Tracks Advancement Ceremony
National Capital Area Council

Set-up: Have various "animal tracks" available as each of the following are discussed.

Cubmaster: (In a secretive manner) We are gathered tonight to study the animal tracks that were discovered outside our meeting place. The first animal we need to identify has the following characteristics: It is striped, orange and black, stalks prey, belongs to the cat family. From all of these details, I believe we are describing the Tiger Family.
The next animal track we found was a fairly fresh one. We know that this animal is red in color, spotted, has a short stubby tail, and belongs to the Lynx family. Could it be a Bobcat that was spotted hanging around here: Let's have our new Bobcats come forward and see if they match the description. (Calls forward those boys receiving the Bobcat badge.)

Awards Ceremony
Circle 10 Council

Preparation: On large poster boards, have bike trails or hiking trails drawn or painted. These could include rivers, bridges, forest, a park, etc. Attach awards to the backs of bicycles or backpacks cut from construction paper or cardboard. Place awards on the poster. On another large board, have word strips with the names of various trails written with a short description of each trail. Have the boys choose a trail and place it on a large map of the United States as they each receive their awards.

APPALACHIAN Trail
Daniel Boone and some of his friends helped establish this route through the mountains

OREGON TRAIL
From St. Louis to Oregon

MORMOM TRAIL
The original Mormon route to Salt Lake City

GILA RIVER TRAIL
From Santa Fe to San Diego, California

OLD SPANISH TRAIL
From Santa Fe to Los Angeles

CALIFORNIA TRAIL
Follows the Oregon trail as far as South Pass, then on to Sutters Fort (Sacrament, California)

CATTLE TRAILS
Most of the cattle trails originated in Texas; more information is available at your local library(Potter Bacon Trail, Western Trail, Shawnee Trail, Goodnight-Loving Trail)

Trails, Treks, And Tracks Advancement
Simon Kenton Council

Equipment: Air horn, boat, wood airplane (to fly), model train or a picture of a train. Ship captain's hat, train conductor's hat, pilot's hat and or pilot's glasses. In addition to the awards, for each Bobcat recipient an inexpensive toy boat; for each Wolf recipient a small inexpensive airplane, one they assemble and fly; for each Bear recipient a train item such as a picture, track piece, or something like that; and for each Webelos recipient a piece of rope.

Cubmaster: This month our Cub Scouts traveled around in a variety of vehicles. (Sound ships horn and put on Captain's hat.) The Bobcats took a boat trip to a far away place. While on the boat they worked on the 7 steps to complete this rank. (Call Bobcats and parents forward. Present the badge to the parents and the boat to the Cub.)

(Throw the airplane. Put on pilot's gear and weird glasses. The Wolf Cub Scouts piloted a plane to an exotic place where they completed the requirements to earn the Wolf Badge. (Call Scouts and parents forward and present badge as before. Give the Scouts an airplane.)

(Make some sort of a train noise and put on conductor's hat.) The following Cub Scouts took a ride on a train to some unexplored areas. Will (names) and their parents come forward? These Scouts completed 12 achievements that demanded more time and effort. These Scouts have completed the third rank in Cub Scouting, the Bear badge. (Present badge to parents. Give Scouts train item.)

Sound ship's horn, toss airplane. Make train noise while exchanging hats.) The Webelos Scouts took a boat to the airport and then took the train to a destination unknown. They completed the activity requirements to earn the Webelos Badge and will now start working on the Arrow of Light. The following Scouts are preparing themselves for the wonderful world of Boy Scouting. (Call Scouts and parents forward. Present badges to parents.)

(Present Webelos Scouts with a piece of rope and tell them that they are on the final stage of Cub Scouting and to continue working to attain the highest honor a Cub Scout can earn - the Arrow of Light.

Magic Neckerchief Graduation
Graduation/Crossover
Heart of America Council

In order for this to be effective, practice this ceremony several times. Some Cubs might treasure their neckerchiefs so as it suggest in this ceremony, use a master neckerchief--Baloo

Personnel: Cubmaster (CM), assistant, one person for lights
Equipment: Candle, holder, (or advancement log) matches, 2 coat hangers with safety pins secured to one end of each hanger, a large mouth peanut butter jar with exactly 40% acetone and 60% water, a fire extinguished/baking soda for safety. (To save time have a set of wire hangers and safety pin or use one master neckerchief.)
Setting: Dim the lights while calling the graduating Cub and their parents to the front. Leave only the lights in front on while telling the story.
CM: Tonight our Cub Scouts are graduating to Will these boys and their parents come forward. These young men have reached the grade and have completed the requirements for . There remains one test before they become Scouts. A test to find out if they have done "their best". This ceremony begins with a story passed on to me from other Scouts leaders. And I share it with you tonight.
Deep in the heart of the mountains and deserts of New Mexico, there is an Indian village beside a small stream. The village and the area around it are very green and lush. This is very unusual for the village is in the middle of very harsh desert land. While hiking in the area, I came across this village and stopped by a nearby stream for a rest. There was an old chief sitting in the sun by the stream and I asked him: "Why is this area so green and your people so healthy?" The old chief replied, "The waters of this stream are magical. They assist all who come by telling them if they have done everything they need to be prepared. By hard work and with the assistance of these magical waters, my people have done the things needed to be prepared and prosper in life." I thought for a while, then said: "I too, could use these magical waters for I know of young men who are working hard to be prepared for life and to do their best. Could I take some of this magical water with me?" The old Chief smiled and nodded. "It is for the young that these waters are most effective", he said. "Take something special from each young man who is to be tested and dip it in the water. Pass the special item over a flame and, if the special item burns, but is not consumed, then they have done their best." (Turn out all the lights.)
From the Cub Scouts before us tonight, we take their neckerchief, (Pin the neckerchief to the wire hangers at the corners. Be careful not to twist or fold the fabric. It must be smooth.) and dip it in the magic water. (Have assistant dip the neckerchief while you hold the wire hangers, squeeze out excess liquid, quickly take the neckerchief from the jar, and spread it tightly between the wire hangers. Your assistant covers the jar before you put the neckerchief over the flame, but you cannot wait too long. This part must be done quickly.) Then pass it over the flame of the Spirit of Scouting. (Make certain the neckerchief is spread between wire hangers. Shake gently when just the edges remain burning.) Cub Scout (name), you have passed the test of doing your best. May the Great Spirit of Akela go with you throughout your Scouting days. (Repeat the neckerchief removal and burning for each Cub Scout graduating.)