ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Induction - Bobcat Branding

Heart of America Council

At first it seemed strange having a Bobcat ceremony in the August Baloo, but then I thought about it.  Many school districts start in August (not here in NJ, but in many other places) so a Pack may have already had it’s Back to School Night and started its Fall program.  Also, isn’t August a great time to round up some new recruits, friends of your Scouts.  Invite them to your fun summertime events – a baseball game, a swim party, a campfire, a trip to camp, …  Commissioner Dave

Personnel:  Cubmaster and Assistant

Equipment:  BSA Stamp and pad, Bobcat cards and badges with pins (to attach badge upside down), Fire (artificial or real), twigs.

Arrangement:

1)       Ask boys to leave the room if inside (or gather as a group with Assistant away from the fire if outside) as their name is read. If outside hand each a twig.

2)       Have all the other Cubs also Den Chiefs and Leaders form a circle around the fire and join hands while facing the fire.

3)       Ask the ones around the fire to say "SSSS" each time a Bobcat is branded.

4)       If inside dim lights or only have a few in back on during ceremony.

Cubmaster: (Shouts) Round-up, round-up

At this time Assistant brings the Bobcats to just outside the circle of Cubs.

Cubmaster: Do these mavericks carry a Brand?

Assistant: They are not, but desire to enter our corral.

Cubmaster: Corral your mavericks.

Assistant opens up circle and leads the Bobcats in, they place their sticks in the fire

Cubmaster: Just as our fire grew in warmth and brightness when you added your wood, so will our pack grow as you now join us in spirit and numbers.

(Picks up the “Branding Iron”) Bobcats, you are about to carry the Boy Scouts of America brand that represents one of the greatest organizations for youth in the world. I am going to place this brand on your left hand You must wear it visibly for 24 hours, and then tomorrow night when you wash it off I want you to repeat the Cub Scout Promise to yourself, so that, you may carry its ideals in your heart. (Pause) Please repeat the Cub Scout Promise after me. (Hold up two fingers and say Promise) (now brand the Bobcats saying "SSSS" each time you do a boy.)

Cubmaster: Now that these Bobcats have been branded, will their parents come up and join them.

Assistant: Now that you have completed all the Bobcat requirements you are now entitled to wear this Bobcat badge. But first, a word of explanation. The badge will be handed to your parents and they will have the privilege of pinning it an your shirt pocket, because they have helped you earn this and will be continually helping you throughout the Scouting program. You will notice that it is upside down. Later when you feel you have performed a good deed you may turn it right side up and sew it on your shirt. (read names again as the Cubmaster hands the awards to the parents- shake each boys hand)

Buckskin Pioneers - Advancement

Circle Ten Council

Arrangement:  Ceremony board or log, three small candles and one large candle set on table.

Narrator:   I.B. Scoutly was the wagon master on the Cub Scout trail.  He was tall, brave and very wise.  He was fierce to an enemy, but kind to a brother.  His father taught him the ways of the mountain men and his mother taught him kindness and compassion.  As a young man, he lived with the Webelos tribe and learned their ways.  He was taken on trips over mountains and rivers.  Here, from the Wolf, he learned the language of tracks and the ways to find food.  (I.B. Scoutly lights the large candle representing the Spirit of Scouting and using that he lights the small candle representing Wolf.)

I.B. Scoutly:  With this candle, representing the Spirit of Scouting, I light the trail of the Wolf.  From the signs along the Wolf trail I see that the wagons are approaching the Wolf Crossing.  (Scoutly calls the names of the boys receiving Wolf badges and arrow points.  They come forward with their parents.)

Narrator:  Then, on the side of a snow- covered mountain, I. B. Scoutly learned the secret passes over the mountains and the weather signs.

I.B. Scoutly:  (lighting the Bear candle) With the Spirit of Scouting, we light the Bear Trail.  It isn’t easy crossing the mountains on the Bear Trail, but I see wagons coming down the side.  (He calls up boys receiving Bear badges and arrow points.  They come forward with their parents.)

Narrator:  But, before he could become a wagon master, I.B. had to prove himself by acquiring new skills, performing certain tasks and passing rigorous tests.

