2009 Blue & Gold Ceremony

Opening Ceremony

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

Cu= bmaster: Two hundred years ago, God gave us a nation; = a land of wealth and bounty, choice among His creations. We must protect its freedom and de= fend its worthy cause, and support our Constitution, which is based upon God's = laws. We must pledge to be loyal throughout each coming year, and with God's help, we will know neither dou= bt nor fear. When we keep our p= romise to do our best each day, God will bless our country and us in every way. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Please stand and join us in singin= g, "God Bless Ame= rica."

(Af= ter audience is seated, Cub Scouts continue.)

Fi= rst Cub Scout: (Austin Ellis) We’re glad you came to our banquet! We have many things to say about our love for America as we celebrate toda= y.

Se= cond Cub Scout: (Justin Kirkey) Independence is = a big word, and hard for me to say. But I know it means a lot to all Americans today.

Th= ird Cub Scout: (Clay Jackson) Our national = bird is the eagle. Have you ever wondered why? It may be because it soars above all birds to reach the sky.

Forth C= ub Scout: (Brendan Smith) The Liberty Bell is ringing, = though its sound we do not hear. Freedom of speech and worshi= p, freedom from want and fear.

Fi= fth Cub Scout: (Albert VanFossen) Without our flag of red, white and blue, things would= be different for me and you.

Si= xth Cub Scout: (Thomas VanFossen) It's a symbol= of pride in the American way, so we should be loyal and true each day. <= /span>

Se= venth Cub Scout: (Jacob Wehr) = Please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

Prayer &= #8211; Robby Wicks

Please join me in a prayer.<= /p>

We thank you for this food and fellowship that= we are sharing today. As we come to= gether to celebrate, we ask you to bless this food and our fellowship. So that we may all do our best, t= o do our duty, to you, our country, our communities, our families, and ourselve= s. Amen

Cubmaster: We are going to eat now. I will be sending peopl= e up by table. Please note the announcements on the screens.

Opening Advancement = Ceremony:

(Cubmaster does Cub Scout sign for silence.)

Cubmaster: We are ready to begin the ceremonies. Please hear now = the tale of the tribe of Webelos and their great chieftain, Akela. =

Asst. CM: Many many moons ago, a small boy sat outside his te= pee watching the stars in the sky, and listening to the rustle of the trees in= the night. Somewhere in the dist= ance he could hear the call of the Bobcat, the Wolf, and the Bear. Close by was the sound of the cere= monial drum calling all braves of the tribe to the council ri= ng. The boy listened and wished = he could answer that call.

Cubmaster: &= nbsp; Quick and as true as an arrow in flight, quiet as the hush of the n= ight, to the beat of that ceremonial drum, before a great fire they gathered, awaiting Akela, their chief. Here in the great council fire ring, on top of the mountain, they met.

Here too, they sought the help of the= Great Spirit as they strived to do their duty. Here they met Chief Akela, and awa= ited his words.

Asst CM: &= nbsp; Akela told how he, as a young brave, was trusted to set out into the forest. There he met the Wolf who taught h= im the ways of the wild life, of the ground, of the tracks, and ways to find food= . He next faced the Bear and learned= the meaning of courage and the importance of being brave.

Cubmaster: &= nbsp; Aklea told of the strength of his fathe= r, the one they called the Arrow of Light. He told of how his father taught h= im the signs of the tribe; how to make a bow and let an arrow fly true to its tar= get. Akela obediently followed the Arro= w of Light and gained great knowledge. <= /span>Akela learned that the arrow for which his father was named was one that pointed upward, truly to the Eagle so high above.

Today we celebrate those scouts who h= ave followed Akela’s path.

Bobcat Ceremony

Preparation: Face Paint colors -- Blue & Yellow and Bobcat pin & Patch=

Cubmaster: Today, we are honored to have among us a boy or boys whom have completed the requirements for the Bobcat badge. The Bobcat badge is an important part o= f the Cub Scout Trail; it is the foundation upon which a boy begins his trek tow= ard the Arrow of Light.

Cubmaster: Would the following boys and their parents please come forward!

