PACK 684 WEBELOS CROSSOVER CEREMONY

Old Dominion District

INTRODUCTION. This paper describes the crossover ceremony our Pack used for the

Webelos Crossover.

SETUP. Premeasure the locations of the two end stanchions so that they are by themselves but

are the right distance apart for when the boys bring out and insert the three girders. We have the

girders and planks organized in their order of presentation so that a leader can easily hand them

to the boys to carry out and present to the audience. For each girder, two boys carry it out to the

front of the stage, announce what it says, and place it in the slots of the stanchions. We place the

"God and Country" girder in the forward-most slots so it remains visible throughout the

ceremony. The boys bring out the planks (one per boy) and keep rotating themselves through if

there are more planks than boys. We install the planks from "Cub Logo stanchion" to "Scout

Logo stanchion."

EMCEE: Tonight we stand at a crossroad—the end of one journey that leads to the beginning

of another. Our Webelos Scouts have come to the end of the Cub Scouting trail and they will

now start down the trail of Boy Scouting—the trail of the Eagle Scout. To symbolize this

transition, they will cross the bridge from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Before you are the

stanchions that represent Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts—there is a gap that separates them. This

gap must be filled in—filled in with the recognition and knowledge of what this Boy Scout

program is that they are about to begin.

Cub Scouts: Dens March into the room with the Pack and American Flag. Den leaders line

boys up in a line facing the crowd. Boys turn to face the flag for the pledge of Allegiance and

then turn to face the crowd for the Cub Scout Oath --

EMCEE: Please rise and join us in the pledge of Allegiance

We begin tonight’s ceremony with the Cub Scout Promise. For our Webelos who are about to

crossover to Boy Scouts, this will be the last time they recite this pledge – Please rise and recite

it with them.

I ________ promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack.

On this side of the bridge we have a Stanchion that represents Cub Scouting and in Cub Scouting

this promise we just recited helps Cub Scouts develop a sense of spiritual awareness, loyalty,

unselfishness, self-discipline, and service to others—it is a good promise for a young boy to live

up to, on the other side of this bridge is a stanchion that represents the destination our boys are

about to embark upon – that of a Boy Scout. As a Boy Scout, more is expected as each boy is

growing into a responsible citizen with duties which he must learn to shoulder.

The Boy Scout Promise is similar, but is different in many ways. First off, a Boy Scout takes his

pledge with the Scout Sign and he holds up three fingers instead of two. When a Scout raises

his hand in the Scout Sign, his three fingers stand for the duties he promises to uphold as a Scout

in the Scout Promise. Tonight we will bridge the gap between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with

those three duties – let’s listen to the Boy Scout Oath and hear what those duties are and what

they mean.

Boy Scouts - Boy Scouts will be lined up on other side of the Bridge with adult holding the

script coaching line by line:

Depending on number of Boy Scouts available – we can have them repeat lines – there are

“nine” total lines here – ideally we would have 9 scouts lined up on the other side of the Bridge

– if we have less than that we can cycle back around.

Boy Scout: On my honor . . .

By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.

Boy Scout:. . . I will do my best . . .

Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your achievements against your own

high standards and don't be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.

Cub Scout: _________________ and _________________ pick up first support beam which states: “Duty to

God and Country” and hold it up over the Cub Scout Stanchion so that all can see it.

Boy Scout: . . . To do my duty to God . . .

Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your

duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and

defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.

Boy Scout:. . . and my country . . .

Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government

and your responsibilities as a citizen and future voter.

America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your

community and your home, you are serving your country. Natural resources are another

important part of America's heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use

wisely. What you do can make a real difference.

Boy Scout:. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .

The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. When

you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect

yourself.

Cub Scout: ______________ and ______________ Insert Support with “DUTY TO GOD

AND COUNTRY” Turn to the crowd and say together “Duty to God and Country” and return

to their place in Den Formation.

Cub Scout: _________________ and _________________ pick up second support beam which states: “Duty to

Other People” and hold it up over the Cub Scout Stanchion so that all can see it.

Boy Scout: . . . To help other people at all times; . . .

Many people need help. Boy Scouts are trained in first aid and how to react in an emergency.

With that training comes a responsibility to use it when necessary to come to the aid of those in

distress. Boy Scouts are expected to put service to others before self to help those less fortunate

and in need in their communities. In the same way, a Boy Scout is old enough to know that a

cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and

helping when you're needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better

world.

Cub Scout: ______________ and ______________ Insert Support with “DUTY TO OTHER

PEOPLE” Turn to the crowd and say together “Duty to Other People” and return to their

place in their Den Formation.

Cub Scout: _________________ and _________________ pick up third support beam which states: “Duty to

Self” and hold it up over the Cub Scout Stanchion so that all can see it.

Boy Scout. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .

Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating

nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance.

it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can harm your

health.

Boy Scout. . . mentally awake, . . .

Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything

around you, and work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the

willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and your

role in it.

Boy Scout. . . and morally straight.

To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open.

You should respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and

remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a

life of virtue and self-reliance.

Cub Scout: ______________ and ______________ Insert Support with “DUTY TO SELF”

Turn to the crowd and say together “Duty to Self” and return to their place in their Den

Formation.

(an adult puts in the cross support piece and secures it in place – this is done without any

ceremony)

EMCEE: These are the three promises contained within the Boy Scout Oath – every time a

Scout raises his hand in the Scout sign, he is reminded of the three promises to which he is

commiting himself:

Duty to God and country, Duty to other people, and Duty to self

Emcee: The Gap is now closed, but it would be very hard to cross. We need to add something

with substance that will give the boys something on which to stand. For this, we add the virtues

that every Boy Scout agrees to strive towards each day and remember when he recites the Scout

Law-each point of the law will become a plank upon which they can stand as they crossover

from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts – listen now and learn the meaning of each point of the Scout

Law

[NOTE: We have 18 total boys – 6 were able to hold a girder, the other 12 will each hold one

point of the Scout Law. Den Leaders should have each boy who is going to put in a plank hold

the plank so that it is not visible to the audience, when that boys word is ―up‖ he should take a step

forward and hold it up for the audience to see once the EMCEE announces the word. It would be

best to hold it upside down facing the boy and then to ―flip‖ it over – but I imagine that will lead to

much mirth . . ) Once the EMCEE is done talking about each word, the Cub Scout proceeds to

place it across the girders to build the walkway- an adult should be there to help secure it – there

are three planks with extra cleats to give support – they may need a gentle nudge to get them in

place. The words should face the boys as they view the bridge in the direction they are crossing it.

After he puts in his plank Cub Scout turns to face the crowd and says: ―A Scout is _________‖]

EMCEE: Trustworthy: A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People

can depend on him.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Trustworthy.”

Loyal: A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Loyal.‖

Helpful: A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting

payment or reward.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Helpful.‖

Friendly: A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to

people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different

from his own.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Friendly.”

Courteous: A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good

manners makes it easier for people to get along.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Courteous.‖

Kind: A Scout knows there is strength in being gentile. He treats others as he wants to be treated.

Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Kind.”

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 disobeying them.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Obedient.”

Cheerful : A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He

tries to make others happy.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Cheerful.‖

Thrifty: A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects

and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Thrifty.”

Brave: A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he

thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Brave.‖

Clean: A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live

by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Clean.‖

Reverent: A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the

beliefs of others.

Cub Scout: “A Scout is Reverent.”

EMCEE: Our bridge is now complete – we have filled the gap between Cub Scouts and Boy

Scouts using the Scout Promise and Scout Law, and built a bridge from Cub Scouting onto Boy

Scouting. At this time I would ask the representatives from our Boy Scout Troops to move into

place in order to welcome our Cub Scouts into their Boy Scout program. For the audience,

please note that as these boys leave our Pack and join their Boy Scout troops they will take on

new marks of identification both as a Boy Scout and as a member of their new Troop. Just like

the colors on our bridge changed from Blue and Gold to Red and Green, they will change the

epaulets on their shoulders from Cub Scout Blue, to Boy Scout Green. In addition, they will

remove the neckerchief that identified them as Webelos in our Pack, and wear the neckwear of

the Troop which they are joining

You should note, that all of these boys are wearing the Arrow of Light, the highest award a Cub

Scout can earn, and that they will continue to wear their Arrow of Light award as Boy Scouts.

This is one of the very few badges that a boy earns as a Cub Scout that he continues to wear as a

Boy Scout, this will identify them to one and all that they were once part of a pack, and that they

rose to the highest rank in Cub Scouting.

[NOTE: The troop leaders have already been briefed on where they will stand. The troops will

swap out the boy’s tabs and put a new neckerchief on them for their new troop. The important

thing is that we only call one boy at a time and let him cross over and be "welcomed" before we

call the next boy.]

EMCEE: As each boy crosses over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts we have asked them to share

a memory with us that they will be taking with them across the bridge from Cub Scouts to Boy

Scouts – listen close so that you can hear what they have to say.

Name Troop Representative

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

EMCEE: To the Boy Scout Troops here tonight, our Pack charges you with the responsibility to

provide these Scouts with a healthy, fun, and adventure-filled program. They have worked hard

to get to this point; don't be afraid to challenge them. Take them along the Boy Scout trail so

that someday soon we will be able to say, "That Scout was from our Pack."

To the Cub Scouts of Pack 684 – we bid you farewell. If you look under the bridge you will find

that each of these boys has his name written under the 1st plank. And thus begins a new tradition

in Pack 684. Each of you should strive to someday walk across this same bridge, to follow,

literally, in the footsteps of the boys who have gone before you and to add your names to the

legacy of the boys from this pack who have ―Crossed over‖ from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

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