Setting: A log-cabin campfire shall have been lit before the Court of Honor begins. This campfire will be at the front of the area reserved for the Court of Honor.
A table is set up in front of the campfire, with room to stand between the campfire and the table, facing the audience. The table is covered with dark cloth. A spotlight, three sticks, three large cutouts, and the awards for the ceremony are placed on the left end of the table. On the center of the table rests the Bible. A first-aid kit, a compass, and an ax are placed around it. Flame crystals to be thrown into the fire to create splashes of color are placed on the right end of the table.
A flagpost is standing in front of this table, at the left end of this table.
As the members of the audience enter for the Court of Honor, they shall sit facing the campfire, in front of the table and the flagpost.
As the members of the Court of Honor enter, they shall sit in front of the audience, to the left of the table, facing the audience.
As the Scouts of Troop 316 enter, they shall stand in front of the audience, to the right of the table, facing the audience.
Welcome
Advancement Specialist: As Chairman of this Court of Honor, I wish to welcome all of you to this evening's ceremonies. Please stand as the Anaconda Patrol raises the United States flag.
Opening Flag Ceremony:
SCOUTS, ATTENTION
COLORGUARD, ATTENTION
(If necessary, give an appropriate command, either "COLORGUARD, LEFT FACE" or "COLORGUARD, RIGHT FACE", to direct the colorguard to face in the appropriate direction for its march to the flagpost.)
COLORGUARD, FORWARD MARCH
HALT
(If necessary, give an appropriate command, either "COLORGUARD, LEFT FACE" or "COLORGUARD, RIGHT FACE", to direct the colorguard to face the flagpost.)
COLORGUARD, RAISE THE COLORS
SALUTE THE FLAG (LEAD IN PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE)
AND TWO (SIGNAL TO DROP SALUTE)
COLORGUARD, ABOUT FACE
FORWARD, MARCH
HALT
COLORGUARD, AT EASE
SCOUTS, AT EASE
Opening Ceremony
The Scoutmaster lights the large green Troop 316 pillar candle for lighting the other candles during the opening ceremony. He then stands behind the table to conduct the opening ceremony.
Scoutmaster: Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, Troop 316 believes earnestly in the Scout motto, "Be Prepared", and in the ideals of service as given in the Scout slogan, "Do a Good Turn Daily". We meet regularly to practice the skills of Scouting and to have fun. From time to time we go hiking and camping so we might learn more of the great outdoors and at the same time develop qualities of health and self-realiance. In Scouting, as in the game of football or any other sport or activity, we must have rules. The rules of Scouting are found in the twelve points of the Scout Law. As I light the twelve candles in front of me, representing the twelve points of the Scout Law. I would like to have the troop repeat them after me. Troop, attention! Scout sign!
The troop stands at attention at their places in the audience, demonstrating the Scout sign.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is trustworthy.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is trustworthy.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is loyal.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is loyal.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is helpful.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is helpful.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is friendly.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is friendly.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is courteous.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is courteous.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is kind.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is kind.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is obedient.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is obedient.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is cheerful.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is cheerful.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is thrifty.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is thrifty.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is brave.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is brave.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is clean.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is clean.
Scoutmaster (throws some flame crystals on fire): A Scout is reverent.
Troop (repeats after John McCarthy): A Scout is reverent.
Scoutmaster: Scouts, stand at ease!
The troop remains standing at their places in the audience, no longer demonstrating the Scout sign.
Scoutmaster: Another important part of the Scout's obligation is explained in the Scout Oath. Here he promises to do his best to live up to the Scout Law; he recognizes also that he has an obligation to God, to his country, to others, and to himself. A Scout takes this oath when he joins the troop and we repeat it from time to time, so it will always be fresh in our minds. As I light the three remaining candles, which stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath, the troop will repeat the Scout Oath with me. Scout sign!
Scoutmaster then leads the troop in the Scout Oath, lighting a candle before each of the three parts.
Scoutmaster (while throwing some flame crystals on fire) and troop: On my honor I will do my best, To do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law;
Scoutmaster (while throwing some flame crystals on fire) and troop: To help other people at all times;
Scoutmaster (while throwing some flame crystals on fire) and troop: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scoutmaster: Scouts, stand at ease!
Second Class Court of Honor
Advancement Specialist: Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy, please call the names of the Scouts who have earned Second Class Rank.
Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy calls the names of the new Second Class Scouts (Dan Miloch, Joe Robb and Nathaniel Swanson). As Steven calls these names, Anaconda Patrol Leader Ben Batdorff places a large Second Class badge cutout in front of the table, next to the Tenderfoot badge cutout.
Dan, Joe and Nathaniel line up in front of the table, at the right end of the table, holding sticks.
Advancement Specialist: Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy will present the awards for Second Class Rank.
Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy: You Scouts have distinguished yourselves by qualifying for Second Class rank. By living according to the Scout Oath and Law, you shine a light in a darkened world, through good citizenship and service to others.
Dan, I commend you for advancing to Second Class rank since our last Court of Honor in May, when you became a Scout. Tonight we recognize you for advancing to Tenderfoot and Second Class rank during this time.
Joe, I commend you for advancing to Second Class rank since you joined our troop in June. Tonight we recognize you for becoming a Scout and advancing to Tenderfoot and Second Class rank during this time.
