Arrow of Light Face Painting Ceremony

For:
Cubmaster (CM), Assistant Cubmaster (ACM), Webelos Leader (WL), Scoutmaster (SM), Webelos Den Chief, Arrow of Light (AOL) recipients and their parents.

Props:
Ceremony Table with AOL awards and pins; AOL Ceremonial Board with 4 candles: Blue (Spirit of Cub Scouting), Yellow (Arrow of Light Award), Green (Boy Scout), and White (Spirit of Scouting ). Also needed: Tom-tom, spotlight, poster paints: blue, yellow, green, white; Crossover bridge, large AOL sign (wood or cardboard) with string for each recipient; handbook and neckerchief for each recipient .

Note: At the opening of the ceremony, only the white candle is lit; CM and ACM are at front of room; Webelos Den Chief is at back of room with recipients; WL is on one side of room, Parents on other side. SM waits on other side of bridge. Throughout the ceremony, a tom-tom drum is beaten, slowly. When the tom-tom starts, the Den Chief leads the blindfolded recipients from the back of the room to the Webelos Den Leader (in arm-to-shoulder "link up"), who then leads them to their parents. The parents then lead them (individually) to the ceremony table.

CM:
As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail with the help of many Akelas. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout, you will find that, while there are still many people willing to help, you take on more and more responsibility for blazing your own trail to Eagle. (ACM removes blindfolds when in front of table) (Names of AOL recipients), you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the requirements for Cub Scouting's highest rank: The Arrow of Light.

(ACM lights Blue Candle, as the CM reads) The first band of color is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout. The white candle represents the ideals of Scouting, as embodied by the 12 points of the Scout Law. Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting -- the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, when you receive the Arrow of Light badge? (Webelos Scouts answer, "We do"; WL applies Blue Paint to each recipient's face).

Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, do you also promise to continue to help your boy in his Scouting adventures. (Parents answer, "We do").

The second band of color, white, represents the Scout Law. Even though youth and adult leaders will cheerfully show you the skills you need, it will be up to you to live up to the 12 points of the Scout Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent? (Webelos answer, "We do"; WL applies white paint)

The third band of color, and the yellow candle, stand for the Arrow of Light. Within the teepees of many braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow -- just as is the path that you Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way -- the way to success in all that you do. It is pointing to the right -- a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do it, see that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this is to remind you that every day is a new day -- a day to Do Your Best in everything: A day to honor your God and Country, to do your Good Turn, a new chance to follow the Scout Law and to remember these words: On My Honor

ACM:
(as the WL places the wooden AOL's over each recipient’s head) Just as each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, they each have crafted their own Arrow of Light to help them remember their promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. Do you promise to let its light shine forth from you, to set an example for others to follow in your footsteps, to set your eye on the Eagle and never waiver? (Webelos reply, "We promise"; WL applies yellow paint).

CM:
Then I, Akela, have the distinct honor to say to you: You are now earned the Arrow of Light! (CM hands the parents the Arrow of Light awards and asks them to pin them upon the boys). Next, we ask the Webelos to pin upon their mom or dad a miniature Arrow of Light, and to give them a big hug to thank them for all their help.

WL:
You may wear the awards on your Scout uniforms, centered below the left shirt pocket. It is a great honor for me to greet you as winners of the Arrow of Light award. (all leaders shake hands of recipients)

ACM:
The last candle, and the last band of color, is Green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy Scout. As your Den Leader applies the paint on each of you, I ask that (Scoutmaster's name), Scoutmaster of Troop _____, come forward and light the Green Candle to start you on your way as Boy Scouts. (Scoutmasters name) will now lead you across the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting, where (names of Boy Scouts that will be greeting Webelos as they cross) will be waiting to greet you and present you with the handbooks and neckerchiefs you already have earned through your diligence this past month.

-- Source: America OnLine, 1995

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