ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Leadership Appreciation Ceremony
Piedmont Council

Materials needed:  Four candles

Scouting is made up of many things, people, and ideas.  Tonight we are going to take a few minutes to reflect on some of the more pertinent aspects of Scouting.

First - Scouting is a program.  As depicted by our first candle it is one of the many items of Scouting.  It is a program dedicated to the development of character, citizenship, and the mental and physical fitness of our youth.

Second - Scouting is for youth of our community.  Young boys expect to learn, gain recognition by advancement, but most of all they expect to have fun with others their own age.

Third - Scouting is the parents of young Cub Scouts.  For without parents taking an interest in the activities of their son, taking them to meetings, and fulfilling the part of Akela, we would not have Cub Scouts.

But, as you can see, this leaves on lone candle.  This candle represents the leaders of Cub Scouting.  Would the following leaders (call names) please come forward?

I light this candle for you, for you have been a faithful leader to us and we want you to know that your work, dedication, and tireless effort have been gratefully appreciated.  For without your leadership as with the leadership of all Cub Scout leaders the first three candles program, youth, and parents would be meaningless.
Thank You!

The Butterfly Advancement
Baltimore Area Council

Arrangement: Pictures of eggs (Tiger) caterpillar (Wolf), cocoon (Bear), and butterfly (Webelos). The awards can be put inside a cocoon, which can be a bottle, balloon, or toilet tissue tube.

Cubmaster: In the spring of the year many things are unfolding. One of these great events is the caterpillar that wants to grow up and be something beautiful. He seals himself up in a cocoon and awaits the changing into the beautiful butterfly.  Tonight we want to remember that like the caterpillar, our Cubs are also changing and growing. And so, they, too, represent the coming of spring.

Asst. Cubmaster: Will these boys and their parents please come forward and stand behind the Den Chief holding the proper picture. Will these Cubs stand behind the eggs? (Calls the Cubs receiving their Tiger. Continue until all boys have been called and standing behind proper picture.)

Cubmaster: These cubs have shown that by working on their projects they have grown in their own skills and stature. We would like to present the award representing their part in their own life’s drama.

Just Like the Caterpillar
Southern NJ Council

Personnel:

Cubmaster could do entire ceremony. Or Den Leaders could be used to read the sections for their dens.  Or committee people (advancement chair, committee chair and others could be assigned the parts.

Equipment:

• An oval shape to be a caterpillar egg for the boys who are receiving Bobcat
• A circle decorated like a caterpillar’s head for the boys who are receiving Tiger to stand behind,
• A circle, about 15 inches across for each boy who is receiving either the Wolf or Bear rank,
• A roll of batting for the boys receiving Webelos to hold,
• A large poster or cut-out of a butterfly for the boys who are receiving Arrow of Light to hold.

Cubmaster: This month the dens have been learning about nature.  Things in nature change and grow, but the differences aren't always noticeable.  But, there is one insect that we can watch change right before our very eyes! 

Cubmaster: The caterpillar is a simple animal, starting out as an egg.  Our Bobcats are just starting out too.  They  grow rapidly as the larva does in the egg as they learn the basics of Scouting!

Call up Bobcats and parents, present rank, have parents sit back down and give the Bobcats the eggs to hold.

When the caterpillar hatches it has a head and big eyes to take in the entire world around him. Our Tigers have big eyes too, as they take in all of the new adventures waiting for them!

Call up Tigers and parents, present rank, have parents sit back down and give the Tigers the caterpillar head to hold.

Cubmaster: The caterpillar is made up of segments, which all work together to get him where he wants to go. Our Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts have learned to work together as a den, with their leader and with their families to reach their goal.

Call up Wolves and parents, resent rank, have parents sit down, give each boy a circle (body segment) to hold up and have them line up next to "Head".
Repeat the same for the Bears.

Cubmaster: As the caterpillar matures, some changes begin to take place.  The caterpillar spins a cocoon and closes itself within.  Our Webelos don't spin cocoons, but the have learned to work more independently of their families and closer with their leader and Activity Pin counselors.

Call up boys receiving Webelos and their parents, present rank, have parents sit down Have the Webelos stand alongside the Wolves and Bears and hold the batting. 
If you have a small number of Webelos, they could wrap themselves up in the batting.

Cubmaster: The end result of the caterpillar's life, is the new life form that it takes on, a butterfly. The boys who are receiving the Arrow of Light tonight are ending the Cub Scout portion of their Scouting adventure, and are now ready to move on to Boy Scouts.

Call up boys receiving Arrow of Light and their parents, present them their rank, have parents sit down, and have boys hold up butterfly cut-out.

