Induction Ceremony

BOBCATS SEARCHING FOR THE JOYS OF SCOUTING

PERSONNEL: Akela (Cubmaster); Assistant Cubmaster; Bobcat candidates and parents.

EQUIPMENT: Webelos candle board with Arrow and seven candles on arc and one candle in front as Spirit of Cub Scouting, Bobcat pin.

Bobcat candidates are out of room with Assistant Cubmaster. They are let into the room which is lighted only by the Spirit of Cub Scouting candle.

AKELA: Who goes there?

ACM: Boys in search of the joys of Boy Scouting.

AKELA: Whom do you seek?

ACM: Akela, the great spirit of Cub Scouting.

AKELA: Are these boys wise in the ways of the Bobcat?

ACM: They are, Akela.

AKELA: Show me.

(candidates repeat Cub Scout Promise and Law of Pack)

AKELA: Cub Scouts, you have passed the test necessary for your entrance into the great game of Cub Scouting. You have repeated the Promise and the Law of the Pack. You have assumed responsibility that is not light; and have agreed to do your best, to help other people and to obey the Law of the Pack. These tasks are not always easy, but they are ones from which you will get much pleasure and satisfaction.

The totem before you represents the flight of time (the arrow) and the rising sun (the semicircle). The seven candles across the top represent the spirit of Cub Scouting. These seven candles also have another meaning. The first candle means "I promise to do my best" (lights candle); the second means "to help other people"; the third means "to obey the Law of the Pack"; the fourth means "the Cub Scout follows Akela"; the fifth means "the Cub Scout helps the pack go"; the sixth means "the pack helps the Cub Scout grow"; and the last "the Cub Scout gives good will."

Notice the brightness of things about us. The totem now represents a boy who is living the Cub Scout Promise and obeying the Law of the Pack. When a Cub Scout does not obey the Promise and Law of the Pack, it is very noticeable, just like this darkness. (snuffs out candles) Remember your Cub Scout promise and live it every day.