Webelos Crossover - February 2, 2006
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 - Drip guard for second candle
  • 1 - Box of matches
  • 1 - Set red shoulder flashes for each Webelos Scout
  • 1 - Troop neckerchief for each Webelos Scout
Personnel:
  • Scoutmaster
  • Assistant Scoutmaster
  • Senior Patrol Leader
  • Patrol Leader
  • Graduating Webelos Scouts (and their 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 with a drip guard 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 Boy Scout handbooks are placed on a table on the Boy Scout side of the bridge.
The Assistant Scoutmaster is standing on the Boy Scout side of the bridge.
The Senior Patrol Leader and the Patrol Leader are standing at the middle of the bridge.
The Scoutmaster is standing beside the burning candle.
The Webelos Scouts are standing near the Scoutmaster.
The parents of the Webelos Scouts are standing behind them, holding the red shoulder flashes and troop neckerchiefs for their sons.
Ceremony:
The Scoutmaster says:
"The flame you see before you represents knowledge. As Webelos Scouts who are 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 Webelos Scouts to pass this candle around to one another and then back to me. Before passing the candle on, please hold it for a moment to demonstrate that it is your desire to continue building upon your Scouting knowledge."
The Scoutmaster hands the newly-lit candle with the drip guard to the nearest 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."
When the second candle has made it's way back to the Scoutmaster, he places the second candle in a holder that was placed well away from the first candle. After a moment, he 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 on the Boy Scout side of the symbolic bridge calls across to the Webelos Scouts and their parents:
"Troop 272 invites the Webelos Scouts and their parents to join us on the Boy Scout side of Scouting by crossing over this symbolic bridge."
Each Webelos Scout in turn steps up onto the symbolic bridge.
The Senior Patrol Leader stops the Webelos Scout at the middle of the bridge.
The parents of the Webelos Scout join their son at the symbolic bridge.
The Senior Patrol Leader removes the OLD blue shoulder flashes from the uniform of the Webelos Scout.
The Senior Patrol Leader then gives the OLD blue shoulder flashes to the parents of the Webelos Scout in exchange for the NEW red shoulder flashes.
The Senior Patrol Leader fastens the NEW red shoulder flashes on the uniform of the Webelos Scout.
After the NEW red shoulder flashes are in place, the Patrol Leader turns up the collar of the Webelos Scout's uniform.
The Patrol Leader then takes the NEW troop neckerchief from the parents of the Webelos Scout.
The Patrol Leader then places the NEW troop neckerchief OVER the Webelos Scout's OLD neckerchief.
The Patrol Leader then removes the Webelos Scout's slide from the OLD neckerchief.
The Patrol Leader then puts the Webelos Scout's slide on the NEW troop neckerchief.
The Patrol Leader then slides away the OLD neckerchief.
The Patrol Leader hands the OLD neckerchief off to the Webelos Scout's parents.
As the Patrol Leader removes the OLD neckerchief, the Scoutmaster says:
"Notice that 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 Scouts have bridged over as new Boy Scouts with their parents, the Scoutmaster, the Senior Patrol Leader, and the Patrol Leader cross to the Boy Scout side of the bridge and, together with the Assistant Scoutmaster, welcome the Webelos Scouts and their parents.
The Assistant Scoutmaster says:
"I ask the new Boy Scouts to raise the Scout sign with their right hand and repeat with me the Scout Oath."
The Assistant Scoutmaster then leads the new Boy Scouts 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 Webelos Scouts have recited the Scout Oath, the Webelos Crossover ceremony is over.
Last revised 2/1/06
John D. McCarthy