After I have pinned on your badges, you will place the stick that you hold in your hand on our fire and add to its brightness and warmth, just as your service as a Scout adds warmth and light to others.
Scouts step forward one at a time. The Scoutmaster hands the Scout his Tenderfoot rank badge, if appropriate, announces the merit badges earned at Northwoods, and gives the Scout the left handclasp. The senior patrol leader pins on the Second Class badge and gives the Scout the left handclasp. The Scout salutes, the senior patrol leader and the Scoutmaster return the salute, the Scout places his stick in the fire, and the Scout proceeds to the left end of the table, where he stands at attention until all awards for this rank have been made. The audience then gives a rousing round of applause. The new Second Class scouts return to their places to the right of the table.
Second Class Scout Merit Badge Recognition
Advancement Specialist: Would Second Class Scout Nathan O'Donnell please come forward?
Nathan stands in front of the table, at the right end of the table.
The scribe helps the Scoutmaster make the presentation by having the list of merit badges earned at Northwoods handy. The Scoutmaster announces the merit badges earned at Northwoods, and gives the Scout handclasp with the left hand. The Scout salutes and the Scoutmaster returns the salute. The audience then gives a rousing round of applause. The Scout returns to his place to the right of the table.
First Class Court of Honor
Two Scouts place a large First Class badge cutout in front of the table, next to the Tenderfoot and Second Class badge cutouts.
Three Scouts, in turn, take from the table one of the symbols, and line up, in front of the table, at the left end of the table.
Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy calls the name of the new First Class Scout (Ben Batdorff).
Ben stands in front of the table, at the right end of the table.
Senior Patrol Leader Steven McCarthy: Ben, we are gathered here to honor you in your achievement of First Class rank.
Scoutmaster: The Scoutmaster's greatest reward is seeing young men advance through the ranks of Scouting and grow into stout-hearted, clean-thinking men. I have been privileged to work with you as you have traveled this trail to First Class. I am proud of you.
The Scout with the first-aid kit stands in front of the table, at the center of the table, facing Ben.
The Scout with the first-aid kit: When you and I became Scouts, we gave the Scout sign (gives sign) and took the Scout Oath or Promise - "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 ...". This is what we mean by Scouting spirit. The first-aid kit I hold in my hands is a reminder that as a First Class Scout you must "be prepared" to serve others at all times.
The Scout with the first-aid kit returns to his position at the left end of the table.
The Scout with the compass stands in front of the table, at the center of the table, facing Ben.
The Scout with the compass: I hold in my hand a compass. It has helped you find your way on hikes and in camp. It is symbolic of Scout participation in the activities of your patrol and our troop. Scouting is a compass, too. It will help you find your way along the trail of life.
The Scout with the compass returns to his position at the left end of the table.
The Scout with the ax stands in front of the table, at the center of the table, facing Ben.
The Scout with the ax: I hold an ax. It is the tool that helped our forefathers build America. It stands for Scoutcraft skills, which you learned in achieving First Class rank. It also represents physical fitness. May you always use your strength and skills to better serve God, your country, and others.
The Scout with the ax returns to his position at the left end of the table.
The scribe helps the Scoutmaster make the presentations by having the rank badge and the list of merit badges earned at Northwoods handy. The Scoutmaster pins the First Class badge on the left pocket, announces the merit badges earned at Northwoods and gives the Scout handclasp with the left hand. The Scout salutes, the Scoutmaster returns the salute. The audience then gives a rousing round of applause. The new First Class scout returns to his place to the right of the table.
Star Scout Merit Badge Recognition
Advancement Specialist: Would Star Scout Steven McCarthy please come forward?
Steven stands in front of the table, at the right end of the table.
The Scoutmaster announces the merit badges earned at Northwoods, and gives the Scout handclasp with the left hand. The Scout salutes and the Scoutmaster returns the salute. The audience then gives a rousing round of applause. The Scout returns to his place to the right of the table.
Closing Ceremony
Troop 316 leads everyone in singing "Taps".
Day is done; Gone the sun: from the hill, from the lake, from the sky. All is well; Safely rest; God is nigh.
Closing Flag Ceremony
Troop 316 is assembled as for the Opening Flag Ceremony.
SCOUTS, ATTENTION
COLORGUARD, ATTENTION
(If necessary, give an appropriate command, either "COLORGUARD, LEFT FACE" or "COLORGUARD, RIGHT FACE", to direct the colorguard to face in the appropriate direction for its march to the flagpost.)
COLORGUARD, FORWARD MARCH
HALT
(If necessary, give an appropriate command, either "COLORGUARD, LEFT FACE" or "COLORGUARD, RIGHT FACE", to direct the colorguard to face the flagpost.)
SALUTE THE FLAG
COLORGUARD, STRIKE THE COLORS
AND TWO (SIGNAL TO DROP SALUTE WHEN FLAG IS OFF OF THE POLE)
COLORGUARD, ABOUT FACE (ONCE FLAG IS FOLDED)
FORWARD, MARCH
HALT
COLORGUARD, AT EASE
SCOUTS, AT EASE
Conclusion
Advancement Specialist: This concludes this evening's Court of Honor. Thank you all for coming here this evening to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the Scouts of Troop 316.
Last Revised 8/30/2000