lives.
I am bound together with all living things in air, in land, in water.
My life depends upon Nature, Upon its balance, upon its resources,
And upon the continuity of both.
To destroy them is to destroy myself.
As a member of the human race I am responsible for its survival .I am a part of Nature, and I will not destroy it.

 

CLOSING CEREMONY (Closing Thought: This Thanksgiving as you bow your head to express your gratitude for your personal blessings, remember to give thanks for the one you share with over 160 million people - the blessing of living in America.  No where else in the world are your personal rights so well guarded and your work so well rewarded.  Let us pause…  to express our thanks for the gift of American citizenship and the inalienable right this gift bestows… to determine to protect this way of life for ourselves and our children - against any odds!

ACCOMPLISHMENT

Cubmaster: "Every Cub Scout should accomplish something worthwhile every day. Each day's accomplishments should be a little better than the previous day. Tonight, stand at your window and look out into the darkness of night. Ask yourself, 'Have I done my best today?'
Then, each day, promise to do better than the day before. If we all do that, we'll have the best Cub Scout pack in the city."

MDS

CLOSING CANDLE CEREMONY

LEADER: Now Scouts, let us all gather in a circle around this table.

I'm going to put out all the lights and I want you to think  about the darkness.

It makes us gloomy and sort of uncomfortable, doesn't it? Now I'm going to light this one small candle .... and even that one tiny flame makes the room seem quite cheerful again.

That's just the way it can be with a Cub Scout. He isn't very big but he can light up his home and make the people around him a little more happy, if he keeps the Cub Scouting spirit alive. DO YOUR BEST!

Cub Scouts: We'll DO OUR BEST!

George Rogers Clark Council Pow Wow

"YEAR'S END" CLOSING CEREMONY Equipment: Ceremonial awards board like the one shown here --or use a large candle in a candelabra and seven small candles in holes drilled in a split log.
Personnel: Cubmaster and all Cub Scouts.

The Cubmaster lights the tall candle, explaining that it represents the spirit of Cub Scouting. He uses it during the ceremony to light the other candles.

CUBMASTER: For this ceremony, the last the pack will have this year, I am going to ask all Cub Scouts to rededicate themselves to Cub Scouting. Do you know what that means? It means that once more we will ask you to think about what you promise to do in the Cub Scout Promise and Law of the Pack.

 Four of the small candles represent the ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. Now, will all Bobcats please stand. Bobcats, do you promise to help other people, to obey the Law of the Pack, and to advance one rank next year? If so, please say, "We'll do our best."

(Bobcats say it. The Cubmaster then lights the Bobcat candle. Repeat for Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.)

Four of the small candles represent the ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. Now, will all Bobcats please stand. Bobcats, do you promise to help other people, to obey the Law of the Pack, and to advance one rank next year? If so, please say, "We'll do our best." (Bobcats say it. The Cubmaster then lights the Bobcat candle. Repeat for Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts.)

 The three remaining candles stand for "follows,'' "helps" and "gives." Where do those words come from? That's right, the Law of the Pack. Will all of you do your best to follow the Law of the Pack next year?

(Boys respond. Cub-master lights the three candles.)

 May the spirit of Cub Scouting born brightly in our hearts in 2001.

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Cubmaster's Minute

AIM FOR THE STARS The words, "Aim for the Stars" have an important meaning to Cub Scouts.  Think of Thomas Edison who tried and failed hundreds of times before he perfected the electric light bulb.  He never quit trying.  A Cub Scout, who tries to do his best and keeps trying, is preparing himself for greater responsibilities when he becomes a man.  What you do and how well you do it becomes your launching pad to "Aim for the Stars."

BB, Greater St. Louis Area Council

SO TRUE!
    WE SOMETIMES FORGET
HOW RICH WE REALLY ARE! One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.
"Oh Yeah." said the son.
"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.
The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. “
“ We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
“We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have.  What is one person's worthless object is anther's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective.

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Sleeping Well

In Israel, there are two major bodies of water. Both of these bodies of water are fed by the waters of the River Jordan.

One is the Sea of Galilee, which is full of fish, and is surrounded by lush vegetation and trees. It is a living body in every sense.

The other is the Dead Sea. There is nothing green there, there are no fish, and the sea is stagnant and dead.

The difference is that the Sea of Galilee overflows, for every gallon of water that flows into the sea, a gallon given up and is passed on downstream. It is constantly renewing itself, it gives as much as it takes.

