Re: Request for Graduation Ceremonies [Wolf/Tiger /Webelos]
Bob Condon (rec@EPOCH.COM)
Tue, 2 May 1995 10:29:59 -0400
>
> I noticed E-mail on Scouts-L requesting ideas on Wolf graduation
> ceremonies. I would like to implement these types of ceremonies in
> our Pack. Our prior leadership did not do anything in this area. I am
> hoping that you will share what you have done in the past not only on
> wolves but tiger cubs, bears, etc. We do not have a bear den, because
> our prior leadership and parental participation was less than tepid. I
> am gradually turning things around (the wolf induction ceremony I
> found went over big), but I need all the help I can get to pick-up the
> kids/parents interest.
I had the pleasure of a very nice Blue and Gold + Graduation
ceremony last Friday Night. About 6 boys are joining our troop
out of this one pack (we have 3 more packs in town).
There was a second SM there from another troop. he almost lost
his troop due to low numbers of new boys into his troop
(mostly becasue of his leadership). This year he is getting many
more because we held back on our recruitment. I hope that
he will get some adult leadership to help. He treats all the boys
(all ages) like little children and the boys resent it.
---
Back to the story...
The CM told of a story of how there were 5 young braves that went out
to go as far as they can across the desert and bring back one item to
show where they have been.
The first brave returns with some grass showing that he had crossed the desert
and made it to the river where the wild grass grows.
"You have done very well my son, please take a seat and we will
wait for the return of the others"
The second brave returns with some cedar showing that he had crossed the desert,crossed the river, climbed up the mountain half way where the cedar grows.
"You have done very well my son, please take a seat and we will
wait for the return of the others"
The third brave returns with some pine showing that he had crossed the desert,
crossed the river, climbed up the mountain past the cedar but cotinued ot climb
near the top where the pine grows.
"You have done very well my son, please take a seat and we will
wait for the return of the others"
Finally the last brave comes running back. He had nothing in his hand.
The Chief said, why have you returned with nothing?
The brave said "I crossed the desert,crossed the river, climbed up the mountain past the cedar, and past the pine. When I reached the top, I found
that nothing grew up there. Off in the distance though, I could
see a great body of water.
"You have done very very well my son, please take a seat with the others"
It was explained that each level of scouting is like the level of each scout.
For ME, this provided me the opportunity to say that in Boy Scouting,
we want to reach that great body of water and find out what is there.
Very few will actually reach the body of water, but that everyone
should at least try.
I next said that I highly recommend that we transition our
WEBELOS into scouting. I said that I do not care WHICH troop
they join in town, but that they join. For the parents, I stated
that I have never found a boy in trouble with drugs and alcohol
becasue of the variety of activities that await them.
The other SM emphasised that BOY SCOUTS start NEXT WEEK and not
in September. He stated all the nights that we all met.
After the speeches were done, we met with the Webelos and
we saw almost every boy (out of 21) signed up to move on.
It was a very good night.
I liked the story, I likes the results.
Bob Condon
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
