Boy Scout Court of Honor

Trinity United Methodist Church

Tuesday, August 21, 2001, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Materials:

Personnel:

Setting: Table set at the front of the room with the large green Troop 316 pillar candle, a small log candle holder with 3 blue candles, a small log candle holder with 2 red candles, a large log candle holder with 12 white candles, a candle holder with 1 white candle, a candle holder with 1 blue candle, a candle holder with 1 red candle, and matches. Large cutouts of the Tenderfoot and Second Class badges are placed against the table. A spotlight is placed on the table. Two flagpoles are placed on either side of the table to hold the U.S. flag and the troop flag. The troop flag is posted on the flagpole to the right end of the table (from the point of view of the audience).

Two seats are placed behind the table for Troop Committee Chairman Dave and Scoutmaster John. The color guard for the opening flag ceremony is assembled, facing the audience, on the right end of the table. The other personnel for the ceremony are seated in the audience towards the front of the room.

Opening Flag Ceremony

The caller says: SCOUTS, ATTENTION

COLORGUARD, ATTENTION

COLORGUARD, FORWARD MARCH

HALT

COLORGUARD, RAISE THE COLORS

SALUTE THE FLAG

(Caller leads assembly in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.)

AND TWO

COLORGUARD, ABOUT FACE

FORWARD, MARCH

HALT

COLORGUARD, AT EASE

SCOUTS, AT EASE

Welcome and Introduction

The members of the color guard take their seats in the audience.

Troop Quartermaster Ben steps forward in front of the table, facing the audience.

Ben says: 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 join with me in welcoming the members of our Court of Honor, Troop Committee Chairman Dave and Scoutmaster John.

Ben returns to his seat in the audience.

Dave and John come forward and take their place standing behind the table, facing the audience.

Dave says: Please join with me in prayer. ....

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

Opening Ceremony (adapted from Woods Wisdom, Special Opening #1, pages 460-461)

John steps to the front of the table.

John says: Would the Scouts of Troop 316 please come forward for the Opening Ceremony?

The Scouts assemble at the right end of the table.

John faces the Scouts.

John says: We want you to understand clearly the significance of the ideals by which Scouts live, and through which we achieve worthy citizenship.

John lights the green pillar candle.

Rose turns off the house lights.

John continues: Before you, a golden flame burns constantly. This golden flame symbolizes a Scout's honor, which should never be dimmed. When a boy takes the Scout Oath he places his honor before his fellow Scouts, his Scouting officials, his parents, and his friends. It is a serious thing to give the Scout Oath in one's honor.

From this golden flame of a Scout's honor is lighted the blue flame of duty to God and to country.

Troop Quartermaster Ben lights the first blue candle.

The Scouts say: On my honor I will do my best to help other people at all times.

John continues: We light the blue flame of duty to other people.

Anaconda Patrol Leader Dan lights the second blue candle.

The Scouts say: On my honor I will do my best to help other people at all times.

John continues: We light the blue flame of duty to self.

Lightning Patrol Leader Jim lights the third blue candle.

The Scouts say: On my honor I will do my best to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

John continues: So that we may realize a new value in everyday life and in helping others, through being alert and ready, the golden flame brings to light the red flame of the Scout motto, Be Prepared

Anaconda Patrol Leader Dan lights the first red candle.

John continues: and the red flame of the Scout slogan, Do A Good Turn Daily

Lightning Patrol Leader Jim lights the second red candle.

John continues: We now bring to light the twelve white flames of the Scout Law, which make bright and clear the trail that leads from boyhood to manhood.

In turn, as the Scouts recite each of the twelve points of the Scout Law, Troop Quartermaster Ben lights one of the twelve white candles.

The Scouts recite each of the twelve points of the Scout Law waiting after each point for Troop Quartermaster Ben to light the next white candle:

Rose turns the house lights on.

The Scouts return to their seats in the audience.

John extinguishes all of the candles.

John returns to his seat behind the table.

Tenderfoot Rank Ceremony (adapted from Woods Wisdom, pages 465-466)

Dave says: Troop Quartermaster Ben, who has earned the rank of Tenderfoot?

Ben says: Sir, Scouts Josh, Ben, Jim, Alex, Ethan, Michael, and Charlie have earned this rank.

Dan places the large Tenderfoot badge cutout on the wall behind the table.

Ben, Jim, Alex, Ethan, Michael, and Charlie step forward and stand at the right end of the table.

Dave comes to the front of the table and stands next to these Scouts.

