Ceremonies for Scouts - Factsheet

1 1/7 scout Skills Ceremonies The scout Association 2000 Item code: FS315073 Format Revision Aug 2000 The scout Association, Information Centre, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW. Email: Direct: 020 8498 5400 Local rate call: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8498 5407 0845 300 1818 scout SkillsCeremoniesINFORMATION SHEETC eremonies are an important and traditional partof Scouting. In the scout Section, they includethe Investiture, Flag Break and Flag Down,Going Up Ceremony and Inspections. Theyneed to be short, simple and sincere, and followan established pattern, so that individuals knowwhat to expect and do. Many Troops andGroups have evolved their own particular way ofdoing things but it is important to ensure that anyceremony does not become complex, overlong,or, indeed, intimidating for those are usually more important to adultsthan to young people and as such, we have noright to impose what we want on them if it has noreal value!

2 Purpose of ceremoniesIn Scouting, whilst many Ceremonies may havequite a history to them, they still play animportant part today. They provide theopportunity to welcome people into Scouting, intoanother Section, recognise someone'sachievements, and at the same time encourageself-discipline and mark a clear beginning or endto InvestitureThe Investiture, or joining ceremony, is one ofthe most important events in a scout 's life andshould be treated with respect. It is vital that therecruit is well prepared and fully aware of theInvestiture ceremony procedure. The timing ofthe ceremony is important. It should not come atthe end of a busy and exciting evening, it wouldbe better at the beginning of the evening in themost attractive setting that you can Up CeremonyThis ceremony has real value as it clearly marksthe transition between being a Cub scout and aScout, not only in the mind of the young personbut also in the minds of their fellow Cub needs to take place at a convenient time forboth the Pack and the Troop.

3 Some Groups,who have regular church parades, use this as anideal time. It may be that the Section Leadersagree to have Going Up Ceremonies on a regularbasis, for example, every three - four important thing is that the Cub Scoutsinvolved are not made to feel self-conscious, butseen as Members of the Group who have provedthemselves as Cub Scouts and are lookingforward to having an exciting time in the ScoutTroop, with all its challenges and BreakThe ceremony of 'breaking' (that is to unfold aflag and hang it from a flag-pole) the Union Flagat the beginning of a meeting, event or camp is asign of respect and reminds us of our duty to theQueen and ultimately our country. It is a goodaid to discipline as it provides the opportunity tostart a meeting DownThis is done at the end of a meeting or event andmarks the occasion as such. The flag is loweredat this are one way of encouraging a highstandard at meetings and at camp.

4 They arealso about encouraging young people to takeresponsibility for themselves. They should beshort, friendly and helpful. Scouts should beaware that they may be inspected on attendance,uniform, general smartness, personal cleanlinessand on certain occasions, on individual items,such as handkerchiefs. Adverse commentsshould be constructive and given in a friendlymanner, not as a negative criticism which maybe scout Skills Ceremonies The scout Association 2000 Item code: FS315073 Format Revision Aug 2000 The scout Association, Information Centre, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW. Email: Direct: 020 8498 5400 Local rate call: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8498 5407 It may well be that the Troop wishes to introducea competitive edge and encourage Scouts to dotheir best, by giving points for inspection. It isvery important that these are allocated on a fairsystem and if it is part of an inter-Patrolcompetition, the system needs to be monitoredto ensure that it doesn't become all important.

5 Itis what underlies inspection that is important, notwhether one scout is essentially cleaner andtidier than information and resourcesChapter 16 in The scout Leader's Handbookoutlines the details of Ceremonies and otheraspects such as the scout handshake and Pathfinder Award handbook outlines the useof the Union flag and Troop flag or with experienced scout Leaders about theceremonies undertaken in your Troop and otherTroops in the District. They may have somehints and tips which will help scout Skills Ceremonies The scout Association 2000 Item code: FS315073 Format Revision Aug 2000 The scout Association, Information Centre, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW. Email: Direct: 020 8498 5400 Local rate call: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8498 5407 TEACH YOURSELFC eremonies have an important and traditionalplace in the scout Troop and there may be someslight variations in how these are performed fromTroop to Troop.

