Ceremonies - Bobcat

Chief Akela's Bobcat Ceremony PERSONNEL Akela (Cubmaster in Native American costume), Assistant Cubmaster, Den Leader(s), 6 Webelos Scouts, Bobcat candidates and their parents. EQUIPMENT Advancement ladder Blank coup sticks for the new Bobcats Arrow of Light candelabra Script concealed on the shelf behind it Bobcat badges for advancing Cubs ARRANGEMENT The ceremony begins with the beating of the ceremonial drum by the Asst. Cubmaster. Akela then approaches the campfire from the center aisle, so that all present can see his regalia. Akela: Why do you sound the ceremonial drum? Asst. Cubmaster: Because we have boys who seek the fun of Cub Scouting. Akela: Have these boys been properly prepared? Asst. Cubmaster: Yes, Akela, they have. As Tiger Cubs they have learned the Tiger Cub motto. The Bobcat candidates now know the Cub Scout Motto, Promise, and Law of the Pack. They know the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Each boy has prepared himself to move to the next step of Cub Scouting by his thoughts, deeds, and participation in the Pack. Akela: Many moons before the paleface came to America, the Indian lived and hunted in these great redwood forests. Food was plentiful. The fields were rich with berries, the water with fish, and the woods were full of game. The tribes lived in villages near the great "earth-mother" , who we call "Diablo". I am Akela, the Great Chief of the Webelos tribe and the head of the council of braves. Our totem is the Arrow of Light, which is the final goal of all cub scouts and the highest honor they can earn. This board shows the Arrow of Light and points the way of the trail. The arch represents progress along the cub scout trail to boy scouts. The candle which I now light represents the Spirit of Akela and the light of Cub Scouts. We learn our ways from the wisest of the forest animals. From the Wolf we learn the language of the ground, we learn to follow the tracks of other animals, and we learn the ways of the food of the forest. From the Bear, we learn the secrets of the trees and birds, the language of the air and the sky. But to begin the Cub Scout journey, we follow the Bobcat, a tenacious creature which is always hungry for knowledge and advent sign of the Bobcat? Asst. Cubmaster: Akela, we have ___ boys who are prepared to take the sign of the Bobcat. (read the list), please come forward with your parents. Akela: Do these boys know the things required to be a Cub Scout? Asst. Cubmaster: Yes, Akela, they do. I would like the my Webelos Scouts to come forward at this time. Webelos means "We'll be Loyal Scouts" , so it is only right that these boys administer the Cub Scout Promise, Law of the Pack, Motto, Sign, Salute and Handshake. First Webelos Scout: Boys, make the cub scout sign and recite the cub scout promise with me. I (name) promise to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack. ("two") Akela: Each candle on the Board represents a part of the Cub Scout Promise. The first part of the promise is "to do my best" . As a Cub Scout, we do not ask or expect you to be perfect. But we expect you to do the best you possibly can as you seek the Arrow of Light. (name the first Bobcat) _________________, please step forward and light the first candle, which represents doing your best. "To do my duty to God and my country" . Duty means what you ought to do. Practice your religion, be a good American, and obey our country1s laws. (name the second Bobcat) ____________________, please come forward and light the second candle, which represents doing your duty to God and country. "To help other people" . When you receive your Bobcat badge, it will be given to you upside down. After you do a good deed, you can turn it right side up. This reminds us to always help others who are in need. (name the next Bobcat) ______________________, step forward and light the next candle which represents helping other people. In the Cub Scout Promise, we say we will obey the Law of the Pack, knowledge of which is also a requirement of the first rank of Bobcat. Second Webelos Scout: Boys, make the Cub Scout sign and recite the Law of the Pack with me: The Cub Scout follows Akela. The Cub Scout makes the Pack go. The Pack makes the Cub Scout grow. The Cub Scout gives goodwill. ("two") This law has a special meaning for Cub Scouts. "The Cub Scout follows Akela." Akela may be your father, mother, teacher, den leader, or cubmaster. In fact, it can be anyone who helps you learn about the world around you, because a good scout listens and learns. Remember, any good leader must first learn to follow. (name the next Bobcat) ___________________, please step forward and light the first candle, which represents following Akela. "The Cub Scout makes the Pack go." You are a