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How we present recognition to youth and adults in Cub Scouting is an opportunity to make them feel accomplished, appreciated, and inspired.
Presentations
Are simple ways to recognize youth and adults such as earning an Adventure, completing Den Leader Training, or a parent who helped out.
Ceremonies
Are designed for milestone accomplishments such as earning a badge of rank, crossing over into Scouts BSA, or welcoming a new adult leader.
Prior to any activity, use the Scouting America SAFE Checklist to ensure the safety of all those involved.
All participants in official Scouting America activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and applicable program literature or manuals.
Be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Scouting America practices, policies, and guidelines.
No Initiations or Tests
Secret societies and initiations are prohibited. A presentation or ceremony in Cub Scouting is never to test or imply either directly, indirectly, or metaphorically if a Cub Scout is worthy or not worthy of recognition or being a Cub Scout.
Campfires and Candles
The use of campfires or candles is allowed but pyrotechnics are not, such as fireworks, chemicals, accelerants, sparklers, and items designed to change the color of flames. Always have fire extinguishers and/or fire buckets ready when using campfires or candles.
Face painting
The use of non-toxic stage makeup and face paint is allowed. If a Cub Scout chooses to opt out of having makeup/face paint applied have a backup plan to accommodate. At no time is stage makeup or face painting to be tied to a specific culture or race.
Presentations for Adventures
Adventures should be presented to a Cub Scout the instant they complete the requirements for that Adventure. If they completed the Adventure in a Den Meeting, present the Adventure in the Den Meeting, if they completed the Adventure at a Pack Meeting, present the Adventure at the Pack Meeting.
Badge of Rank Ceremonies
When a Cub Scout has completed the six required and at least two elective Adventures they have earned their badge of rank and is presented with their badge of rank in a ceremony. Badge of rank ceremonies are often done at a Pack meeting to elevate the accomplishment, inspire others, and at times may accompany a larger celebration.
Other Youth Recognition
When a Cub Scout accepts the position as Denner or Arrow of Light Patrol Leader it is appropriate to have a simple presentation to recognize their responsibility. There may be times when a Cub Scout has accomplished something either inside or outside of Scouting that is noteworthy of a presentation in front of their fellow Cub Scouts.
Adult Recognition
When a parent agrees to volunteer for a leadership position they should be recognized or you may choose to use an installation ceremony. Adults should also be recognized when they have completed training, served successfully in a leadership position, earned a training award, or other achievement that would be to present at a pack meeting.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Cub Scout meetings begin and end with a simple flag ceremony and reinforcement of the Scout Oath and Scout Law it may also include, when appropriate, the Outdoor Code or the Leave No Trace Principles for Kids. They can also incorporate other special themes for Adventures.
Instant Recognition – Presentations and Ceremonies reinforce positive behavior with instant recognition. The Cub Scout advancement program works best when instant recognition is used. When the reward, like an Adventure loop or pin, the connection between the reward and the behavior is strongest when the reward is present instantly.
Scripts – Write or print out the script for the presentation or ceremony. Commit key parts to memory so you are not just reading it and make sure to add tone, diction, and inflection. Print out the script and use a large font to make it easy to read.
Length – Keep presentations and ceremonies short. Long presentations and ceremonies lose their impact on younger Cub Scouts.
Props – Props such as den doodles, den flags, and special props used to display Adventure loops and pins can elevate any presentation or ceremony. When using props make sure that those using them have time to practice with them.
Audio Visual – When using audio-visual tools such as laptops, projectors, sound systems, lights, and other technology give enough time to set up and test everything.
Adapt – As long as you follow the guidelines in Scouting you can add your creativity to a presentation or ceremony If you choose to create your own presentation or ceremony make sure to keep the following in mind:
( ) Results
Cub Scouts will be passed the Cub Scout spirit in this Bobcat ceremony.
An inspirational crossover ceremony for Arrow of Light Scouts joining a Scouts BSA troop.
A ceremony to install new Pack Committee members, conducted by the Pack Committee Chair
A presentation for the Outdoors Adventures as a pack
A presentation for the Family and Reverence Adventures as a pack
A presentation for the Safety Adventures as a pack
A ceremony to install a new AOL Patrol Leader, conducted by the Den Leader
A ceremony for the installation of a new Arrow of Light patrol leader.
A ceremony to install new Den Leaders, conducted by the Cubmaster
Ceremony to install a new Cubmaster
A ceremony to install a new Pack Committee Chair, conducted by the Chartered Organization Representative
A presentation for the Safety Adventures as a pack
A presentation for recognizing adventure completion and awarding Webelos Adventure pins.
An inspirational induction ceremony to welcome new Cub Scouts and their families to the Pack.
Simple and traditional flag ceremony is used to open and close pack meetings.
A presentation for recognizing adventure completion and awarding Tiger adventure loops.
A presentation for recognizing adventure completion and awarding Lion belt loops.
A closing ceremony for Lion den meetings.
An inspirational history of Scouting for a pack charter presentation.
A presentation for recognizing adventure completion and awarding Wolf adventure loops.
An opening flag ceremony for den meetings.
A presentation for recognizing adventure completion and awarding Bear belt loops.
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