Florida 4-H Camp Counselor Training -Flag Ceremonies

Flag Ceremonies The raising of the flag indicates that the camp day has begun and the lowering at sundown emphasizes the close of the day. It should be done with meaning and not as a routine motion. 4/14/2017

Flag Ceremonies Flag raising and lowering is usually done by members of a cabin. For many campers, this will be the only time in their lives they will have a part in a formal flag ceremony. 4/14/2017

Flag Ceremonies Suggested duties to help you with flag ceremonies at camp:  See that the flag is lowered at sunset and raised at sunrise at the designated time for your cabin. See that your group raises or lowers the flag. See that your campers are there and on time for all flag ceremonies. See that the color guard that raises the flags, takes them down in case of rain. 4/14/2017

Flag Ceremonies See that the group knows how to fold the flag and each camper helping with the ceremony understands his responsibilities. See that the flag is put in its proper place. See that a program is planned for your flag raising or lowering. Keep the program brief and to the point. 4/14/2017

Sample Program for Flag Ceremonies Raise the flag. Pledge of Allegiance 4-H Pledge 1-4 are appropriate for each ceremony, 5 and 6 only for the first ceremony. 1. Singing of patriotic song. 2. Reading of poems or story appropriate to the occasion. 3. Give brief history of the flag or American creed. 4. Give general rules for display and respect of the flag. 5. Demonstrate how to fold a flag. 6. Give general rules for conduct at flag ceremonies.  4/14/2017

How to Conduct a Flag Ceremony These programs are written for four to five members to execute the mechanics of raising or lowering the flags. Flag Raising Campers gather at the flagpole and organize themselves by cabins in a half circle around the flag pole. One member of the color guard should call the entire group to attention. Color guard march from stationed point to the flagpole. (They may be stationed at the flagpole if they desire.) Two campers step forward with the American flag. One attaches it to the pole cord while the second unfolds the other end and prevents it from touching the ground. Then two other campers step forward to fasten the 4-H flag in the same way. The flags are then raised briskly to the top of the flagpole. One camper quickly steps in front of the pole and leads the Pledge of Allegiance. The group gives proper flag salute while repeating the Pledge. 4/14/2017

Pledge of Allegiance I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands; One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all 4/14/2017

4-H Pledge A second camper leads group in 4-H pledge. I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living. For my club, my community, my country and my world. 4/14/2017

Flag Raising (Cont.) All campers sing a verse of a patriotic song and/or one camper gives a reading. Color guards leave the flagpole. Group leader asks if there are any announcements. Group leader dismisses campers.   4/14/2017

Flag Lowering The Flag is lowered at a formation in the evening similar to flag raising. It is lowered slowly, being especially careful to keep it from touching the ground. 1. Campers assemble at the flagpole and color guard calls entire group to attention. 2. Color guard march to flagpole or stationed at pole if desired. 3. Reading of poem, thought or history of our flag. 4. All campers may sing a patriotic song while color guard lowers the flag slowly. 5. Color guard remove and fold the 4-H flag, then remove and fold the American flag. A selection may be read at this time also. 6. Color guards leave flagpole and upon reaching the edge of the formation the campers are dismissed.   4/14/2017

Flag Retirement Ceremonies It should be made clear to all people present that the retiring of the American flag is a reverent ceremony. It is proper to retire a flag when it becomes worn and tattered. This is the proper way to retire a flag. Take flag and unfold. Place stars (as audience sees it) in the upper left hand corner. One minute of silent meditation may be inserted if desired. Then either cut or tear the portion of the blue containing the stars from the flag. No talking or noise should be present.. .all quiet. Have one person hold the blue in their arms until the end of the ceremony because the blue and the stars are the last part of the flag to be burned. 4/14/2017

Flag Retirement Ceremonies Now tear one stripe off at a time. Burn it in the fire by laying it across the flames; not in a lump. Burn each stripe thoroughly before tearing off the next stripe to be burned. During the process, the audience can be humming a patriotic song, if desired, or a reading can be given. After all the stripes have been burned, one at a time, then the blue and stars is ready to be burned. This portion is then laid, as a whole piece and not torn in any way, across the fire and all is quiet until the last speck of blue turns to ash. End with another patriotic song. 4/14/2017

Flag Retirement Ceremonies Note: If the flag to be burned is small or there is more than one flag to be burned at a time, the flag may (but not necessarily advised unless due to lack of time) be laid as a whole unit across the fire. This can be done also if the first flag is torn and burned as described above, and others laid across the fire at one time. 4/14/2017

General Rules When it is to be flown at half-mast, the flag should be hoisted to the top for an instant and then lowered to the half-mast position. Before lowering the flag for the day, it should again be raised to the top of the pole. When giving the pledge, one should stand erect (good posture) with the right hand placed over the heart, fingers together and horizontal with the arm. At the conclusion of the pledge, the arm is lowered to the side. When pledging the Allegiance, one should face the flag. The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. The flag should not be flown in rainy or stormy weather, unless for some special reason. Raise the flag briskly and proudly. Lower it slowly, ceremoniously. When other flags or pennants are flown on the same pole with the American flag, the American flag should be at the top of the pole. Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor. Gather and fold it correctly. When the flag becomes worn, destroy it by burning. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 1 To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 2 Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 3 Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 4 Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 5 Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 6 The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner. 4/14/2017

Folding the American Flag Step 7 When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible. 4/14/2017