Arrow of Light ceremony
John Bemis (jbemis@CASS.MA02.BULL.COM)
Thu, 18 Aug 1994 14:05:41 -0500
Hi y'all. While at the NOAC, I attend a very well done ceremonies presentation
called "The Other Ceremonies". It addressed how the O/A Lodge ceremonies team
could improve its ties with other Scouting units by doing specific
Arrow of Light, Eagle Ceremonies, etc. During the presentation, the
presenter handed out an Arrow of Light ceremony. It will be attached at the
end of the message. The content looked great, it's doable. I have only
one question and this can be answered by someone from Cahuilla Lodge 127.
What is the "Story of the Arrow"? The other script is the Seven Virtues
of daily Life from the Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies. Here is the
script.
YiS, Jay Bemisi
Arrow of Light Ceremony Cahuilla
Lodge 127
Hutak Chapter
1993
Characters Dress
Chief Akela Double Trailer
Warbonnet
Long Breastplate
Feather Flag
Medicine Man Horned Bonnet
Dream Catcher
Guide Roach
Bow
Guard Roach
Dear Antler Staff
Drummer plain
Fire Keeper plain
Cubmaster
Webelos Den Leader
Materials
Fire wood Water buckets
Arrow of Light Paper
Board
Torch fuel Spirit of Scouting
Candle
Arrows Tiki torches
"Seven Rays" Candles
script
Fire extinguisher Drum and beater
Matches Leather pouch for
awards
Shovel "Story of the Arrow"
script
Blanket
Arrow of Light Ceremony Script
Drum starts to beat. Slow tempo. Chief Akela enters the
ceremony area, positions himself behind the council fire and
faces the audience with head bowed.
Medicine Man enters the ceremony area carrying a blanket. He
places the blanket in front of the council fire and positions
himself with his back to the blanket, facing the audience with
his head bowed.
Guide enters the ceremony area and lights the Spirit of Scouting
Candle by the Arrow of Light Board. He positions himself on the
west side of the ceremony area, facing the audience with his head
bowed.
Guard enters the ceremony area and positions himself on the east
side of the ceremony area, facing the audience with his head
bowed.
When all are in position with their heads bowed the drum will
continue to beat for a short time. When the drum stops, all will
raise their heads. The chief will start the four winds. The
drum stops.
Chief Akela: (raises the feather flag) I am the North Wind.
People say I am cold, but to you I will always
bring the warmest of winds because you have been
true-blue Cub Scout and Webelos Scouts, and have
always lived up to the Law of the Pack.
Medicine Man: (raises the dream catcher) I am the South Wind.
I wish you good Scouting. Over hill and dale I
have carried stories of you and your experiences.
As Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts, you have been
happy, game, fair and a credit to your Den and
Pack.
Guard: (raises the deer antler staff) I am the East
Wind. I wish you well. I have spread the story
of your fun and happiness in Cub Scouting with
Pack ____ and how you lived up to the Cub Scout
Promise and were fair and helpful.
Guide: (raises the bow) I am the West Wind. I would
like everyone present to know that these Webelos
Scouts did not walk the Cub Scout Trail alone.
Each had the wonderful help of his parents.
Parents, continue to help your boys to go and
grow.
Guard: Chief Akela, there are some among us worthy of the
highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela: (tilts the feather flag towards Guard) My
brother, - seek them out that are worthy of this
award and bring them before our council fire.
Guard: It shall be done Chief Akela.
Guard goes among the audience and finds the Webelos Scouts who
are getting their Arrow of Light. He forms them into a line and
tells them to follow him. The drum beats slowly.
Guard slowly leads the Webelos to the Guide. He stops when he is
about two feet away. He raises his right hand in the Cub Scout
sign. The drum stops.
Guard: Hakola.
Guide: Hakola. Who are these who follow the path of the
arrow?
Guard: These are they who are worthy of the Arrow of
Light.
Guide: Go forth, seek the arrow on the upward trail.
The drum starts to beat. Guard leads the Webelos to the Medicine
Man. The drum stops.
Guard: Hakola.
