Be sure to check out the Noah’s Ark closing that is in Openings to show the way to use Noah’s Ark throughout the Pack Meeting.  CD

FRIENDS--CLOSING

Piedmont Council

Have each Scout make a card with a picture of his pet or selected animal.  Have his part in LARGE letters on the back side of the card.  Feel free to use whatever animals you want.  Do not be limited by these ideas.

Cub # 1:   My best friend is my pet dog. I walk him, feed him, water him, and brush his fur to keep him clean. My folks take him to the vet to get his shots. He thanks me by being my friend by saying “Bow-wow-wow-wow” (Continues to bark)

Cub # 2:   I learn responsibility by taking care of my cat. I care for her. I like to hear her purr when I pet her. She thanks me by saying, “Meow-meow-meow” (Continues to meow)

Cub # 3:   I care for my friend, the snake. I keep him in his cage and watch him slither around. He doesn’t make much noise but when he does it sounds like “Hiss-sssss-sssss” (Continues to hiss)

Cub # 4:   I care for my bird, and my bird is my friend. I clean his cage everyday and hear him say, “Tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet” (Continues to tweet)

Cub # 5:   I care for my hamster. I feed him and watch him running in his wheel, squeaking like this all night long “Squeak, squeak, squeak” (Continues to squeak)

Cubmaster: These Cub Scouts learn to be friends by being a friend to a pet. There are many different kinds of pets out there, just like there are many different types of friends. By being kind and responsible for our pets, we learn to be kind and responsible to our friends, too.

The Dog’s Cold Nose Closing

Baltimore Area Council

Cubmaster: Did you ever wonder why the dog has a cold nose? A man named Arthur Guiterman gives us this theory.

Cub # 1:   When Noah, perceiving ‘twas time to embark,
Persuaded the creatures to enter the ark.
And Noah’s old dog, though long past his prime,
Assisted in herding them. Two at a time.

Cub # 2:   He drove in the elephants, zebras and gnus,
Until they were packed like a box full of screws.
The cat in the cupboard, the mouse on the shelf,
The bug in the crack; then he backed in himself.

Cub # 3:   But such was the lack of available space
He couldn’t tuck all of him into the place;
So after the waters had flooded the plain
And down from the heavens fell blankets of rain.

Cub # 4:   He stood with his muzzle thrust out through the door
The whole forty days of that terrible pour!
Because of which drenching, zoologists hold,
The nose of a healthy dog always is cold!

Mothers Day Closing Ceremony

Santa Clara County Council

I Love You, Mother

by Joy Allison

“I love you, mother” said little John;

Then forgetting his work, his cap went on,

And he was off to the backyard swing,

Leaving his mother his room to clean.

“I love you, mother” said little Phil,

“I love you more than tongue can tell.”

Then he teased and pouted half the day

Till his mother rejoiced when he went to play.

“I love you, mother” said little Dan.

“Today I’ll help you all I can.”

To the cradle then he did softly creep

And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then stepping softly he took the broom

And swept the floor and dusted the room.

Busy and happy all day was he,

Helpful and cheerful as a boy should be.

“I love you, mother,” again they said,

Three little boys going to bed.

How do you think the mother guessed,

Which of them really loved her best?

The next one is not theme related but a classic closing - CD

Closing Ceremony

Voyageur Council

Cub # 1:         May I grow in character and ability as I grow in size.

Cub # 2:         May I be honest with myself and others in what I do and say.

Cub # 3:         May I learn and practice my religion.

Cub # 4:         May I always honor my parents, my elders, and my leaders.

Cub # 5:         May I develop high moral principles and the courage to live by them.

Cub # 6:         May I strive for health in body, mind, and spirit.

Cub # 7:         May I always respect the rights of others.

Cub # 8:         May I set a good example so that others may enjoy and profit form my company.

Cub # 9:         May I give honest effort to my work.

Cub # 10:      May I regard my education as preparation for a future in life's doorway to adventure.

Cubmaster’s Minute

If a Dog can -

Voyageur Council

With all the wonderful skills dogs can learn, there is one thing they cannot do. Dogs cannot see colors.  As a matter of fact, monkeys and apes are the only animals that can see colors.

Do you ever feel like you cannot do something because you are too small, too clumsy or too young?  Well next time you do, remember the dog and how he can retrieve objects, guide the blind, track lost people all without being able to distinguish colors.

Some Dogs Are So Dog-Gone Cheerful

 www.theceremonytable.com

Have you ever stopped to wonder why some dogs are so dog-gone cheerful. It's kind of pleasant, isn't it, to be around a happy dog? On the other hand, we usually try to steer clear of dogs who appear to be kind of grumpy. That's the way it is with people, too. It's much nicer to be around people who have a cheerful attitude than someone who's always looking on the dark side of things. You know, if you look for them, there are lots of reasons to be happy.

Be sure to checkout Dave M’s site for ceremonies.  CD

Freedom

Baltimore Area Council

Boys, I want to tell you a story that has a meaning.  When I was a boy I had three turtles.  They had a beautiful terrarium with rather low sides.  They had everything they needed, except one thing… FREEDOM.  Every chance they had, they would climb out.

People in many countries in this world lack the same thing -  FREEDOM.  But not in America.  In America we have Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to go wherever we chose, the Freedom to Worship God as we wish and the Freedom to choose people to govern us.

A boy like you can grow up to be wherever he dreams of being.  This is why I love America.  Don’t you?   Good Night!

Horizons

Voyageur Council

We often speak of horizons, .not one, but plural, horizons.  Did it ever occur to you that there is more than one?  When you have worked and planned to reach your horizon, you stop to rest and look up to see before you still another horizon just as far away as the last.  When that horizon is within your grasp, wonder of wonders, still another is waiting.  Few men ever reach all horizons, some never even reach the first, and still others never start.  Look at what they miss.  All they ever see is the small area around them.  This is NOT the Cubbing way.  Cub Scouts must reach a series of horizons on their climb to the Arrow of Light.  Small horizons, but they lead to the farther horizons of Scouting and manhood.

Little Things

Baltimore Area Council

The other day in Colorado a great stalwart tree fell.  It was nearly 800 years old, a mere sapling when Columbus landed.   It had been struck by lightening 14 times; it had braved the storms of almost five centuries. It had defied earthquakes and hurricanes; it had laughed in scorn at the winter’s blast and blizzards.  But in the end, tiny beetles killed it.  They bored under the bark, dug into its heart, and one day down come this mighty king of the forest.  It is the little things that make or break us – in our business – our profession – our homes – our lives and in Scouting.  Don’t let the little things get you down – Keep your eye on the goal!