OPENING CEREMONIES

Learning our A B C’s

Sam Houston Area Council

Setting – 6 Cub Scouts, Cubmaster (CM), poster board with A-B-C-D-E-F on the front and the appropriate verse on the back in LARGE print.

Scene – Scouts walk across stage and as they approach the center or the Cubmaster, each holds up his letter and shouts his message.

Cub # 1:      A Aims and Methods

Cub # 2:      B Boys!

Cub # 3:      C Character Connections and Citizenship

Cub # 4:      D Developing Skills

Cub # 5:      E Expeditions and Electives

Cub # 6:      F Fitness

CM             This is only the beginning of the remarkable things Cub Scouts discover as part of our program. Let’s take some time at our pack meeting this evening to see if we can find some other ABC’s. But for now, I ask you to stand and please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

America, the Greatest Country in the World

Sam Houston Area Council

Setting – 7 Cub Scouts, Cubmaster (CM)

Scene – Cubs in a line next to the flag.

CM             The Cub Scout promises to do his duty to his country. We would like to review for you some of the things that are different but that make us the greatest country in the world.

Cub # 1:      We call it the United States and we’re bound together by our Constitution and our language. Yet in many ways, we’re a group of separate kingdoms.

Cub # 2:      We practice more than 250 different religions and observe thousands of different hunting laws, tax laws, and labor laws.

Cub # 3:      Our land grows palm trees and pine trees, redwoods and beech trees, plum trees and apple trees.

Cub # 4:      Our citizens say “Hello” and “Hi” and “Howdy!”

Cub # 5:      We catch shrimp and sell stocks – live in small houses, sky-scrapers, apartments, and stucco bungalows.

Cub # 6:      We are a very diverse land, but these are some of the things that make the United States great!

Cub # 7:      Please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

America is a Beautiful Word

Catalina Council

Personnel: Narrator and 7 Cub Scouts

Equipment: Each boy holds a card with a letter of “AMERICA” on it.  Flip card over and draw a picture with the same letter illustrating the description below.

Narrator:     What do you see when you look at the word AMERICA?  What mental picture do the seven letters create in your mind?

Cub # 1:            The “Capital A” suggest our magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks, and the wigwams of the original Americans.

Cub # 2:            The “M” symbolizes the broad shoulders of our pioneer, shoulder-to-the-wheel pushing our frontier westward; broad shoulder swinging axes, building a nation.

Cub # 3:            The “E” might be the lariats of the cowboy riding the plains, lariats of Kit Carson or Buffalo Bill.

Cub # 4:            The “R” is a man with outstretched arms in friendship and cooperation toward all who love freedom, justice and peace.

Cub # 5:            The “I” represents the individual American with his right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Cub # 6:            The “C” is a bent boy from which an arrow has just sped toward the heart of mankind's greatest ideals.

Cub # 7:           The final “A” is a man on his knees in prayer, symbolizing a nation which recognizes it's Creator and gives thanks for His blessings.

Narrator:    Yes, America is a beautiful word!  Let us rise and make the Pledge of Allegiance.

Story of the Blue and Gold

Great Salt Lake Council

Preparation:

·         Put a large pot on a table with an inner pot containing dry ice.

·         A blue and gold Wolf Cub Scout neckerchief is concealed in the area between the large pot and the inner pot.

·         Have two clean jars concealed elsewhere close by.  One has blue colored water and the other yellow-colored water.

Cubmaster: Many, many years ago, an elder gave two trusted young men a challenge. He told the first young man to climb the mountain and ask the great eagle to fly high into the sky. His mission was to bring back part of the beauty of the sun. (The first Cub Scout leaves.)

He told the second young man to go into the forest and tell the sparrow to fly into the sky and bring back part of the sky. (The second Cub Scout leaves.)

Then both boys return—one carrying a bottle of yellow-colored water and the second carrying a bottle of blue-colored water. (They hold them up for all to see.)

(To the first boy:) Pour some of the beauty of the sun into our mixing pot. (The boy carefully pours the yellow liquid over the dry ice.)

(To the second boy:) Pour some of the beauty of the sky into our mixing pot. (The second boy carefully pours his blue water into the pot.)

(To the pack:) From this day forward, blue will stand for truth and loyalty. Yellow will stand for warm sunshine, happiness, and good cheer. (Reaches into the pot, removes the blue and gold Wolf neckerchief and opens it for all to see.) And that is why the Cub Scouts use the colors blue and gold.

Red, White & Blue Over Blue & Gold

Catalina Council
adapted from Scouting Magazine

Staging: Flag in stand on table, under which "voice" is concealed. Or have flag posted near screen concealing "voice." Cub Scout in uniform walks by flag and stops when flag starts to "speak."

Flag:      Hey, Cub Scout!

Cub:       Who's that?

Flag:      Me, your flag.

Cub:       What's the matter?

Flag:      Well, I'm taken lots of places, but, why am I here?

Cub:       But, we take you everywhere with us. we carry you proudly even in our hearts. The Scout program has taught me to respect the flag and to love my country.

Flag:      But, what is all the festivity?
Why would you bring me here?

