Pack & Den Ceremonies Presented by Steve Ayers

There are lots of opportunities for ceremonies in your Den and Pack program plans. Ceremonies are exciting and important for Cub Scouts.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Why Ceremonies help accomplish the purposes of Cub Scouting in four ways:

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Why 1. By expediting the program – Ceremonies mark the beginning and the end of a Cub Scout meeting. They can help develop the theme of the month. Ceremonies often provide variety and a change of pace. Probably most important, they provide a format for presenting awards promptly and effectively.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Why 2. By educating – Ceremonies can reemphasize the purposes of Cub Scouting to the boys and their parents. They instill attitudes of good citizenship. Participation in ceremonies helps Cub Scouts develop poise, confidence, and self-reliance. Ceremonies can dramatize the parents’ role in Cub Scouting and their relationship to the Pack.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Why 3. By providing recognition – Ceremonies provide meaningful and memorable experiences for a Cub Scout. They promote family unity by honoring the boy and his parents together. Recognition focuses attention on the accomplishments and service of boys, leaders, and parents.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Why 4. By motivating – Recognition of a boy’s accomplishments encourages him to grow. Recognition encourages parent participation by creating an interest in the Pack. A simple but impressive ceremony can be a strong incentive for boys, leaders, and parents to progress and serve.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies What Ceremonies are an impressive way of focusing on meaningful activity. They can vary in length, complexity, and meaning, but they all satisfy a fundamental human need – the need to be recognized.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Who Any organization with serious purpose needs to recognize those who help the organization reach its goals. Getting attention is of major importance to boys in the 2nd through 5th grades. Giving Cub Scouts a chance to participate in ceremonies provides a natural way to give these boys the needed attention they crave.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies When Anytime! Immediately! Instantly! Whenever there is an opportunity, use an appropriate ceremony.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Where A ceremony can be developed or adapted to fit any location – small rooms or large, indoors or out. Ceremonies are appropriate and needed at Den Meetings, Pack Meetings, and all Cub Scout activities.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies How Remember, Cub Scouts have short attention spans. KISMIF – Keep It Simple, Make It Fun Base your ceremonies on the Cub Scout ideals. Plan ahead.

Building & Staging Good Ceremonies Staging a Ceremony Picture yourself in the audience during a ceremony. What do you want? You want to see the faces of the participants. You want to see even the shortest Cub Scout. You want to hear every word or sound.

Ceremonial Equipment Blue & Gold – What They Mean Blue and gold are the Cub Scout colors. They have a special meaning that the boy and his parents should understand. Blue stands for truth and spirituality, steadfast loyalty, and the sky above. Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.

Ceremonial Equipment Costumes Costumes are fun and help put boys’ imaginations in to high gear. Boys will be more receptive to learning and WILL learn more when an ‘Indian’ talks to them about his traditions than when an adult discusses Indian lore. Kids LOVE characters!

Ceremonial Equipment Props - electric campfires Props add dimension and excitement to events. Kids respond to things they can see and touch. - electric campfires - den flags & den doodles

Ceremonial Equipment Audio – Visual Aids - Posters - Displays - Movies - Computers/ Powerpoints - Microphones / Public Address devices

Ceremonial Equipment Lighting & Sound - Spotlights, Floodlights, Candles - Music, Sound Effects, Instruments Lighting and Sound, or the lack there of can greatly enhance the mood of an event.

Opening Ceremonies The opening ceremony introduces the program and sets the tone of the meeting. It can add dignity; serving notice to the audience that “now we begin the most important part of our meeting.” Opening ceremonies are also an appropriate time to use flag ceremonies.

Opening Ceremonies Like most other ceremonies, the opening ceremony should help Cub Scouts and parents remember and understand the purposes and ideals of Cub Scouting.

Use of the U.S. Flag The Pride of our Nation – Our Flag - Pay respect to the U.S. Flag at EVERY meeting - Demonstrate the correct way to salute and the appropriate time to salute the U.S. flag, then ensure that each boy practices doing it. - Provide opportunities for each boy to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rules of Respect for the U.S. Flag - Never allow the U.S. Flag to touch the ground. - Whenever displayed, the U.S. Flag should be placed on the speaker’s right, or from the audiences perspective it should be placed to the audience’s left. - During the Pledge of Allegiance & National Anthem while in uniform, face and salute the U.S. Flag. - During the Pledge of Allegiance & National Anthem when not in uniform, face the U.S. Flag, remove any headgear, and place your hand over your heart.