Cubmaster: Just like the caterpillar grew and changed, so did the Cub Scouts in our Pack, it just took a little bit longer and maybe wasn't quite as noticeable, but Mother Nature came through once again with another miracle!

Spider Web
Trapper Trails Council

Attach awards to spiders and gang them on a spider’s web (You can make one out of yarn or use Halloween webbing). Tell the Cub Scouts that, “We’ve spun a web of fun and caught some awards”.

Have the boys come up with their parents and find their spider-award. (You can make spiders out of tootsie roll pops, with a pom-pom and pipe cleaner legs. The stick is the webbing you can hang it from.)

Advancement Ceremony Ideas
Southern NJ Council

• Using a big net drag "insect" scout up for awards.  Attach a bug to each award.
• Attach awards to a plastic bug and pull them out of an aquarium that has some dirt, etc., set up like you were going to keep bugs in it.
• Attach awards to a large bug chart.  (Bugs could be made of dark sandwich cookies with licorice string legs.)
• Make a beehive and pace awards in it.  Play "The Flight of the Bumblebee: song while presenting awards.
• Make a spider web and tape award to it.

Worms
Trapper Trails Council

Put awards in a bug jar filled with gummy worms. Using tweezers, have the Cub Scout pull out the worms to find his award.

Insect Net
Trapper Trails Council

Have a big bug jar with some cotton balls in it for the kill jar. Use a butterfly net and go out and look for that most rare bug you need to finish your Cub Scout bug collection. When you find him have everyone be really quiet and then catch him with your net and bring him up to present him his award.

Painted Scout Advancement Ceremony
Pack 43 Davenport, IA

You can do any or all of these depending on your awards for that evening

BOBCAT

Indian Drummer begins soft, slow rhythmic beat.

CM:      Tonight, we are honored to have among us boys who have completed the requirements for the Bobcat badge. The Bobcat badge is an important part of the Cub Scout Trail; it is the foundation upon which a boy begins his trek toward the Arrow of Light.

CA       Would the following boys and their parents please come forward!  [Read Scouts names.]

CM:      Boys, you have 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 sometimes the hardest, but that’s because it lays the foundation or the strength for what follows.

CA       The Bobcat badge 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 will have lots of help from your Akela.  Akela can be your parents, your den leader; even I your Cubmaster will help you along the trail, helping you become successful.

CM:      Do you want to wear the sign of the Bobcat? If you do, please say "yes".

Cubs:   Yes

CM:      You have worked hard with your Den and your parents to fulfill the Bobcat requirements. You are now ready to wear the sign of the Bobcat.
The blue on your left cheek will stand for truth, loyalty, and the sky above.
(Paint a vertical blue stripe on left cheek)

CA       The gold on your right cheek will stand for happiness, good cheer and warm sunlight.
(Paint a vertical yellow stripe on right cheek)

CM       [Pass out badges to parents]
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. Scouts, your parents are the most important Akela in your lives.  It is only with their help and support that you are receiving your Bobcat badge. Parents, would you please pin your son’s badge on his uniform upside down?

CA       Congratulations to you and your family on completing this part of the Cub Scout Trail.
Lead a Cheer!!!

TIGERS

Indian Drummer begins soft, slow rhythmic beat.

CA:      Would the Tiger Cubs and their partners please come forward.  [Read Scouts names.]

CM:      For the past few months, you and your family have explored new and exciting things and places. You have learned to Search, Discover, and Share.  You have used it in your home, school, and neighborhood. You and your partner have searched out new activities that have shown you how people work and have fun together

CA:      Do you want to wear the sign of the Tiger? If you do, please say "yes".

Tigers: Yes

CM:      We will give you the sign of the Tiger which will start you on your journey along the Scouting Trail. You will need lots of support from your family as you try to attain Cub Scouting’s' highest honor, the Arrow of Light.
The black on your cheeks is for the fun you had as you searched, discovered and shared along the Tiger Trail.
(Paint one diagonal stripe on each cheek)

CA       The yellow on your chin is for sunlight along the Wolf Trail.
(Paint one vertical stripe on chin)

TL        The red on your forehead is for bravery when you attempt the Bear Trail.
(Paint one vertical stripe on forehead)

CM       [Pass out badges to partners]
Tiger Cubs, remember the meaning of your Tiger paint. It shows that you are ready to move along the trail of Scouting. Tiger partners, please pin the Tiger badge on your Scouts’ left pocket.

CA       Congratulations to you and your family on completing this part of the Cub Scout Trail.
Lead a Cheer!!!!

WOLF

Indian Drummer begins soft, slow rhythmic beat.

