August Cub Scout Roundtable Issue

Volume 6, Issue 12

Toughen Up (Webelos Naturalist & Forester)

ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

The Athlete Advancement Ceremony
Sam Houston Area Council

Props: Cubmaster can select any sport and use appropriate equipment as props throughout this ceremony.

Cubmaster: The first thing an athlete learns is the basic rules of his chosen sport. When a Cub first enters the Pack, he learns the Bobcat Trail, which gives him the first knowledge he must know to move up the Cub Scout Path.

Will the following boys and their parents please come forward, (Present the Bobcat Awards.)

When a boy has learned the basic rules of his game, he then begins to practice the skills needed to play. He becomes familiar with the sports equipment. Our Wolves have worked on achievements and arrow points as they continue to develop their Cub Scout skills.

Will the following boys and their parents please come forward, (Present the Wolf Awards.)

The athlete is now ready to concentrate on improving his athletic skills. Our Bear is like the athlete who increases his knowledge to become more proficient in his game.
Will the following boys and their parents please come forward, (Present the Bear Awards.)

Once the rules have been well learned and the skills have been mastered, the athlete is now ready to advance to a higher level of skill, which involves the mental strategy used to fine tune their playing skills. Both physical and mental skills are part of the learning experience of the boys in the Webelos rank.

Will the following boys and their parents please come forward, (Present the Webelos Awards.)

As our ceremony concludes, we recognize the progress our Cubs have made this past month. The athlete who is dedicated to his sport recognized the many abilities he made this past month. The athlete who is dedicated to his sport recognizes the many abilities he has developed within himself. He is knowledgeable of the basic rules and he is dedicated to the practices, which develop his ability. The mature athlete has become confident in his ability to play the game, and becomes a leader who shares his knowledge and skill with others on this team. All these traits belong to the boys in our Pack as we see them progress from month to month and year to year. We are proud of these boys and the leaders who guide them along the Cub Scout Trail.

Betty Morgan, Arrowmoon District,
Sam Houston Area Council

Scott A. Whitmire, Cubmaster, Pack 469
Chief Seattle Council, Green River District
Kent, Washington

The setting is a pack council at Council Rock. The Wolf Den Leader petitions the council to admit the cubs to the Clan of the Wolf. The council consists of pack leaders (other den leaders, coaches, and committee members who are hopefully in uniform). The purpose of the ceremony is to highlight this first, difficult step towards earning the Arrow of Light and becoming a Boy Scout. The basic Wolf requirements are explained briefly, to show the members of the audience what was required, and to highlight to the cubs just how much they accomplished. The ceremony emphasizes the fact that the Wolf badge is the second step on a journey that culminates with earning the rank of Eagle Scout.

Cubmaster (CM)

Wolf Den Leader (WDL)

Pack Leaders (PL1..n) Parts are written for four pack leaders, but only two are really necessary.

A candleholder with a candle for each rank. We use a hiking staff with all of the rank medallions to symbolize the journey of advancement. Our staff includes all of the Cub Scout ranks as well as all of the Boy Scout ranks.

CM: I have been informed that some wish to be admitted to the Clan of the wolf. Decisions such as this require consent of the pack council. As Akela, I ask the council members to please come forward at this time.

CM: Would the Wolf Den Leader please escort the candidates forward.

WDL: Akela and council members, _____ (list boys's names) have completed the requirements for membership in the Clan of the Wolf, and I petition the council on their behalf to grant their request.

CM (speaking to the candidates): When you entered the clan of the Bobcat, you demonstrated that you understood what it means to be a Cub Scout (Cubmaster lights the candle symbolizing the Bobcat rank). The requirements for the Clan of the Wolf are much more difficult which are grouped into four areas: Duty to God, Duty to Country, Duty to Others, and Duty to Self. (Cubmaster lights the candle symbolizing the Wolf rank).Does any member of the council wish at this time to examine the candidates?

PL1: Wolf Den Leader, what did the candidates do for Duty to God?

WDL: The cubs discussed their duty to God with their parents, then together discovered ways to demonstrate their religious beliefs and help their religious institutions.

PL1: Thank you.

PL2: And what of Duty to Country?

WDL: The cubs gave and explained the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, demonstrated how to fold the flag properly, led a flag ceremony for the den or pack, and explained how to respect and care for the flags of the U.S. and their state.

PL2: Yes, I remember the flag ceremonies. Thank you.

PL3: And for Duty to Others?

WDL: For these requirements, "others" includes family members and the community in which they live. They were required to help plan and prepare family meals, plan family activities, and help with family chores. They learned about what to do when someone calls at the door or on the phone while they are alone, and how to secure the family home when they leave. They also help conduct safety and fire prevention inspections in and around the home. For the community, they were required to learn about conservation efforts within their community, including ways the environment can become dirty and ways that we use to clean it. They learned about recycling and ways to save energy. They were required to pick up litter.

PL4: Wolf Den Leader, what requirements were met for Duty to Self?

WDL: Duty to Self included feats of skill and athletic ability, health, nutrition, safety, and learning to use basic tools to make something useful. They also learned about mental well-being through hobbies and games. Finally, they learned how to choose correctly in certain ethical and personal situations.

PL4: That last is very important. Knowing how to choose correctly can save their life. Thank you.

CM: Council, you have asked your questions and have heard the answers. What say you? Do these candidates deserve to be admitted to the clan of the Wolf?

CM: Will the parents of ____ (list names) please come forward.

(To the candidates): You have demonstrated that you are worthy of becoming members of the Clan of the Wolf. You have taken the second step upon a great journey that will, with perseverance, lead to you to brotherhood with the Eagle that flies high overhead. You should feel proud of your accomplishment, for often the first steps of a journey are the most difficult. You have accomplished much, but you did not do it yourselves. Your parents helped you at each step of the way. I will now present your badges to your parents, so they may present them to you.

(To the parents): Please pin these badges on your son's pockets, right side up.

CM: Congratulations, (name). Welcome to the Clan of the Wolf. Please present this pin to your mother (or father) in thanks for the help they have given you in this journey.

CM: Members of the council, members of the pack, ladies and gentlemen of the audience, I present to you the newest members of the Clan of the Wolf. Please join me in welcoming them.

Healthy Habits Advancement
Greater St. Louis Area Council

Set Up - Cubmaster has 2 pocketknives - one is clean and sharp and the other is rusty and dirty. He calls forward Cub Scouts who are receiving Wolf and Bear and Arrow Points, with their parents.

Cub Scouts, I have here 2 knives - one sharp and clean and ready for work; the other one dull and rusty. Which one would you rather have? The clean one of course! Is that because it looks better, or because you know it will whittle a stick of wood better? Right. It's because it can do the job you want to do. Our bodies are like these knives. If you take care of your body, it will be ready to work and play and you'll feel great! If you don't take care of it, you'll feel terrible and you may get sick. That's why you boys who are earning the Wolf badge today had to do the Keep Your Body Healthy achievement. And it's why the Bears learned about health and safety. Your parents have helped you grow strong and healthy, and they've helped you earn your new badges and arrow points. So I take the pleasure in asking them to pin on your new awards; (Parents pin awards on son's uniform.)

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