Arrow of Light Challenge Ceremony

This Ceremony is meant for AoL scouts.

Akela: Tonight we have Arrow of Light Scouts who have earned Cub Scouting's highest award. As I call your name, please come forward with your parents.

(Call names earning the Arrow of Light badge)

Akela: Long ago, Indian braves would collect eagle feathers. Eagle feathers could not be worn by just anyone. A brave needed to earn the right to wear such prized honors. He would stand before the tribal council and tell of a brave deed he had done to win the feather. If the council felt the deed was worthy, the brave was allowed to display the feather. This was called 'counting coup' and feathers might be worn in the hair, on clothes, on a banner, or on a coup stick.

Akela: Cub Scouts 'count coup' by actively participating in the den and pack to earn the rank awards and adventure pins on their uniform. These badges are highly valued in our tribe, but other tribes have their own honors for braves that excel.
When you are no longer a member of this pack, you may no longer wear the badges and honors you received here. But, you may keep them forever and share the stories of how you earned them with your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Akela: You have reached the summit of the Cub Scout trail. You have earned the top Cub Scouting award - the Arrow of Light. It is my pleasure to give this Arrow of Light badge to your parents as they have been your Akela through your scouting journey this far. Parents, please present these badges to your scouts and congratulate them on a 'job well done.'

(Den Leader presents the parents with the Arrow of Light badge and asks them to pin it on their scout.)

Akela: You've come to the final fork in the Cub Scout trail. Your choices are to veer off the path or continue up the trail to the next summit in scouting. The Arrow of Light is a significant achievement. It is recognized as such by Scouting America. When you join a Scouts BSA troop, you continue to wear the Arrow of Light on your uniform - it is the only honor from Cub Scouts that is recognized by the troop you join. When you become an adult leader, you wear a square knot which represents the Arrow of Light on your uniform. In view of the significance of this award, I offer my sincere congratulations to each of you.

(Cubmaster shakes the hand of each scout and parent)

Akela: In Scouts BSA, when they have an Eagle Court of Honor, a challenge is made to the new Eagle Scout. Tonight, I want to offer such a challenge to each of you. You have achieved the highest rank in Cub Scouts. You have shown what you are capable of doing.

I challenge each of you to continue to live by the ideals you have learned in Cub Scouts, especially the Cub Scout motto: 'DO YOUR BEST'.

I challenge each of you to continue your high level of achievement in your future troop home.

I challenge each of you to look at the Arrow of Light badge and think about what it represents:

• The sun shedding its light on all that we do. A reminder that you should be a light for those around you.
• The seven rays of the sun representing the seven days of the week. A reminder that you should do your best every day.
• The arrow symbolic of everything which is straight and true. Just as you should be straight and true in your life.

I challenge each of you to soar to great heights and obtain the Eagle Scout Award.

Akela: Parents, guests, and Cub Scouts of Pack ___, please join with me in giving these scouts a standing ovation for achieving the highest award in Cub Scouting.
Congratulations and good luck!