OPENING
CEREMONY
Thanksgiving Opening Ceremony
Viking
Council
The Cubmaster or
another Leader can recite the following or it can be broken up into as many
parts as you have Cubs in your den. Each Cub would then say a line. Possibly
you could make Pilgrim hats as mentioned in the next ceremony and put the
words in LARGE type on the back of the hats. After the recitation be sure to
salute the flag. This could, also, be a Cubmaster’s Minute for closing.
Commissioner Dave
I would give thanks for many
things on this Thanksgiving Day. Thanks for all the blessings Life brings each
day along the way. I would give thanks for life and health, for home, for
food, and too, All than I count my greatest wealth Family and friendship true.
I give thanks for my native
land, for freedom on this day; where we worship and understand our privilege
to pray. I would give thanks for many things and do the best I can, to be
worthy of all Life brings and serve my fellow man.
Viking
Council
The following ceremony is
simple but can be impressive. To help set the theme, make the cards in the
shape of large Pilgrim hats with letters cut from white or silver paper &
glued on.
P Pilgrim forefathers started our great land.
I In 1620 they landed to take their first stand.
L Let's pause for a moment to pay them tribute tonight.
G Grim hardships & setbacks they had to fight.
R Remembering how they were put to the test.
I In the history books it's said they always did their best.
M May we ever be thankful for their courage so grand.
S So we today may proudly salute the flag of our great land.
One boy or the leader now steps forward & asks the audience to rise & join in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
One Cub Scout at a time
trots from the back of the room to the front shouting, “The Cub Scouts are
coming! The Cub Scouts are coming!” Then two boys enter, carrying the United
States Flag, and lead the pledge.
Divide the poem up into enough parts for everyone in your den. Have
them make cards with Thanksgiving pictures on one side and the words on the
other in LARGE print. OR, jus have your Cubmaster read this –
Fetch the wood and feed the fires,
Keep the kettles steaming:
Such a feast as this requires
More than wishful dreaming.
Stir the batter, Pilgrim daughter!
Son, another pail of water!
Pile the clams beneath the coals,
Make the meat-spit stable.
(Note –when
Cubs ask, a spit is a skewer to hold the meat)
Bring the planks and set the poles
For the harvest table.
Pilgrim son, more wood, more water!
Help the pluck the turkeys, daughter!
Roast the ears of yellow maize,
Pile the nuts and berries
Next to grapes on pewter trays
Near the sun-dried cherries.
Guests are coming, son and daughter,
Over hills and running water!
Rake the coals and pile them up,
Praise the harvest weather,
Set the table, cup by cup,
Guest and host, together.
Draw the ties of friendship tauter
With Thanksgiving, son and daughter.
Thanksgiving Spelldown
Needed –
12 Cub Scouts – one for each letter of
Thanksgiving.
This may be a great opening for Tigers
using Adult Partners next to their sons for every other letter. There are
very few words. Have Cubs put thanksgiving pictures on the cards with letters
on them. Words on back in LARGE print. CD
T Turkey sizzling,
H Happy hearts,
A Apple stuffing,
N Nuts and tarts,
K Kitchen smells
S So nice and sniffy,
G Guests arriving
I In a jiffy,
V Voices raised
I In festive mood—
N Not forgetting
G Gratitude…
ALL
Just as sure as you are living
That’s the way to spell THANKSGIVING!
Freedom
Heart of
America Council
Personnel: 8 Cub Scouts
Equipment: A small
flag for each boy
Cub
# 1.
Freedom is a breathe of air, Pine-scented, or salty like the sea.
Cub
# 2.
Freedom is a field newly plowed with furrows of democracy.
Cub # 3.
Freedom is a forest; trees tall and straight as men!
Cub
# 4.
Freedom is a printing press, the power of the pen!
Cub
# 5.
Freedom is a country church, a cathedral's stately spire.
Cub
# 6.
Freedom is a spirit that can set the heart on fire!
Cub
# 7.
Freedom is a man's birthright, a sacred, living part;
Cub
# 8.
A pulse beat of humanity, the throb of a nation's heart.
Cub
# 9.
Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I Believe in America
Southern NJ
Council
Personnel: 6 Cub Scouts
Equipment: Cubs
around flag stand or holding small flags
Cub # 1.
I believe in America!
Cub # 2.
I believe in this great land where freedom and opportunity are more than just
words.
Cub # 3.
I believe that we, as a nation, place our basic trust and hope in God.
Cub # 4.
I believe that, despite all difficulties, we as Americans, will continue to be
a strong, God-fearing country.
Cub # 5.
I believe that as a nation we have our faults, but I also believe that we are
trying to overcome them.
Cub # 6.
I believe in America!
Cub # 7.
Join us in the Pledge of Allegiance
Give Thanks Opening
Goldenrod District, Mid-America Council
Set Up: Have ten Cub Scouts with signs each with
one of the letters from G I V E T H A N K S on front. On the back, write
out their speaking parts in LARGE PRINT.
Cub
# 1.
G is for the Glorious autumn the Pilgrims knew so well.
Cub
# 2.
I is for the Indian Summer that cast a magic spell.
Cub
# 3.
V is for the Valiant men of old who crossed the stormy sea.
Cub
# 4.
E is for the Endless labors performed so faithfully.
Cub
# 5.
T is for the Trackless wasteland where red men hunted food.
Cub
# 6.
H is for the Homes the Pilgrims from nearby forest hewed.
Cub
# 7.
A is for the wild Animals lurking so dangerously at hand.
Cub
# 8.
N is for the Nuts and fruits that helped to feed the little band.
Cub
# 9.
K is for the Keenness and vision of those who this land first trod.
Cub
# 10.
S is for the Spirit that kept them strong, with eternal faith in
God.
All:
Tonight we give thanks to God above, for His
guidance and his never-ending love. Please join us in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