The Dead Sea, on the other hand, because of its geography, only takes. It gives up nothing. The water there is never cleansed, it stagnates and dies. And everything depending on it dies also.

Some people say that there are two kinds of people in the world -- those that constantly give of themselves (who help other people at all times), and those that only take.

Those that only take Eat Well.
But those who give Sleep Well.
 
 

ACCOMPLISHMENT

Cubmaster: "Every Cub Scout should accomplish something worthwhile every day. Each day's accomplishments should be a little better than the previous day. Tonight, stand at your window and look out into the darkness of night. Ask yourself, 'Have I done my best today?'
Then, each day, promise to do better than the day before. If we all do that, we'll have the best Cub Scout pack in the city."

MDS

Cubmaster’s Minute Closing
(About Webelos Activity Badges) As you have discovered and explored different occupations, I hope you have learned something that you didn’t know before. That is the most important thing you can do as a Cub Scout right now in your life.  Learn all the new things you can about different careers. That will make it easier when it comes time to decide what you really want to be when you grow up. Ask questions, be interested, go with your family to different places and LEARN, LEARN, LEARN. Remember: you can be whatever you want to be and the sky is the limit!

Cascade pacific Cncl. 2000 Pow Wow

 
 
 

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ARROW OF LIGHT
ARROW OF LIGHT CEREMONY

Cubmaster: Cub Scouts, Parents and Leaders, we are here tonight to honor  No. of our Webelos Scouts, who are to come before this Pack to be presented with the highest award in the Cub Scout program, the Arrow of Light.
Akela: Akela was the big Chief of the Webelos tribe; tall, stalwart, straight as an arrow, swift as an antelope, brave as a lion.  He was fierce to an enemy but kind to a brother.  Many trophies hung in his teepee.  His father was the son of the great yellow sun in the sky.  His totem was the Arrow of Light.
Cubmaster: Will the following Webelos Scouts please come forward.
(Cubmaster is standing behind the Arrow of Light board and boys will be facing him)
Cubmaster: The emblem you see before you represents the Arrow of Light.  The seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow of Light.  These candles also represent the Seven Virtues of Life.
(Cubmaster then lights each of the candles one at a time and says):
1.  This candle represents Wisdom
2.  This candle represents Courage
3.  This candle represents Self Control
4.  This candle represents Justice
5.  This candle represents Faith
6.  This candle represents Hope
7.  This candle represents Love.
Akela: And the largest candle of them all represents the "Spirit of Akela" (He then lights the candle)

Cubmaster: If you live by the seven great virtues and the "Spirit of Akela" you will become a happy man and a happy man is a successful man.
(At this time the boys turn and face audience so parents will be facing audience too)
Will the parents of these Webelos Scouts please come and stand behind your son.
Present the leader with the Arrow of Light to give to the Webelos.

Greater Alabama Council

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Graduation Ceremony

YELLOW BRICK ROAD  Equipment: A paper pathway cut from yellow paper; four small tables; one yellow, one blue, one white, and one red candle in candlesticks for each graduating Webelos den
Personnel: Cubmaster, Webelos den leader, assistant and den chief, Scoutmaster and senior patrol leader of troop receiving the graduates; graduating Webelos and their parents
Arrangement: Lay the yellow paper pathway across the stage or area that graduating Webelos Scouts will cross to go from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. In front of the path, place the four tables at intervals. The Cubmaster stands at the first table, where the yellow candles are placed. The Webelos den leader stands at the second table, where the blue candles are placed. The assistant Webelos den leader stands at the third table, where the white candles are placed. The Scoutmaster and senior patrol leader stand at the fourth table, where the red candles are placed.

CUBMASTER: As we have seen many times throughout America's history, it is our way to meet challenges

ARROW PLAQUES When it was time for my Webelos den to graduate, I presented them with arrow plaques. There are a number of variations on this general idea, some more costly in money or time than others. In my case, I took actual arrows and painted rings on the arrows showing each Cub Scouts progress, using different colors each for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos badges, Arrow points, and Activity Badges.
The hardest problem was setting up each arrow based on what each boy earned. A jig with layout marks really helped. I then mounted each on a piece of wood that had been stained and varnished. I added the Pack numbers and an Arrow of Light badge above and below and a hanger on the back.
If you don't mind spending some serious dollars, I have seen a variation where the pack number is centered on a piece of wood shaped like a shield. You then get mother's pins for each of the ranks and extra Webelos activity and Sports & Academic pins that each boy has earned and mounting them on the plague.

