Boy Scout Investiture Ceremonies

Ceremony with Parents

(On an attractively draped table, place a long candelabram with 12 white candles for the 12 points of the Scout Law. Behind the candelabram place three longer candles-a white one in the center and a green one on each side-for the three parts of the Scout Oath. Use a red candle as a lighter. Position the US. and troop flags in their appropriate places. The chairman of the troop committee presides.)

Chairman: We are going to welcome a new Scout and his parents to our troop tonight. Patrol Leader ____________ (name) of the
_______ Patrol, please bring forward
Candidate (name). Senior

Patrol Leader _________________(name) will
please escort the candidate's parents to the front. Thank you.
Patrol leader accompanies candidate to the side of the table, where they turn and face the audience. The senior patrol leader and the candidate's parents follow and take places behind candidate and patrol leader. )

Chairman: It is now my privilege as chairman of the troop committee to pass this burning candle
(the red one), which represents the spirit of Scouting, to Scoutmaster name) who
will formally invest the candidate. (Chairman lights candle; as he hands it to the Scoutmaster the room lights are turned off.)

Scoutmaster: Thank you, Mr. _________
(name). My happiest duty as Scoutmaster is to receive new boys and their parents into our troop family.

Candidate ________________
(name), we are going to bring to light these candles representing the 12 points of the Scout Law. Let these ever be your guide in life. Patrol Leader ___________ (name), take this, the spirit of Scouting, and light our way. (Patrol leader lights the first candle.)

Patrol Leader: A Scout is trustworthy. (Narrator with a good voice, who is behind a curtain or offstage with The Official Boy Scout Handbook and a flashlight, reads the explanatory text for this part of the Scout Law. Patrol leader and narrator carry on in this manner until the 12 candles are lighted and the 12 points of the Scout Law have been read. Patrol leader then returns candle to Scoutmaster.)

Scoutmaster: Thank you, Patrol Leader _________ (name). Senior Patrol Leader __________ (name), you will now bring to light the three central candles, which symbolize the three parts of our Scout Oath or Promise. Candidate ____________ (name), you are about to pledge yourself to a way of life that has guided millions of boys and men before you. It is not a promise to be taken lighly. Think well now before you take it. (scoutmaster pauses and allows 5 or 6 seconds to elapse)are you ready to take this promise?

Candidate: I am.

Scoutmaster: Will the members of the troop please stand and give the Scout sign. Candidate _______ (name), repeat after me the
Scout Oath. (Scoutmaster leads in the Scout Oath.)

Scoutmaster: On my honor I will do my best. Candidate repeats.)

Scoutmaster: To do my duty to God and my county and to obey the Scout Law. (Candidate repeats. senior patrol leader lights center white candle.)

Scoutmaster: To help other people at all times. Candidate repeats. Senior patrol leader lights one green candle.)

Scoutmaster: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. (Candidate repeats. Senior patrol leader lights other green candle. Room lights should be turned on at this Moment.)

Scoutmaster (to parents): Here is the Scout badge. Will you please attach it to the center of your son's left shirt pocket. Pin it on upside down. When your son has done his first God Turn as a Scout, he will ask you to turn the badge right side up. (Pin badge on pocket. If using a cloth emblem, provide a straight pin with which to fasten.)

Scoutmaster: Now that your son is a Boy Scout, I'm sure you want him to get full value from the pogram. Here is an information folder welcoming you to our troop and telling you how you can help your son and the troop. I know we can count on your support. (Present the information and shake hands with each parent.)

Scoutmaster (to new Scout): Now that you are
a Boy Scout, you have the privilege of presenting your mother with a miniature of your new badge. As you advance in Scouting, her badge will be changed each time you complete a rank. Give Scout miniature universal pin with pin already open.( Scout pins miniature badge on other's dress.)

Scoutmaster (to Scout): As a new Scout in Troop ______ , we expect you to uphold the ideals and program of the troop. You will be You will be expected to live according to the scout law and the Scout Oath you took tonight and to be regular in attendance at troop activities, including troop and patrol meetings, hikes, camps, and good turn projects. We know you will be a fine addition to our troop and we welcome you.
(Scoutmaster give Scout handclasp to new Scout.)

Scoutmaster (to troop members): Troop, attention! We salute our new Scout. Troop, salute-one-two. Scouts be seated. (The senior patrol leader escorts parents back to their seats and patrol leader takes the Scout to his patrol, where they give their patrol cheer for the new member.)