Dave says: Tonight we are recognizing 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 a Scoutmaster conference and 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. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue on your journey towards Eagle.

In turn, Dave calls the name of each Scout to be recognized.

The Scout steps in front of the table before the cutout.

Ben kneels in front of the Scout shining the flashlight on the Scout so that his shadow is cast on the cutout.

Rose turns out the house lights.

Dave pins a Tenderfoot Badge on the Scout if appropriate.

Dave gives the Scout the Scouting handshake.

The audience applauds.

Everyone applauds as the Scout returns to his seat in the audience.

Second Class Ceremony (adapted from Woods Wisdom, Tenderfoot Rank Ceremony, pages 465-466)

Dave says: Troop Quartermaster Ben, who has earned the rank of Second Class Scout.

Ben says: Sir, Tenderfoot Scout Aaron has earned this rank.

Jim places the large Second Class badge cutout on the wall behind the table.

Aaron steps in front of the table before the cutout.

Ben kneels in front of Aaron shining the flashlight on Aaron so that his shadow is cast on the cutout.

Dave stands next to Aaron.

Dave says: Aaron, once before, when you became a Tenderfoot Scout, you stood before this Court. Time has passed since then. You have used this time well in pursuing Scout activities and knowledge. You have shown yourself worthy of the title of Second Class Scout. Congratulations on attaining your second rank in Scouting.

Dave pins the Second Class Badge on Aaron's left shirt pocket.

Dave gives Aaron the Scouting handshake.

The audience applauds.

Dave returns to stand behind the table.

First Class Ceremony (adapted from First Class Rank Ceremony #1 - Woods Wisdom, page 467

John steps to the front of the table and faces Aaron.

John says: 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?

Aaron says: I do.

John says: 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.

John presents the First Class badge to Aaron.

Everyone applauds as Aaron returns to his seat in the audience.

Patrol Leader Installation (adapted from Patrol Leader Installation #1 - Woods Wisdom, p. 458)

John speaks a few words about the importance of good patrol leadership.

John thanks the retiring patrol leaders:

John announces the appointment of the new patrol leaders:

The new patrol leaders are called forward.

The new patrol leaders place their left hand on the pole of the troop flag, above that of the Scoutmaster, and salute.

The new patrol leaders say: I promise to do my best to be worthy of my office as patrol leader, for the sake of my fellow Scouts, my patrol, my troop, and the proud organization of Scouting.

John pins the appropriate patrol leader's badge on each scout's left sleeve.

John presents each scout with a copy of the Junior Leader Handbook, No. 33500.

The audience applauds as the new patrol leaders return to their seats in the audience.

Merit Badge Ceremony

John announces the merit badges earned at Northwoods by each Scout.

John gives each Scout the Scout handclasp with the left hand.

The Scout salutes and John returns the salute.

The audience applauds as the Scout returns to his seat in the audience.

John returns to his seat behind the table.

Closing Ceremony (adapted from Closing Ceremony - Woods Wisdom, p. 465)

Ben, Alex, Ethan and Charlie step in front of the table.

Ben lights the single white candle.

Alex lights the single blue candle.

Ethan lights the single red candle.

Charlie lights the green pillar candle.

Rose turns out the house lights.

Ben says: As I put out this white candle representing purity, may we ever be mindful of this obligation that a Scout is clean. He is clean in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sport, clean habits, and travels with a clean crowd.

Alex says: As I put out this blue candle representing loyalty, may we ever be mindful of this obligation that a Scout is loyal. He is loyal to all whom loyalty is due - his Scout leader, his home, his parents, and his country.

Ethan says: As I put out this red candle representing courage and sacrifice, may we ever be mindful of our obligation that a Scout is brave. He has the courage to face danger in spite of fear, and to stand up for right against the coaxing of friends and the jeers or threats of enemies, and defeat does not drown him.

Charlie says: May we close this court of honor by reminding ourselves of our duty according to the American's Creed:

Ben, Alex, Ethan and Charlie return to their seats in the audience.

Closing Flag Ceremony

Dave says: This Court of Honor is now adjourned. Please rise as Troop 316 retires the colors.

The caller says: SCOUTS, ATTENTION

COLORGUARD, ATTENTION

COLORGUARD, FORWARD MARCH

HALT

SALUTE THE FLAG

COLORGUARD, STRIKE THE COLORS

AND TWO

COLORGUARD, ABOUT FACE

FORWARD, MARCH

HALT

COLORGUARD, AT EASE

SCOUTS, AT EASE

Last revised 8/19/2001