Arrow of Light Ceremony
Script for 2 Person Ceremony
The two Principle Characters enter from the back of the room a few seconds apart headed for the front of the room. Brave #1 stands to the right of the Arrow of Light Display and Chief Akela stands to the left.
Brave #1: (Turning to Chief Akela, but still looking at the audience) Chief Akela, there are Scouts among us worthy of the highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela: My brother, seek out these scouts Scouts and bring them into our circle.
Brave #1 goes out into the audience and finds the Scouts in the designated pick up area. He forms them into a line and tells them to follow him. The Drum starts a slow even beat. Brave #1 leads The Scouts to Cheif Akela. When he gets about 2 feet from him, the drum beats three times sharply.
Brave #1: Hakola!
Chief Akela: Hakola! Who are these Scouts who follow the Path of the Arrow?
Brave #1: These are the Scouts whom are worthy of the Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela: Go forth, and place these Scouts within our circle.
The drum starts its regular beat. Brave #1 places the Scouts in a line to the right of the Arrow of Light display. Then the Drum gives three distinct slow beats. Brave #1 assumes his position to the left of Chief Akela.
Chief Akela: Scouts, listen to the story of the Arrow.
Either Chief Akela or another designated person reads from a scroll the Story of the Arrow.
Brave #1: These seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow of Light. As they are lit, you will hear how they stand for the seven great virtues or life.
Chief Akela stands beside the Arrow of light display. As each virtue is said he steps in front of the display and lights each candle and then steps back to the side of the display. A designated person reads the meaning of each virtue as Chief Akela calls them out. When finished Chief Akela reassumes his position to the left of the Arrow of Light Display.
Chief Akela: (Facing toward Brave #1) My brother, go forth and seek the parents of these Webelos Scouts and bring them into our circle.
Brave #1: It shall be done Chief Akela.
The drum then starts a slow even beat. Brave #1 goes out into the audience and picks up the parents in the designated pick up area. He then places them behind their sons. Then Chief Akela and Brave #1 step in front of the Scouts in order to give them their awards.
Chief Akela: (Holding up the Arrow of Light badge) The Arrow of Light badge is the only award earned in Cub Scouts that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. It serves as a link between the two programs and points the way to new adventures in Boy Scouting.
Chief Akela and Brave #1 then pass out the awards. When finished, Brave #1 gives Chief Akela the mother’s pin. Chief Akela holds it up as he speaks.
Chief Akela: Here is your mother’s pin. Scouts, place it on your mother now if she is present. Mothers, you should take great pride in wearing this pin because it not only shows your son’s achievement, but yours too. For you have helped him along his journey. Mothers, please continue to help your sons for they will need your guidance in future journeys.
After Chief Akela and Brave#1 pass out the mother’s pins they take their places. Chief Akela then turns to Brave #1.
Chief Akela: My Brother, please escort these parents back to their seats.
Brave #1: It shall be done, Chief Akela.
The drum then starts a slow even beat while Brave #1 leads the parents back to their seats and returns to his position. The drum concludes with three quick beats.
Chief Akela: (Turning toward Brave #1) My brother, please escort these Scouts back to their seats.
Brave #1: It shall be done, Chief Akela.
The drum resumes its regular beat while Brave #1 leads the Scouts back to their seats and then returns to his position. The drum continues its regular beat. Then Brave #1 bows his head and slowly leaves the room. Chief Akela is the last one to leave. When he is half way out of the room the drum pauses.
Chief Akela: This now concludes this Arrow of Light Ceremony.
The drum then continues its regular beat until Chief Akela is out of the room. Then the Drum gives three slow distinct beats.
The Story of the Arrow
Within the Quiver of many a hunter the arrow has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow, just as the path that you must follow throughout your life.
Its tip points the way, the way to success in all that you do.
Its tip held away from you, a symbol that nothing should be left undone. If it is within your power to do it, then follow the arrow and see that it is done.
He, who follows the path of the arrow, serving his fellow man, will be a guide to them and will be known as a leader.
The Seven Virtues
“These seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow of Light. As they are lighted, you will hear how they stand for the seven great virtues of life.”
1. Wisdom: Wisdom does not necessarily mean superior knowledge. It means putting to the right use the knowledge that one possesses.
2. Courage: Courage is not the quality that enables men to meet danger without fear, it is being able to meet danger in spite of one’s fear.
3. Self-Control: Self-control isn’t limited to the control of one’s temper, but control of one’s self in all things: eating, playing, and even working and talking.
4. Justice: Justice is the practice of dealing fairly with others without prejudice or regard to race, color, or creed.
5. Faith: Faith is the conviction that something unproved by physical evidence is true. One 8-year-old Cub Scout said faith was when you turned the light switch, that you know the light would go on.
6. Hope: Hope means to expect with confidence. Always hope for better things to come. A man without hope is of little good to himself or his community.
7. Love: There are many kinds of love: love of family, love of home, love of country, and love of god. All these loves are necessary for a full life.
If you live by the seven great virtues you will become a happy man, and a happy man is a successful man.