Ceremonies

It is very appropriate and encouraged for the Cubmaster and other committee members to wear simple costumes for ceremonies, which should be put on just before the ceremony and taken off just after the ceremony, unless it is too complicated and time-consuming - which case, it may be worn throughout the evening.  

Ceremony Do's and Don'ts page

Page of Ceremonies To Do in the DEN

Generic Ceremonies Creator

I got this "All Purpose, All Occasion, Do Anything, Generic Ceremonies Creator" from UNPC AUG 2012 Pow Wow Handouts, which was apparently taken from SCCC 2001 Pow Wow.  It is simple to create and easy to pop in ideas and use whatever is close at hand.

Big Deal Ceremony Format

  All advancement ceremonies should feel big, special, and entertaining (although not necessarily long).  Be sure your Arrow of Light ceremony is SO big (as in a big deal), SO special, and SO entertaining that it is set apart from the rest and is very much looked forward to by the recipients as well as the audience!  All advancement ceremonies will take some planning, and the Arrow of Light ceremony will deserve a little extra preparation.

  This Big Deal Ceremony Format is from a link I think you will want to subscribe to if you are a Cubmaster, because it also has some wonderfully creative ceremonies already written, including the wonderful Captain Jack Sp'arrow of Light Ceremony demonstrated at our April's Roundtable: arrowoflightdoneright.blogspot.com On the date I write this post, the home page has the formula on it. Please check out the blog and look for "Why do we use advancement scouting?", as the format (called Basic Format on their page) is toward the bottom of this page.  

   If you have searched around that blog and can't find it, I have copied it onto a googledoc, but be clear that I am not the author of this recipe. This is the basic DIY recipe from the aforementioned blog for a very entertaining advancement ceremony!

Bobcat Water Changing Ceremony
Put some blue food coloring on a jar lid.  When dry, fill the jar 2/3 with water.  Be careful not to let the water touch the lid until the ceremony.  Have the person who is being recognized come up.  Announce that you have a truth test about their Cub Scout spirit.  Tell them that if they shake that jar of water and have enough cub scout spirit, the water will turn blue.  Have them shake it, and of course it turns blue.

Arrow of Light Colored Steamy Water Ceremony 
Need: 7 jars of colored water (yellow, blue, purple, green, white, orange, red)
          Bowl with dry ice hidden at the bottom.
Will ___________ please come forward with your parents? ____________ has fulfilled the requirements to receive his Arrow of Light Award. I want you to understand the meaning of the Arrow of Light symbol. The rays in the Arrow of Light represent the seven virtues of Life.
     Here we have the yellow from the sun which stand for wisdom. With this wisdom you will be able to live better. (have boy pour yellow water over dry ice in bowl ... you'll instantly have all the attention from every child in the room.)
     Here we have some blue from the sky t stand for courage. With this courage you will be able to do things that are hard. (have boy pour blue water over dry ice in bowl)
     Here we have the purple from a lilac flower to stand for self-control. With this you know your limits and will know when to quit.
     From the trees we take the green for justice.  With this virtue you will be fair and a good sport to others.
     The next virtue is faith, and we are taking the white from the snow to represent it. May your faith in God continue in your life.
     We take the orange from a brilliant sunset to represent hope. With hope you can look forward to things you believe will happen.
     The last virtue is taken from the red from a wild rose for love. There are many kinds of love -- love of family, home, fellow men, God, and country. With love you can have a full and happy life.
     Now if we mix the virtues and use the in your life, you will be able to do great things and be happier. I am proud to present to you this arrow with these symbols on it (if you do, in fact, have this gift to give) and also your Arrow of Light Award.

Arrow of Light Ceremony Using Volunteers Wearing Animal Masks
    Masks you can print on cardstock, color, cut out and use in the ceremony.
          Bobcat , Wolf ,  Bear , Owl , Buffalo ,  Mt. Lion ,  Eagle
    If you want to use over and over, then after you color and cut out mask, cover with contact paper, cut out leaving 1/8" around the edge, cut out eye holes, then either attach ribbon to tie on to head or elastic to stretch around head or attach to a pair of children's sunglasses.