Cub Scout Graduation Ceremony
| Category: | Scout Ceremonies |
|---|---|
| Props: | An arch, doorway, or two Scouts holding a rope up as a gate |
| Props: | New den neckerchief or rank-year item for each Cub Scout (if your pack gives them) |
| Props: | A sign at each den's new spot naming the den they are joining |
| Notes: | For the last pack meeting of the year, usually in May or June, when every den moves up a year. Replace [PACK NUMBER] and the den names. Start with the oldest den and work down, so each den moves into the space the den ahead of it just left. Arrow of Light Scouts crossing over to a troop use the crossover ceremony, so they go last or have their own moment. Keep it brisk: one gate, one handshake, next den. See also the Cub rank minutes, cub-rank-lion through cub-rank-arrow-of-light. |
Setup
Set the gate at the front of the room. Have each den sit together in its current spot. Behind the gate, mark a spot for each den's new year: the Lions will move to where the Tigers sat, the Tigers to the Wolves' spot, and so on.
Participants
- Cubmaster - runs the ceremony
- Den Leaders - lead their den through the gate
- Every den in the pack
The Ceremony
Cubmaster: 'Pack [PACK NUMBER], this is the last meeting of our Scouting year. Every den in this room did a year's worth of adventures, and tonight every den moves up. When I call your den, follow your den leader to the gate.'
Cubmaster: 'Webelos, you have been the oldest den in the pack who still has a year to go. Next year you will be Arrow of Light Scouts, the leaders of this pack. Come through the gate.'
(Webelos come through the gate. The Cubmaster shakes each hand. They take the Arrow of Light Scouts' spot.)Cubmaster: 'Bears, you have done your best all year. Next year, you are Webelos. Come through the gate.'
(Bears come through and take the Webelos spot.)Cubmaster: 'Wolves, you have grown into your pack. Next year, you are Bears. Come through the gate.'
(Wolves come through and take the Bears' spot.)Cubmaster: 'Tigers, you started the year small and ended it fierce. Next year, you are Wolves. Come through the gate.'
(Tigers come through and take the Wolves' spot.)Cubmaster: 'Lions, you were our youngest Cub Scouts. Not anymore. Next year, you are Tigers. Come through the gate.'
(Lions and their adult partners come through and take the Tigers' spot.)Cubmaster: 'Look around. Every one of you is sitting in a new place tonight. Next fall, the spot where our Lions sat will be filled by new Cub Scouts we have not even met yet - and you will be the ones showing them how it is done.'
Cubmaster: 'Pack [PACK NUMBER], what is our motto?'
Pack: 'Do Your Best!'
Cubmaster: 'You did. Have a great summer, and we will see you in the fall.'
Tip: Advancing to the next rank year is not the same as earning a rank badge. Most packs move every Cub Scout up with their grade, whether or not they finished every adventure. If a Cub Scout still has a rank to finish, they can keep working on it over the summer - say so quietly to the family, never at the gate.