(Read names as boys come forward) <= /span>

Cubmaster: Boy's you've accomplished the first step in Cub Scouting. In all things there is always a first…the first stone laid in a new building, the first step across a bridge. The first is sometim= es the hardest, but that’s because it lays the foundation or the strength f= or what follows. The Bobcat bad= ge is your foundation. The trail of Scouting lies ahead of you, but don't be afraid. You won't have to do it alone. You'll have lots of help from your Akela…Akela can be your parents, your den leader, even I your Cubmas= ter will help you along the trail, helping you become successful. <= /span>

Cubmaster: As a symbol of your achievement and of becoming a member of this pack, I ask = my assistant to give you the colors of Cub Scouting...blue on the right cheek, yellow on the left.

(Asst. cm or den leader puts blue and yellow m= ark on each boy’s cheek)

Cubmaster: Your parents stand here with you as an example to show they are proud and that = they are there to help you, just like they helped you earn the Bobcat badge. I = am presenting your Bobcat badge to your parents who in turn will present it t= o you.

(Award badges to Parents, who in turn present = the badge to the boys)

Cubmaster: You boys will present your parent with the Bobcat parent's pin. Family participation is a very im= portant part of Scouting. In Cub Sco= uting, the parents are inducted just the same as their boy and take upon themselv= es an obligation or promise that they too will do their best, be square and obey= the Law of the Pack, and give good will. Boys please give the parent pin to your parent now.

Cubmaster:&nb= sp; Boys, parents and gues= ts of Pack 844 please join me in congratulating these boys in their achievement.=

Tiger Opening

Pe= rsonnel: Cubmaster, Webelos, Tiger Cubs, Parents, Akela (Webelos II Den Leader) and Den Leader

Pr= ops: Table with candles for each boy with their na= mes in front of candles <= /span>

Cubmaster: = Would the Tigers, their parents and the Webelos please go to the back of the room. <= o:p>

Cubmaster: = My friends, Our Tigers are like that small Indian boy wishing to answer the c= all of the great ceremonial drum and be members of the tribe.

Tiger/Webelos Ceremony

Cu= bmaster: Today= we have the pleasure of welcoming new Cub Scouts into the pack. Parents and Tiger Cubs, would you please be escorted forward= by our Webelos.

Cu= bmaster: The W= ebelos Scout provided a path for you to follow into the pack and now he relinquis= hes his place in the pack to you.

(We= belos Scouts hand lighted candles to boys and return to their seats.)=

De= n Leader:   &= nbsp;         You and your parents both were asked to come forward. This symbolizes th= at the family is a necessary base for Cub Scouting and that Cub Scouting supp= orts a strong family unit. The candles you received represent the promise= of every Cub Scout to "Do Your Best."

De= n Leader: Do you= promise to Do Your Best?

Ti= ger Cubs: We Do= .

(De= n Leader instructs Tigers to blow out the candles and return them to the table.)

(At= the right of the group Akela appears in costume.)

Ak= ela: (To C= ubmaster) My Brother, have these new cubs prepared to join our Pack?

Cu= bmaster: They = have by completing the Tiger Cub program. As we call your name, please step forward to receive your Tiger patch and certificate. (Call boys forward one at a time)

Cu= bmaster: Akela= , Members of the Pack, please welcome our new Cub Scouts.

Cubmaster: Pack = 844, would you please join with me in congratulating these Tigers by giving the= m a "Tiger growl" cheer?

Cu= bmaster: = Parents and Scouts you may now be seated.

Wolf Opening

As= st. CM:      Remember when Akela told how he, as a young b= rave, was trusted to set out into the forest. There he met the Wolf who taught h= im the ways of the wild life, of the ground, of the tracks, and ways to find food?

Wolf DL:        Just as when Akela first went into the forest and learned from the Wolf, a Cub = Scout in the second grade begins working on the requirements for the Wolf badge.= Wolf Cub Scouts learn about Akela = and the story of Mowgli and his survival in the Jungle. When a scout has completed twelve Achievements on the Wolf= Trail, in such are= as as physical fitness, exploring the world around him, fixing, building, collec= ting, safety, our flag, our family and our Duty to God, he receives his Wolf bad= ge.

Wolf Advancement Ceremony

As= st. CM:  &n= bsp;   "Would the following boys and their parents please come forward? Parents, please stand behind your son."

(Re= ad the list of boys)

Cu= bmaster: = You have completed all the requirements for your Wolf badge and have moved along th= e Cub Scout trail.

Cu= bmaster: = Receive now the mark of the Wolf, a Red mark, symbolizing strength and valor.=

(Ma= rk each boy with RED face paint.)

Lea= der presents badges to parents as Assistant Leader paints faces.

