Webelos Crossover - May 14, 2004
NOTE: THIS SCRIPT HAS BEEN EDITED FOR USE BY TROOP 272 FROM A "SIMPLE AND MEANINGFUL" CEREMONY SUBMITTED BY TROOP 333 OF THE HIAWATHA SEAWAY COUNCIL OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN NEW YORK.
Materials:
  • 1 - Symbolic bridge
  • 2 - Candles and candle holders
  • 1 - Box of matches
  • 1 - Set red shoulder flashes for the Webelos Scout
  • 1 - Troop neckerchief for the Webelos Scout
  • 1 - Boy Scout Handbook for the Webelos Scout
Personnel:
  • Scoutmaster
  • Assistant Scoutmaster
  • Scout
  • Graduating Webelos (and his parents)
Setting:
A symbolic bridge is set up joining the Webelos Scout side of the bridge to the Boy Scout side of the bridge.
The room is darkened and a single candle is burning on a table on the Webelos Scout side of the bridge.
A second candle is standing unlit on the table well away from the burning candle.
A box of matches is placed on the table next to the second candle.
The Assistant Scoutmaster and the Scout are standing at the middle of the bridge.
The Scoutmaster is standing beside the burning candle.
The Webelos Scout is standing near the Scoutmaster.
The parents of the Webelos Scout are standing behind him, holding the red shoulder flashes and Troop neckerchief for their son.
Ceremony:
The Scoutmaster says:
"The flame you see before you represents knowledge. As a Webelos Scout who is bridging over to Boy Scouts, you have demonstrated a hunger for knowledge. The Scouting program will afford you with knowledge that will serve you well as you walk the sometimes difficult road to manhood."
The Scoutmaster takes up the unlit second candle and says:
"The flame of knowledge never goes out as long as there are people who are willing to seek knowledge. It burns as a bright beacon, casting its rays to guide us as we seek to better understand God's world."
The Scoutmaster lights the second candle and says:
"This candle represents a youth's desire for knowledge. I ask you to hold this candle to demonstrate that it is your desire to continue building upon your Scouting knowledge."
The Scoutmaster hands the newly-lit candle to the Webelos Scout and says:
"Knowledge, once gained, must be shared. Each Boy Scout must pass on to other Scouts what he has learned. As you grow more experienced in Scouting, we will ask you to begin to return to Scouting some of what you have received from it. Work diligently as you travel the trail to Eagle Scout and you will learn much that you can share with others who come after you. Remember, you will receive from Scouting only what you put into it. I challenge you to work hard so that you will have much to give back."
The Scoutmaster blows out the second candle, and says:
"See how easily the flame representing a youth's desire for knowledge was extinguished. How easily may our desire for knowledge be extinguished by a breeze of laziness. Don't let laziness extinguish the flame of knowledge that burns in your own mind. Cherish knowledge by doing your best, by asking questions when you don't understand, and by living up to the Scout Oath and Law."
Now the Assistant Scoutmaster, who has been standing in the middle of the symbolic bridge with the Scout, calls across to the Webelos Scout and his parents:
"Troop 272 invites the Webelos Scout and his parents to join us on the Boy Scout side of Scouting by crossing over the symbolic bridge."
The Webelos Scout steps up onto the symbolic bridge.
The Scout stops the Webelos Scout at the middle of the bridge.
The parents of the Webelos Scout join their son at the symbolic bridge.
The Scout removes the OLD blue shoulder flashes from the uniform of the Webelos Scout.
The Scout then gives the OLD blue shoulder flashes to the parents of the Webelos Scout in exchange for the NEW red shoulder flashes.
The Scout fastens the NEW red shoulder flashes on the uniform of the Webelos Scout.
After the NEW red shoulder flashes are in place, the Assistant Scoutmaster turns up the collar of the Webelos Scout's uniform.
The Assistant Scoutmaster then takes the NEW Troop neckerchief from the parents of the Webelos Scout.
The Assistant Scoutmaster then places the NEW Troop neckerchief OVER the Webelos Scout's OLD neckerchief.
The Assistant Scoutmaster then removes the Webelos Scout's slide from the OLD neckerchief.
The Assistant Scoutmaster then puts the Webelos Scout's slide on the NEW Troop neckerchief.
The Assistant Scoutmaster then slides away the OLD neckerchief.
The Assistant Scoutmaster hands the OLD neckerchief off to the Webelos Scout's parents.
As the Assistant Scoutmaster removes the OLD neckerchief, the Scoutmaster says:
"We removed the Webelos Scout neckerchief after we placed the Boy Scout neckerchief on the Webelos Scout to indicate that there is no break in a boy's Scouting career."
The new Boy Scout then crosses to the Boy Scout side of the bridge.
The parents of the new Boy Scout join their son on the Boy Scout side of the bridge.
When the Webelos Scout has bridged over as a new Boy Scout with his parents, the Scoutmaster, the Assistant Scoutmaster, and the Scout cross to the Boy Scout side of the bridge and welcome the Webelos Scout and his parents.
The Assistant Scoutmaster says:
"I ask the new Boy Scout to raise the Scout sign with his right hand and repeat with me the Scout Oath."
The Assistant Scoutmaster then leads the new Boy Scout in the Scout Oath:
"On my honor, I will do my best; To do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
After the Scout Oath is recited, the Webelos Crossover ceremony is over.
Last Revised 05/14/04
John D. McCarthy