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Historical Cub Scout Pack 6 | Real Pack 6 |
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Modified version of the ceremony from the Stanford
District 1999 Leaders Pow-Wow. The Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting. Often, as in this ceremony, the award is combined with a "bridging" ceremony into Boy Scouts. |
The pack meeting was held at a fire circle. A large campfire was burning, and the Cubmaster was standing on the stage with the Arrow of Light flag hanging behind him. A table on the side of the stage had a candle holder with four candles and the ceremonial arrows. To the side of the stage was the bridge, with the Boy Scouts waiting on the far end. The ceremony started with the Webelos Den Leader leading the graduating boys around the back of the seated audience. They were then led by their parents to the stage next to the Cubmaster.
Cubmaster (while the boys are being led to the stage):
As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail
with the help of many Akelas. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout,
you will find that, while there are still many people willing to
help, you take on more and more responsibility for blazing your
own trail to Eagle. (Names of AOL recipients), you have been
called before the Pack because you have satisfied the
requirements for Cub Scouting's highest rank: The Arrow of Light.
Cubmaster: [lights blue candle] The first candle is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout. Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting - the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, " Do Your Best", when you receive the Arrow of Light badge?
Webelos Scouts: "We do".
Cubmaster: Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, do you also promise to continue to help your boy in his Scouting adventures?
Parents: "We do".
Cubmaster: The second candle, white, represents the ideals of Scouting, as embodied by the Scout Law . Even though youth and adult leaders will cheerfully show you the skills you need, it will be up to you to live up to the 12 points of the Scout Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerf ul, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent?
WebelosScouts: "We do".
Cubmaster: [lights the yellow candle] The yellow candle stands for the Arrow of Light. Within the tepees of many braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow - just as is the path that you Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way -- the way to success in all that you do. It is pointing to the right - a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do see that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this is to remind you that every day is a new day - a day to Do Your Best in everything.
[Cubmaster gives each Webelos the ceremonial arrow, with blue and yellow feathers and a label that says "1999 Cub Scout Pack 6 Arrow of Light"]
Cubmaster: Each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, and each now receives his own Arrow of Light to help him remember his promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. Do you promise to let its light shine forth from you, to set an example for others to follow in your footsteps, to set your eye on the Eagle and never waiver?
Webelos Scouts: "We promise".
Cubmaster: Then I, Akela, have the distinct honor to say to you: You are now full-fledged Arrow of Light holders!
[Cubmaster hands the parents the Arrow of Light awards and asks them to pin them upon the boys.]
Cubmaster: Next, we ask the Webelos to pin upon their mom or dad a miniature Arrow of Light, and to give them a big hug to thank them for all their help. You may wear the awards on your Scout uniforms, centered below the left shirt pocket. It is a great honor for me to greet you as winners of the Arrow of Light award.
Cubmaster: The last candle is green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy Scout. I will now light the green candle to start you on your way as Boy Scouts. A leader from your Boy Scout Troop will now lead you across the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting, where Boy Scouts will be waiting to greet you and present you with the handbooks, and neckerchiefs you already have earned through your diligence this past month.
[Boys are individually greeted by a Boy Scout leader and escorted across the bridge.]