TROOP 8166 SCOUT INDUCTION CEREMONY

SETTING: On a table in front of the room there is a candle holder with 12 candles representing the 12 points of the Scout Law. In front of these 12 candles there is a single candle representing the Spirit of Scouting. In back of the 12 candles, there is a candle for each Scout being invested (minimum 2.) Behind the table, the troop flag is displayed. Speakers #1 and #3 are behind the table and 12 troop members are standing at attention in two single-file lines beginning at the corners of the table and extending toward the audience at a 45-degree angle. The room is dark.

THE OPENING

Speaker #1:
THE GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY OF SCOUTS IS TO DO THEIR BEST TO DO THEIR DUTY TO GOD AND THEIR COUNTRY, AND TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW. (Lights the front candle.)

THEIR SECOND RESPONSIBILITY IS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES.  (Lights the second candle from those in the rear of the twelve.)

THEIR THIRD RESPONSIBILITY IS THEIR DUTY TO THEMSELVES: TO KEEP PHYSICALLY STRONG, MENTALLY AWAKE, AND MORALLY STRAIGHT. (Lights the third candle.)

TO THESE THREE DUTIES WE PLEDGE OUR HONOR AS SCOUTS. BRING IN THE CANDIDATES FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP IN OUR TROOP.  (The two candles behind the twelve are extinguished leaving only the one in front to serve as the Light of the Spirit of Scouting1)

THE CEREMONY

Speaker #2 enters the room, followed by the candidates who are blindfolded with the training neckerchiefs. Each candidate has his right hand on the shoulder of the Scout or candidate in front of him. As they approach the front of the room, Speaker #1 says:

#1: HALT! WHO GOES THERE?

#2: IT IS I, (give name and/or title) OF TROOP 166.

#1: WHO IS WITH YOU?

#2: (A)SCOUT(S) WHO WISH(ES) TO OBTAIN FULL MEMBERSHIP IN OUR TROOP.

#1: FOR CANDIDATES TO BECOME FULL MEMBERS, THEY MUST HAVE PASSED THE SCOUT AWARD REQUIREMENTS. HAVE THESE (HAS THIS) CANDIDATE(S) MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ARE THEY (IS SHE) DULY QUALIFIED?

#2: THEY HAVE (SHE HAS) MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ARE (IS) QUALIFIED.

#1: BRING THEM (HER) FORWARD AND REMOVE THEIR (HER) BLINDFOLD(S).  The candidates are brought forward and their blindfolds are removed and placed on the table. The candidates are placed facing the table about 8 to 10 feet away. Speaker #2 then joins the other speakers behind the table.

#1: BEFORE YOU, YOU SEE THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT OF SCOUTING. THIS IS THE BEACON THAT WILL GUIDE YOU DOWN THE SCOUTING TRAIL. NOW YOUR BROTHER SCOUTS WILL LIGHT THE TRAIL OF SCOUTING FOR YOU, THAT YOU MAY SEE THE ROAD THAT ALL SCOUTS MUST FOLLOW.  The first Scout on the speaker’s right comes forward and with the front candle, lights the first candle on the speaker’s left. Then he faces the audience and says the first point of the Scout Law while giving the Scout Sign. Speaker #2 reads the explanatory portion of the Law direct from The Scouts BSA Handbook (or use the last page of this document.) At the conclusion of the explanation, the Scout drops the sign and returns to his position. The first Scout on the speaker’s left lights the first candle on the speaker’s right in the same manner and says the second point. This continues until all 12 points of the law are covered. Then speaker #1 continues:

#1: YOU ARE NOW BATHED IN THE LIGHT OF THE TRAIL OF SCOUTING. THE LIGHT FROM SUCH A PATH CAN LEAD YOU ONLY TO SUCCESS. IF YOU AS (A) CANDIDATE(S) WISH TO FOLLOW THIS TRAIL, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND IN THE SCOUT SIGN, PLACE YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE TROOP FLAG AND REPEAT THE SCOUT OATH AFTER ME:  The troop flag is brought forward by speaker #2 and is lowered in front of the candidate(s) until parallel to the floor. (The flag must be carefully draped over the pole so that it does not touch the floor.)

#1: ON MY HONOR...! I, STATE YOUR NAME...WILL DO MY BEST...TO DO MY DUTY…TO GOD AND MY COUNTRY…AND TO OBEY THE SCOUT LAW...TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AT ALL TIMES... AND TO KEEP MYSELF PHYSICALLY STRONG...MENTALLY AWAKE…AND MORALLY STRAIGHT…. TWO!  At the command “Two” the candidates drop the sign and remove their hands from the flag. The flag bearer posts colors.

