Ceremonies - More Than One Rank

Akela And The Cub Scout Trail

CHARACTERS: Akela, Indian Brave, Cub Bobcat, Wolves. Add a boy any place, dividing dialogue.

In smaller dens, Wolves one, two, and three and last can be combined.

COSTUMES: Uniforms, Indian headdress, headband made of colored paper. Wolf and Bear masks or ears and noses, designed so boys can be heard.

PROPS: Indian’s drums (oatmeal boxes disguised with colored paper), fishing poles, bows, arrows, cooking pots, card with paw print visible to entire audience. (Drums. Akela and Brave stride in. Cub Scout enters.)

CUB: Akela! Great Chief! I want to be a Bobcat Cub Scout. Listen .... Meoww!!!

AKELA: That doesn’t make you a Bobcat. Do you know the Promise and the Law of the Pack?

BRAVE: Do you know the Sign and Handshake? The Motto? Salute?

CUB: I don’t know any of them.

AKELA: Go and learn them. Then you’ll be a Bobcat. (Drums. Cub leaves. Bobcat enters.)

BOBCAT: Great Akela! I’m a Bobcat who wants to be a Wolf. Arooo!

AKELA: Can you climb a tree? Swim like a fish? Tie a strong knot?

BOBCAT: Not yet.

BRAVE: There are 12 feats you must do.

BOBCAT: I only have 2 feet.

BRAVE: Not feet, feats! Achievements! They are written in the Book of Wolves.

BOBCAT: Now how can I do 12 achievements all by myself?

AKELA: Great Cub Scout Leader and Great Parents will help, too! Go! (Drums, Bobcat leaves.

Two Wolves enter, fighting.)

BRAVE: (Separates the Wolves.) Who disturbs the camp of AKELA?

WOLF 1: We only took six months to become Wolves.

WOLF 2: Now we have lots of time to mess around.

AKELA: There’s more to do in the Book of Wolves Electives. Earn Arrow Points.

BRAVE: Have you caught a fish? Shot an arrow? Prepared a feast? (Indians load Wolves with fishing poles, bows, arrows, pots; Wolves exit. Third Wolf enters.)

WOLF 3: O’ Great Leader! Now I’m old enough to become a Bear.

AKELA: Bears must know the wild animals and how to use a knife.

BRAVE: Twelve achievements in the Book of Bear. (Last wolf runs in.)

LAST WOLF: Akela, I’ve done the twelve achievements to become a Bear.

AKELA: Has the Great Parent signed something to show you have done them? (Last Wolf holds up large card with BIG paw print, shows to audience.) Come forward, Wolf. (Exchange Wolf mast for Bear mask.) Now you are a Bear. Gather around me, brave Cubs. (All characters on stage.)

BRAVE: The Bobcat, Wolf, and the Bear have followed the trail. Now, the dance of celebration.

(Drum. All do Indian dancing. Exit, dancing.)