ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Advancement Ceremony
Simon Kenton Council

For the ceremony to induct new Bobcats, the Cubmaster writes on a blackboard or butcher paper the code:

"YLIMAF ELOHW EHT ROF -- GNITUOCS BUC.: (Cub Scouting—for the whole family, written backwards.  The Cubmaster should then call forward those boys to receive Bobcat and their parents.  Ask the boys whether they can read the code.  When they have figured it out, then speak briefly on the parents' role in the program. Award Bobcat badge and certificates.

For awarding Wolf and Bear badges. Arrow points, and. Webelos awards have the Cubmaster act as emcee of an awards show, announcing names of the advancing boys and explaining their achievements, while the boys and their parents receive the badge from a pack committee member.  On all the boys names could be written a secret code (mixed-up order) and as they are called forward to receive the award, they must figure out where their name is and their parents receive the badge from a pack committee member.  All the boys names could be written in secret code (mixed up order) and they are called forward to receive award, they must figure out where their name is.

Baden Powell’s Message
York Adams Council

[Note that this and other ceremonies should be reviewed and modified to suit the specific awards   being giving at the meeting.  This ceremony is written so that any particular award can be used or omitted without impacting the whole of the ceremony.]

“Did you get my message?” Baden-Powell said to me.  It was a dream—it had to be.  But the voice kept asking me.  “I want the young boys to have something special—to help make them as special as they can be,” the message continued.

“Give them a program that helps them to grow.  For a starting point, give each of them the same requirements so that they all understand what the program is, who they are in the program, and what is expected of them.”

“We have done that,” I said. “We start the Cub Scouts in the Bobcat level.  It gives them the basic requirements for being a Cub Scout.  And when they complete that, they are recognized for their accomplishments with the awarding of the Bobcat.”

(BOBCAT) And tonight we are proud to award the Bobcat badge to some of our Cub Scouts.  [List names of Bobcat recipients and call them with their parents to the front of the room.]

[Hand parents the awards to present to the boys and congratulate them with the Cub Scout handshake.  Offer applause and ask them to take their seats.]

“That’s just what they need,” BP said. “But they can’t stop there.  We need these boys to grow, to reach their potential.  But not too hard that they give up along the way.”

“We give the youngest boys the Wolf requirements.”  I responded.  “These are 12 requirements that are geared to their age but that help them grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. It also helps them to grow as understanding citizens.  When they complete these requirements, they are awarded the rank of Wolf.”

(WOLF)

And so I’d like to call forward those boys who have been working on their Wolf requirements and have completed them. [List names and invite them with their parents to come forward.]  [Hand out badges to parents to give to the boys.  Congratulate them and offer a suitable applause.  Have them sit down.]

 “Yes.” I told him.  “We don’t stop at that point.  The boys move up in age and school grade so they are ready for bigger challenges.  The challenges we present in the Big Bear Book.  Again they have to complete 12 requirements, but they get to choose which ones they want to complete.”

“Excellent,” said Baden-Powell. “Give them the opportunity to make some decisions.  That will help them grow as well.  And do you recognize them for their accomplishments again?”

“We do,” I said. “The boys who complete those requirements earn the rank of Bear.”

(BEAR) Will those boys who have completed their Bear requirements, please come forward.  [List off Bear candidate names and invite them and their parents to the front of the room.]

[Hand parents the awards to present to the boys and congratulate them.  Offer applause and ask them to take their seats.]

“This is what I was looking for,” he told me. “They  need program that helps them grow and recognizes them as they grow.  You have more?”

“When the boys reach the 4th grade,” I explained,  “they begin the Webelos program.  This program is between what they did as Cub Scouts and what they will do as Boy Scouts.  It helps them prepare to become Boy Scouts.”

(WEBELOS) Will the boys from the Webelos dens who have completed their Webelos requirements please come forward now.  [List names and invite them with their parents to come forward.]  Hand parents the awards to present to the boys and congratulate them.  Offer applause and ask them to take their seats.]

“When do they become Boy Scouts, then?” BP asked.  “It’s important that they continue in the program and do their best.”  “When the boys reach the age of 11, or finish the 5^th grade, or when the Pack and Troop decide they are ready to move up, they graduate from the Pack.  But there is one other challenge we give them.”

“What challenge is that?” He asked.

“The Arrow of Light. It signifies that they have done their best as Cub Scouts and that they are fully prepare to become Boy Scouts.  There is no greater honor a Webelos Scout can bring upon himself, then to earn the Arrow of Light.”

(ARROW OF LIGHT) Tonight, it is the Pack’s honor to award this highest achievement of Cub Scouting on a select few from the Pack.  [List names and invite them with their parents to come forward.]  Hand boys the parent's Arrow of Light pins to present to their parents.  Then give parents the awards to present to the boys and congratulate them. Offer applause and ask them to take their seats.]  One could almost hear him thinking, “You did get my message,“ he asked.