Arrow of Light Ceremony
Script revised 3/8/09
Four Principle Characters enter from the back of the room a few seconds apart headed for the front of the room. Brave #1 and Chief Akela stand to the Left of the Arrow of Light Stand and Brave #2 & #3 stand to the Right.
Brave #1: (Turning to Chief Akela, but still looking at the audience) Chief Akela, there are Scouts among us worthy of the highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela: My brother, seek out these scouts Scouts and bring them into our circle.
Brave #1 goes out into the audience and finds the Scouts in the designated pick up area. He forms them into a line and tells them to follow him. The Drum starts a slow even beat. Brave #1 leads The Scouts to Brave #3. When he gets about 2 feet from him, the drum gives 1 sharp beat.
Brave #1: Hakola!
Brave #3: Hakola! Who are these Scouts who follow the path of the arrow?
Brave #l: These are the Scouts whom are worthy of the Arrow of Light.
Brave #3: Go forth, and seek the arrow on the upward trail,
The Drum starts its regular beat. Brave #1 leads the Scouts to Brave #2, the drum then gives three quick beats.
Brave #1: Hakola!
Brave #2: Hakola! Who are these Scouts who follow the path of the Arrow?
Brave #1: These are the Scouts whom are worthy of the Arrow of Light.
Brave #2: Go forth, and seek the arrow on the upward trail.
The Drum starts its regular beat. Brave #1 leads the Scouts to Chief Akela, the drum gives 1 sharp beat.
Brave#1: Hokala!
Chief Ake1a: Hakola! Who are these Scouts who follow the Path of the Arrow?
Brave#1: These are the Scouts whom are worthy of the Arrow of Light.
Chief Akela: Go forth, and place these Scouts within our circle.
The drum starts its regular beat. Brave #1 places the Scouts in a line beside the Arrow of Light display. Then the Drum gives three distinct sharp beats. Brave #1 assumes his position beside Chief Akela.
Chief Akela: Scouts, listen to the story of the Arrow.
Either Brave #3 or another designated person reads from a scroll the Story of the Arrow.
Brave #2: These seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow of Light. As they are lit, you will hear how they stand for the seven great virtues or life.
Brave #2 stands beside the Arrow of light display. As each virtue is said he steps in front of the display and lights each candle and then steps back to the side of the display. A designated person reads the meaning of each virtue as Brave #2 calls them out. When finished Brave #2 reassumes his position.
Chief Akela: (Facing toward Brave #1) My brother, go forth and seek the parents of these Webelos Scouts and bring them into our circle.
Brave #1: It shall be done Chief Akela.
The drum then starts a slow even beat. Brave #1 goes out into the audience and leads the parents in a line from the designated pick up area. He then places them behind their sons. Then Chief Akela and Brave #2 step in front of the Scouts in order to give them their awards.
Chief Akela: (Holding up the Arrow of Light badge) The Arrow of Light badge is the only award earned in Cub Scouts that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. It serves as a link between the two programs and points the way to new adventures in Boy Scouting.
Chief Akela and Brave #2 then pass out the awards. When finished, Brave #2 gives Chief Akela the parent’s pin. Chief Akela holds it up as he speaks.
Chief Akela: Here is your parent's pin. Scouts, place it on your parent now if they are present. Parents, you should take great pride in wearing this pin because it not only shows your son's achievement, but yours too. For you have helped him along his journey, Mothers, please continue to help your sons for they will need your guidance in future journeys.
After Chief Akela and Brave#2 pass out the mother's pins they take their places. Chief Akela then turns to Brave #1.
Chief Akela: My Brother, please escort these parents back to their seats.
Brave#1: It shall be done, Chief Akela.
The drum then starts a slow even beat while Brave #1 leads the parents back to their seats and then proceeds to the back of the audience. When the parents have been led back to their seats, the drum gives 1 sharp beat.
Chief Akela: (turning toward Brave #1) My brother, please escort these Scouts back to their seats.
Brave #1: It shall be done, Chief Akela.
The drum resumes its regular beat while Brave #2 leads the Scouts back to their seats and then proceeds to the back of the audience. Brave #3 follows the line of Weblos back to their seats and also proceeds to the back of the audience. Chief Akela blows out all but the center candle on the Arrow of Light display. The drum then pauses.
Chief Akela: This now concludes this Arrow of Light Ceremony.
Chief Akela now blows out the last candle and then proceeds to the back of the audience. The drum then continues its regular beat until Chief Akela is to the back of the audience. Then the Drum gives three slow distinct beats.
The Story of the Arrow
Within the Quiver of many a hunter the arrow has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow, just as the path that you must follow throughout your life.
Its tip points the way, the way to success in all that you do.
Its tip held away from you, a symbol that nothing should be left undone. If it is within your power to do it, then follow the arrow and see that it is done.
He, who follows the path of the arrow, serving his fellow man, will be a guide to them and will be known as a leader~
The Seven Virtues
"These seven candles represent the rays in the Arrow of Light. As they are lighted, you will hear how they stand for the seven great virtues of life."
1. Wisdom: Wisdom does not necessarily mean superior knowledge. It means putting to the right use the knowledge that one possesses.
2. Courage: Courage is not the quality that enables men to meet danger without fear, it is being able to meet danger in spite of one's fear.
3. Self-Control: Self-control isn't limited to the control of one's temper, but control of one's self in all things: eating, playing, and even working and talking.
4. Justice: Justice is the practice of dealing fairly with others without prejudice or regard to race, color, or creed.
5. Faith: Faith is the conviction that something unproved by physical evidence is true. One 8-year-old Cub Scout said faith was when you turned the light switch, that you know the light would go on.
6. Hope: Hope means to expect with confidence. Always hope for better things to come. A man without hope is of little good to himself or his community.
7. Love: There are many kinds of love: love of family, love of home, love of country, and love of god. All these loves are necessary for a full life.
If you live by the seven great virtues you will become a happy man, and a happy man is a successful man.