ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Cub Scout Induction Ceremony
(Welcome to the Pack)
Richard, Cubmaster
Pack 15, Pittsburg, CA.

Comments: Recently, our pack adapted a Bobcat ceremony to welcome new Cub Scouts to our pack.  This is a great way to make the boys and their families feel welcome and part of the pack family.  The ceremony also involves the den leaders which helps both the leaders and the boy identify who they will be working with.  You can use this ceremony individually for each boy (repeating each time for each boy) or in a large group.

CM:   Tonight it is our pleasure to welcome all of you to the fellowship of Cub Scout Pack______.  As I call your name, please come forward with your parents.

CA:  In following the traditions of the Native Americans, we will mark the boys with the symbol of Baloo, the great bear.  The den leaders will create the bear’s paw on the boy’s forehead.

CM:   The blue is from the sky.  The blue base of the paw print on your forehead is the spirit of the bobcat, and to remind you to do your best on the Cub Scout Trail.

CA:  The yellow is from the sun.  The yellow (one of the toes).  The sun will help you see the light of the Cub Scout Trail, and symbolize the bright spirit of Cub Scouting.

CM:  The white (one of the toes). Signifies purity and to help you know right from wrong as you go along the Cub Scout Trail.

CA:  The red (one of the toes). Is the sign of courage and a reminder to always speak the truth.

CM:  Finally, the green (one of the toes).  Symbolizes the spirit of nature to guide the Cub Scout in living in harmony with the great outdoors.

CA:   Welcome _______________ (scouts name) to Pack ______.  It is our wish that your adventure in Cub Scouting be fun and educational.  Your den leaders, the pack committee and your family will be there to guide and work with you as you follow the Cub Scout trail to the Arrow of Light.

CM    I will now present your Bobcat Badges to your parents to present to you (Then do usual pack rituals for awards)

CA    Lead a cheer for all the new Bobcats

Order of the Pack
Jim Jones, Great Salt Lake Council

Materials: “Royal Cape,” Crown, Toy Sword, Armor

CM:   Today we are here to honor the noble Knights of our Kingdom. We have assembled in front of us the Royal Orders of our Kingdom. Call forth those knights to be given the full Order of the Tiger.”

ACMNames the boys receiving the Tiger Cub Badge, “Please come forward to an audience with the King with your mentors, (parents).” Boys to receive the Tiger Cub Badge are brought forward in front of the King, (Cubmaster) with their parents behind them.

CM:  These knights are just beginning their training. Many great quests await them. [Taps each boy on the shoulders with the sword and says,] “I award thee the full Order of the Tiger.” “Rise young Tiger Cub and greet thy mentors.” [Boy pins Mother’s pin on Mother. Boys and parents return to their seats.]

CM:   Call forth those knights to receive the full Order of the Wolf.”

ACM:  Names the boys receiving the Wolf Badge, “Please come forward to an audience with the King with your mentors, (parents).” Boys to receive the Wolf Badge are brought forward in front of the King, (Cubmaster) with their parents behind them.

CM:   These young knights are near the beginning of their training and have only completed a few quests for their king.” [Taps each boy on the shoulders with the sword and says,] “I award thee the full Order of the Wolf.” “Rise young Wolf and greet thy mentors.” [Boy pins Mother’s pin on Mother. Boys and parents return to their seats.]

CM:  Call forth those knights to receive the full Order of the Bear.”

ACM:Names the boys receiving the Bear Badge, “Please come forward to an audience with the King with your mentors, (parents).” Boys to receive the Bear Badge are brought forward in front of the King, (Cubmaster) with their parents behind them.

CM:   These knights have great experience and have completed many quest for their king.” [Taps each boy on the shoulders with the sword and says,] “I award thee the full Order of the Bear.” “Rise young Bear and greet thy mentors.” [Boy pins Mother’s pin on Mother. Boys and parents return to their seats.]

CM:  Call forth those knights to receive the full Order of the Webelos.”

ACM:Names the boys receiving the Bear Badge, “Please come forward to an audience with the King with your mentors, (parents).” [Boys to receive the Webelos Badge are brought forward in front of the King, (Cubmaster) with their parents behind them.]

CM:  These are our most experience knights; they have been on many difficult quests and done great service to their king.’ [Taps each boy on the shoulders with the sword and says,] “I award thee the full Order of the Webelos. Rise Sir Knight, and greet thy mentors.” [Boy pins Mother’s pin on Mother. Boys and parents return to their seats.]

