BSA Troop 316

Boy Scout Court of Honor

Trinity United Methodist Church

Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 7:00-8:30

Setting: Table set at the front of the room with a large central candle and 12 smaller candles placed on a log. Large cutouts of the Tenderfoot and Star badges secured to the wall behind the table. Two pedestals placed to the left of the table to hold the U.S. flag and the patrol flag. Four seats placed behind the table for the members of the Court of Honor. Front row of 6 seats for the Scouts of Troop 316. Spotlight for illuminating Scouts standing in front of large cutouts.

Chairman Rose Batdorff, standing in front of the table, welcomes everyone:

"I would like to welcome all of you who have come tonight to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the Scouts of Troop 316. Please take your places and stand for the Opening Ceremony."

Troop 316 enters in this order:

Troop 316 comes to attention to the left of the table and facing the audience.

Nathan Temby and Nathaniel Swanson step forward, post the colors, and stand next to the U.S. flag.

Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy leads everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rose Batdorff thanks the Scouts and asks everyone to sit.

All of the Scouts take their seats in the front row.

Rose Batdorff welcomes the members of the Court of Honor:

"At this point, I would like to welcome my fellow members of this Court of Honor:

Rose Batdorff moves to the side of the table.

Dave Holderread take his place behind the table, standing and facing the audience.

John McCarthy stands in front of the table to lead in prayer.

John McCarthy moves behind the table to stand with Dave Holderread.

Rose Batdorff comes to the front of the table and convenes the Court of Honor :

"This Court of Honor is hereby convened to recognize the achievements of the Scouts of BSA Troop 316."

Rose Batdorff lights the large candle and requests that the lights be dimmed.

Rose Batdorff turns the ceremony over to John McCarthy :

"John McCarthy will now address the new Scouts, Nathaniel Swanson and Nathan Temby."

Rose Batdorff takes her seat behind the table.

Dave Holderread sits down.

John McCarthy comes to the front of the table and asks the new Scouts to come forward:

"Nathaniel and Nathan, would you and your parents please come forward."

John McCarthy picks up the large central candle, and states:

"This candle represents the Spirit of Scouting. As we welcome you into the fellowship of the troop, we want you to stop and think about what it means to be a Boy Scout."

John McCarthy returns the candle to the table, and states:

"Scouting is a lot of fun. But more than that, it's getting along with other people. It's doing your part, helping others, and learning to lead. It's living up to the Scout Oath and Law. It's doing a good turn daily and following the motto, "Be prepared".

Think about the meaning of becoming a Boy Scout as the Scout Law is recited."

John McCarthy explains the Scout Law following the script on pages 7-8 of the Boy Scout Handbook, Tenth Edition. As each point in the Law is stated, John lights one of the twelve small candles on the table.

After all twelve points have been stated and all twelve small candles have been lighted, John McCarthy asks the candidates:

"You have heard the Scout Law, will you do your best to live up to it?"

Nathaniel and Nathan give their answer.

John McCarthy shakes their hands:

"Welcome to Troop 316. Please take your seats."

John McCarthy turns the ceremony over to Dave Holderread :

"Dave Holderread will now address our new Tenderfoot Scouts, Ben Batdorff, Zachary Oberlin and Nathan O'Donnell."

John McCarthy takes his seat behind the table.

Dave Holderread comes to the front of the table and asks the new Tenderfoot Scouts to come forward:

"Ben, Zach, and Nathan, would you please come forward."

Nathaniel Swanson shines the spotlight on the large cutout ofthe Tenderfoot Scout badge on the wall behind the table.

Dave addresses Ben, Zach and Nathan :

"Tonight we are recognizing each of you for earning the rank of Tenderfoot, your first rank as Boy Scouts.

By earning this rank, you have shown some abilities in camping and outdoor skills, some basic first aid techniques, and are learning about the patrol system. You have memorized the Scout Oath, Law, motto and slogan and explained what they mean to you. Your final step was to participate in your first Scoutmaster conference and your first Board of Review where you have satisfied your Scoutmaster and the Board that you were indeed qualified and worthy of the rank of Tenderfoot Scout.

This is the first step in a long journey towards Eagle, the highest rank in Scouting. Along this journey, the Scouting adventure, you will be taught to be an expert in camping, hiking, and other activities in the great outdoors - all while having a great deal of fun with your friends. Along this journey, the Scouting adventure, you will be challenged to help make your neighborhood, community, and nation better places in which to live; to become the best person you can be.

Please step forward, as your name is called, to receive our congratulations and best wishes as you continue on your journey towards Eagle."

As Dave calls out each of the Tenderfoot Scouts' names, the Scout comes forward, steps into the spotlight, and Dave shakes his hand.The audience applauds and the Scout returns to his seat in the front row.

Dave turns the ceremony over to John McCarthy :

"John McCarthy will now address our new Star Scout, Steven McCarthy."

Dave Holderread takes his seat behind the table.

John McCarthy comes to the front of the table and asks Steven to come forward:

"Steven, would you please come forward."

Nathaniel Swanson shines the spotlight on the large cutout of the Star badge on the wall behind the table.

John McCarthy addresses Steven :

" Steven, you are no longer a First Class Scout. Whether or not you realize it, by meeting your Star Scout requirements, you have left the group of those who merely receive Scouting. Tonight you will join a smaller and more significant group - those whose duty and privilege it is to give Scouting to others. In receiving your Star Scout badge, it must be with full realization that you accept with that badge the giving of leadership, guidance, and inspiration to younger Scouts.

Before you stretches a worthier, more mature, part of your Scouting experience - the giving part. The merit badge trail holds much for a Scout who is earnest and courageous. If you follow this trail far enough, the highest Scouting goal will be yours. Somewhere along the trail you will find manhood in its finest form. Are you willing to accept the responsibilities as well as the privileges that accompany the Star Scout rank?"

Steven answers:

"I am."

John McCarthy continues:

"Please step forward to retake the Scout Oath."

Steven comes forward, and steps into the spotlight.

John McCarthy continues:

"As you renew this oath, let your heart repeat a pledge of service to the Scouts who follow where you lead. Attention! Scout sign. Recite the Scout Oath."

Steven recites 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."

John McCarthy continues:

"Two! Congratulations and best wishes as you continue on your journey towards Eagle."

John McCarthy shakes Steven's hand. The audience applauds and Steven returns to his seat in the front row.

John McCarthy turns the ceremony over to Rose Batdorff :

"Chairman Rose Batdorff will now close this Court of Honor."

John McCarthy stands to the side of the table.

Rose Batdorff comes to the front of the table and addresses everyone:

"I want to congratulate all you Scouts of Troop 316 for your accomplishments. We are proud to have you as members of our troop.

This Court of Honor is now adjourned. Thank you, fellow members of the Court of Honor, for your participation. You may take your seats in the audience."

Rose Batdorff and Dave Holderread take their seats in the audience,while John McCarthy blows out the candles, and the lights are turned on.

John McCarthy announces the retiring of the colors:

"Please stand as Troop 316 retires the colors."

John McCarthy moves to the side as the audience stands.

The Scouts come forward to retire the colors.

John McCarthy leads the Scouts in retiring the colors.

Once the colors are retired, John McCarthy dismisses Troop 316.

"Troop 316, you are dismissed."

John McCarthy salutes the Scouts. The Scouts salute in return, and file out with the patrol flag and the retired U.S. flag in the same order as when they entered.

John McCarthy announces that the Parents' Meeting will follow a brief period of refreshments.