Pack 3, Mid-America Council, Fontenelle District, Omaha NE
Bobcat Induction Ceremony
By Mark Adkins, Assistant Cubmaster
Based on ceremonies found in our '96 pow-Wow book, Staging Den adn Pack Ceremonies, and other sources.
Props Needed:
Ceremonial Fire, electric.
Tom-tom and beater.
Ceremonial Podium.
Personal Tokens- 'popcicle sticks' with name written on, and other decorations added or similar.
Cue cards for Cubmaster/Akela, Baloo, New Cubs/Bobcats, Den Chiefs, Den Leaders.
Appropriate Indian-style accouterments for Actors (optional).
Tape player with Indian or nature sounds (optional).
Bobcat badges, with double sided tape on them; completed Bobcat cards, and Mother's Pins stuck to the cards- arranged on Podium.
Actors:
Akela/Cubmaster
Den Chiefs for the Bobcat's Dens
'Baloo'- a Pack Leader, Chartered Org. Rep., honored guest, or other "Worthy Person"
Tom-tom drummer (older Cub being honored)
New Cub Scouts/Bobcats
Aide in costume to turn on fire, signal Back Room, etc.
Honor Guard
Set-Up:
Before the meeting, possibly during a Den Meeting or Committee Meeting, drill everyone in the Ceremony.
In our Pack, pre-Bobcats should own, but not wear Neckerchiefs until after earning Bobcat. Be sure to have the Den Leaders have the 'chiefs on hand. Ditto Den numerals.
Arrange the room. Create an 'off-stage' area for the Bobcats to enter from. Position the fire front and center. The tom-tom player should be almost off stage to one side. The Akela and podium on the other side, nearer the fire.
Audience is arranged in half-circles around the Stage. Make sure the Bobcats have their tokens (have spares on hand).
Just Before We Start:
Bobcat Ceremony should take place JUST BEFORE CLOSING in order to highlight it.
At the appropriate time, Baloo and Den Chiefs gather the new Bobcats and takes them to the Back Room. They close the door. While in the Back Room, Baloo rehearses the Bobcats, and remind them of the symbolism about to come.) Tom-tom drummer puts on costume and gets in position. The Cubmaster gives general announcements during this time to cover. Someone gets ready to dim the lights.
The Aide may also act as a narrator/interpreter to explain symbolism to the audience at large.
THE ACTUAL CEREMONY:
Akela: (To audience): "Tonight, we welcome (number) new Cub Scouts into our Pack. Up until tonight, they have been working to learn that which all Cubs need to know. Now, their hard work will pay off. During parts of the ceremony, I will be asking the other Cubs in the Pack and the audience as a whole to participate. Please respond appropriately. Now, let us be still for a moment as we prepare ourselves for the Ceremony."
( Akela pauses, drummer and tape player starts, lights dim, one by one as Akela dons a feathered headdress or similar rig. Cubmaster looks to the heavens, arms spread wide and mumbles to himself. After a second, the campfire ignites. The Cubmaster finishes and brings his hands and head to a slight bow, as if finishing a prayer.)
Aide: (Signals Den Chiefs to start)
Baloo: (Knocks loudly- twice, pause, then three times to signify the Cub Scout Sign, as explained to the Bobcats)
Akela: "Who knocks?"
Baloo: "Candidates who seek admission to our tribe".
Akela: (To audience) "Shall we grant them admission?"
All: "YES!"
Aide: (Opens door)
Baloo: (Guides Bobcats in to stand in front of the table facing the campfire. They stand at loose attention when in place, with room for parents between them. Den Chiefs stand to one side. Baloo stands between them and Akela.)
Aide: (To audience) "Everyone please rise."
Akela: (To Baloo) "What is it you desire?"
Baloo: "I have candidates who desire membership to our pack."
Akela: "Who stands sponsor for them?"
Den Chiefs: (Together) "We do." (Baloo bows to Den Chiefs, steps to background)
Akela: "Do they know and understand the Law of the Pack? Are they prepared to follow that Law in all they do? Are they ready to follow in the footsteps of fifty years worth of Cubs who have come before them in our Pack?"
Den Chiefs: (Together) "They are so prepared, Akela."
Akela: "Then let the candidates give The Law of The Pack."
The Cub Scout Follows Akela
The Pack Helps the Cub Scout Grow
The Cub Scout Helps the Pack Go
A Cub Scout Gives Goodwill
Akela: "This is good. Can they show us the Cub Scout Sign?" (They do so)
Akela: "Will the parents of these candidates come forward and stand beside their child?" (As parents come forward, others may sit. Aide will direct them to do so.)
Akela: (To parents) "We are happy you are here with us tonight as your Cub truly enters our Pack- an important step towards good citizenship and true living. Are you prepared for that which will be asked of you?"
Parents: "Yes"
Akela: "Then recite the Parent's Promise after me. Please make the Cub Scout Sign.
As a parent of a Cub Scout.
I will do my best to help my boy
Live up to the Cub Scout Promise
And obey the Law of the Pack.
I will work with my boy
On his achievements and projects
I will attend the Pack Meetings
And help as needed
To help the Pack go."
Akela: (To Bobcats) "Before you, behold the Fire of Friendship, which means that every Cub in this Pack wishes to be a friend with every other Cub in the Pack and in the World. As each Cub enters the friendship of our Pack, he places a token with his name on it in the Fire as a sign that he too wishes to do his best to be a friends to all. Now, as I call your name, go to Baloo and place your token upon the fire.
(Call each in turn. As his name is called, Baloo will give the badge to his parent to place on his pocket, give him a Cub Scout handshake, and give him the card and pin for his parent. If time allows, the Cub should put the pin on his mother.)
Akela: "Will you now form with the Den Chiefs and me a Living Circle and repeat the Cub Scout Promise." (Pause for formation) "Will everyone please join us in the Cub Scout Promise?"
I, (say your name)
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.
Akela: (To audience) "Please join me in welcoming our newest Pack Family Members!" (Applause)
Akela: "Color Guard to the front. Color Guard, please retire the Colors" (They do so.)
Akela: (Gives each new Cub a Cub Scout Handshake and the Den Chiefs guide the Bobcats to their new dens) "Den Leaders, Den Chiefs, Denners and Cubs, please welcome your newest Den Members to your Dens." (Den leaders applaud and shake hands with new Cubs.)
Den Leaders: (Take Dens aside to welcome new Cubs, award their Den Numerals, return their neckerchiefs. This symbolizes that the new Cub was not a Den member until now, and that they can NOW work on the road to their next rank.)
