Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men

ADVANCEMENT CEREMONIES

Bobcat Badge Ceremony

Sam Houston Area Council

Setting – 7 Webelos Scouts (WS), all Scouts earning the Bobcat badge; Cubmaster (CM), den leaders (DL).

Scene – Cubmaster invites the Scouts earning their Bobcat badges to stand in front of the group with their parents behind them. Webelos Scouts are standing to the side of the group.

CM: Den leaders, please step forward. For what purpose do these Scouts stand before us tonight?

DL #1: Akela, these Scouts are ready to receive their Bobcat rank.

CM: What leads you to believe they are worthy of this honor?

DL #2: They have completed the requirements for the Bobcat rank by learning the Scout Law, the Scout Oath, the Salute, the Handshake, and the Cub Scout Motto.

CM: Are they ready to show their brothers, the Webelos Scouts?

NOTE: Retesting is not allowed. Once the boy's book is signed he is done. So they can show the Webelos what they have learned. But they cannot be tested by anyone else once the book is signed. The Webelos should be prepped that they are to help if a Bobcat forgets something. They are NOT to criticize. Also, the requirement is to learn the Oath and Law as best as they can and be able to say it, "with help if needed." Rote memorization is not even hinted at in the requirement.

DL #2: Yes, they are.

(Den leaders return to previous spot.)

WS #1: Please, show us the Cub Scout Sign. (Hold the sign until the Cubmaster inspects all the candidates and then returns to the audience and says, “Very Good!”)

WS #2: Please, repeat the Scout Oath (or Promise) with me. Cub Scout Sign! (Raise the sign and say the Promise with the candidates. Then say) Good job!

WS #3: Please, show us the Cub Scout Salute. (Hold the salute as the Cubmaster inspects each candidate. Then say) Two. Well done!

WS #4: Please, repeat the Scout Law with me. Cub Scout Sign! (Raise the sign and say the Law with the candidates. Then say) Good job!

WS #5: Please, show us the Cub Scout Handshake. (Several of the Webelos Scouts perform the handshake with various candidates in the line and return. Say) Well done!

WS #6: What is the Cub Scout Motto? (The candidates say the Motto.) Ok, now let’s hear it with a little spirit! (Candidates say the Motto again.) Great – now louder! (The Bobcats yell the Motto. Then say loudly) That was great!

CM: Webelos Scouts, did they do their best?

WS #1: Yes, they did, Akela.

CM: Then these Scouts are ready to receive their Bobcats badges and to begin work on their next rank?

WS #3: I agree, they have all performed well and are ready, Akela.

CM: Thank you Webelos Scouts. You may be seated.

CM: Congratulations Scouts on completing the rank of Bobcat and showing what you have learned. I’m now going to give you your rank award to your parents to present to you. They have the honor of the presentation as they have done more to help you than I have. The Bobcat badge acknowledges your hard work. Make sure you thank your parents for helping you on this journey. They will journey with you on your adventure through Cub Scouts!

Salute to our Heroes Advancement Ceremony

Sam Houston Area Council

Materials – “Medals of Honor” made from construction paper and attached to loops of crepe streamer to be hung around the Cub Scouts’ necks. Label the medals “HERO.”



Cubmaster: Often we hear of professional athletes being called “sports heroes.” That’s a colorful description, but all they are really doing is playing a game to entertain us. Some of these people really are heroes, but that comes from things they do off the playing field to help their communities.

We salute those heroes that are people who are not afraid to do what they believe is right. They are people who want to make things better for others. They are usually prepared and trained to do the job. And they will do their best even if they are afraid because it is important to them to do what is right.

The following Scouts are the heroes that we salute today. They have chosen to work hard and prepare themselves in life by learning Cub Scouting ideals. They are learning to be independent and successful and happen to have a lot of fun along the way. Please join me in congratulating the heroes who have earned their Bobcat rank (call out names of Scouts and their parents, present rank awards, and place medals around the Scouts’ necks. Continue in a similar manner for each additional rank.)

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Santa Clara County Council

Props: This can be as simple or as fancy as desired. The setting is at a campaign speech for city mayor.

Characters: The Cubmaster (CM) will need to have four people help with the awards. The candidates as Mr. (or Miss or Mrs.) Tiger, Wolf, and Bear and Mayor Scout.

Cubmaster: Ladies and gentlemen, we have come here tonight to hear the members of our (town council) express their views. Normally, we would salute these upstanding citizens but tonight they wish to salute our Cub Scouts.

Introduce Mr. (or Miss or Mrs.) Tiger, Wolf, and Bear
and Mayor Scout.

Mr. (or Mrs. Or Miss) Tiger: I enjoy talking with the youngest citizens of our fair city. It is great that we can provide so many places for them to go on their Adventures. These Tiger Cubs have earned awards for doing just that – completing Adventures. And I salute you. Would these Tiger Cubs and their Adult Partners please come forward and receive their awards. (Call out boys' names that are receiving their Tiger badges. The Cubmaster assists in presenting the awards to the parents to present to the Tigers.). After presentation CM leads a cheer.

Mr. (or Mrs. Or Miss) Wolf: I would like to talk to the next group of young people about our fair city, to say we need to improve on our quality of life. We have Cub Scouts present who have completed 7 Adventures to improve both their mind and body and their religious beliefs. I salute you for a job well done. Would these Cub Scouts and their parents please come forward and receive their awards. (Call out boys' names that are getting their Wolf Badge. The Cubmaster assists in presenting the awards to the parents to present to the Wolfs.). After presentation CM leads a cheer.

Mr. (or Mrs. Or Miss) Bear: I would like to address the middle-aged group of your fair Pack. You have been working for some time and have achieved much. I salute you and feel honored that I will be helping in the presentation of your Bear award. Would these Cub Scouts and their parents please come forward and receive their awards. (Call out boys' names that are getting their Bear and arrow points. The Cubmaster assists in presenting the awards to the parents to present to the Bears.). After presentation CM leads a cheer.

Mayor Scout: I would like to talk to the old timers of this our golden town. You have each given unselfishly of yourselves and for your loyal support all these years I have a special award that is called the Webelos Badge. Webelos stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts and I salute you for your continued loyalty to Scouting. Pretty soon you will be moving up to Boy Scouting and I know you will be just as loyal there. Would these Webelos Scouts and their parents please come forward and receive their awards. (Call out boys' names that have completed Adventures and/or earned their Webelos Badges. The Cubmaster assists in presenting the awards to the parents to present to the Webelos.). After presentation CM leads a cheer.

Cubmaster: As sponsor for these campaign speeches I would like to add my personal salute and many thanks for jobs well done.



Badges of Cloth

Greater St. Louis Area Council

This will make a great start to your first advancement ceremony. Although no awards are made during this it does a good job of explaining the advancement program.

You will need six cards each in the shape of a badge, with one letter of the word BADGE on each card, the explanation for each letter on the reverse side.

1. 
   B: stands for badges given today. What is a badge? A scrap of colored material is not nearly so important as the job that was done to earn it.
   
2. 
   A: stands for Akela. Your family and leaders who have helped you earn your badge.
   
3. 
   D: stands for Deeds. Good deeds to be done now and in the future for family, friends, and the community. Good deeds done with the knowledge and skills acquired through the badges.
   
4. 
   G: stands for Growth. The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
   
5. 
   E: stands for Eagerness and Energy. Both are necessary to earn badges. Badges do not come easily and they should not or their value would be small. Badges present challenges, difficulties, and satisfaction in accomplishment.
   
6. 
   S: stands for Service. Service to others is one of our aims in life. Our badges help up to bring service to others.