Cu= bmaster: It is our pleasure to award your Wolf badge to your parents, who have been your = Akela in completing these requirements. <= /span>Parents please pin the Wolf badge to your son's left shirt pocket and congratulate= him on a 'Job Well Done'. <= /o:p>

Cu= bmaster: Parents, as your son’s Akela, you are entitled to proudly wear the parent's W= olf pin. Boys please give the pi= n to your parent now.

Cu= bmaster: Parents, you have played an important roll in your son's advancement to Wolf. Your son will want to earn Arrow = Points to go under his Wolf Badge. = For your son to do this, he will still be looking to you as his Akela. Just as your son has committed to= the ideals of Cub Scouting by following the Cub Scout Promise, I ask you also = to make a promise. Please repea= t after me...

"We will continue to

Do our best

To help our sons

Along the achievement trail

And to share with them

The work and fun of Cub Scouting."=

Cu= bmaster: It is my pleasure to congratulate each one of you on earning your Wolf badge!=

Cubmaster: Pack 844, would you please join in the Great Wolf Howl?

Cu= bmaster: = Parents and Scouts you may now be seated.

Bear Opening

Asst. CM:      After Akela learned from the Wolf, he next faced the Bear and learned the meanin= g of courage and the importance of being brave. Will the following Bear scouts please step forward?

Bear Awards

Cubmaster hand out any advanceme= nt awards.

Cubmaster: Pack = 844, would you please join with me in congratulating these Bears by giving them= a "Grizzly Bear Growl" cheer?

Cu= bmaster: = Parents and Scouts you may now be seated.

Webelos Opening

As= st. CM:  &n= bsp;   Akela told of how his father taught him the signs of the tribe; how to make a bo= w and let an arrow fly true to its target. Akela obediently followed the Arro= w of Light and gained great knowledge. <= /span>

Super Webelos Prese= ntation

Cu= bmaster: = Today we have Eight boys who have earned a special recog= nition;   they have earned the Super = Webelo Badge. To earn the badge, a = Webelo Scout has to earn his Webelo badge and all twenty activity pins would Mr. Kirkey, the Webelos leader please come forward and present the awards.

We= belo Leader:      The Super Webelo badge is not an = award that is sewn onto a boy's uniform. = It is attached to his right pocket button under the flap. Today (Austin Ellis, Clay Jackson, Justin Kirkey, Brendan Smith, Albert VanFossen, Thomas VanFossen, Jacob Wehr, and Robby Wicks) have earned their Super Webelo Badge. Will they please come= forward? This shows that the boys wen= t above and beyond by earning all twenty activity pins, 12 more than required for = their Arrow of Light.

Cu= bmaster: Pack = 844, would you please join with me in congratulating these boys by giving them a round of applause.

Arrow of Light Cere= mony:

As= st. CM:  &n= bsp;   Akela learned that the arrow for which his father was named was one that pointed upward, to the Eagle. We hav= e a group of scouts tonight that have earned their Webelo badge and have conti= nued on the path towards the highest rank in Cub Scouting the Arrow of Light. <= o:p>

Cubmaster: = The final and highest rank of Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. To earn it a boy must be a member = of his Den for at least six months since turning ten years old and have earned th= e Webelo Badge. He must have earned t= he Fitness, Readyman, Outdoorsman and Citizen Act= ivity Pins and four more for a total of eight. He must know the Boy Scout Oath an= d Scout Law from memory as well as the Boy Scout slogan, motto, sign and salute. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> He must have participated in a Web= elo overnight campout or a Webelo day hike. He must have visited a Boy Scout t= roop and taken part in a Boy Scout outdoor activity.

Asst. CM:      Tonight we have (8) Webelo Scouts who = have earned Cub Scouting's highest award. Will the following boys and their = parents please come forward?

(Austin Ellis, Clay Jackson, Justin Kirkey, Brendan Smith, Albert VanFossen, Thomas VanFossen, Jacob Wehr, and Robby Wicks)

Den Leader: Long ago the Indian braves would collect eagle feathers. Regardless of how an Indian brave accumulated feathers, he was not allowed, according to tribal law, to wear= them until he won them by doing a brave deed. He had to appear before the tribal council and tell or re-enact his deed. If the council thought the brave was worthy, the brave was allowed to wear the feather in his hair or war bonne= t. These honors were called "cou= nting coop." The Indian displ= ayed his honors on his clothing, on a banner, or on a stick. A Webelo scout "counts coop&q= uot; by wearing the many rank awards and activity pins on his uniform, but he will= soon be a boy scouts. Therefore, = the parents of the Webelo scouts have decorated the vests you see on display f= or the scouts to hold their own cub scouting honors.

