Dens, packs, patrols, and troops all need ceremonies to have a sense of tradition and community. Cub Scout ceremonies can be especially fun, trying different ways to do an opening, closing, or flag ceremony. Use this page to find new ways to make your meetings interesting and memorable by choosing appropriate ones for each level of scouting and each stepping stone in the scout trail.
A cub scout ceremony should be simpler and more exciting than one for scouts which can tend more toward solemn and meaningful. Whether it is a tiger cub induction, meeting opening, or Webelos bridging, there are fun special ways to make the event memorable to the scouts. For every rank in scouts - tiger, wolf, bear, webelos, arrow of light, scout, tenderfoot, 2nd class, 1st class, star, life, and eagle scout - you can use unique ceremonies that will mark the occasion.
Comments: Feb 04, 2013 - Keena Cauthen
I have to agree with Matthew above, that the ceremony for a flag retirement where the flag is cut into the individual parts (each stripe and the field left whole), was the best I have participated in or led. I did this in 2011 for our flag retirement ceremony in conjunction with the local VFW and even the veterans all commented on how it was the best ceremony that they had watched. I took that with high honors. I had a retiree as my MC (a parent of one of our Scouts) and one of our Den Leaders was also on Active Duty, and had him in uniform assisting with the cutting of the flag. Boys from ages 6 through 14 were involved, as we opened it up to not only our Pack but the other local Packs and Troops, and involved some of each. Made a lasting impression on all the boys, and most of the adults!
Feb 12, 2013 - Louis Wright USN (ret)
I agree, The ceremony in which you seperate the stripes and the board of stars is the most tear jerking you will ever be a part of, brings bak memories of one I held on an anual canoe trip with my troop (208) and not only weere the adults( vets) in tears but every child there was also.
Our nation flag is one to not only respected but reveered. If you have not evern taken part on been present in a TRUE retirement ceremony you need to DO IT and re attach your sole to this country.
May 27, 2013 - Lora Lee Smith
I have led my pack to desire flags for over a decade. I went on line to find out to properly retire the flag and we cut the flag into sections for burning. This year the cemetery where we plant flags for Memorial Day collected all of the tattered flags in the cemetery- 2 garbage bags full. This weekend alone vets and volunteers walk up and said they heard we retired flags- 24 more. We make flag retirement part of summer camp so that we have the time and a place to bury the ashes. The greatest pleasure and best stories come from presenting the grommets to those who have served America. Last year I presented one to a retired colonel and 40 year scout volunteer. He wept and said it was the most cherished thing he had ever received. This year the troop will join us to learn how to retire flags. Since we teach youth how to present, handle and fold the flag, we should also teach them how to retire them. It has become the most solemn event of our year.
May 19, 2015 - Jarrett
I'm new to this site and noticed that this topic was some time back. But my thoughts are that the "burning" of a flag is usually in a protest. If you respectfully cut each piece of the flag it is no longer a flag but pieces. Therefor when it is burned you are not "burning a flag" but retiring the pieces which made up a flag. I don't think there is a write or wrong way as long as it's done with respect. Cutting the pieces with care couldn't be worse that flying some of the flags I've seen displaid on a flag pole.
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