Installation Ceremonies

A general ceremony for the installation of junior or senior leaders in the Troop may be run along the following lines:

1. The Troop is formed in a circle or a semi-circle.

2. The Scoutmaster (or Chairman of Troop Committee if Scoutmaster is being installed) explains in a few words the importance of the office and announces the appointment of a Scout (or Scouter) for the position.

3. The new officer is called forward. He places his left hand on the pole of the Troop flag, above that of the Scoutmaster (or the Chairman), salutes and gives the Troop Leader's Promise (Scoutmaster's Promise): "I promise to do my best to be worthy of my office as............, for the sake of my fellow Scouts, my

Troop and the World Brotherhood of Scouting."

Or the Patrol Leader's Promise: "I promise to do my best to be worthy of my office as Patrol Leader

Hera in a southern scene—Spanish moss and cypress—an impressive Installation setting. You can make them simple or elaborate.

(or Assistant Patrol Leader), for the sake of my fellow Scouts, my Patrol and my Troop."

4. The Scoutmaster (or Chairman) says: "I trust you to keep your promise and herewith present to you the insignia of your new office." He then pins the insignia on the sleeve of the new leader, salutes and shakes his left hand.

5. The Troop is lead in a cheer for the new leader.

For an adaptation of this ceremony as used at the time of a Patrol Leader's appointment, see Chat 12.

Installation Of Patrol Or Troop

Here we suggest an installation program for a new Patrol. For the installation of a new Troop, see the last few pages of Chat 5.

Installation Of Patrol

The Troop is lined up in a semicircle around the platform, on which are the Scoutmaster, Assistants, and Troop Committee.

Senior Patrol Leader (speaking to Scoutmaster):

"Sir, a new Patrol has been formed in Troop......., which T should like to present for your consideration.

Scout.........has been chosen Patrol Leader and

Scouts.........,........., etc., are the other members. (Facing the Troop he says): Old and new Patrol Leaders of Troop........., front and center."

The Patrol Leaders form a line in front of the semicircle with backs to the platform, with the new Patrol Leader facing the other Patrol Leaders. The old Patrol Leaders line up in order of speaking. All Patrol Leaders carry unlighted candles.

Patrol Leader of Tiger Patrol (to new Patrol Leader): "Do your men know and understand the Scout Law and do they try to live up to it?"

New Patrol Leader: "Yes, to the best of my knowledge and belief, they do."

Patrol Leader of Beaver Patrol: "Do they believe in the Scout Oath, believe it in their hearts?"

New Patrol Leader: "I feel sure that they do."

Patrol Leader of Stag Patrol: "Are they doing their best to "Be Prepared?' "

New Patrol Leader: "They are."

Patrol Leader of Flaming Arrow Patrol: "Are they aware of their obligation to 'Do a Good Turn Daily?' "

New Patrol Leader: "They are."

Senior Patrol Leader (to Scoutmaster): "I am willing to vouch for this new Patrol, Sir, and believe it to be worthy of having a part in the life of Troop

.......... (Turning to new Patrol Leader): What name has been chosen for this new Patrol?"

In the strangeness of the Carlsbad caverns, three miles from the entrance, three Scouts became Eagles. All remember this ceremony.

New Patrol Leader: "The Bears, Sir."

Seniof Patrol Leader (to new Patrol Leader): "A worthy and good name. (Turning to Scoutmaster): We are now ready to install the Bears as a Patrol in Troop..........."

Scoutmaster (to old Patrol Leaders): "Old Patrol Leaders light your candles to light the way of our new Patrol. (All candles are lighted, except Patrol Leader's of Bears. Announcement to electrician, lights out.) May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law guide and aid this new Patrol in Troop.....May their quest for adventure in the Troop room and the Patrol den, and in the out-of-doors always be governed by the golden rule of playing the game squarely. May the light of these candles flickering here and the one shortly to be lighted, ever stand as a beacon for all that is good in Scouting. (To new Patrol Leader): Knowing your previous record in Troop......, it gives me a great deal of satisfaction to place the banner of this new Patrol in your hands. Remember, you are a leader, and a leader does not stand still. Scouts of the Bear Patrol, Attention."

The new Patrol Leader makes the Patrol Leader's Promise, the Scouts of the new Patrol stand at attention.

Scoutmaster (to the boys of the new Patrol): "The second point of the Scout Law is, 'A Scout is Loyal,' he is loyal to his Patrol Leader, his Troop, his home and his country. We are expecting great things from the Bear Patrol. Do not disappoint us. Always play the game squarely. Light the unlit candle and may the light of your Patrol ever shine with the others in

Troop ......... (Candle is lighted by new Patrol

Leader.) Scribe, take note from this day on that a new Patrol, the Bears, has been formed in Troop____, and govern yourself accordingly."

Scribe: "Yes, Sir."

Scoutmaster (to electrician): "Lights! Patrol Leaders, take your posts!"—H. F. Price.

Court Of Honor Ceremony

The following ceremony may be used for the opening of Courts of Honor and as a general ceremony for many other functions.

Candle Lighting Ceremony

The materials required include a small table covered with a dark cloth, a simple candelabrum, twelve candles representing the twelve points of the Scout Law, three larger candles representing the three parts of the Scout Oath and a small taper representing the "Spirit of Scouting."

The candelabrum may be made of 1 inch by 2 inch material, the bottom piece being cut 30 inches long and each succeeding piece 4 inches shorter, the top block 2 inches square. (A total of 10 feet, 8 inches of the material is required.) Each piece is nailed to the one below it. Finishing touches include boring holes for the candles and painting the entire candelabrum white or black.

Or the candelabrum may be rustic, consisting of a log in which is bored twelve holes, and a heavy branch onto which may be fastened the Scout Oath candles.

The ceremony proceeds as follows:

Each Patrol details certain Scouts (totaling twelve) to take part. These form in line, six at either side of the candelabrum table facing the audience, odd numbers on the right, even numbers on the left. The Senior Patrol Leader stands directly behind the candelabrum table.

When all is in readiness, all lights are extinguished] and the Senior Patrol Leader lights the small taper representing the "Spirit of Scouting." He hands this to the Scout designated to recite the first Scout La^

This Scout takes the taper in his left hand, lights the first candle on the right hand side, makes the Scout Sign and recites in full the first point of the Scout Law. He then hands the taper to the Scout who is to recite the second point (the first candle on the left side) and steps to the other end of his line. This is continued until all points have been recited, whereupon the Senior Patrol Leader calls the entire Troop to attention and lights the three top candles representing the three parts of the Scout Oath, first the one in the center, next the one on the right, and lastly the one on the left. The entire Troop recites in unison each promise of the Oath as the candles are lighted.

This ceremony, though simple, is extremely effective providing it is well done. It should be rehearsed a number of times in advance of the first "public performance" in order that it may go over without a hitch. The Scouts who are to repeat the points of the Law must know these perfectly word for word—but every Scout should know his Law!