6 The essential factors are thatthey are short, simple and sincere. Simple sothat everyone can understand what is going on;short because if it is too long, Scouts becomebored and fidget; sincere because unless takenseriously and the Scouts appreciate their value,there is no point in having is variable because some Ceremonies , likeFlag Break, are relatively simple and usedregularly in the Troop. Others, like Investituresare a little more complicated and not used asoften. However, an hour or go would allow youto become familiar with the basic , National and Union all about itBefore having a go, you will need to read theInformation Sheet if you have not already proficient and responsible for ceremoniesin the Troop comes with practice and experience,and unfortunately it is difficult to practise as suchand set up false situations in which to teachyourself. It may be a case of watching or'shadowing' experienced Leaders during variousceremonies and perhaps taking the opportunitybefore or after a Troop meeting or a quietmoment at camp, to practise a few is worthwhile taking time for the properpreparation for all Ceremonies since atmosphereand 'stage management' are important to theoverall effectiveness.

7 Everyone who is takingpart should know what to do and when to do and whenever possible ceremoniesshould be conducted InvestitureThis is the most important scout ceremony andis one which should be treated with dignity andrespect. All of your Scouts need to be aware thatyou expect this from them. You will probably befeeling apprehensive before you conduct yourfirst Investiture, but remember that the newScout is probably feeling even more nervous!The main thing to remember is to ensureadequate preparation and briefing of the scout ,any Assistants and other Leaders present, andnot forgetting yourself. It may be useful to carrya small card with the scout Law and Promise on,in case of any hiccups in the middle of theceremony. It may also be attended by parents orparticular friends of the scout , and for thatreason, should be well planned in Investiture may vary slightly from Troop toTroop but here are the basic steps: Sometime before the ceremony, the Leaderwill chat with the scout and discuss themeaning of the Promise and Law and helpthe scout to understand what is meant by'honour'.

8 The ceremony itself should also beexplained so that it does not come as acomplete surprise! Immediately before, the Leader takes theopportunity to remind the rest of the Troopwhat will happen in order to set the may need to be reminded what it feltlike when they became Scouts ! The Scouts then stand in a horseshoe withthe scout Leader in the mouth of thehorseshoe. The Assistant scout Leader thencalls the Troop to the alert and stands to theright of the scout Leader and a little to therear. The Patrol Leader brings forward the newScout and they both face the scout Patrol Leader then takes one pacebackward. The scout Leader then asks the new scout ifhe or she understands what is meant byhonour and the importance of the Promiseand Law. If the answer to this is 'yes', a (senior) PatrolLeader holding the flag, lowers it so that it iswaist high between the scout Leader and thenew scout who both place their left hands onthe flag and make the scout Sign with theirright scout Skills Ceremonies The scout Association 2000 Item code: FS315073 Format Revision Aug 2000 The scout Association, Information Centre, Gilwell Park, Bury Road, Chingford, London E4 7QW.

9 Email: Direct: 020 8498 5400 Local rate call: 0845 300 1818 Fax: 020 8498 5407 At this time, the Troop is also making theScout sign and the new scout then repeatsthe Promise after the scout Leader. (It isusual for the scout Leader to say thePromise line by line with the new Scoutrepeating it afterwards as it can be adaunting time without having to worry aboutforgetting the words.) After the Promise has been said, everyonedrops their hands from the scout Sign andthe flag bearer lifts the flag. The scout Leader then presents the badges(except the Patrol Badge) and welcomes thenew scout into the Troop and may shakehands. If the scout is completely new to theMovement, the scout Leader should alsopresent the Group scarf and welcome thenew Member to the world-wide family ofScouting. (If the Group scout Leader ispresent, they may wish to do this). The scout 's Patrol Leader then gives thePatrol Badge to the scout to show that he orshe is a member of that Patrol.

10 The scout Leader salutes the new scout whoreturns the salute. The new scout then turnsto face the Troop, salutes and the Troopreturns the salute. The new scout then goes with the PatrolLeader to join the Up CeremonyThe Cub scout Leader and the scout Leaderneed to agree and organise a suitable place andtime for this to happen. If the Troop meetingfollows the Pack meeting it means that thisceremony can take place with both Sectionsbeing present, but if they do not follow oneanother, an alternative occasion should bearranged. It could be conducted towards the endof a Pack meeting with as many representativesof the Troop that can be present. At least theScout Leader and the Patrol Leader of the Patrolthat the Cub scout will join should be up Ceremonies in scout Groups oftenfollow local traditions built up over several not, therefore, assume that they are all thesame! Find out what your Group does andmaybe others in the District are some steps to a standard approach: The Pack and Troop both form a horseshoeformation opposite one another with a gapacross the centre line.