AOL @ B&G
Peter Van Houten (peterva@QM.WV.TEK.COM)
Wed, 23 Feb 1994 10:01:25 -0800
AOL @ B&G
I changed the title, as I want to change the thread a bit! Jim brought up a
very good point about not doing AOL at Blue & Gold. The question comes up is
Why? His reasoning is that it becomes lessened in the mass of everything
else that occurs at the B&G. I agree fully with this!
If I may I would like to share this month's happenings and experience. In
planning the B&G our committee did some soul searching (brain storming) on
how we could make the banquet a successfull venture for all involved. Some
issues we needed to address were:
-- Too long
-- Long lines @ buffett
-- People eating at the same time
-- Boy involvement
-- Ceremonies
-- Adults giving long boring speeches
After much consultation we decided on the following format. Friday, Feb.
18th was going to be the Blue & Gold Banquet with the theme of 'The Oregon
Trail'. However, Wed. Feb 23rd, we would still have our normally scheduled
Pack Meeting. [Some may point out -- How can I get ready for one meeting,
now two. Delegation!]
The key to making this a success was the focal point of each event. The Blue
& Gold was pushed as the social event of the year, a time to get together
with the pack, have a good meal, and have lots of fun! And Maximum time
allotted was 2 hrs - start to finish. The invocation began precisely at
6:30pm (even though some people were still arriving) and ended with a
'Creamed Cubmaster' (to be explained) closing remarks at 8:15pm. We had
aprx. 350 people in attendance, in a large hall. Each den was responsible
for setting up their own tables, settings, and decorations. Included in our
program was: Dinner, FOS presentation, 15 den skits, run-ons or songs,
Leader appreciation skit and presentation, and the finale -- A whipped cream
pie throw at CM. Note there were no award ceremonies other than the leader
appreciation.
Comments: I've received NO negative comments (which always seem to be the
first to arrive), however, I have received very positive remarks from Den
Leaders whom say their parents thought this was THE best Blue & Gold they've
attended.
On the flip side -- we have our Feb. Pack meeting this evening! Still using
the theme of 'The Oregon Trail' (which was our monthly theme) it will be
focused entirely on awards building to a climax with the presentation of the
Arrow of Light. It will last exactly 55 minutes (I've got this down pat) and
will include a climatic ceremony encorporating presentation of Bobcat, Wolf,
Bear, Webelos and finally Arrow of Light! The ceremony I've compiled is set
in an indian village (complete with tipi, campfire, boy dressed as indian
brave, and tomtoms beating in the background). It includes all leaders
participating and builds the story of Akela and the Arrow of Light, his
meeting the Wolf and the Bear! We also include several traditions I've added
.... After the boy receives his Webelos badge he is given a clean white stave
with the challenge to make it his own, and continue the path toward the Arrow
of Light. At the Arrow of Light ceremony the boys receive a banner
representing their walk along the Cub Scout trail. To briefly describe it:
A blue banner with a blue target arrow with yellow feather hangs from a
leather throng. At the ends of the leather throngs (hanging down the sides
of the banner) are colored beads representing the stages of the Cub Scout
trail (yellow=bc, red=wolf, light blue=bear, dk blue=webelos). On the banner
from top to bottom: Boys name in white felt, 4" letters... A gold Arrow of
Light Emblem - 18" long, the year received - 1994 in white felt 2" letters,
Pack 383 in gold felt, 2" letters, and finally along the bottom, each badge
(from tiger to Webelos) that the boy has earned. Some have all of them, some
have only BobCat and Webelos.
At the conclusion of the AOL ceremony I have an challenge I issue, similar to
an Eagle Challenge, modified to reflect the ideals of the Arrow of Light, to
strive forward in Scouting and earn their Eagle! I also promise that when
they do, I would be honored to be present at that ceremony!
Since starting this ceremony I've had only one Webelos drop between earning
his Webelos and his Arrow of Light!
In conclusion to this dissertation, we have found that separating the two
functions of Blue and Gold and Award ceremonies to be sucussfull and
appreciative by the boys and the parents. This is only one way you can do
it, there are many others, but I would emphasize that attempting to do too
much at one event can negate the positive aspects of the event.
In Scouting,
Peter
Peter Van Houten / E-Mail:
peter_van_houten.techsupport@qm.wv.tek.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
