CLOSING CEREMONY

Crossroad of America

As the years pass, it will seem there are fewer and fewer wondrous things to see. Yet all I will ever need to do is pause and watch a group of Scouts growing up around me. How about you? I would bet each of you would be amazed to see what goes on in your Den and Pack by taking 30 seconds here and there to watch the growth, not just the activity. The results will shock you! Good night Scouts!

Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND. - Apollo 11 plaque left on Moon.

Astronaut Quotes/Thoughts
York Adams Area Council

The Earth reminded us of a Christmas tree ornament hanging in the blackness of space. As we got farther and farther away it diminished in size. Finally it shrank to the size of a marble, the most beautiful marble you can imagine. That beautiful, warm, living object looked so fragile, so delicate, that if you touched it with a finger it would crumble and fall apart. Seeing this has to change a man, has to make a man appreciate the creation of God and the love of God.
- James Irwin, USA

For those who have seen the Earth from space, and for the hundreds and perhaps thousands more who will, the experience most certainly changes your perspective. The things that we share in our world are far more valuable than those which divide us.
- Donald Williams, USA

Homeward Bound
York Adams Area Council

Personnel: Cubmaster and Cub Den to retire flags.

Equipment: One or two Spaceships cut from large cardboard box.

Arrangement: All Den members except flag bearers hold Spaceship. Cubmaster asks question of Cub Scouts. Each Cub Scout gives different answer to the question.

Cubmaster: Why are you homeward bound?

1st Cub: Freedom to think, and to say out loud what I think.

2nd Cub: Freedom to worship as I please.

3rd Cub: Freedom to move about.

4th Cub: Freedom to try, and freedom to fail.

5th Cub: Freedom to stand up straight and look the world in the eye.

6th Cub: Freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Cubmaster: Will Pack please rise and sing America, as we are always welcomed home. (Cub Scouts exit stage with flags)

Another Stellar Thought
York Adams AreaCouncil

Nearly every astronaut through the Apollo program was a Scout and many were Eagle Scouts.  Have you ever watched Apollo 13, when the family is in the living room and they talk about Lovell being an Eagle Scout?  Think about it!  There isn’t any discussion about their particular religious affiliation making a difference.  It doesn’t matter is they’re rich or poor—that wouldn’t help them through their plight.  What they do consider as an advantage to see them through, though, is that Jim Lovell is an Eagle Scout! 

Closing Ceremony
York Adams Area Council

Ask Cub Scouts and their families to form a large circle and hold hands. The Cubmaster (or other adult) then reads the following prayer which was broadcast to earth by astronaut Frank Borman, while on a moon-orbiting mission:

Give us, 0 God, the vision which can see Thy Love in the world in spite of human failure. Give us the faith to trust in Thy goodness, in spite of our ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts, and show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of universal peace.

Closing Thought
York Adams Areaa Council

It wasn’t long ago that you might have heard one man saying to another: “The sky is the limit.” He meant that a man could make anything of himself that he wanted, at least on earth. Well, that limit is off now! There is almost no limit to what you can aspire to do, either on earth or in space. Our astronauts have proven that.

What does this mean to Cub Scouting today? COL. Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, veteran astronaut of both the Gemini and Apollo flights and the second man to walk on the moon, told a group of Eagle Scouts that Man’s exploration of space is as old as man himself. He has explored, conquered and studied the secrets of the jungles, mountains, caves and oceans.

COL. Aldrin who was a member of Scout Troop 12 in New Jersey has urged young people to obtain a well-rounded background in many fields of knowledge, to select one field and strive to achieve excellence in it. “Set your goals high and settle for nothing less than accomplishment,” Aldrin said.

How well you perform as a man will depend on how you. accept each new challenge as you are growing up. The sky is not the limit. If you want to aim for the stars, you must remember that you are building a pad right now by your willingness and initiative in every task you tackle at home, in church, in school and in Cub Scouting.

Aim For The Stars
York Adams Area Council

Cubmaster: The words "Aim for the Stars" have am important meaning to Cubs. Think of Thomas Edison who tried and failed hundreds of times before he perfected the electric light bulb. He never quit trying. A Cub who tries to do his best and keeps trying is preparing himself for greater responsibilities when he becomes a man. What you do and how well you do it, becomes your launching pad to "Aim for the Stars".