CM:      When a boy joins a Cub Scout Pack, he earns the badge of the Bobcat and starts on an upward trail. The trail to the Wolf badge covers 12 achievements that help him learn many things, such as physical fitness, his duty to family, community, and God, how to build and fix things, safety, our flag and our country. He will continue to follow this trail as it leads him through the footsteps of the wolf, the bear and the Webelos brave, and on his way to the highest honor of Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light. Tonight, we honor those Scouts who have made a significant advancement along this journey and have earned the Wolf badge.

CA       Would the following Scouts and their parent please come forward.  [Read Scouts names.]

CM:      Please recite with me the Cub Scout Promise:

CM & Cubs:     I ____ promise to do my best,
to do my duty to God and my country,
to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack.

CA:      Do you want to wear the sign of the Wolf? If you do, please say "yes".

Cubs:   Yes

CM:      You have worked hard with your Den and your parents to fulfill the Wolf requirements. You are now ready to wear the sign of the Wolf.
The blue on your chin stands for HAPPINESS from your days as a Bobcat.
(Paint a vertical blue stripe on chin)

CA       The yellow across your nose is for SUNLIGHT along the Wolf trail.
(Paint a yellow ramp across the nose )

DL        The red on your forehead is for BRAVERY when you become a Bear.
(Paint two vertical stripes on forehead)

CM       [Pass out badges to parents]
Wolf Cubs remember the meaning of your Wolf paint. It shows that you are ready to move along the upward trail of Scouting. Parents, please pin on your son’s Wolf badge.
Ca        Please join me in congratulating these boys in their achievement!
Lead a Cheer!!!!

BEAR

Indian Drummer begins soft, slow rhythmic beat.

CM:      Tonight we are honoring some Cub Scouts who have reached a new rank along the scouting trail. On that trail they have worked hard to earn the sign of the bear by completing 12 challenging achievements in 4 different areas – God, Country, Family and Self. 

CA       Would the following Scouts and their parent please come forward.  (Read Scouts names)

CM:      Do you want to wear the sign of the Bear?

Cubs:   Yes

CM:      You are well on your way along the Cub Scout Trail to reach the honor of the Arrow of Light, and eventually start the Boy Scout trail to seek the sign of the Eagle. To help you along your journey, we will give you the sign of the Bear.
The yellow on your chin stands for SUNLIGHT from the Wolf Trail.
(Paint two vertical yellow stripes on chin)

CA       The red on your cheeks is for COURAGE and the hard work you and your parent did to achieve the Bear Rank.
(Paint two upward slanting lines on each cheek)

DL        The blue on your forehead is for LOYALTY when you become a Webelos.
(Paint two vertical blue stripes on forehead)

CM       [Pass out badges to parents]
Bear Cubs, remember the meaning of your Bear paint. It shows that you are ready to move along the upward trail of Scouting. Parents, please pin on your son’s Bear badge.

CA       Congratulations to you and your family on completing this part of the Cub Scout Trail!
Lead a Cheer!!!!

WEBELOS

Indian Drummer begins soft, slow rhythmic beat.

CA:      Webelos stands for "We'll Be Loyal Scouts." Would the following Scouts and their parent please come forward.  (Read Scouts names.)

CM:     The sign of the Webelos Scout signifies a major step on the Cub Scout Trail. To reach this achievement, you have completed many steps that include earning 3 activity badges, completing requirements on the Flag, your faith and what it means to be a Webelos Scout and have begun to learn the Boy Scout Promise and Laws. Just as Indian boys became warriors and were painted in the colors of their tribe, we will paint you with the colors of Scouting. If you want to wear the sign of the Webelos, please say "yes".

Cubs:   Yes

CM:     You are well on your way along the Cub Scout Trail to reach Cub Scouts highest honor, the Arrow of Light, and eventually start the Boy Scout trail to seek the sign of the Eagle. To help you along your journey, we will give you the sign of the Webelos.

CA       The blue W across your nose is for strength as you work on the Arrow of Light.
(Paint a large blue line from ear to ear across the bridge of nose)

WL       The yellow on your chin and forehead is the color of sunlight and will light your way along the Scouting Trail.
(Paint a yellow triangle on chin pointing down and on forehead pointing up)

WA      The red stands for fire so that you have a burning desire to explore new areas.
(Paint red stripes on each cheek)

CM      [Pass out badges to parents]
All of these colors together form the Webelos symbol. You should be very proud to wear it. Parents, please pin on your son’s Webelos badge.

CA       Congratulations to you and your family on completing this part of the Cub Scout Trail.
Lead a Cheer!!!!

Thank you to Kathy of Pack 43 who sent me this ceremony