CM:   Call forth those knights to receive the full Order of the Kingdom.”

ACM:Names the boys receiving the Arrow of Light, “Please come forward to an audience with the King with your mentors, (parents).” [Boys to receive the Arrow of Light are brought forward in front of the King, (Cubmaster) with their parents behind them.]

CM:  These are our most noble knights. They have completed every quest asked of them by their king. Tonight we are here to honor them with the highest order and honor of our kingdom.”

[Conduct Arrow of Light Ceremony.]

Knights Rank
Heart of America Council

Equipment:

• Awards pinned to paper gloves made of silver paper or foil like a Knight’s gauntlet(glove),
• Cardboard Crown and sword for “King” (Cubmaster)

Cubmaster says all words

I call forth the following Knights(read names of boys receiving awards) and their faithful squires, their parents.(Parents and Cubs come forward)

Squires, as faithful companions to your Knight, you have given him guidance and assistance along his journey. Therefore I present to you the gauntlet for which your Knight has bravely worked.  Read names and awards so all may hear as you present them to the parents

Knights, after your squire has pinned on your award, kneel before me that I may acknowledge you for your courage in meeting the challenge of completing your next rank.

(Each Knight kneels on one knee. Cubmaster touches him on right shoulder, left shoulder, and head with sword)

I knight you Sir Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bobcat, Bear, or Webelos (name).

Knighted Knights
Heart of America Council

Ladies and Gentleman, you are about to see a Parade of Knights like you have never seen before.  The knights that I speak of are from royalty in the Boy Scouts of America.

(BOBCAT) For our first group of Knights, I would like(names) to don their armor and parade around the room one time and come forward for their ceremony to Knighthood. Will the parents of these new Knights please come forward and help present the awards.(Present awards.)

(TIGER CUBS) The second group of Knights I would like to introduce are(names). Please don your armor and parade about the room one time and come up here for the ceremony of Knighthood bringing your adult partners with you.  (Present awards.)

(WOLVES) For our next group of knights, I would like(names) to parade around the room and come then come forward for their ceremony. Will the parents of these Knights please come forward and help me with their Knighthood.(Present awards.)

(BEARS) To prepare for Knighthood, each stage of the royal roundtable consists of achievements and electives that are slightly harder to accomplish than the previous. Now I would like to Knight (names) for their endeavors. Please parade around the room and return to the front for your Knighting. Will the parents of these Knights please come forward and help me.(Present awards.)

(WEBELOS) There are no Knights more important than another, since it has taken different levels to reach their Knighthood goals. But, some have been around longer that others and have come to the time when they have reached their last stage as a Knight. I would like these Knights(names) and will the parents please come forward to assist me with these honors.(Present awards.)

I wish to thank everyone who has been Knighted this evening and their parents for helping them

achieve this rank. Will all the Knights please come forward for their final appearance?(After the boys come forward, have them parade around the room in single file one more time.)

New Knights
Heart of America Council

Cubmaster: Tonight, at our roundtable, we will welcome new knights and recognize those earning special honors.

Will the following candidates for the Order of the Tiger Cub please come forward(boys come forward with their parents as their name is called)? Candidates will kneel on their left knee. As knights of this group, you and your family were expected to Search, Discover and Share. You have explored the world around you.  You will be expected to continue exploring and sharing your world. I dub each of thee Sir Tiger Cub.  I will present your tiger Award to your parent to present to you.  (CHEER)

Will the following candidates for the Order of the Bobcat please come forward (boys come forward with parents as their name is called)? Candidates will kneel on their left knee. As knights of this group, you and your family are expected to help us in all our activities. Our roundtable can be no stronger than its weakest member. You will be expected to follow your leader and give goodwill. Repeat after me: I, (name), promise to do my best (touch blade of sword to each candidate’s shoulder). I dub each of thee Sir Bobcat. Welcome new knights! I will now present your Bobcat awards to your parents to present to you.  As you leave this great hall of the roundtable, may you carry with you the spirit of true knighthood. (CHEER)

