There is an ever-increasing recognition of the important function of ceremonies in Scouting, not only in building an emotional and dramatic background for special events and achievements, but in actively educating each boy to a better understanding of the principles upon which Scouting is founded.

Rightly planned and carried out, Scout ceremonies have a very real power of impressing the boy. They drive into both the mind and heart of the new boy some lessons that can be better taught by this method than by any other, and they inspire the older boy to continued allegiance to Scout principles, instilling in his heart the doctrine: "Once a Scout Always a Scout"

Principles Of Ceremonies

Two principles should guide the development of all Scout ceremonies: Simplicity and dignity.

Elaborate and complex ceremonies involving a great amount of rehearsing and staging need not be attempted. The ceremony should be clear, without any obscure symbolism which the boy may fail to comprehend. It should be short also.

The ceremonies should be based upon the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law and be conducted on a high plane so as to inspire the boy with the greatness of our Movement. They should create a dramatic atmosphere, a spirit of romance, of the days when "knighthood was in flower." Horse-play initiations are absolutely taboo in Scouting. Investitures and installations are to fill the heart of the boy with high purpose, not with mistrust and apprehension.

Types Of Ceremonies

Particular activities which lend themselves to the use of ceremonies are:

1. Tenderfoot Investiture—Admitting the new boy to membership in the Troop and the World Brotherhood of Scouting.

2. Advancement Investiture—Awarding the Scout with the higher ranks in Scouting.

3. Installation of Individuals—Elevating boys and adults to offices within the Patrol and the Troop.

4. Installation of Patrol or Troop—Officially establishing the new unit.

5. Court of Honor—Special ceremonies for opening and closing of the Troop Court of Honor for its various functions.

We couldn't get them all in here

We couldn't get them all in here. There were eleven Eagles awarded at this Court of Honor. A fine alert group of boys.

6. Troop Meeting Ceremonies—Opening and closing ceremonies. (Previously discussed in Chat 27.)

7. Camp Ceremonies— Flag raising ceremonies, camp fire ceremonies, etc. (Previously discussed in Chat 30.)

Who Plans The Ceremonies?

The special ceremonies which the Troop desires to use should be worked out in the Troop Leaders' Council, or at least approved there.

From time to time various Patrols should be encouraged to attempt to develop a new ceremony for the Troop, such as for opening or closing meetings, for receiving the new boy, for presenting advancement awards. A suggestion or two should be enough to get the Patrol started. As the plan develops, guide and stimulate the Patrol enough to work out a real ceremony, but not enough to take the matter out of its hands or to inject too many adult ideas. When completed and approved, have the Patrol itself stage the new ceremony.

Tenderfoot Investiture Ceremonies

In addition to the ceremonies suggested here, see the discussion of Tenderfoot Investiture principles and the suggested ceremony in Chat 15.

Circle Tenderfoot Investiture

The Senior Patrol Leader takes the candidate into an anteroom and blindfolds him. The Flag of the United States and the Troop flag are placed in the center of the meeting room. The Troop falls in with hands joined, using the Scout handclasp, in a circle around the flags, facing out, with their backs to the flags. (The simpler way to get into this formation is to form an ordinary circle, then have Scouts about face.) The Troop Leaders are inside the circle.

The Scoutmaster says: "Be Prepared" and the Scouts answer in a loud voice: "We are prepared!" This is the signal for the Senior Patrol Leader to bring in the candidate. (If desired, the lights may be turned out, and flash-lights in the corners of the room focused on the circle and flags.) The Senior Patrol Leader leads the candidate in, blindfolded, and walks him around the outside of the circle, halting opposite the Scoutmaster.

Scoutmaster: "Senior Patrol Leader, who is with you?"

story of Scouting

These steps of Advancement tell the story of Scouting. All ranks, all ages, they climb the ladder of Scouting into a larger vision.

Senior Patrol Leader: "He is Candidate...........

(name), who wishes to join our Troop and become a Scout. He has met the Requirements and has been duly elected and qualified."

Scoutmaster: "Remove his blindfold. (To Candidate:) Candidate, you come from the darkness into the light of Scouting, and you see before you the Scouts of Troop......, in an unbroken circle of comradeship, guarding the flags of their country and their Troop. How will you, an outsider, secure a place in this circle?"