Cubmaster: = The arrow of light is much more difficult to obtain than a belt loop, an activity ba= dge or even one of the other rank patches. To obtain this award these scouts = have met a number of requirements, including completion of eight activity badge= s, participation in camps, hikes and boy scout activities, they memorized the Scout Oath and the S= cout Law, and they committed to live by these principles. Webelo scouts will you ple= ase stand at attention, salute your audience and recite the Scout Oath and Sco= ut Law in unison.

(Cubmaster step to the front to face the Scouts, salute an= d lead)

On my honor I will do my best: To do my duty t= o God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all time= s; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. <= /o:p>

A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpfu= l, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reve= rent

Cubmaster: As you can see, the Arrow of Light symbol is made up of an arrow which points the= way to a good life and a rising sun which symbolizes the constant new challeng= es provided by Scouting and by life itself. The seven candles in the emblem re= present the seven rays in the Arrow of light symbol you see before you.

Assistant Cubmaster:
[Cubmaster lights the first candle]
this first ray represents Wisdom. <= /span>Having wisdom doesn't mean that a person is smarter than others. It means that he uses what he know= s to live a better life.

[Cubmaster lights the second candle] =
This ray represents Courage. Courage does not mean you have no fear of danger. It means that you can face danger = despite your fear.

[Cubmaster lights the third candle] <= br> The third ray stands for Self Control. Self Control means being able to s= top when you have had enough of something and being able to choose your own pa= th instead of merely following others.

[Cubmaster lights the fourth candle] =
The fourth ray stand for Justice. Justice means being fair with othe= rs we play and work with, regardless of who they are.

[Cubmaster lights the fifth candle] <= br> The fifth ray represents Faith. Faith includes belief in God, and in things we cannot see, but feel is true.

[Cubmaster lights the sixth candle] <= br> This candle represents Hope. Hope means to look forward to good things you believe will happen. You hope for better things tomorro= w, but at the same time you work hard today to make them happen.

[Cubmaster lights the seventh candle]=
The last candle and the last ray of the sun of the arrow of light symbol s= tands for Love. There are many kin= ds of love. Love of family, home, = fellow men, God, and country. Every= kind of love is important for a full and happy life.

Cubmaster: = You will find that living by these seven virtues can lead to a happy life. The Arrow of Light is a significant achievement. It is recognize= d as such by the Boy Scouts of America. = When you become a Boy Scout, you continue to wear the Arrow of Light on your uniform. When you become an = adult leader, you wear a square knot which represents the Arrow of Light on your uniform.

Cubmaster: = You've completed all the requirements for your Arrow of Light badge and have comp= leted the Cub Scout trail. In view= of that significance, I offer my sincere congratulations to each of you. (Cubmaster shakes the hand of each scout and parent.)

Cubmaster: Will the pack honor these scouts who= have earned the Cub Scouts highest rank by giving a standing ovation?

Crossover Opening

Cu= bmaster: = Will the representatives from Troops 428 and 84 please assemble on this side of the stage.

Asst. CM:      In Boy Scouts, when they have an Eagle Court of Honor, a charge or challenge is made to the new Eagle Scout. Tonight, I want to offer such a ch= allenge to each of you. You have now achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts. I challenge each of you to continu= e to live by the ideals you have learned in Cub Scouts, especially the Cub Scout motto: "DO YOUR BEST".

I challenge each of you to continue your high level of achievement in Boy Scouts.

I challenge each of you to look at the Arrow of Light = badge and think about what it represents:

·      = ;   The sun shedding its light on= all that we do. A reminder that you should be a light for = those around you.

·      = ;   The seven rays of the sun representing the seven days of the week. A reminder th= at you should do your best every day.

·      = ;   The arrow = which is symbolic of everything which is straight and true. Just as you should be straight and true in yo= ur lives.

I challenge each of you to follow where that Arrow of = Light points:

·      = ;   Forward on= the trail of Boy Scout ranks.

·      = ;   Upward to higher challenges.

I challenge each of you to soar to great heights and obtain the Eagle Scout Award.

