Boy Scout Rank Ceremonies
INVESTITURE CEREMONY
LEADER: Tonight, we welcome some new Scouts into our
Troop. Since the last Court of Honor,_______ have started
coming to our Troop and have completed the joining requirements to
become a Scout. I now ask ______ and their (his) parents to come
forward.
You are about to pledge yourself to a way of life that
has guided millions
of boys before you. It is not a promise to be taken
lightly. Are you ready
to take this promise?
CANDIDATE: I am.
LEADER: Will the members of the Troop please stand and
give the Scout sign, repeat after me the Scout Oath.
LEADER: On my honor, I will do my best. (Candidate
repeats)
LEADER: To do my duty to God and my country and to obey
the Scout Law. (Candidate repeats)
LEADER: To help other people at all times. (Candidate
repeats).
LEADER: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake,
and morally
straight. (Candidate repeats)
LEADER: As a new Scout in Troop ___, we expect you to
uphold the ideals and program of the troop. You will be expected
to live according to the Scout Law and the Scout Oath you took tonight
and to be regular in attendance at troop activities. We know
you will be a fine addition to our troop, and we welcome you.
TENDERFOOT
(This assumes there was a Scout presentation prior to this
one and that the actual badge of rank was presented previously, when the
rank was achieved. If not, this needs to be modified.)
LEADER: Since the last Court of Honor, _______ has
completed the requirement for the rank of Tenderfoot. I now
call _____ and his (their) parents to come forward.
LEADER: You have just heard our new Scout(s) pledge himself
(themselves) to the Scout Oath. Over this past year, since you first
joined this Troop, you have said these words many times. You have
learned various skills which will serve as a basis as you travel on your
Trail to Eagle. You have learned some basic first aid skills and
to tie knots and you have improved your physical fitness. But these skills
are only the beginning. As you advance into other ranks, you will
learn more knots, more first aid skills, how to use a compass, how to cook.
The activities you participate in will become more challenging.
When you passed your Board of Review, you were presented
with your new badge(s) of rank. I now present to you your rank advancement
cards, which document this achievement. Keep these cards, and all
other cards you receive in Scouting, in a safe place. As you advance
in Scouting, these can become invaluable in documenting your achievements
when you submit your Eagle application or if you move to a new location.
SECOND CLASS
Call Second Class Scouts and parents to the front
LEADER: Once before, you stood before this court and became
(a) Tenderfoot Scout(s). Time has passed since then. You have
used that time well in pursuing Scout activities and knowledge and have
distinguished yourselves by qualifying for Second Class rank.
This rank of Second Class represents to you the opportunities
for service to others. By living according to the Scout Oath and
Law, you are adding your bit to the fires of good citizenship and world
brotherhood.
I know that you will wear the Second Class badge with
honor and distinction. To prove that you know the rules, by which
this award may be worn honorably, I ask you to lead the Troop in the Scout
Law. Will the members of the Troop please stand and give the Scout sign.
SCOUTS: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
LEADER: I present to you the badge and rank advancement
card, documenting your achievement.
FIRST CLASS SCOUT
LEADER: The First Class rank represents a significant
step in Scouting. It represents the "complete Scout." I now
ask First Class Scout(s) ______ and his (their) parent(s) to come forward.
LEADER: As a First Class Scout, you have earned
the opportunity and right to demonstrate and abide by the code to which
a true and mature Scout is forever bound by his Scout Oath and Law.
Do you accept this greater responsibility of First Class Scout? If
so answer "I do."
In qualifying for First Class rank, you have advanced
from Scout hiker to more skillful living in the outdoors for longer periods
of time. In this experience, you have become a Scout camper, better
able to take care of yourself and others. As we present you with
your First Class badge and rank advancement card, I charge you to continue
your development as a Scout camper, so that you may better serve others.
STAR SCOUT
Since the last Court of Honor, ____ Scouts have advanced
to Star Scout. I ask ______ and their parents to come forward.
Scouts, in receiving your Star rank tonight, you are taking
a long step toward Eagle. You have advanced in a way that obligates
you to give younger Scouts the service and experiences you have received.
Tonight, you are leaving that group which receives Scouting. You
are now admitted to a smaller group whose privilege and duty it is to give
Scouting - to give leadership, guidance, and inspiration to younger Scouts
who will follow your lead. Your willingness to do so will be a pledge
of service and a sign that your understanding of the ideals of Scouting
is growing. May this Star Scout badge be a constant reminder of the
star of service that will shine as a guide to lead you on the trail to
manhood.
LIFE RANK
Since the last Court of Honor, ____ Scouts have advanced
to Life Scout. I ask ______ and their parents to come forward.
Scouts, in receiving your Life rank tonight, you are approaching
your last step toward Eagle. You have shown that you can lead your
troop in service and share in the Scouting experiences you have received.
Tonight, you are entering that select group who will directly work towards
their Eagle rank. In doing so, you must not only give service, you
must also lead others in performing a service project of your choosing.
Your willingness to do so will be a pledge of service and a sign that your
understanding of the ideals of Scouting. When you are finished with
the requirements we will give you, you will, indeed, be worthy to join
those few who are Eagle Scouts. May this Life Scout badge be
a constant reminder of the life of service that will shine as a guide to
lead you on the trail to manhood.
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