CLOSING CEREMONIES

Here are two ways to present this thought from Baden-Powell the founder of Scouting, either as a Cubmaster’s Minute or a presentation by the Cubs

Good Deeds Closing Ceremony
San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach & Verdugo Hills Councils

Personnel:  6 Cub Scouts

Equipment:  Stars of different sizes for the boys to hold

• Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said to Scouts everywhere:
• “I often think when the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven…
• “but the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world.
• “The stars are not all the same size, some are big, some are little, as some men have done great deeds and some have done small deeds…
• “But they have all made their holes in the blanket by doing good before they went to heaven.”

Piercing Stars - Baden Powell Closing
San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach & Verdugo Hills Councils

Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, said: "I often think that when the sun goes down, the world is hidden by a big blanket from the light of heaven, but the stars are little holes pierced in that blanket by those who have done good deeds in this world. The stars are not all the same size; some are big, some are little, and some men have done small deeds, but they have made their hole in the blanket by doing good before they went to heaven. Try and make your hole in the blanket by good work while you are on earth. It is something to be good, but it is far better to do good." Think of Baden-Powell's words when you promise to help other people.

GUIDING STAR
Grand Canyon Council

San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach & Verdugo Hills Councils

Personnel:  Akela, 8 Cub Scouts

Equipment: 

Small campfire;

blue paper or cardboard,

three foot square, with cutouts for stars in Big Dipper and the North Star;

8 small or pen-type flashlights, one for each Cub Scout.

Arrangement:

Akela and 8Cub Scouts stand near campfire with the figure of the Big Dipper and North Star at one side of the fire.

Cub Scouts stand behind the figure with lights that they flash behind their star in the Big Dipper as they speak.

Akela:      For thousands of years, people have grouped the stars together as figures in constellations.  This was probably done by the early shepherds as they lay on the grass looking at the sky while tending their sheep.  There they could see pictures of heroes, kings, queens, men, maidens and monsters in the stars.  The constellation we know best is the Big Dipper.

Taking the stars that form the outer edge of the Big Dipper sight upward and the bright star that you see is the North Star (Polaris), which for centuries has been the guiding star for travelers.

• (flashes his light in the cutout for the North Star.) It remains in the same place all the time. Let the North Star represent our God. Keep your eyes on the North Star. Each star in the Big Dipper can help you keep your eyes on the North Star - to become your guide for living. Then let your light shine that you can help others find the way.

Now, each of seven Cub Scouts will tell what each star in the Big Dipper represents to him in his quest to find the guiding star.
As they speak, they flash their light behind their star.

• The Holy Bible
• My minister, pastor, priest or Rabbi
• My mother and father
• The Cub Scout Promise
• The Law of the Pack
• My Den Leader
• My Cubmaster

Akela:  A11 of these are excellent guides for us to follow on our Cub Scout Trail.  Let each one help you as you travel onward.  Good Night.

I MADE A PROMISE
Sam Houston Area Council

Five boys are needed for this ceremony. Each should have his part printed on a small card he can conceal in his hand or have the part memorized.

• I made a promise... I said that whatever I did I would do the best I could.
• I made a promise...to serve my God and my country the best I could.
• I made a promise...to help other people the best I could.
• I made a promise.. .to obey the Law of the Pack the best I could.
• I have done my best, and I will do my best because I am the best... I am a Cub Scout.

Den Ldr:  Will everyone now join us in repeating the Cub Scout Promise.