member of a pack - Pack [number] - and you are each a member of a den. (mention the specific dens now if appropriate) You help the pack go by attending all meetings and by completing the requirements and electives of each rank. By being an active scout you help others in your den and in the pack do the same. ___________________, please come forward and light the next candle, which represents the cub scout's role in supporting his pack. "The Pack makes the Cub Scout grow." The other members of the pack will help you learn new things. You will do a lot of things together and have a lot of fun. Remember that as a group we can do much, much more than any of us can do alone. ________________________, please come forward and light the next candle, which represents the importance of teamwork in the success of our Pack. "The Cub Scout gives goodwill." If you smile at others, they will smile back. Your first act as a Bobcat will be to do a good turn. Always think about what you can do for others - they don't have to be big things, for little things help, too. ___________________, please light the candle which represents the goodwill that Scouting brings all over the world. Now we have lit all the candles, and you probably think you know all there is to being a cub scout. Well, in a way you do and in a way you don't. You will learn a great deal more. Remember that sometimes we are weak and falter. (snuff out a candle) If we falter once, the light on the path is still bright. But if you are weak and falter many times, see how the light dims into darkness (snuff out several candles). But if you are true to yourself, the light of Akela is always near, and if you do your best the light of Akela will help you find your way along the path as you follow the Arrow of Light in scouting. (relight candles) Now you will demonstrate the other signs of Cub Scouting. Webelos Scout, do these candidates know the Cub Scout Motto? 3rd Webelos: Yes, Akela, they do. Candidates, repeat the Cub Scout Motto with me: "Do Your Best." You don't have to be perfect, just do your best. Akela, as you can see, they do know the Cub Scout Motto. Akela: Webelos Scout, do they know the Cub Scout Sign? 4th Webelos: Yes, Akela, they do. Candidates, show me you know the Cub Scout Sign. Always make them with your arm straight and the wolf ears held high. This sign means everyone should be silent and attentive. It reminds us that before we speak, teach and lead, we must listen, learn and follow. Akela, as you can see, they do know the Cub Scout Sign. Akela: Webelos Scout, do they know the Cub Scout Salute? 5th Webelos: Yes, Akela, they do. Candidates, show me you know the Cub Scout Salute. Hold your arm straight and be proud that you are an American and a Cub Scout. You will use the salute in countless flag ceremonies during your Cub Scout years. Akela, as you can see, they do know the Cub Scout Salute. Akela: Webelos Scout, do they know the Cub Scout Handshake? 6th Webelos: Make the Cub Scout handshake with me. We will all now congratulate you on becoming Bobcats in Pack [number]. Akela, as you can see, they do know the Cub Scout Handshake. (All Webelos boys shake hands with the new Bobcats and take their seats) Akela: Boys, you are growing up in a world of your own. It will be different than the world your parents grew up in. But throughout your journey, your parents will help you find the way. In scouting, you will learn about a great number of things, like your American heritage and what to do in an emergency. At every step, your parents will help you with these tasks. And so, we ask them to join us in the cub scout parent's promise: We, the parents of a cub scout / do promise to assist our son in earning his cub scout badges / and to judge him as the individual he is. / We will be faithful in our attendance at pack meetings / and assist in every possible way as we help our son to do his best. We are now ready to pin the Bobcat badge on these boys. Only one obstacle remains, and that is the requirement that the badge be pinned on upside down until these new bobcats do their first good turns. Only then can the badge be worn right side up. Asst. Cubmaster: Congratulations, new Bobcats! Now I would like to present you with your coup stick. This will be our way of monitoring your advancement during your years as a Cub Scout. You will be able to paint it a color chosen by your Den and make markings on it to signify each achievement in Cub Scouts. Please take your coup stick, place it on the Bobcat rung of the Advancement Ladder, and be seated with your parents. Akela: This concludes this ceremony. I now return to the forests of Mount Diablo to prepare for spring. In June, I will return to help each boy who remains graduate to the next step in Cub Scouts. Good night!