OPENING CEREMONIES
MAN’S BEST FRIEND OPENING
Piedmont Council
Arrangement: Each Cub Scout holds a picture of the animal he is talking about. If desired, other animals can be added or substituted to make the ceremony more personal.
Leader: When you hear the term “man’s best friend,” you think of dogs. Tonight we’d like to tell you about some other of man’s best friends.
Cub # 1: A cat can be a friend. My cat likes to curl up on my lap and purr. He likes to swat at his toy mouse and chase after a piece of string that I pull.
Cub # 2: A fish can be a friend. You might think that all a fish can do is swim around in his tank, but my fish makes me smile when he makes funny faces.
Cub # 3: A rabbit can be a friend. I like to watch my rabbit wrinkle up his nose, munch on carrots and hop around.
Cub # 4: Some of our animal friends are out of the ordinary. You could have a pet that is a slithery snake, or a little white mouse, or a high-hopping frog.
Cub # 5: Of course, we can’t forget our friends the dogs. My dog is my friend because he loves to run and play with me. We both love to dig in the dirt and snooze in the shade. I always know he is happy to see me when he wags his tail.
Leader: Tonight, we will celebrate all kinds of pets. Let the festivities begin!
Always Do Your Best
Baltimore Area Council
Prepare four cue cards, one for each Scout, with the following text on the back and the key word in large letters on the front. After reading each card, the Scout should hold his card up for everyone to see the key word.
Cub # 1: Key Word - “Always”
When training a pet, a good Scout remembers to feed him and take care of him - Always (holds up his card).
Cub # 2: Key Word - ‘Do”
Pets need company and someone to play with. Left alone, a pet becomes lonely and can become mean. Playing and spending time with a pet is the right thing to - Do (holds up second card).
Cub # 3: Key Word - ‘Your”
When you have trained a pet, he learns to behave and to follow your instructions. When a pet does what you want him to do, you know that he is - Yours (holds up third card).
Cub # 4: Key Word - “Best”
Pets often learn to greet you when you get home from school. Knowing that a pet likes to be with you is the - Best (holds up last card).
Opening and Closing - Noah’s Ark
Santa Clara County Council
Props: Make an ark out of a large sheet of cardboard set up so that the animals can enter and leave. Boys can also have pictures or stuffed animals of the animal they represent. Cubmaster or Den Leader playing Noah can be in a robe or other costume. He could also be holding a list to check off the animals as they arrive.
Opening
Cubs enter two by two
1st Cubs: We are the Tigers.
Noah: (checking list) Please enter. Take the last stall on the right. (Tigers enter)
2nd Cubs: We are the Bobcats.
Noah: Good to see you. You have the third stall on the left (Bobcats enter)
3rd Cubs: We are the Wolves.
Noah: Welcome. Second level, fifth stall on the left. (Wolves enter)
4th Cubs: We are the Bears.
Noah: Good. Come on in. Sixth stall on the left. (Bears enter). Now all the animals are aboard and we are ready to start. Let the Pack Meeting begin!
During the Pack Meeting at spaced intervals Noah comes out to send the birds to find dry land. The last bird does not return which leads right into the closing
1st Interval,
Noah: Fly away bird, find me dry land. (Pretends to send bird then waits a few moments) Oh, the bird returns. No dry land yet.
2nd Interval
Noah: Fly away bird, find me dry land. (Pretends to send bird. After a moment it returns) Oh, you have brought me a twig from a tree. Still too soon to land.
Closing
Noah: Flay away bird, find me dry land. (Sends bird, waits, bird does not return) Hooray, there is dry land. The ark is aground. Come animals, come out of the ark. It is time to start living on the ground again. (Animals come out of ark, stretching and scratching)
Animals & Noah: Ahh, look at the rainbow!
Noah: Thank you for joining us on our journey.
All I Really Need To Know I Learned From My Dog
Baltimore Area Council
Actually, this could be an opening, closing or a series of run-ons. CD
Personnel: Narrator and any number of Cubs.
Setting: Have lines on back of cards with pictures of dogs on the front. Follow readings with the Pledge of Allegiance. (Combine lines to accommodate the number Cubs.)
Narrator: All I really need to know I learned from my dog. Here are some examples.
Select the lines you wish to use. Use as many Cubs as you wish
· Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
· When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
· Take naps and stretch before rising.
· Run, romp, and play daily.
· Be loyal.
· Never pretend to be something you’re not.
· Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
· If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
· When you leave your yard, make it an adventure.
· Bond with your Pack.
· On cold nights, curl up in front of a crackling fire.
· When you’re excited, speak up.
· When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
· Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
· On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
· Playtime is important.
· Every day can be an adventure.
· Sometimes a bark is worse than a bite.
· Too much of anything will make you sick.
· It’s hard to stay mad at something cute.
· Looking adorable or pitiful can work in your favor.
· It’s nice to be taken care of.
· Accidents happen.
· Play nicely with others and they’ll play nicely with you.
· Stop and smell the roses, the dirt, the grass...
