Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony • Flag and Candle Ceremony • 1 small American flag1 white candle 1 blue candle1 red candle4 persons • 1st person: Practically from the beginning of time, man has used symbols to express hope, ideals, and love of his own nation. Our flag represents the ideals and science, commerce and agriculture. It symbolizes the sacrifices made by men and women for the future of America. It stands for your home and everything and everyone you hold dear. • "I light the red candle which is the symbol of the red in our flag, and stands for hardiness and valor and symbolizes the lifeblood of brave men and women." • 2nd person: "I light the white, which is the symbol of purity and innocence and symbolizes the white of our flag." • 3rd person: "I light the blue candle which is the symbol of perseverance and justice, and symbolizes the eternal blue of the heavens." • 4th person: "The stars in our flag represents states. They indicate that the heights of achievement for our nation are limitless as the heavens above us.' • Together: "Won't you join us in the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Good evening, my name is Xavier Collazo and I will be your master of ceremonies for this evening. • Id Like to welcome parents, family, and visitors to the Troop 387 Court of Honor. • I would Like to open this Court of Honor with the flag ceremony by Flaming Eagle Patrol . • would Daniel DeWitt and Samuel Floyd please come to the front to lead us in the Flag and Candle Ceremony.

And now would Nick Cross come to the front and lead us in the Scout Oath. • Next, the Scout law and its meaning will be presented by Daniel de Wit and Samuel Floyd. • A Scout is Reverent. To begin this night In the presence of God Warren de Wit our Chaplain Aid will lead us in the invocation

A Scout Learns. • A Scout is Tested. • A Scout is Reviewed. • A Scout is Recognized • Next, Mr. Clemens will present the recognition deserved by our fellow scouts who have worked in rank advancement and merit badges.

Next week a crew of our scouts and leaders from this troop are going to go to a scuba diving adventure at Key West, Florida • would Mr. Mather and Mr. Widener come to present the T-Shirts to our crew

The highlight of the summer for our troop is summer camp at Camp Davy Crockett. • Leonel Collazo will will present a brief slide show of past summer camps and Josh Widener and Mr. Collazo will talk about what to bring and what not to bring to summer camp.

Our Troop is getting bigger and we are in need of new leaders to help us continue troop program. • Mr. Collazo will have a brief presentation about how can any adult help our troop.

Adam Tate will now give a few announcements about upcoming events.

As we come to the end of our Court of Honor Mr. Collazo will present his scoutmaster minute.

We have come to the end of this Court Of Honor, would Daniel de Wit, Samuel Floyd close this Court of Honor with the Flag Ceremony. • Thank You For Coming in on this wonderful evening please join in the back for refreshments . • A scout is kind, Scouts please remember guests and adults eat first. Goodnight

SCOUT LAW • Trustworthy. A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him. • Loyal. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. • Helpful. A Scout is concerned about other people. He does things willingly for others without pay or reward. • Friendly. A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs other than his own. • Courteous. A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together. • Kind. A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason. • Obedient. A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them. • Cheerful. A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy. • Thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforeseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property. • Brave. A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him. • Clean. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean. • Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Court of HonorJune 9, 2003, 7:00 pm

Scout Swearing In Ceremony SCOUT RANK (Josh Widener) This is the beginning of the long road to eagle. When he first joins Boy Scouts the boy must Know the Pledge of Allegiance, and demonstrate the scout salute, sign, and handclasp. He must tie a square knot, which symbolizes a true and honest person. Then he has to show his understanding of and willingness to live by the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout motto, the Scout slogan, and the Outdoor Code. That means he gives his most sacred oath to do his utmost best to live by the laws of his God, the laws of his country, and the twelve scout laws, to help other people whenever he can, and to keep himself in good physical shape, to keep his mind alert, and to obey a high level of morals. The scoutmaster holds a conference with the boy to see that he is of good character and spirit. The boy then has the rank of Scout which means that he is now a certified member and can now proudly wear his Boy Scout uniform. INVESTITURE CEREMONY (Adam Tate) LEADER: Tonight, we welcome some new Scouts into our Troop. Since the last Court of Honor,_______ have started coming to our Troop and have completed the joining requirements to become a Scout. I now ask ______ and their (his) parents to come forward. You are about to pledge yourself to a way of life that has guided millions of boys before you. It is not a promise to be taken lightly. Are you ready to take this promise? CANDIDATE: I am. LEADER: Will the members of the Troop please stand and give the Scout sign, repeat after me the Scout Oath. LEADER: On my honor, I will do my best. (Candidate repeats) LEADER: To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law. (Candidate repeats) LEADER: To help other people at all times. (Candidate repeats). LEADER: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. (Candidate repeats) LEADER: As a new Scout in Troop ___, we expect you to uphold the ideals and program of the troop. You will be expected to live according to the Scout Law and the Scout Oath you took tonight and to be regular in attendance at troop activities. We know you will be a fine addition to our troop, and we welcome you.

Closing Ceremonies • SETTING: • Room is darkened except for the red, white, and blue candles. One Scout is assigned to extinguish each of them. • SCOUT 1: As I put out this white candle, representing purity, may we be ever mindful of the obligation that a Scout is clean. He is clean in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sports, clean habits, and travels with a moral crowd. • SCOUT 2: As I put out this blue candle, representing loyalty, may we be ever mindful of the obligation that a Scout is loyal. He is loyal to all to whom loyalty is due: his Scout leaders, his home, his parents, and his country. • SCOUT 3: As I put out this red candle, representing courage and sacrifice, may we be ever mindful of our obligation that a Scout is brave. He has the courage to face danger in spite of fear, and to stand up for the right against the coaxing of friends and the jeers or threats of enemies, and defeat does not down him. • MC: This court of honor is now closed.

Opening Ceremony