Court of Honor
| Category: | Scout Ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Props: | Rank badges and cards for each Scout advancing |
| Props: | Merit badges and blue cards or certificates |
| Props: | Parent pins (one per parent or guardian of a Scout advancing in rank) |
| Props: | Table for awards, sorted by Scout in presentation order |
| Props: | U.S. flag and troop flag |
| Props: | Printed program (optional) |
| Notes: | Plug-and-play script for a regular troop Court of Honor - replace [TROOP NUMBER], [SCOUT NAME], and [RANK] with actual names. Sort the award table by Scout before anyone arrives; most Courts of Honor drag because someone is digging through envelopes. Present ranks from Scout up to Life so the room watches the journey build. Let the Senior Patrol Leader run as much of it as they are ready to run. For an Eagle Scout, hold a separate Eagle Court of Honor. Rank minutes for a Scoutmaster's Minute: rank-scout-the-first-step, rank-tenderfoot, rank-second-class, rank-first-class, rank-star, rank-life. |
Setup
Seat families facing a clear front area with the awards table off to one side. The troop sits together near the front, in uniform. Brief the Senior Patrol Leader, the color guard, and anyone presenting before families arrive.
Participants
- Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) - Master of Ceremonies
- Color Guard - two to four Scouts
- Scoutmaster - presents ranks and gives the Scoutmaster's Minute
- Advancement Chair or Assistant Scoutmaster - hands each award to the presenter in order
- Parents and Guardians - called forward to pin rank badges
Opening
SPL: 'Good evening, and welcome to the Troop [TROOP NUMBER] Court of Honor. Tonight we recognize what these Scouts have earned since our last court. Please stand for the presentation of the colors.'
(Color guard presents the colors. See Indoor Opening Flag Ceremony for a complete script.)SPL: 'Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.'
(All recite the Pledge.)SPL: 'Scouts, the Scout Oath.'
(Scouts recite the Scout Oath.)SPL: 'The Scout Law.'
(Scouts recite the Scout Law.)SPL: 'Please be seated.'
Welcome
SPL: 'A Court of Honor is the troop's way of saying in public what a badge says on a uniform: this Scout did the work. Every award tonight was earned one requirement at a time - on campouts, at meetings, and at home. Families, thank you for every ride, every early morning, and every reminder. Some of this belongs to you.'
Merit Badges
SPL: 'We begin with merit badges. When I call your name, come forward, receive your badges, and shake hands with the Scoutmaster.'
(SPL reads each Scout's name and the merit badges earned. The Advancement Chair hands the badges to the Scoutmaster, who presents them. Keep it moving - one name, one handshake, next Scout.)SPL: 'Troop, let's hear it for our merit badge earners.'
(Applause, or a troop cheer.)Rank Advancement
SPL: 'Rank is the trail every Scout walks. We present them in order tonight, from the first step to the last before Eagle, so everyone can see how the trail climbs.'
(For each rank, starting with Scout and ending with Life:)SPL: 'Will the following Scouts and their parents or guardians please come forward for the rank of [RANK]: [SCOUT NAME], [SCOUT NAME].'
(Scouts stand at the front facing the audience. Parents stand beside their Scout.)Scoutmaster: 'Each of you has met every requirement for [RANK]. You did the work, you showed what you know, and the troop says you are ready. So do I.'
(The Scoutmaster gives each parent the rank badge and a parent pin.)Scoutmaster: 'Parents, please pin the badge on your Scout. Scouts, the small pin is for the people who got you here - please pin it on your parent.'
(Pinning. Scoutmaster shakes each Scout's hand with the Scout handshake.)SPL: 'Troop [TROOP NUMBER], your [RANK] Scouts!'
(Applause. Scouts and parents return to their seats. Repeat for each rank.)Other Recognition
SPL: 'Some of what makes a troop work never comes with a badge.'
(Recognize as fits your troop: Scouts who served in leadership positions this term, camping and service milestones, summer camp awards, den chiefs, and adult volunteers. A single sentence each is enough.)Scoutmaster's Minute
SPL: 'Our Scoutmaster will close us out.'
(Scoutmaster gives a short Scoutmaster's Minute. A rank minute matching the highest rank awarded tonight works well - see Life or any rank in the Advancement category.)Closing
SPL: 'Please stand for the retiring of the colors.'
(Color guard retires the colors. See Indoor Closing Flag Ceremony.)SPL: 'This Court of Honor is adjourned. Congratulations to every Scout recognized tonight - and thank you all for coming.'
Tip: A Court of Honor should fit in an hour. Merit badges move fastest when the SPL reads all of one Scout's badges at once rather than one badge at a time. If your list is long, present merit badges at a regular troop meeting the week before and save the Court of Honor for rank - that is the part families came to see.