SETTING: Table set with birch log holding twelve candles to represent the twelve parts of the Scout Law. Scoutmaster John McCarthy stands behind the table next to the birch log facing the audience. He lights the Troop 316 pillar candle to be used for lighting the twelve candles in the birch log.
OPENING CEREMONY
Troop 316 conducts a flag ceremony, using the troop flag.
RECITATION OF SCOUT LAW
Scoutmaster John McCarthy addresses Troop 316: "Scout sign."
Scouts give Scout sign.
Scoutmaster: "Repeat the Scout Law."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the first candle): "A Scout is trustworthy."
Scouts: "A Scout is trustworthy."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the second candle): "A Scout is loyal."
Scouts: "A Scout is loyal."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the third candle): "A Scout is helpful."
Scouts: "A Scout is helpful."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the fourth candle): "A Scout is friendly."
Scouts: "A Scout is friendly."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the fifth candle): "A Scout is courteous."
Scouts: "A Scout is courteous."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the sixth candle): "A Scout is kind."
Scouts: "A Scout is kind."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the seventh candle): "A Scout is obedient."
Scouts: "A Scout is obedient."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the eighth candle): "A Scout is cheerful."
Scouts: "A Scout is cheerful."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the ninth candle): "A Scout is thrifty."
Scouts: "A Scout is thrifty."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the tenth candle): "A Scout is brave."
Scouts: "A Scout is brave."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the eleventh candle): "A Scout is clean."
Scouts: "A Scout is clean."
Scoutmaster (while lighting the twelfth candle): "A Scout is reverent."
Scouts: "A Scout is reverent."
INVESTITURE CEREMONY (Aaron Selis)
The troop assembles in horseshoe formation with the Scoutmaster in the gap. Scout Aaron Selis and his Patrol Leader Dan Miloch stand opposite the Scoutmaster.
| Steven McCarthy | ||||
| Ben Batdorff | Aaron Selis | |||
| Nathaniel Swanson | Dan Miloch | |||
| Scoutmaster |
Scoutmaster: "Patrol Leader Dan Miloch, please bring the candidate forward."
Patrol Leader Dan Miloch brings Aaron Selis to the center of the gap facing the Scoutmaster.
Scoutmaster: "Aaron Selis, do you know what your honor is?"
Aaron: "Yes. It means that I can be trusted to be truthful and honest."
Scoutmaster: "Do you know the Scout Law?"
Aaron: "Yes."
Scoutmaster: "Can I trust you, on your honor, to do your best to live up to the Scout Promise?"
Aaron makes the scout sign, and so does the rest of Troop 316, while Aaron gives the Scout 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;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
Scoutmaster:
"I trust you, on your honor, to keep this promise. You now belong to the great community of Scouts. Welcome to Troop 316. "
Patrol Leader Dan Miloch pins the Scout badge on Aaron's shirt.
With his left hand, the Scoutmaster shakes Aaron's left hand.
Aaron returns to his place in the horseshoe formation.
FIRST CLASS CEREMONY (Dan Miloch, Nathaniel Swanson)
Nathaniel Swanson joins Dan Miloch in the gap facing the Scoutmaster.
Scoutmaster:
"In the days of chivalry, after a squire had earned the right to carry sword and shield, it was customary to retire to the privacy of the chapel on the evening before he was to be made a knight. There, surrounded by his weapons, he prayed that he might live worthy of the honor that was his, and that he might never bring disgrace on his knighthood, either in thought or in deed. Just as highly as the knights of old, we who are the Scouts of today value the distinction that is ours. As a First Class Scout, you have earned the right to demonstrate and abide by that code to which a true and mature Scout is forever bound, the Scout Oath and Law. Do you accept this greater responsibility of First Class Scout in the spirit of service of the knights of old?"
First Class Scouts: "I do."
Scoutmaster:
"In qualifying for First Class rank, you have advanced from Second Class to more skillful living in the outdoors for longer periods of time. In this experience, you have become better campers, able to take care of yourselves and others, as did the knights of old. As we present you with your First Class badge, I charge you to continue your development so that you may better serve your fellow men in the spirit of chivalry."
The Scoutmaster presents the First Class badge to Dan Miloch and congratulates Dan and his parents. Dan returns to the group.
The Scoutmaster presents the First Class badge to Nathaniel Swanson and congratulates Nathaniel and his parents. Nathaniel returns to the group.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Scoutmaster: "Thanks everyone for joining us in this Court of Honor."
The Scoutmaster blows out the twelve candles in the birch log on the table.
Troop 316 retires the troop flag, folding the flag in the Canadian style.