Setting: A bridge is in the center stage. One side of the bridge is represented as the Cub Scout side and the other side as the Boy Scout side. You can use your imagination on how to symbolize each side so it is apparent which side is which. Use of Boy Scouts with candles lighting the path is very impressive. Cubmaster and Scoutmaster standing appropriate sides.
CUBMASTER: Tonight we mark a great occasion....the graduation of ______ Webelos Scouts into a boy scout troop. We are sad to see them leave because they have been a great help to our pack...but we are happy for them because they are going on to the great adventure of Boy Scouting. These Webelos have worked hard for this night and have advanced well. As a symbol of their hard work, each Webelos scout will be given an arrow. As I call your name, will each Scout come forward with your parents.
(Call each boys name off.)
Reader: The arrow alone gives meaning to each of these scouts. The wooden shaft gives the strength like the strength the Scout Promise gives each boy. The fletching helps guide the arrow on a straight and true path like the Scout Law guides the Scout on a straight and true path. The arrowhead points the way to the target like Webelos badge and Arrow of Light requirements have pointed the Scout to the ways of Boy Scouting.
Each arrow has these parts...but each arrow is different...it is individual. Each arrow represents their own trail through Cub Scouting. (Give each boy his arrow.)
It has been a long trail...As you look at the arrow you can look back and see how far you have traveled. Your first trail led you across the Bobcat Ridge, where Akela took you into the Pack as a Bobcat. The yellow mark tells that this boy completed his Bobcat requirements. You may have then climbed the steep Wolf Mountain. The red mark means he has completed the Wolf badge. After that there may be a gold and silver marks for the arrow points that you may have earned. After finding your way through Bear Forest, you may have earned your Bear rank. The green mark shows you have gained your Bear achievements, and again you may have earned a gold and silver arrow points. Your trail next may have led you to Webelos Rank...first earning three Webelos pins shown by three black marks, then your Webelos badge which is marked in blue. The Arrow of Light trail may have been hard and rugged. You first earned another four Webelos pins. Then came the highest Cub Scout Achievement, the Arrow of Light which is signified by the white marking on the arrow. The twelve beads will remind you of the twelve points of the Scout Law. The red and white feathers not only stand for the troops colors, but also for devotion and honor.
Your trail in Scouting does not end in Cub Scouting...it is only the beginning...for all of you have prepared yourself for the crossing over to Boy Scouts.
The bridge before you is a symbol of your crossing from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. The bridge is a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression. It is a means of connection or transition from one side to another...as this bridge represents how our Pack is connected to our Troop . As I call each boys name, please come stand before Your Cubmaster where he will remove your Webelos neckerchief.
(Cubmaster is calling over to the Scoutmaster.)
CUBMASTER: Hello, Boy Scouts of Troop .
SCOUTMASTER: Hello, Cub Scouts of Akela. What do you desire?
CUBMASTER: We have several Webelos who have prepared themselves for entrance into your Troop.
SCOUTMASTER: Bring them and their parents forward to the bridge that joins our Pack and Troop. I will send two of my Scouts over to escort the boys and their parents over the bridge.
(Boy Scouts cross over to Pack's side and then escorts the new scout and their parents to the other side.)
Webelos leader speaking to the Scoutmaster: These are your new Scouts, ready for the adventures ahead of them. They are going to call themselves the patrol.
Webelos leader speaking to the boys: As I call each of your names, please come forward to your Scoutmaster, , where he will place on you the Neckerchief of Troop .
SCOUTMASTER: I'd like to welcome the new patrol and their families to our Troop . (Lights on)
SCOUTMASTER: Will Troop please form your patrols. (Have SPL lead all scouts in the Scout Promise)
Crossing the Bridge Ceremony Read by the Cubmaster
A BRIDGE is a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression. It is a means of connection or transition from one side to another. During the years you and your son have been in Cub Scouting, we have had numerous opportunities to work together along the trail. Now, Boys' name is leaving the Pack to follow the trail of Boy Scouting. I am sure you are going to find the same satisfaction there that you have found in Cub Scouting.
As a symbol of the growth of your son and his entrance into Scouting, may I ask that he stand before me where I will divest him of his Webelos Handbook and neckerchief. (Take Webelos Handbook and Neckerchief from boy) You and he will slowly cross over the bridge into Scouting, pausing at each of the twelve steps. At the end of the twelve steps you will be welcomed by the Scouts of Troop # . (Dim the lights and have spot light shining on a bridge as the boy and parents cross the bridge.)
(As Cub takes each step, the Scouts call out loudly each of the Scout laws.)
1st - TRUSTWORTHY
2nd - LOYAL
3rd - HELPFUL
4th - FRIENDLY
5th - COURTEOUS
6th - KIND
7th - OBEDIENT
8th - CHEERFUL
9th - THRIFTY
10th - BRAVE
11th - CLEAN
12th - REVERENT
Read by Scouts -
We welcome you into Troop # , we meet each Day at Time at Place . We shall look forward to welcoming you at our next troop meeting.
Read by Scoutmaster -
(Hands Scout Handbook to new Scout) This book now replaces your Webelos book. Read and study it. Keep it handy for it is your guide through many adventures in Scouting.
Done by Assistant Scoutmaster - (Places Troop neckerchief around new Scouts neck and shakes his hand)