Pack 3: Mid-America Council, Fontenelle District, Omaha NE
Tiger Cub Graduation Ceremony
By Mark Adkins, Assistant Cubmaster
Based on several ceremonies, including those in "Staging Den and Pack Ceremonies"
Props Needed:
Ceremonial Podium, set with:
Tiger Paw #17
Tiger Cub uniform strip (with double sided tape)
Tiger Cub Mother's Pin attached to the Tiger Cub Graduation Card
Bridge, orange and black crepe paper blocking the far (Cub) end
Bobcat Activity Books, 1 per Tiger Cub
Cub Scout Uniform Guide, and a copy of the Pack's New Cub Scout Packet
Table, set with Tiger decorations (made by outgoing Webelos), and:
Tiger Paw Totem
Candles, one each white, black and orange
Actors:
Akela/Cubmaster
Tiger Cub Coach or Coordinator
Den Leader(s) from the new Den
Den Chief(s) from the new den
Honor Guard
Set-Up:
Before the ceremony, divide the Tigers into the Dens, or create a new Den for them, with a Leader, Chief and Assistants. Rehearse the Ceremony.
Arrange the stage: bridge front and center, a Tiger side and a Cub side. Podium, leaders and Cubmaster on Cub side. Tigers adn their leaders on Tiger side.
Audience is arranged in half-circles around the Stage.
Just Before We Start:
Tiger Graduation should take place JUST BEFORE CLOSING in order to highlight it.
While Bridge is being set up, gather all Tigers and their Partners off-stage on the Tiger side, and have the new Den's leaders gather off-stage on the Cub side.
Ceremony:
Akela: (To audience) "In 1982, the Boy Scouts of America decided to open the Scouting Program to boys in the First Grade. This new program was called Tiger Cubs.
Tiger Cubs are an inportant part of the Pack, yet seperated by their uniforms and streamlined program.
The premise of Tiger Cubs is simple- to offer younger boys a chance to Search for new things to do, to Discover how to do them, and to Share these discoveries with others, especially their family. These basic concepts form the Tiger Cub Motto- Search, Discover and Share.
Tonight, we wish to recognize (number) Tiger Cubs who have been doing just that since September. Together, these Tigers and their adult Partners have sought new adverntures, discovered new things and shared these with all of us. (Briefly, recap Tiger activities since September)
Now, they have been spending time learning about what it will take to be a "blue-shirted Cub Scout". Tonight, they will earn their last Paw- "Cub Scouting, Here We Come". To earn this they have regularly attended and participated in Pack activities, from our first Outing to tonights Pack Meeting. They also met with me and other Pack Leaders to discuss their upcoming role in the Pack, and they have discussed the Bobcat requirements."
(To Tiger Cubs and their Partners) "Tiger Cubs, I take great pleasure in awarding you with your last Tiger Paw. (Hands them out and shakes hands). You are ready for your next step.
(To audience) "(Name) has been our Tiger Cub (Coach or Coordinator) since the beginning of the year, and I would like to ask him/her to come up now. (Applaud Coach/Coordinator)
Coach: (Lights candles and speaks)
"White is for the purity or cleanliness of living.
Black is for strength and the courage to face the unknown.
Orange is for knowledge and joy."
(To audience) "These are the colors of the Tiger Cubs. They are displayed on the Tiger Cub shirts, and on these Cub Scout Uniform Strips which I am going to give to each Tiger Cub Partner to place on their Cub's shirt for now. On the Blue Uniform, it will go just below the right pocket"
(Hands the Patch to the Partners)
"Tiger Cubs, your Partners have helped all year and deserve recognition as well. Please pin this small Tiger Cub Pin on their collar and thank them for their support."
(Hand the Tiger Cubs the Mother's Pins.)
"It is now time to satart the next part of your Scouting journey. Please line up on the Bridge to Scouting."
"As you pass from the Tiger Cub Program to the Cub Scout Program, the Pack would like to congratulate you for your hard work with this Graduation Diploma."
(While Tigers are on bridge, Cubmaster hands them the Graduation Card or Certificate and shakes each hand. They are NOT allowed to break the tape yet.)
Cubmaster: (To Tiger Cubs) "You have always been a part of this Pack, but tonight, you enter a new series of challenges. We know you can and will meet them and make us all proud.
We have prepared places for you in our Pack by assigning you to Dens, as we discussed in earlier meetings. I would like to introduce you to your new Den Leader, Den Chief and their assistants.
(Introduce leaders)
(To the leaders) "These boys stand here before you tonight eager to enter your Den(s). Will you welcome them?"
Den Leader: (To Tiger Cubs) "Let us remove the last barriers between you and your future (rips up crepe paper barrier) and WELCOME TO DEN (number)!
Everyone: (Cheers and celebrations- streamers, balloons, etc. A small reception would be in order after the Closing Ceremony. BE SURE TO INCLUDE PARTNERS IN CELEBRATIONS!)