 Cub:      This is our Blue & Gold Banquet.
All the Cub Scouts get together once a year with their families to recognize another anniversary of scouting. In doing this, it gives us all a renewed sense of certainty and confidence in the future of our country.

Flag:      Scouting! Yes, there is hope after all, but why am I here?

Cub:       But, don't you know? Why, you are the guest of honor! Without you and what you represent we couldn't have Scouting at all!

Flag:      Thank you, Scout!

Cub:       (Salutes) Any Time! (Walks offstage) -

Explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance

Great Salt Lake Council

Preparation: Cubmaster (CM) and eight Cub Scouts memorize lines to recite from the Pledge of Allegiance.

CM:           We often recite the Pledge of Allegiance without really listening to or understanding the words we are saying. We will recite it and talk about the meaning of each phrase.

Cub # 1:      I pledge allegiance…

CM:           I, an individual, promise my love, devotion, and loyalty.

Cub # 2:      To the flag of the United States of America…

CM:           It is the symbol of 50 great states that have a common bond.

Cub # 3:      And to the republic for which it stands…

CM:           Representatives are chosen by the people to govern themselves in a republic.

Cub # 4:      One nation under God…

CM:           We are one nation under God and blessed by God. There is no pause after nation. It is said as one complete phrase—one nation under God.

Cub # 5:      Indivisible…

CM:           It is incapable of being divided.

Cub # 6:      With liberty…

CM:           With freedom and the right to live your own life the way you wish.

Cub # 7:      And justice…

CM:           Dealing fairly with others.

Cub # 8:      For all.

CM:           Everyone—it is your country as much as it is mine. Please stand and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance with us.

Flag Ceremony - Freedom

Catalina Council

Setting:  

With lights low have a large flag held by Cub Scouts.

Have 8 Cub Scouts with flashlights to shine on the flag as an off-stage, hidden narrator reads.

Narrator:

I am your American Flag. I am the flag of this great United States.

I stand for the past, the present and future of this country of yours.

I represent your freedoms - - -

«  The freedom of speech (The 1st Cub turns his flashlight on)

«  The freedom of religion (2nd Cub Scout lights flashlight)

«  The freedom of the press (3rd light)

«  The freedom of job (4th light)

«  The freedom to vote (5th light)

«  The freedom to assemble (6th light)

«  The freedom of trial by jury (7th light)

«  The freedom of self-government (8th light)

If we allow any of these freedoms to be taken away, our nation would be a dreary place to be.

Let's all do our part to be good citizens.

Cubmaster: Lets all stand and make the Pledge of Allegiance and then sing God Bless America (or another patriotic song of your choice)

This Is My Flag

Baltimore Area Council

CM:            This is my flag, the flag of the United States of America, home of liberty, land of opportunity, where men of all races, creeds live in peace and friendship together.

Ldr #1:    (Turns red light on flag) The red of my flag is the lifeblood of brave men ready to die or worthily live for this, our country.

Ldr #2:    (Turns white light on flag) The white of my flag is for purity, cleanliness of purpose, thought and deed.

Ldr #3:    (Turns blue light on flag) The blue of my flag for faith and loyalty, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens.

Ldr #4:   The Cub Scout promises to "Do his duty to his country." Ours is different in many ways from other countries. We would like to review for you some of the things that are different but which make this the greatest country in the world.

Cub # 1:      We call it the United States, and we're bound together by our Constitution and our language. Yet in many ways we're a group of separate kingdoms.

Cub # 2:      We practice more than 250 different religions and observe thousands of different hunting laws, tax laws and labor laws.

Cub # 3:      Our land grows palm trees and pines; redwoods and beach plum; vanishing key deer and whooping cranes.

Cub # 4:      We catch shrimp and sell stocks; live in lean-to's, skyscrapers, and stucco bungalows.

Cub # 5:      Our people say "you all" and "youse".

Cub # 6:      We are a very diverse land, but these are some of the things that make the United States great.

Cub # 7:      Will everyone stand and join with us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag?

Red, White & Blue Bird

Catalina Council

Personnel:  Cubmaster (CM), Assistant Cubmaster (CA) and 2 Den Leaders (DL)

Equipment: Camping gear and outfit for each participant, 1 binoculars, American Flag, and Pack Flag

Setting: The Flags are in front of the audience.  The group of participants are off to one side and slowly walk through the audience to the front, as they say their line.

CM:        (Everyone starts walking slowly) It sure is nice to be here in the outdoors.  All these trees, animals and fresh air.

CA:         (looking through binoculars) Hey, I think I see a big red bird up there!

DL 1:      (Takes the binoculars away as everyone continues to walk slowly toward the front) Here, let ME see!  Naw, it’s a huge white bird of some sort.

DL 2:      (Takes the binoculars away while everyone continues to walk slowly to the front) Boy, you don’t  know what you’re talking about!  It’ not red OR white.  It’s big and blue and what’s this?!?!?!  It has STARS!!

CM:        (Cubmaster takes the binoculars and everyone STOPS) Here, let ME see what you’re all talking about. (Looks through the binoculars) C’mon you guys.  (Motions for everyone to follow as they walk to the front)  It’s not a red bird, or even a white bird.  What you are looking at is our nation’s flag!  (Turns to audience)  Please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.