Medicine Man: Hakola. Who are these who follow the path of the
arrow?
Guard: These are they who are worthy of the Arrow of
Light.
Medicine Man: Go forth, seek the arrow on the upward trail.
The drum starts to beat. Guard leads the Webelos to the Chief
Akela. The drum stops.
Guard: Hakola.
Chief Akela: Hakola. Who are these who follow the path of the
arrow?
Guard: These are they who are worthy of the Arrow of
Light.
Chief Akela: Go forth, seek the arrow on the upward trail.
The drum starts to beat. Guard leads the Webelos to the blanket
and tells them to stand facing Chief Akela. The drum stops.
Chief Akela: Webelos Scouts, listen to the story of the arrow.
Fire Keeper, who is hidden from the audience, reads the story of
the arrow. ??????
The drum starts after the story of the arrow is finished.
The Medicine Man walks over to the Arrow of Light board.
When the Medicine Man is in position at the board, Guard leads
the Webelos to the board and positions them facing it.
Guide walks over and positions himself behind the Webelos.
Guard walks to the side of the Arrow of Light board to read the
meaning of the seven virtues. The drum stops.
Guard: The seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow
of Light. As they are lighted, you will hear how
they stand for the seven great virtues of life.
Medicine Man lights the first candle and says the name of the
candle, while Guard recites the script for the seven virtues.
Medicine Man: script for Seven Virtues from Staging Den and Pack
Ceremonies.
When Guard has finished with all seven virtues he leads the
Webelos back to the position in front of the blanket, facing the
audience.
Guide and Medicine Man return to their places by the council
fire.
Chief Akela tilts the feather flag towards Guard.
Chief Akela: My brother, go forth and seek out the parents of
these Webelos Scouts and bring them before the
council fire.
Guard goes out into the audience and finds the parents of the
Webelos (Cubmaster/Webelos Den Leader job to set them up) and
brings them forward, placing them behind their sons. Guard
returns to his position.
Chief Akela then explains the Arrow of Light badge.
Chief Akela: The Arrow of Light Badge is the only Cub Scout
Award that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.
It serves as a link between the two programs and
points the way toward new adventure in Boy
Scouting.
Chief Akela gives out the large Arrow of Light Badge to the
mother.
Chief Akela: Will you pin on the Arrow of Light Badge on the
left pocket flap of your son.
Chief Akela gives each Webelos a miniature Arrow of Light Pin.
Chief Akela: Here is a miniature Arrow of Light Pin for you to
pin on your Mother. Do so now, if she is present.
Mothers, you should take pride in wearing the
miniature Arrow of Light pin. It symbolizes not
only your sons achievements, but that he has had
your support during his time in Cub Scouting. He
will need your continued support when he moves on
to Boy Scouting.
Chief Akela then gives the cloth Arrow of Light Badge to the
father.
Chief Akela: Here is your sons Arrow of Light Award, please
present it to him now.
Chief Akela now gives each Webelos an arrow and shakes his right
hand as a Cub Scout. Medicine Man helps pass out the arrows.
Chief Akela: These arrows have passed down from previous Arrow
of Light recipients, so one day you may be asked
to pass it on to Cub Scout who is about to receive
their Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela and Medicine Man returns to their position after the
arrows have been passed out. Chief Akela tilts the feather flag
toward Guard.
Chief Akela: My brother, please escort these parents back to
their seats.
Guard escorts parents to their seats and returns after they are
all seated.
Chief Akela tilts the feather flag toward Guide.
Chief Akela: My brother, please escort these Arrow of Light
recipients back to their seats.
Guard escorts parents to their seats and returns after they are
all seated.
The drum start to beat.
Guard slowly leaves the ceremony area.
Guide blows out the seven rays candles and slowly leaves the
ceremony area.
Medicine Man folds the blanket and slowly leaves the ceremony
area.
Chief Akela walks over to the Spirit of Scouting candle and
carefully blows it out.
The drum stops.
Chief Akela: This ends your Arrow of Light ceremony.
Chief Akela picks up the Spirit of Scouting candle and slowly
leaves the ceremony area.
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