Arrow of Light Award Ceremony
| Category: | Scout Ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Props: | Arrow of Light emblem for each Scout |
| Props: | An arrow for each Scout (wooden, painted or decorated by the den leader or a troop, optional) |
| Props: | Seven candles in a row (battery candles indoors), or a picture of the Arrow of Light badge large enough to see |
| Props: | Lighter or long match |
| Notes: | For presenting the Arrow of Light rank, usually at a pack meeting or Blue and Gold Banquet. Many packs present it on a different night from crossing over; if yours does both at once, follow this with the crossover ceremony. Replace [SCOUT NAME] and [PACK NUMBER]. Seven readers can each light one candle and read one ray, or the Cubmaster can read them all. Inviting the Scoutmaster of the troop the Scouts plan to join is a good touch. See also the cub-rank-arrow-of-light and arrow-of-light minutes, and the Arrow of Light to Scouts BSA crossover ceremony. |
Setup
Set the seven candles in a row on a table at the front, unlit. Arrange the arrows and emblems beside them. Dim the lights if you can. The Arrow of Light Scouts sit together near the front with their families.
Participants
- Cubmaster - runs the ceremony
- Readers 1-7 - one per ray (Scouts from younger dens, den leaders, or the Cubmaster alone)
- Arrow of Light Scouts and their parents or guardians
- Scoutmaster of the receiving troop (optional) - presents the arrows
The Ceremony
Cubmaster: 'The Arrow of Light is the highest rank in Cub Scouting. The Scouts who earned it have been with us since they were small, and tonight they finish the trail. The badge they are about to receive has a sun with seven rays. Let us light them, one at a time.'
Reader 1: 'The first ray is for Sunday. Do your best, even on a day of rest.'
(Reader 1 lights the first candle.)Reader 2: 'The second ray is for Monday. Do your best when the week begins again.'
(Reader 2 lights the second candle.)Reader 3: 'The third ray is for Tuesday. Do your best when no one is watching.'
(Reader 3 lights the third candle.)Reader 4: 'The fourth ray is for Wednesday. Do your best when you are halfway there.'
(Reader 4 lights the fourth candle.)Reader 5: 'The fifth ray is for Thursday. Do your best for someone else.'
(Reader 5 lights the fifth candle.)Reader 6: 'The sixth ray is for Friday. Do your best when you are tired.'
(Reader 6 lights the sixth candle.)Reader 7: 'The seventh ray is for Saturday. Do your best when you are having fun.'
(Reader 7 lights the seventh candle.)Cubmaster: 'Seven rays for seven days. A Cub Scout does their best every day of the week - not just on meeting nights. Will the Arrow of Light Scouts and their families please come forward?'
(Scouts and families come forward and stand facing the audience.)Cubmaster: '[SCOUT NAME].'
(The Cubmaster hands the emblem to the parent, who pins it on the Scout. The Cubmaster gives the Cub Scout handshake. Repeat for each Scout.)Cubmaster: 'This is the only Cub Scout badge you will wear on your Scouts BSA uniform. Everything else stays with the pack. This one goes with you.'
Cubmaster: 'And one more thing. An arrow is made to fly forward, never back.'
(The Scoutmaster, or the Cubmaster, presents each Scout with an arrow.)Scoutmaster: 'This arrow points to the trail ahead. We will be waiting for you on the other side of the bridge.'
Cubmaster: 'Pack [PACK NUMBER], your Arrow of Light Scouts!'
(The pack gives its biggest cheer of the night.)Tip: The arrows become keepsakes. Many packs paint a band on the arrow for each rank the Scout earned, in that rank's color, with the Scout's name on the shaft. Plain dowels from a hardware store work fine; it is the bands that make it theirs.