I.B. Scoutly:  (lighting the Webelos candle) With the Spirit of Scouting we light the trail to Webelos.  From the fresh ruts on the trail, I see that the following drivers have shown their skill in earning the ________ Activity pins.  (Indicating the pins earned, he calls forward the boys and their parents.  He presents the awards.)

Narrator:  I.B. Scoutly went on to blaze many new trails, that lead to Boy Scouting.  The Spirit of Scouting still burns brightly.  Now will all Cub Scouts stand and repeat the Cub Scout Promise.

Our Wagon Train Crew Advancement Ceremony

Viking Council

Arrangement: An artificial or real campfire. Costuming as desired for pioneer.

Cubmaster: To the early day pioneer, nothing was more challenging than the road West.  His days were long, sleep was little, and his food was edible... sometimes. The pioneers traveled in groups so that they could help each other, working as a team with each person having responsibilities according to his skill.

Walking along beside the wagons are the Bobcats. Their enthusiasm keeps alive our spirit of togetherness. (Have Bobcats and parents come forward - present awards. Have parents return to seats and new Bobcats sit around fire.)

Our Wolves are in the green horn stage. Each task is a new challenge and is met with wide-eyed eagerness. They are in charge of the horses and oxen which pull the wagons and are the future strength of the train. (Present awards as above.)

Honing skills learned as Wolves, our Bears are the drovers on our train. They have proven the ability to meet the demands of the trail and to seek out new adventures on the arrow point trail. (Present awards as above. )

Webelos are the scouts for our group. Their knowledge and experience set the goals of achievement for the pack and give continuity to our crew. With courage and determination, Webelos scouts further define and hone their skills by earning activity badges. (Present awards as above. Ask awards recipients to stand and face audience.)

Ladies and gentleman, it is time to hit the trail again. The trail can be long and tiring, but as long as we work together, we will reach our destination. May I present to you, our wagon train crew... a group I am proud to ride with.  Lead a cheer!!

Fireside Ceremony

Heart of America Council

Cubmaster stands before a campfire, or, if fires are not permitted, stack wood log cabin-style as if ready for a fire.

CM: Will all our Cub Scout pioneers come forward and be seated around our fire? (Pause while boys settle down around fire.)

CM: Fire played an important part in the lives of our pioneers. It gave them heat on chilly mornings and light into the evenings. It was where they cooked their food and heated water to wash their clothes. In order to build a fire, we need several sizes of wood. (show pieces of wood from twigs to branches to logs.)

CM The advancement ranks in Cub Scouting are like the wood needed to build a strong fire. The boys earning their Bobcat rank are like these twigs, just getting fired up. Will our Bobcat recipients and their parents come forward. (name boy, present awards).  Lead a cheer!!

Repeat for all the ranks, wolves like branches, Bear are our heavier wood, Webelos are the logs on the fire.

CM: Congratulations to all our Cub Scouts as you continue to burn with the fire of scouting and the spirit of Circle the Wagons.

Advancement

Santa Clara County Council

Setting:  Cubmaster is dressed in a western hat and bandana.  Another pack leader is his deputy. 

Cubmaster:       Deputy, call the Younger Gang to come in now.

Deputy calls Cubs receiving Wolf or arrow points.

Cubmaster:       Come in boys and receive your silver dollars (foil-wrapped coins) for your good work.  Now, I want to see the Bearskin Boys.

Deputy calls Cubs receiving Bear or arrow points.

Cubmaster:       You have earned a fair share of our bounty.  I have chosen to reward you with diamonds.  (These can be cardboard-shaped diamonds with awards taped to the back.)  Now, I want to see the Webelos, to award them their share of the treasure.

Deputy calls Webelos receiving activity badges.

Cubmaster:       The Webelos have traveled with the pack for many years, and their loyalty cannot go unrewarded.  For you young men, I have bags of gold.  (Made from scrap material, with awards inside.)  Thank you all, for your hard work.  You bring honor to our pack.

Deputy leads a cheer for all the awards. (or better yet, he led a cheer after each one!!)