OPENING CEREMONY

The Meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance
Trapper Trails Council

When you pledge allegiance to your flag, you promise loyalty and devotion to your nation.  Each word has a deep meaning:

I pledge allegiance: I promise to be true
to the flag: to the sign of our country
of the United States of America: a country made up of 50 states, each with certain rights of it’s own
and to the Republic: a country where the people elect others to make laws for them
for which it stands: the flag means the country
one Nation under God: a single country whose people believe in a supreme being
indivisible: the country cannot be split into parts
with liberty and justice: with freedom and fairness
for all. For each person in the country – you and me.

“America Is Special To Me”
Simon Kenton Council

Arrangement: Eight Cub Scouts in uniforms stand in a straight line. Seven boys hold poster boards, each with one letter of  AMERICA on one side.

The other side shows a colorful drawing by the Cub Scout that corresponds to the description or of what America means to him.  Begin with all drawings facing the audience.  The Cub Scouts turn over their letters one at a time as they speak.

A: Abounding wildlife running free

M: Majestic mountains from sea to sea

E: Eagles soaring through evergreen forests

R: Raging rivers and nature's own chorus

I: Immeasurable love God has for us

C: Courageous people who love this land

A: Adventures in Scouting, lessons firsthand

Cub Scout #8 (dressed as Uncle Sam and holding an American Flag): "Will you please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

"My Choice"
Simon Kenton Council

You need 8 boys holding cards with the letters MY CHOICE printed on each card. Each boy in turn steps up raises his card and reads his line.

M:
If I could choose what I could be,
I'd choose to be just me,
To live where I am free to talk,
To choose my friends and where to walk.

Y
To choose the job I want to do,
And live where I've a notion to.

C
To spend my money as I please,
And never have to bend my knees.

H
To any dictator or government boss,
Who profits from the peoples' loss.

O
To choose the church in which I will pray,
And worship God in my own way.

I
To vote for men who'll do their best,
To see our nation meets the test.

C
And conquer evils that would destroy
The freedoms that I enjoy.

E:
To be my boss and live the way,
According to how I choose each day.
Yes if I could choose what could be,
I'd be an American.  Just Like Me.

Flag Folding Ceremony
Simon Kenton Council

The flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies.

Here is a typical sequence of the reading:

(Begin reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming forward.)

The flag folding ceremony represents the same principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoted honors the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold, and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead.  The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold - resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country.  In dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of the national motto, "In God We Trust."

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag; after inspection, resume reading.)

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

The Flag Folding Ceremony above is from the US Air Force Academy.

American ABC'S
Sam Houston Area Council

Sing the "Star-Spangled Banner"

Props: Make a map of the United States with the following cities highlighted

Introduction: "A tour of the USA by the letters."

Have Cubs read off a name from the list and point it out on the map. Do them alphabetically.

Anchorage, Alaska

Boston, Massachusetts

Cherokee, Kansas

Dover, Delaware

Everglades, Florida

Freedom, California

Gallup, New Mexico

Hartford, Connecticut

Independence, Missouri

Jefferson, Iowa

Knoxville, Tennessee

Lincoln, Nebraska

Montgomery, Alabama

Neptune, New Jersey

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Providence, Rhode Island

Quartzite, Arizona

Revere, Minnesota

Sleepyhollow, Wyoming

Tornado, West Virginia

Ulysses, Pennsylvania

Vermillion, South Dakota

Washington, DC

Xenia, Ohio

Yakima, Washington

Zapata, Texas

"From A to Z, Scouts do things all over our great land."

America is a Beautiful Word
Heart of America Council

Personnel: Narrator and 7 Cub

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?

The “Capital A” suggest our magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks, and the wigwam of the original American.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Red, White & Blue Bird
Heart of America

Personnel:  Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster and 2 Den Leaders

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.

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

Assistant Cubmaster: (looking through binoculars)

Hey, I think I see a big red bird up there!

Leader 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.

Leader 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!!

Cubmaster: (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 join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.