OPENING CEREMONIES

A Month of Celebration
Greater St. Louis Area Council
This ceremony plays up Flag Day, June 14

• Did you know that Father’s day is not the only holiday in June? We also celebrate National Candy Month, National Safety Month, Donut Day, and Ice Cream Soda Day.
• Not to mention Donald Duck, Garfield the cat, Oscar the Grouch, Superman, and the Tasmanian devil all celebrate their birthdays in June.
• We celebrate the first U.S. spacewalk on June 3, 1965, and Congress recognizing the Pledge of Allegiance, June 22, 1942.
• June is truly a great month for our country, our stomach, and for cartoons!
• It is, also, a great month for our flag.  On June 14, 1777, Old Glory, the flag made by Betsy Ross, was approved by Congress as the first official U.S. flag. In commemoration of that date, June 14 is now observed throughout our country as Flag Day. Let us remember this special day as we now pledge allegiance to our flag.

Cubmaster:  Please stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with us.

Cub Scout Spirit
Baltimore Area Council

Supplies:    White, Blue, and Gold candles

• Our candle stands tall, straight and white. It burns and gives forth inspiring light. This candle represents the Spirit of Cub Scouting that we follow.
• As we light the blue candle, think of truth and loyalty, the sky so blue, steadfastness and spirituality. These are all ideals that we try to follow on our Cub Scout trail.
• When the gold shines forth, be of good cheer and think of happiness and sunlight so clear. The gold light is where our encouragement is found along our Cub Scout trail.

Cubmaster:   As our candle flames reach toward the sky of blue, let us ask the Lord to give us wisdom to lead each boy straight and true. Mold each of us to be like our candles, straight and tall, and be inspired to give God and our country our all.

Interpretation Of The Cub Scout Promise
Longhorn Council

Props:  Each Cub Scout holding a sign with his part of the Cub Scout Promise on it.

• I,  PROMISE - A promise is a solemn vow, where your good reputation is at stake.
• TO DO MY BEST - Your best is giving all you've got when you   have something to do ... and working on it with all your heart and all your strength and devotion you have.
• TO DO MY DUTY - To do the job; to meet the responsibilities;  to do what must be done, not just half-way, but completely and fully so that you're proud of your work.
• TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY - First, duty to God.  Fulfill your religious responsibilities and uphold our religious beliefs.  Second, duty to country.  I know you've been told how lucky you are to live in a free country and I hope you are aware of what freedom means.  You should try to be a good citizen.
• TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE - To help ... it doesn't say how much.  It could mean saving a life or changing a tire or carrying a bag of groceries.  To help other people ... not just your own family.  The best time to help is when you have to go out of your way to do it.
• TO OBEY THE LAW OF THE PACK   So that we will all remember just what this law includes, will you please stand and repeat it with me?

You’re A Grand Old Flag Opening

Great Salt Lake Area Council

Say a few words about the flag and Flag Day (June 14) and then have everyone stand and sing “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” by George Michael Cohen, as the flags are brought to the front of the room.

“You’re A Grand Old Flag,” by George Michael Cohen You’re a grand old flag,

You’re a highflying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You’re the emblem of the land I love

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev’ry heart beats true

‘neath the Red, White, and Blue,

Where there’s never a boast or brag.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eyes on the grand old flag.

June Is Flag Month
Great Salt Lake Area Council

Before the American Revolution, there were many different flags flown over capitals, forts, ships, and for troops to rally around.  When the Grand Union Flag was flown over Prospect Hill near Boston, it was mistaken for, a sign of surrender by loyalists. 

According to legend, George Washington and others commissioned Betsy Ross to make a new flag.  Other Americans realized they needed a national flag to take the place of all the individual banners, one that would symbolize the newly created union of states.  In 1777 the Continental Congress first proclaimed that one flag for the whole nation, was needed. 

Finally on June 14,1777 the Congress adopted a brief resolution; resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white.  And that the union be thirteen stars, white in a field of blue, representing a new constellation, but in short neglected to specify details other than the color and stripes. So from 1777 to 1912 [some 135 years] the United States flag was officially changed 24 times. 

In June 1912, President William H. Taft signed an executive order prescribing the official proportions of the flag and the arrangement and size of the stars and stripes.

The United States flag symbolizes the highest ideals of liberty, justice, and brotherhood.  Let us show the same respect today as shown to historic U. S. flags of yesteryear.  Please stand and give the proper salute.

Picnic Opening
Baltimore Area Council

7 Cubs stand facing the audience with the first 6 holding white paper plates which have the word PICNIC spelled on them with red and blue felt markers or tempera paint. Their parts are written on the back in LARGE print.  7th Cub leads audience in Pledge of Allegiance or patriotic song.

• P is for Picnics.  Fun for everyone.
• I is to be sure to Include food, games and lots of fun.
• C is for Celebrating our nations’ birthday, we’re glad to be here.
• N is for Never ceasing to be thanking our country dear.
• I because In our hearts ever loyal we’ll be.
• C is to Constantly pledging to keep our nation a land of the free.
• Let’s all stand together and pledge allegiance to our flag.

S U M M E R Opening Ceremony
Baltimore Area Council

Set up: Put a little action in this one.  Place a picnic basket in the center of the stage with the Den around it.

The curtain opens, boys open the picnic basket and take out cards, which spell SUMMER on one side. The cards could be cut in the shape of summer items or shapes which represent items found in a picnic basket - hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, popsicles, etc.

The boys line up in order holding up their cards  Each boy takes a step forward to read his card.  fter the last boy reads his card flip the cards to reveal PLEDGE on the reverse side and say the final line together.

• S is for SUMMER which is almost here.
• U is for US ... boys who need Scouting all year.
• M is for MANY OUTINGS, which Cub Scouting does bring.
• M is for MORE! FUN, cause that’s our thing!
• E is for EVERY PARENT who does their share
• R is for a ROARING SUMMER PROGRAM you have planned cause you care!

(Flip cards)

ALL:       Please rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.