#1: HAVING TAKEN THE OATH OF ALL SCOUTS, YOU WILL APPROACH THE LIGHT OF THE TRAIL OF SCOUTING AND ADD YOUR LIGHT TO THAT OF YOUR BROTHER SCOUTS.  Each candidate comes forward and in turn lights the candle for himself in back of the candles representing the 12 points of the Law. Speaker #1 should point out the appropriate candle if the candidate does not quickly locate it.

#3, CANDIDATES, WILL YOU PLEASE TURN AND FACE THE AUDIENCE.  The candidates turn and face the audience. Speaker #3 comes from behind the table and moves to the side of the candidates and facing both the candidates and the audience says:

#3: (Say the names of the candidates) IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT YOU WITH YOUR SCOUT BADGE WHICH SYMBOLIZES YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN THE WORLDWIDE BROTHERHOOD OF SCOUTING AND YOUR CHIEF SEATTLE COUNCIL PATCH WHICH SYMBOLIZES YOUR MEMBER IN THE CHIEF SEATTLE COUNCIL.  Speaker #3 then presents the Scout Award badge, card, and the Chief Seattle Council patch to each new Scout.  He gives each the Scout handclasp and congratulates and welcomes her to the troop.

#3: WILL THE PATROL LEADER(S) OF THESE (THIS) NEW SCOUT(S) PLEASE COME FORWARD AND PRESENT THEM (HER) WITH OUR TROOP NECKERCHIEF.  The patrol leaders bring forward the neckerchief s which they have previously rolled and fastened loosely with a neckerchief slide and place them on the new Scouts with the green side on the wearer’s right.

#3: THE NECKERCHIEF SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN WITH THE GREEN ON THE RIGHT. IT IS A SYMBOL OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN TROOP 8166. AS SUCH IT IS NEVER SOLD, TRADED, OR GIVEN AWAY WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE TROOP.  YOU ARE NOW (A) FULL MEMBER(S) OF TROOP 8166.  LET’S HEAR IT FOR OUR NEWEST FULL MEMBER(S).  Lead the applause.

#3: AT THIS TIME, I GIVE TO YOU THE RECRUITING SEGMENT, PLEASE CALL FORTH YOUR RECRUITER(S) AND PRESENT THE SEGMENT TO THE SCOUT MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR JOINING OUR TROOP.

#3:  LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE RECRUITER(S).  Lead the applause.

#1:   WILL ALL TROOP MEMBERS PLEASE FORM A CIRCLE AROUND THE CANDLES MAKING ROOM FOR OUR NEWEST MEMBER(S.)  Patrol leaders conduct the new members into the circle and all join hands (left over right.)

#1: WE WILL CLOSE OUR CEREMONY WITH THE TROOP SONG.  The song leader leads the troop in the singing of the song.

#1: THIS CONCLUDES OUR CEREMONY. LET US CONGRATULATE OUR NEW MEMBERS.  Speaker #1 shouts ‘AHA!’ and the troop members respond with “HYAS KLOSHE, HYAS KLOSHE, HYAS KLOSHE!”

Following the cheer, the troop returns to the chairs, the lights are turned on, and the candles extinguished by one of the speakers. The Scoutmaster collects the discarded training neckerchiefs for recycling.  The scripts are returned to the file folder.

THE    SCOUT    LAW

A SCOUT IS TRUSTWORTHY
A Scout tells the truth.  She is honest, and she keeps her promises. People can depend on her.

A SCOUT IS LOYAL
A Scout is true to her family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.

A SCOUT IS HELPFUL
A Scout cares about other people.  She willingly volunteers to help other without expecting payment or reward.

A SCOUT IS FRIENDLY
A Scout is a friend to all.  She is a sister to other Scouts.

A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position.  She knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.

A SCOUT IS KIND
A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle.  She treats others as she wants to be treated.  Without good reason, she does not harm or kill any living thing.

A SCOUT IS OBEDIENT
A Scout follows the rules of her family, school, and troop.  She obeys the laws of her community and country.  If she thinks these rules and laws are unfair, she tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.

A SCOUT IS CHEERFUL
A Scout looks for the bright side of life.  She cheerfully does tasks that come her way.  She tries to make others happy.

A SCOUT IS THRIFTY
A Scout works to pay her way and to help others.  She saves for the future.  She protects and conserves natural resources.  She carefully uses time and property.

A SCOUT IS BRAVE
A Scout can face danger although she is afraid.  She has the courage to stand for what she thinks is right even if others laugh at her or threaten her.

A SCOUT IS CLEAN
A Scout keeps her body and mind fit.  She chooses the company of those who live by high standards.  She helps keep her home and community clean.

A SCOUT IS REVERENT
A Scout is reverent toward God.  She is faithful in her religious duties.  She respects the beliefs of others.