Webelo-To-Boy Scouts Bridging Ceremony

Props: 4 - 5 to 6 feet 4 X 4's for foundation or 2 X 6's notched to inte= rlock

5 - 4 foot 2x10's - one plain, one yellow, one= blue, one green, one red

Personnel: All words are spoken by same person – C= ubmaster or whoever

Webelo Leader, will you please place = the first post on the stage in a North/South direction. (WL places post)

Webelo Asst. Leader, please place the= second post on the stage three feet away from the first post in the North/South direction. (WAL places post)<= /o:p>

These two posts placed here are symbo= lic of the foundations of Scouting that these Webelo leaders have instilled in th= eir Webelo Scouts through activities and outings as represented by the natural brown color.

Scout Master (name) and (Assistant = Scout Master or Senior Patrol leader), please place your posts in an East/We= st direction 3 feet apart over the North/South posts that are already in place. (SM and SOL place pos= ts)

As represented by the structure assem= bly, Boy Scouting will build on the Scouting foundation begun in Webelo. = These leaders have set the stage for bridging the boys from Cub Scouting into Boy Scouting.

Webelo Scouts (Austin Ellis & Clay Jackson), will you please bring the unfinished plank forward and place it across the east/west posts. (Scout places plank)

This unfinished plank represents the = boys as they arrived in Cub Scouting, full of potential but unfinished.=

Webelo Scout (Justin Kirkey), will you please bring the blue plank forward = and place it snuggly against the unfinished plank. (Scout places plank)

This Blue plank represents the Wolf a= nd Bear years of Cub Scouting where with the help of their parents the Scouts beca= me true blue and loyal friends.

Webelo Scouts (Albert & Thomas VanFossen), will you please bring the yel= low plank forward and place it snuggly next to the blue planks. (Scout places plank)

This Yellow plank represents their ye= llowed years in Cub Scouting as Webelo learning important skills through activity badges and culminating in the Arrow of Light.

Webelo Scout (Jacob Wehr), will you please bring the green plank forward and place it next to the yellow plank. (Scout places plank)

This green plank represents their new beginning as Boy Scouts, who will soon be green Tenderfoot scouts, anxious= to begin the Boy Scout trial toward Eagle.

Webelo Scout (Robby Wicks), will you place the final plank onto the bridge. (Scout places plank)=

This last plank is red the predominan= t color in the Eagle Scout Badge and represents the fact that as they step off the bridge from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting they are beginning of their journey to becoming Eagle Scouts.

Webelos entering Troop (428), please assemble with your parents at the unfinished boa= rd of the now completed Bridge= of Scouting.<= /o:p>

As we present you with your Pack Grad= uation Certificate, will each parent please remove your sons Webelo neckerchief a= nd slide.

Scoutmaster invites boys across the b= ridge, calling each by name and (performi= ng whatever ceremonies are customary for your pack and troop)<= /span>

Webelo entering Troop (84), please assemble with your parents at the unfinished boar= d of the now completed Bridge= of Scouting.<= /o:p>

As we present you with your Pack Grad= uation Certificate, will each parent please remove your sons Webelo neckerchief a= nd slide.

Scoutmaster invites boys across the b= ridge, calling each by name and (performi= ng whatever ceremonies are customary for your pack and troop)<= /span>

After all have crossed - Pack 844 pleas= e stand and show your pride to the new Boy scouts.

We are very proud of you all.

Closing Ceremony

CLOSING THOUGHT

Cu= bmaster: = Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said: "I often think that when= the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heav= en, but the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have d= one good deeds in this world. Th= e stars are not all the same size; some are big, some are little, and some men have done small deeds, but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing we= ll before they went to heaven. = Try and make your hole in the blanket by good work while you are on earth. It is something to be good, but it= is far better to do well." Think of Baden-Powell's words when you promise to= help other people.

What can we learn from the past; what lessons = that will last?
Faith in God, honor of country, to these truths we hold fast. <= /span>

Our forefathers made us free; they stood for t= ruth and liberty.
They made discoveries and inventions, left for all to see.

We Cub Scouts, we honor them; those brave men = we remember,
Famous Americans and Scouters who fanned the g= lowing ember.

That glowing ember - AMERICA - shall burn for cen= turies;
The flame of greatness lingers on for future me= n to seize.

We now salute our growing boys, who youth will= soon be gone.
From boys to great men some shall grow, to lead our country on.=

Blow out all candles,  =

Thanks for celebrat= ing with us today ,

=