By Edward A. Haluska
PEOPLE REQUIRED: 1 ) Akela, the leader of the wolf pack (the Cubmaster) 2) Scoutmaster and Boy Scouts from the patrol(s) that will be accepting the Cubs Scouts Props: 1 ) Bridge (a small symbolic one is adequate) 2) New Boy Scout bandannas 3) Suitable recorded music and tape player
HINTS: 1 ) It is very common for the Boy Scouts to be responsible for the crossing-over ceremony. If you want to use this ceremony for crossing over, be sure to discuss it with the leaders of the Boy Scouts who will be participating.
2) The music is mainly for the parents. During the crossing over, play something suitable like "Forever Young" or "Where Are You Going My Little One?"
AKELA: The moon is full, just as it was long ago on that night in the jungle when Mowgli first joined the Seeonee wolf pack. It has been many years since Mowgli returned from living with the wolves. After he returned, he taught us many of the lessons he learned while in the jungle. The most important was that the strength of the wolf is the pack, and the strength of the pack is the wolf. That is why we are here tonight in this council ring. But just as Mowgli had to leave the pack, tonight we also have some man cubs among us who have grown strong and tall. The time has now come when they too must leave the pack to find their place in the world of men. They have learned many lessons as they have walked the trails of the bobcat, wolf, and bear. But tonight, because these cubs are ready to begin their next adventure on their way to manhood, we will not look to the way of the jungle for guidance. Instead, we will read from a book that men use when they seek wisdom. To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silent, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
AKELA: We have now come to the time and season when we must let go.
So let us begin. Parents bring forward these man cubs.
(Akela calls out the names of the Cubs who will be advancing to Scouts.
Parents and Cubs come forward and face the rest of the pack.)
AKELA: Akela of the humans!
SCOUTMASTER: What is it that you want, Akela of the man cubs.
AKELA: We have among us several boys who have grown tall in body and strong in character. They have learned well the ways of the pack, but now they yearn to run with other boys who are also between their childhood and manhood. They have been with the pack for many moons, and have been a source of pride for us all. But now it is now the season when they must leave us.
SCOUTMASTER: We understand. Bring them to the bridge between us.
(If you have recorded music, start it now.)
(Akela now leads the cubs, one at a time, to the center of the bridge between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The boy is stopped at the center of the bridge, and Akela then removes the Cub's Webelos bandanna and any other Cub Scout insignias. The Scouts of the patrol that the Cub will be joining then place a Boy Scout bandanna on the boy and lead him to their group.)
AKELA: Although these boys are no longer with our pack, we still call on the Great Akela of all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to always guide their way. We ask that the Great Akela watch over them as they learn to soar with the Eagles. And, in the fullness of time, after the great wheel of life has turned full circle, when the season again comes to the time to gather
in, and the moon is full, we pray that these boys will return, tall and proud and strong, and present their own man cubs to be accepted into the pack. But until then, let us send them on their way with the last wolf howl. (Akela leads the pack in wolf howl.)