ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Balloon Welcome Advancement
Simon Kenton Council

Equipment: 2 identical balloons with strings attached; one filled with helium and one blown up by mouth, awards and or certificates

Personnel: Cubmaster, new cubs and parents

Set-Up: Cubmaster has balloons secured so that no one knows one balloon is filled with helium.  When he is ready to begin the ceremony, the balloons are held by the necks.

Cubmaster: Would (name) and his parents please come up. (Now holding balloons) These balloons represent two 8-year-old boys.  Both come from great families have good friends. Both go to school.  They both are involved in sports programs in the community.  They both attend church. (add anything else that fits the lifestyle of the boys in your pack.)

But there is a difference between these two boys.  This boy (indicate the balloon without helium) is happy just by doing the things he's doing now.  (Let the non-helium balloon drop to the table or floor.)  But this boy (indicate helium filled balloon) is (name) and he has found something extra.  That extra is Cub Scouting.  With his parents and leaders helping, (name) will be able to soar to new heights (release balloon) just like this balloon.

We are excited to welcome (name) and his parents and family to our Pack. (If the new Cub has earned his Bobcat badge continue.) As is our custom, we will now present to his parents his Bobcat badge to honor them for their work that they have done in helping their son earn this badge, and ask them to award it to their son. Congratulations on earning your Bobcat which is only your first step as you soar higher and higher in Scouting. (Give the Cub Scout handshake.)

Wet and Wild Advancement Ideas
Heart of America Council

1. Cut shark fins from black poster board and staple to the side of a 2x4.  Spread a blue tarp on the floor and crumple it to look like waves in the ocean.  Put shark fins around the tarp between the waves.  Make a narrow bridge across the water by putting an 8" length of 2x4 on top of a block at either end.  Nail it to be firm.  Tell boys receiving the awards that they must walk across the bridge without falling in the water to receive their award.  You can liken the sharks to the 5 national concerns, or you can liken them to the bad things in the world and the bridge can be how Cub Scouts helps to keep you safe from them.  Mom and Dad can help hold the boy’s hand, just as they do during the scouting trail.

2. Attach awards to oars.  Might write on awards You “OAR” fantastic

3. Attach awards to small boats.  Float in small swimming pool.  Boy can retrieve his boat.  The boat - make out of cork with toothpick sail.  Glue penny on bottom for weight - “You sailed away with first place” or “Congratulations on sailing away with your Bear badge!”

Water Fun
Heart of America Council

Personnel: Cubmaster, various adults in costume

Equipment: Various items used in the water: mask, snorkel, fins, ski tube, and/or skis.

Have leaders wearing these items.  Cubmaster needs, fishing hat and a vest available.  Enough dowel rods with string attached to badges in plastic sealed bags and awards for cubs

Setting:  Cubmaster in front of audience

Cubmaster: Water Fun is something that is enjoyed by nearly everyone.  We have some special people here tonight to show you ways to have fun in the water.  (The following are fun ways to show the items)

1. Maskman - the person who does not want to get water on his face.  The person who does not want to be seen.

2. Snorkeler - The next person thinks he/she is a shark.  They think they are a part of the great white shark family and are a member of the Jaws fan club.

3. Finner - this person only walks on the beach and leaves big prints in the sand thinking that everyone will think Big Foot has reappeared.

4. Tuber - someone who thinks they can swim but really can’t.  Someone who has always wanted to drive on water but has not yet figured out how to do it.

5. Skier - This person is ready for water and snow.  Or does this person like big shoes that make a lot of noise.

These are just a few items that can be used to have fun in water.  Another thing that is very popular in water is fishing.  (Put on a fishing hat and jacket if available).  In this fish tank I have caught some badges for Cub Scouts who have advanced in rank. (Pull out badge and call boy forward with his parents.)

Going Fishing Advancement
Circle 10 Council

This ceremony can be used indoors or at the waterfront.

If you are indoors, pin the badges that were earned to cardboard fish.  Make a fishing pole out of a dowel rod, string and a paper clip hook.  Put a paper clip vent into a circle into the snout of the fish.  Make the fish different colors according to the badge pinned to it and tell each boy who earned an advancement to go fishing for a color fish.

Make a statement about the boy’s achievements and have the parents help the boy if needed.  If you are at the waterfront, you could use the same process or you could use the water instead of a bucket to put the “fish” in. Simply wrap the badges tightly in tin foil and have the father who swims best in the water with the badges.  When the boy casts his line out, the dad can attach the paper badge to the hook and give it a tug.

Trail To Arrow of Light
Northwest Suburban Council

Personnel required: Akela (Cubmaster), Baloo (Assistant Cubmaster), One Webelos Scout

One Bear Scout, One Wolf Scout

Props: Oregon Trail scenery, Badges (with tape affixed to the card the badge is on)

(Before the ceremony, Baloo explains to the Bobcats that when indicated, each will walk to the line of Scouts and Cubmaster and shake each person's hand.  Akela is standing in front.  Next to him are the Webelos Scout, the Bear Scout, and lastly the Wolf Scout.)

Baloo: Will the following boys please join me in front?  (Baloo lists the names of the boys who are to receive their Bobcat badge.)

Akela: As settlers moved west along the Oregon Trail, they followed a train blazed by others who came before them.  Just as those settlers followed others on the Oregon Trail, our Cub Scouts too follow others on the Cub Scout Trail.  (Baloo starts first Bobcat along the trail of Cubs)

Wolf Cub: I have earned my Wolf Badge. Now I'm working toward earning my Bear badge.  (Wolf Cub shakes Bobcat's hand using the Cub Scout handshake)

Bear Cub: I have earned my Bear Badge. Now I'm working toward earning my Webelos Badge.  (Bear Cub shakes Bobcat's hand using the Cub Scout handshake)

Webelos Scout: I have earned my Webelos Badge. Now I'm working on earning my Arrow of Light.  (Webelos Cub shakes Bobcat's hand using the Cub Scout handshake)

Akela: Welcome to the Scouting campfire.  (Akela shakes Bobcat's hand using the Cub Scout handshake)

Akela: These Cub Scouts represent the trail toward the Arrow of Light, the highest rank in Cub Scouts. No matter where they started their journey, they all started with the Bobcat.  You may be called on to travel a trail that other Cubs in our pack haven't yet traveled.  When the settlers traveled such a trail, they looked for help from the Indians.  When you travel such a trail, your parents and leaders will be there to help you.

Baloo: Will the parents of these new Bobcats please join us at the fire now.  I would like to thank the Cub Scouts who have welcomed these Bobcats. They may return to their dens now.  (Hand a Bobcat Badge to each set of parents)

Akela: Please attach the Bobcat badge, upside down, to the left pocket of your son's uniform.  Once he performs a good deed, the badge may be attached to his uniform right side up. Pack (number), let's congratulate these Bobcats with a hearty cheer!