Cub Scout Rank Advancement Ceremony
| Category: | Scout Ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Props: | Rank emblem for each Cub Scout advancing |
| Props: | Safety pin or clip for each emblem |
| Props: | Rank card for each Cub Scout |
| Props: | A simple "trail" to walk: a strip of tape, a rope laid on the floor, or a row of paper footprints |
| Notes: | Works for any Cub Scout rank - replace [RANK], [DEN NAME], and [CUB SCOUT NAME]. Present one den at a time, youngest rank first. For Lions, the adult partner walks the trail with the Lion. For the Arrow of Light, use the Arrow of Light Award Ceremony instead. Keep it lively and short; the whole den should be back in their seats in about three minutes. Rank minutes to pair with it: cub-rank-lion, cub-rank-tiger, cub-rank-wolf, cub-rank-bear, cub-rank-webelos. |
Setup
Lay the trail across the front of the room, from one side to the other. The Cubmaster stands at the far end with the rank emblems sorted by den. Families of advancing Cub Scouts should sit where they can get to the front quickly.
Participants
- Cubmaster - runs the ceremony
- Den Leader - walks the den to the start of the trail
- Cub Scouts advancing, and their parents or guardians
The Ceremony
Cubmaster: 'Every Cub Scout is on a trail. It starts the day you join, and every rank is a step along it. Tonight, one of our dens has taken a big step. Will the [DEN NAME] Den and their families please come to the start of the trail?'
(Den Leader brings the Cub Scouts to the start of the trail. Families gather at the far end, near the Cubmaster.)Cubmaster: 'Den Leader, have these Cub Scouts done their best?'
Den Leader: 'They have.'
Cubmaster: 'Then let them walk the trail.'
(Cub Scouts walk the trail one at a time as the Cubmaster calls each name. Lions walk with their adult partner.)Cubmaster: '[CUB SCOUT NAME].'
(At the end of the trail, the Cubmaster hands the rank emblem to the Cub Scout's parent or guardian.)Cubmaster: 'You earned the rank of [RANK]. Your family helped you get here, so they get to give it to you.'
(Parent pins the emblem on the Cub Scout's uniform. The Cubmaster gives the Cub Scout handshake. Repeat for each Cub Scout.)Cubmaster: 'Cub Scouts, turn around and look back at the trail you just walked. Every step of that was you doing your best. What is the Cub Scout motto?'
Cub Scouts: 'Do Your Best!'
Cubmaster: 'Pack, let's hear it for our new [RANK] Scouts!'
(The pack gives a cheer. See the Cheers section for one that fits this den.)A pack tradition: Some packs pin the new emblem on upside down. It stays that way until the Cub Scout does a Good Turn without being asked - then a family member turns it right side up. It costs nothing, the kids love it, and it turns a badge into a promise.