The following knights have performed their tasks so well that they have earned recognition in the Order of the Wolf. Will they come forward(candidates come forward with their parents as their names and arrow points are read)? You will kneel on your left knee. As a Wolf candidate, you have gone one step further. You have done your “duty to God and your country”. I dub each of thee Sir Wolf. I will now present your Wolf awards to your parents to present to you.  Congratulations to you and may you earn many more recognitions of tasks well done. (CHEER)

Will the following candidates for the Order of the Bear please come forward(read names and arrow points.  Cubs and parents come forward). Candidates will kneel on their left knee. To earn the Order of the Bear, this knight has fulfilled his promise to do his best, he has done his duty to God and country, and lastly he has helped other people. I dub each of thee Sir Bear. I will now present your Bear awards to your parents to present to you.  Congratulations, Sir Bear. Go forth and go good. (CHEER)

Next, we will honor our Order of the Webelos. Will the Webelos candidates please come forward with their parents?

Candidates will kneel on the left knee. This candidate has fulfilled the obligations in the Cub Scout code of conduct. He has done his best as well as his duty to God and country. All the while he has continued to help others, and he has obeyed the Law of the Pack. I dub each of thee Sir Webelos.

I will now present your Webelos awards to your parents to present to you.  Congratulations, Sir Webelos. Continue in the task of living up to your code of conduct.

The following knight candidates are to receive the highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light. Candidates will knee on the left knee. I dub each of thee Sir Arrow of Light. I will now present your Arrow of light  awards to your parents to present to you.  Arise, Sir Arrow of Light, and light the four candles on this roundtable.(As the cub lights the candles, the Cubmaster proceeds)

These four candles are the code of honor that our Arrow of Light knight has followed:

(Lights candle) The Cub Scout follows Akela.
(Lights candle) The Cub Scout helps the pack go.

(Lights candle) The pack helps the Cub Scout grow.

(Lights candle) The Cub Scout gives goodwill.

As a knight of the roundtable and a Cub Scout in our pack, you have performed your tasks honorably. Congratulations. Continue on your quest to do well. (CHEER)

KNIGHTS AND HEROES ADVANCEMENT
Grand Canyon Council

Props: Make award cards cut out of card stock or poster board in the shape of trophies or medals (see craft section) for each boy. Write each boy’s name on an award and attach his awards.

During the ceremony, talk about how the boys have helped other people during the month. How their helpfulness has touched the lives of many people and to those people they are Knights in shining armor. Knights are people who did good deeds to show their honor. Not all knights became famous people, but were heroes to those around them. The same can be true today, you boys can be just like the knights of old and can be heroes.  In fact, most heroes are people we know and love, people who influence our lives everyday in every way. As each boy advances along the Trail to the Arrow, he performs acts of service and kindness.

As each boy and his parents come forward, present his award with heartfelt thanks for his heroic deeds that have touched so many people.

HERO ADVANCEMENT
Grand Canyon Council

Props: “Medals of Honor” made from construction paper and attached to loops of crepe streamer to be hung around the Cub Scouts’ necks. Label the medals “HERO.”

Cubmaster:  Often we hear of professional athletes being called “sports heroes.”  That’s a colorful description, but all they are really doing is playing a game to entertain us.  Some of these people really are heroes, but that comes from things they do off the playing field to help their communities.  A hero is a person who is not afraid to do what he believes is right.  He is a person who wants to make things better for other people.  He is usually prepared and trained to do the job.  And he will do his best even if he is afraid because it is important to him to do what is right. The following boys are heroes to me.  They have chosen to work hard and prepare themselves in life by learning Cub Scouting ideals.  They are learning to be independent and successful and happen to have a lot of fun along the way.  Please join me in congratulating the heroes who have earned their Bobcat rank (call out names of boys and their parents) present rank awards and place medals around the boys’ necks.  Continue in a similar manner for each additional rank.

ADVANCEMENT IDEAS
Grand Canyon Council

• Attach awards to a photo of the scout. If the boy did not earn an award that month, attach a card to the photo that tells something good he has done in the last month (check with den leaders and parents for information).
• When presenting awards, mention the boys’ hard work and their willingness to give goodwill--the same characteristics of those heroes.
• Look around your neighborhood and your resource people within your neighborhood. A fire station, a police station, school, church, recreation center, etc. can all be possibilities. Ask these people if they would attend your pack meeting and take part in your advancement ceremony. A Bobcat may receive his advancement form his school teacher. A fireman could present the Wolf advancements. The Bear rank could be presented by a policeman.