Use of the U.S. Flag Flag Ceremony Considerations When smaller Cub Scouts are responsible for a flag ceremony, make sure the flags are not too heavy for the boys to carry without strain. Check the ceiling height beforehand to determine if the flags will clear it. If they won’t, post the colors before the meeting and have the color guard march in and salute. Rehearse the ceremony. Make sure everybody knows their parts.

Closing Ceremonies Closing ceremonies in both the Den and Pack should be inspirational and meaningful. These ceremonies may provide an opportunity to help boys and parents better understand the true spirit of Cub Scouting. If any announcements or final reminders are to be made, make them before the closing ceremony. After having a fine ceremony, don’t spoil it with a long announcement.

Closing Ceremonies Pack Meeting v. Den Meeting Plan ceremonies appropriate for the size and age of your group. Generally, Pack Meeting closings are more complex and led by an adult.

Closing Ceremonies Pack Meeting – Cubmaster Minute -Can be used as a solemn time for the Cubmaster to read a short story reflecting Scouting ideals, or recite an inspirational message. -Remember that the audience consists of 2nd to 5th grade boys….short attention span.

Closing Ceremonies Pack Meeting – Scouting Circle -All Scouts and Leaders stand in a circle, facing inward. Each Scout crosses his right arm over the left arm and holds the hand of the Scouts next to him. -Scout Vespers, Taps, or an appropriate solemn song is recited/sung.

Closing Ceremonies Den Meeting – Circle ‘round the Flag -All Scouts stand around the U.S. Flag or Den flag and sing “God Bless America” or one stanza of “America.”

Closing Ceremonies Den Meeting – The Living Circle -All Scouts and Leaders stand in a close circle facing inward. They turn slightly to the right in the circle, and each extends the left hand into the circle, palm downward and left thumb pointing to the right. -Each person grasps the extended left thumb of the one to his left- thus making a complete living circle hand-clasp. -Meanwhile, the right hand of each is held high in the Cub Scout sign as an appropriate slogan or song is repeated.

Advancement Ceremonies Ceremonies may be used when inducting a new Bobcat and his family; for recognizing advancement in rank – Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos , or Arrow of Light; or for awarding activity badges or a new arrow point.

Advancement Ceremonies Since Cub Scouting is a family oriented program, it is important for families to be together at the Pack meetings. Much emphasis is placed upon the parent to be present at the time any awards are given to their Cub Scout.

Webelos Scout Ceremonies Webelos ceremonies should help the Webelos Scout anticipate the fun and adventure he will have as a Boy Scout. The rank should bring to the Webelos Scout and his parents a feeling of preparation for Scouting.

Webelos Scout Ceremonies Arrow of Light (highest advancement in Cub Scouts) - Plan an appropriate ceremony for this highest award. This ceremony should eclipse all other ceremonies to signify the commitment and high achievement of the recipients. - Candles are frequently incorporated to emphasize light and its significance to the Cub Scouting trail.

Webelos Scout Ceremonies ‘Bridging’ or ‘Crossover’ to Boy Scouts -This is a ceremony to celebrate the transition of Webelos Scouts into a Boy Scout Troop. Frequently the Boy Scout Troop provides Scouts to participate and welcome the Cub Scouts into their Troop. -A ceremonial bridge can be used to help the Cub Scouts visualize the last river they have crossed in their journey to Boy Scouts.

The presentation of a Pack charter to a Chartered Organization is very important. It should be a special occasion, impressive but not too long. It symbolizes the cooperation between the Pack and the Chartered Organization in achieving the ideals of Cub Scouting with the assistance of the Chartered Organization.

-Adults respond positively to recognition too. -Ensure a job’s being well done by losing no time in properly introducing each new leader to the Pack. -Reward adult leaders for their accomplishments and contributions. -Let leaders know that their job is important to the success of the Pack.

CUB SCOUT CEREMONIES FOR DENS AND PACKS Online Other Leaders Civic Organizations, VFW, American Legion, etc. Create your own!