Here the Patrol Leader of the Patrol which the Candidate is joining speaks up from his position in the circle: "Sir, the......... (name) Patrol will open the circle and admit the Candidate."

Scoutmaster: "Good. In doing so, remember you vouch for him."

The Senior Patrol Leader conducts the Candidate to the opening which the Patrol Leader has made, by dropping his right hand, and leads him into the center of the circle in front of the Scoutmaster.

Scoutmaster commands: "Unclasp hands, About Face." (So that the circle faces in.) "Candidate, you have been admitted into our Troop circle to be made a member of the greatest boys' Movement in the World. Place your left hand upon the flag of your Troop and raise your right hand in the Scout Sign. (The color bearer inclines the Troop flag toward the Candidate who does as the Scoutmaster has told him) and, now, dedicate yourself to the Scoat Oath. (Candidate recites the Scout Oath, after which the Scoutmaster tells him to drop his hands.) Now where will I get a Badge for this Candidate?"

At this point some Scout who has been designated beforehand, steps forward and salutes, saying: "Sir, I will be glad to offer my Tenderfoot Badge for this Candidate." (This Scout may be a personal friend of the Candidate or some Scout whom the Candidate respects. If possible, he should be a Second or First Class Scout who is really passing on his own Badge.)

The Scoutmaster nods to the Scout who steps to the Candidate and pins the Tenderfoot Badge on his lapel (for we are assuming of course that the Candidate is in civilian clothes).

Scoutmaster: "Candidate, you have been given a Badge which has been worn with honor and distinction by a Scout who has gone before you.

"This shows our friendship for you and the trust we place in you. By the authority vested in me by the

depicting the Scout Oath and Law

This group of boxes, depicting the Scout Oath and Law, make a decorative setting for Scout ceremonies in the church or elsewhere.

National Council, Boy Scouts of America, I dub you a Tenderfoot Scout." (Here the Scoutmaster brings his right hand down sharply on the Candidate's left shoulder.)

The Troop cheer leader steps into the center of the circle, and leads a Troop cheer for the Candidate, following which the Scoutmaster commands, "Fall Out," and the Scouts hurry in to the new Scout, shake his hand and congratulate him. After this, the new Scout's Patrol Leader takes him in tow and puts him in his place in the Patrol.—J. Harold Williams, Providence, R. I.

The Circle Of The Square Knot

Form Scouts in a circle each with a three foot length of rope. Tie all ropes together with a square knot, but leave one open. Bring Candidate into the center, after which tie the final knot. Tell Candidate he is standing in the circle of the square knot. If he is worthy and willing to make the Oath and Law the law of his life he may join the circle. He does so by repeating the Oath, after which he is given a piece of rope. The leader of the Patrol to which he is to belong escorts him to the circle. This is broken and enlarged and then the boy is admitted where he joins his rope to the rest. Scoutmaster then talks one minute on some phase of friendship or comradeship.

Ropes should be used only for this purpose and each rope should have a Scout's name attached to it so that he always get the same piece for his ceremony participation.—Salt Lake City Council, Utah.

The Four-Square Ceremony

The Troop is lined up in a square; at each corner is a Scout holding a scroll. On one of the scrolls are inscribed the three promises of the Oath, and four points of the Law are inscribed on each of the others. The Candidate is escorted to each corner where the scroll is unrolled and the Keeper of the Scroll explains the meaning of his part. At the conclusion of this instruction the Candidate is invited to express his understanding of what he has heard and to pledge himself by reciting the Oath. After this, the boy is introduced to all members and shakes hands with each one.

The Light Of Scouting

This ceremony requires fifteen Scouts and fifteen flashlights. The room is darkened as soon as the boys are in place. The Candidate stands in the center of a circle formed by the Troop and the flashlight-bearers. Starting with the Oath and working through the Laws each Scout, one at a time, lights his light and, pointing it to the ceiling repeats his portion of the Oath or Law. At a given signal, all lights are pointed at the Candidate, whereupon the Scoutmaster tells him that he is now bathed in the light of Scouting. If he intends to follow its gleam he must take the pledge. The Candidate makes the Scout Sign and recites the Oath, after which lights are turned on and the boy joins his Patrol.—Ogden Area Council, Ogden, Utah.

Eagle Scout gateway

Here is an Eagle Scout gateway. A bit of formality is given by the simple robe of office worn at this Investiture Ceremony.