Aging Out Ceremony (Scout Ceremony)

Setup

A closing campfire is the ideal setting. Indoors, arrange the troop in a horseshoe facing the front. The departing Scout sits with the troop, not up front, until called. Keep the memento out of sight. Brief every participant on their lines and cues beforehand, except the departing Scout, who only needs to know to bring their rope and to be ready to say a few words.

Participants

• Master of Ceremonies (MC) - Senior Patrol Leader or another senior Scout
• Departing Scout - the Scout aging out
• Scoutmaster - delivers the send-off
• Youngest Scout - receives the rope
• Next Leader - a younger Scout who receives the light (often the incoming Senior Patrol Leader or a patrol leader)
• Patrol Representative - presents the troop memento

Opening

MC: 'Troop [TROOP NUMBER], attention. Tonight we say goodbye to one of our own. [SCOUT NAME] has been part of this troop since [YEAR], and tonight is their last campfire as a youth member. [SCOUT NAME], please lead us in the Scout Oath, one more time.'

(Departing Scout stands and leads the troop in the Scout Oath, then the Scout Law.)

MC: 'At ease. Please be seated.'

The Look Back

MC: '[SCOUT NAME] joined this troop in [YEAR]. Since then, they have camped [NUMBER] nights, served as [POSITIONS HELD], and [ONE OR TWO HIGHLIGHTS - a high-adventure trip, a project, a favorite troop story].'

(Keep this short. The point is not the résumé; it is the reminder of how long this Scout has been part of the troop.)

The Rope

MC: 'Will our youngest Scout please come forward. [SCOUT NAME], please join us.'

(Youngest Scout comes forward holding a length of rope. Departing Scout comes forward holding their own rope.)

Departing Scout: 'When I crossed over, an older Scout handed me a rope and told me to learn three knots. I had no idea what I was doing. Somebody taught me anyway.'

(Departing Scout takes the end of the youngest Scout's rope and ties it to their own with a square knot.)

Departing Scout: 'A square knot joins two ropes so they're stronger together than apart. This troop works the same way. Someone taught me, and now it's your turn to learn, and someday it'll be your turn to teach. Keep this.'

(Departing Scout hands the joined rope to the youngest Scout. They exchange the Scout handshake. Youngest Scout returns to their seat.)

The Light

(Optional, but powerful at a campfire.)

MC: '[NEXT LEADER NAME], please come forward.'

(Departing Scout lights the candle, lantern, or torch from the campfire, or from a lit candle indoors.)

Departing Scout: 'Somebody has to keep the fire going. Somebody has to notice when a new Scout is homesick, and find the missing tent stakes, and know what to do when the plan falls apart. That was my job. Now it's yours.'

(Departing Scout hands the light to the Next Leader, who holds it for the rest of the ceremony.)

The Troop's Thank-You

MC: 'The troop has something for you.'

(Patrol Representative presents the memento with a short word of thanks on behalf of the troop.)

The Send-Off

MC: 'Please welcome [SCOUTMASTER NAME], Scoutmaster of Troop [TROOP NUMBER].'

(Scoutmaster addresses the departing Scout directly. See Aging Out - The Send-Off for suggested wording, or speak from the heart. Aging Out - The Door Stays Open works well here too, as an invitation to come back as an adult.)

The Scout's Words

MC: '[SCOUT NAME], the campfire is yours.'

(Departing Scout addresses the troop. Optional, but encouraged. Aging Out - What I'm Taking With Me can be read as-is or adapted.)

The Handshake Line

MC: 'Troop [TROOP NUMBER], form the line.'

(The troop forms two facing lines, youngest Scouts at the start and oldest at the end, with the Scoutmaster at the very end. Departing Scout walks the line, exchanging the Scout handshake with every member of the troop.) (At the end of the line, the Scoutmaster gives the final handshake.)

Scoutmaster: 'Once a Scout, always a Scout. Troop [TROOP NUMBER] - dismissed.'