Mark Elias, Detroit Area Council

 

John Peters of Arrow of Light Award Arrows supplies handcrafted arrows and arrow kits for Webelos Arrow of Light Ceremonies. Patch pennants for all your Cub Scout's awards are also available.

I first saw these arrow plaques at a Ceremonies Session at a New Jersey Pow Wow in 1963. A Cubmaster from Neptune demonstrated them. I found a boat builder who had lots of scrap mahogany and used the idea for years. Very popular with boys.

Bill

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THE NECKERCHIEF My first Scoutmaster taught the importance of the Scout Oath and Law using the Neckerchief. He would hold the open neckerchief in his hands and remind the young scouts of what the last item of clothing they put on when they were getting dressed for the meeting was, his neckerchief. He said that it was no coincidence that the neckerchief had 3 sides, just like the three parts of the Scout oath. He would run a side through his fingers and say "On my honor, I'll do my best. To do my duty to God" The first and longest side is to remind you of your long standing duty to God. This whole side is hidden from view, just as your faith is deep inside you. But with out that faith, there is no strength for the rest.
Holding on to the neckerchief by the point he would run the next side through his fingers and say "To help other people at all times...." This shorter side is to remind you of your duty to help others. Remember it is some of this duty that shows to others, just like part of this side of your neckerchief shows. So do your duty to others well so that people might see the good work you do in the name of Scouting.
The last side also shows. He would say "To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight." This last side is your duty to your self. This shows to others as well. They will know that by seeing your uniform, you are a young man who is physically fit. Has a strong moral foundation and who is not apt to fall into the temptations of drugs and alcohol.
He would then say that this was a means by which we could remember the Scout Oath, every time we got dressed in uniform. He also gave us a means by which to remember the Scout Law.
While wrapping the neckerchief up for wear, he said to wrap it tight in small twists, 12 in fact. And to repeat the 12 points of the Scout Law as you did so. Then as you placed your neckerchief around your neck for wear, the elements of the Scout Oath and Law were with you. They were in fact part of you.
I hope my rambling remembrances of Mr. Clinton Cooper Troop 6 Nashua, N.H. from 1969 can be used by some. It is a memory that I have used through out my scouting career and have shared with Scouts and Scouters.

John Herrholz, Massabesic District Commissioner
Daniel Webster Council, New Hampshire
BB

BROKEN ARROW CEREMONY Equipment: An Arrow for each boy,
two council fires,
awards
Setting: Cubmaster at first fire, boy scouts at second. Award is attached to arrow.

Akela: Will (Read names) and their parents please come forward and take their place of honor at the Council Fire?
Tonight (Read names) have achieved two high honors. They will receive the Arrow of Light award and graduate from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting. I hold in my hand an arrow. As you can see, it is straight and true, for only an arrow that is straight and true will hit its mark. (Hold up arrow so Scout can see its shaft.) In order to fly straight, it must also have at least three feathers. These represent the first three ranks of Cub Scouting you achieved; Bobcat, Wolf and Bear. With these awards in place you began to ascend along the shaft, toward the tip of the arrow, the Arrow of Light Award. This is the culmination of all your Cub Scouting efforts. Without a hard, sharp tip, the arrow is not a very effective weapon. Since you have achieved this, the highest rank in Cub Scouting, you will now be a more effective Boy Scout as you take with you the things you've learned and continue to progress along the Scouting trail. Please stand. I now present you with this arrow, to which is attached your award. Parents, please pin the Arrow of Light on your son. now give your parents the proper salute. (The proper salute to a mother is a kiss.) Since you are graduating form Cub Scouting tonight, you will no longer be a Cub Scout, except in memory. Because this arrow represents the path along which you have come, but not the path along which you must now go, I will ask you to return the arrow.
(Take the arrows and break them over your knee, just enough to crack, but not completely in two.) This broken arrow will now be forever a reminder to you, that you achieved every rank in Cub Scouting, and graduated with honor. It will no longer fly, just as you will no longer be a Cub Scout. But you will always wear the Arrow of Light symbol on your uniform, as a reminder of your accomplishment. You now may keep this broken arrow for your trophy skin. I give you one last salute before you leave our council fire to join your new Boy Scout brothers at their council fire. (Salute.)
Always be straight and true! Now walk to your new council fire.

Jack Bolinger <bolinger@eatel.net>

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W. T. Smith