June 2000

Advancement Ceremony-- Flight Through Space

PREPARATION: Ceremony board resembles chart of sun and planets with Boy Scout as sun and Cub ranks as planets. A small blue and yellow cardboard rocket should be make for each boy getting a badge and placed on or under his new rank. If a loop of masking tape is placed on the back of each rocket, rocket can be moved by the Cubmaster to new rank as parent is presented badge.

CUBMASTER: Will the Den Chief please bring forward the Cub Scouts who are ready for advancement? (Pause and wait for boys to come forward.) Cub Scouts, we are happy to see you have taken another flight forward in our Cub Scout Galaxy. Please face your fellow Cub Scouts and the Den Chief will lead them in the rocket cheer. (Pause for rocket cheer.) Den Chief, will you bring the parents of these Cub Scouts forward? (Den Chief brings parents forward, placing each Cub between his parents.) These Cub Scouts have done a fine job in our pack. They are progressing through our Cub Scout Galaxy. This would not be possible if it were not for the interest and help of their parents. I'm proud of the parents in our pack. As I move your rocket forward in our galaxy, your parent will present you with your badge. (Cubmaster calls off names of Scouts as he moves rockets to appropriate ranks on ceremony board while parents present badges. Cubmaster congratulates boys and parents with Cub Scout handshake.)

Closing Ceremony--Star Wars Closing

Cub Scouts have large cards spelling out STAR WARS. As each one steps forward, he holds up his card and says his line:

S stands for seek. Seek the mysteries of the future.

T stands for Top. Top the obstacles of youth.

A stands for Advance. Advance in the Cub Scouting program.

R stands for Reap. Reap the fruits of your labors.

W stands for Watch. Watch for imperfections.

A stands for Attack. Attack you shortcomings.

R stands for Reach. Reach for the sky.

S stands for Shoot. Shoot for the stars.

All: And may the force be with you, all the days of your lives.

Aim for the Stars

The words "Aim for the Stars" have important meaning to Cub Scouts. There have been many before us who have set their sites and lived their lives by Aiming for the Stars. And while they may not have made it on the first try, or the second, or even the third, they eventually do make it.

A Cub Scout who does his best like our motto says, is bettering himself. Sure, sometimes he may not "hit the stars," but he grows from his trying. He is preparing himself for greater attempts and for great successes.

Remember, not everyone makes their goals every time, but we all make the world a better place by doing our best and Aiming for the Stars. And isn't that what our real goal is in life?