For numerous suggestions in addition to those listed below, see the Service Library Pamphlet Investiture Ceremonies.

Second Class Investiture

It is recommended that only Troop Court of Honor members, Troop Leaders, Second and First Class Scouts and higher should attend and take part in the investiture! The boy's parents may be invited.

The leader gives the signal for the Troop to fall in in a hollow square or circle. The Scoutmaster calls for the Second Class Scout-to-be to stand before him.

Scoutmaster: "Scout, before an Indian youth was permitted to bear his weapons and become a full-fledged brave, he was required to prove his worth. In just this way you have been proving your worth as a Scout by meeting your Second Class Requirements and you are now qualified to be a proven member of

Troop.......I now pin the Second Class Badge upon your shirt and dub you a Second Class Scout. (Suits action to word.) As the Chief of the tribe placed the weapons in the hand of the Indian boy, so I place in your hands, a tested and true Scout, this..........

(here insert name of article and present it) for you to take to your home and to keep in your room until the next Troop meeting. You will guard this carefully and return it safely to me at the next meeting. To your Patrol!" (Scout returns to place in rank and cheer leader leads cheer.)

Note—The article which the Scoutmaster presents to the Scout should be something which every member of the Troop respects and honors. It should be tied up with the Troop's traditions. It may be the Troop Book of Traditions (the scrap book containing an account of the great history of the Troop), the Troop flag, some item—like an old axe—which is linked with the Troop's history, or some noted book of fiction containing an ideal which the Troop wishes to foster. The

Here the Council Chambers of the City Hall were used for the Court of Honor. A judge and six mayors formed this Court of Honor.

Scout would be told to read it during the week and sign his name in the book, with those of the Second Class Scouts who have gone before him. There should be a notice pasted in the front of the book, giving the idea and purpose of it. (If more than one Scout is to be dubbed, the article may be presented to them jointly to be passed on from one to the other at the end of the stipulated period.)—J. Harold Williams, Providence, R. I.

First Class Investiture

It is recommended that no boys who have not yet reached First Class Rank should attend this investiture.

930 Games, Contests and Ceremonies

The Scoutmaster leaves the room with the Candidate and prepares him for the ceremony. In the ceremony room, a table is placed in the center, on which are two lighted candles, in candlesticks if possible. Between the candles is placed a First Class Badge. It is more effective if the Badge is laid on a square of black velvet. The leaders and Scouts group themselves in back of the table facing the door.

When the setting has been prepared, the Scoutmaster is notified and he enters the room with the First Class Candidate. They stand in the front of the table.

Scoutmaster: "Scout, in the days of long ago, when a young squire was about to be made a knight, he maintained an all-night vigil in the chapel, with his sword, his shield and his armor in front of him and he prayed that he might be worthy of his arms. You have proven yourself worthy to be made a First Class Scout. Before you is your badge. Like the squire of old, so should you look at this badge; think what it stands for and ask yourself to be made worthy of it. (For several seconds, or even a half minute, if the atmosphere is right, the Scoutmaster should let the Scout look at his badge in silence in the candle light.

Then he should say) Scout......... (name), as the squire took his sword after the vigil and girded himself, so I charge you, if you think you are worthy, to take this badge and pin it upon your Uniform. (Scout does so.)

"Now, in the presence of these Scouts, rededicate yourself to the Scout Oath." (All in room make Scout Sign and the new First Class Scout recites the Scout Oath by himself.

The Scoutmaster and others may then congratulate him.—J. Harold Williams, Providence, R. I.

Other Suggestions For Advancement Investitures

1. The Troop Court of Honor is lined up. The Patrol Leader of the Scout escorts him and his mother (if mother cannot be present, the boy alone) before the group, and presents them. While the boy faces the Court, the Chairman says appropriate words of commendation, after which he pins the badge on the pocket of the boy's shirt. They exchange Scout Handclasp and Salute. The Scout faces his mother and pins onto her a Mother's Pin (which he has previously purchased).

2. A camp fire investiture ceremony. The fire is allowed to die down to embers. The Troop Court of Honor lines up on one side of the fire, the Scout who is to be awarded on the other side. All other Scouts in the background. The Scoutmaster tells the group of the varied accomplishments of the Scout. As he makes a point the Scouts in the background shout "How! How!" (Indian exclamation of approval). The Chairman says: "All has been dark, but the Scoutmaster speaks good words. Let the light shine on the face of the worthy Scout. (At this point a handful of oil soaked waste is thrown on the fire, which immediately blazes up). By the light of this friendly fire we see that Scout.........is worthy. He may step forward and receive the badge." The Badge is pinned on and courtesies exchanged (left handclasp and salute). If the mother is present, she may be introduced at this time and all Scouts stand at Salute while she is honored. (This ceremony may be used indoors, substituting lights for the camp fire.)—Ogden Area Council, Ogden, Utah.

3. The Troop has a book or a scroll in which are recorded the names of Scouts who have won honors.

This "Book of Honor" should have various pages for the various ranks. Before a boy is invested, the roll of those who have reached the same rank before is read. Then the Chairman proposes that the name of the Scout should also be entered among those in the book. He asks if there be anyone who objects to the honoring of the Scout. There usually is no objection. Whereupon the name is entered. The Scout is then called forward, is met by one of the Court who escorts him to the center and says: "I am happy to present Scout....... to this group as a.........Class Scout." The Scoutmaster or the Chairman steps forward and pins on the badge, salutes, shakes hands and the Scout returns to his place.