Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony For XXXX Troop 1145, November 1, :00 pm Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony For XXXX Troop 1145, November 1, :00 pm Prince of Peace Lutheran Church THIS IS BASIC TEMPLATE EDIT AS YOUR PROGRAM REQUIRES MC: (Typically a Scout working on Communications Merit Badge) Rank Scouts: (Typically use Scouts of the rank they will read) Scout: List Scout Names after each rank Tenderfoot: Scout Name 2 nd Class: Scout Name 1 st Class: Scout Name Star: Scout Name Life: Scout Name Eagle: Scout Name Invocation: (Typically the current Troop Chaplain) Honorary Guest: (If there are any present) Eagle Meaning: ASM Eagle Obligations and Responsibilities: ASM Eagle Voice: ASM Eagle Pledge: ASM Eagle Charge: Guest (that is an Eagle Scout) or ASM (preferably an Eagle Scout) Eagle Letters and Gifts: Committee Chair Eagle Award: Scoutmaster Benediction: Same as invocation Color Guard: Captain: Troop Scout Members: At least two Troop Scouts 1

2 WELCOME Master of Ceremony (MC) MC Name MC: Moves to position behind the podium and calls for attention MC: Ladies and gentlemen, would you please take your seats. The ceremony is about to begin. (Wait for all to be seated before proceeding ) MC: Good Afternoon, my name is XXXX. It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of Troop 1145 to this Eagle Court of Honor. Through this ceremony, we will reocognize XXXX for the award of Eagle Scout. Presentation of the Eagle Award is an important and serious matter. For the Eagle candidates with us today, the award is a climax of many years of Scouting activities. Attainment of the Eagle Award is only possible through the support and dedication of Scout leaders, family, friends, and fellow Scouts. This is an occasion for pride as well as a time for reflection. Now, will the audience please stand for the presentation of the colors and remain standing for the invocation. Color Guard, please present the colors. (Note: Whenever XXXX is found in this template, it should be replaced with Eagle Scout s name) PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS Captain of the Color Guard moves to the front and stands in center of the main aisle. Captain: Color guard, advance Troop Salute Color Guard advances colors to flag bases, then turns to face the audience. Captain: Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Captain: Ready, Two. Color guard post the colors Captain: Color guard dismissed 2

3 Color guard leaves and goes to rear of the room MC: Would XXXX, the Troop 1145 Chaplain s Assistant please come forward for the invocation. ( pause ) Invocation MC: Will the audience please be seated. CONVENING THE COURT OF HONOR MC: Will the Eagle candidate XXXX please present himself and come before this Court of Honor (pause) XXXX takes seat in front of room MC: I declare this court of honor to be duly convened. At this time I would like to welcome XXXX s family and friends, the Scouts, and Families and Friends of Boy Scout Troop It is truly a pleasure to have you here with us this afternoon. (If there are honored guests) MC: On behalf of the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman of Troop 1145, we would like to welcome an honored guest: Would please come forward at this time to address Troop Honored Guest remarks MC: Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to be with us today. TRAIL OF THE EAGLE MC: XXXX, you have worked long and hard to reach this point. Before conferring this award, it is fitting that you take a moment to look back on your Trail to Eagle. (Dim the lights if possible) SCOUT: I am the Scout. My badge represents the international brotherhood of Scouting which I have joined. 3

4 TENDERFOOT: I am the Tenderfoot. The three points of tenderfoot stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath. You will find me on the mariner's compass, forever pointing the way to the North Star and a safe journey in life. On my face are two stars representing truth and knowledge. A shield that is the emblem of a nation molded together in justice, and an eagle to Guard the freedom of my land. SECOND CLASS: I am the Second Class Scout. The ends of my scroll are turned up in the willing smile of the Scout. On my face is our motto--be prepared, and suspended from me is the knot, tied there to remind you of the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America, Do a Good Turn Daily. FIRST CLASS: I am the First Class Scout. I was the tenderfoot and I laid my course by the stars of truth and knowledge, and guided myself with the righteousness of justice and freedom. I added a smile, that I might be a friend to all, and bound myself with a knot of duty to others. STAR: I am the Star Scout. Now that I can stand alone, I have earned the right to improvement on my own. To me goes the honor of choosing my field. Before me lies a horizon of Endless Opportunity. LIFE: I am the Life Scout. I have shown the world that Scouting is in my heart. I have mastered knowledge of subjects that will benefit my country and my fellow man. I am ready to reach for my wings to fly. EAGLE: I am the Eagle Scout. I have seen the glory of the mountain crests, and my eyes are now set -- unblinking -- ever higher. With a clear view, I can look back on my path and see that the climb that seemed too hard for me was an illusion, serving to test my resolve and courage. I have learned that the true glory of the Eagle comes not from what I have done to earn it, but from the knowledge of my responsibility to others from this point on until my final rest. EAGLE: RANK SCOUTS -- Scout sign! At the Eagle Scout's lead, all RANK SCOUTS give the Scout sign and repeat-slowly and clearly, in unison, the Scout Law. At the Eagle Scout's call, they drop the sign and then return to their seats. (Lights raised to normal level) 4

5 MC: Thank you, Scouts. As a Scout moves along the ranks of Scouting he should be proud of his accomplishments. It is the culmination of the best efforts not only of the Scout, but also of all those who by their example and leadership, helped him along the way. Advancement denotes the maturing of character, the training of leadership, and the practice of service. MC: ASM X, will now counsel these Eagle Candidates as to the meaning of the Eagle. Meaning of the Eagle ASM X: The awarding of the Eagle Badge is the goal for which a Scout works many years; an occasion for pride. It is the culmination of the efforts of the various leaders and of the Scout. The Eagle Award is the highest rank in Scouting; the last major step in the advancement program. Fewer than 4 of every 100 boys who joins Scounting in the United States reaches the rank of Eagle. It takes the average Eagle scout 5 years to achieve the goal. Seventy-eight percent of Eagle Scouts were Webelos as Cub Scouts, and 71 percent earned Cub Scouting s highest award, the Arrow of Light. At this point, we may infer that XXXX have achieved Scouting s purpose in the building of character, training of leadership, and the practice of service. The requirements of Eagle rank are as follows: First: earn 21 merit badges, including 13, which are Eagle required. Second: serve actively in a troop leadership position for a period of 6 months after becoming a life scout. Third: the Scout must plan, develop, and carry out a service project worthy of an Eagle Scout. Finally, the Eagle candidate must appear before a board of prominent persons who question if he has done his best to understand and live up to the Scout Oath and Law, and in all ways, qualify for the Eagle Scout Award. This has been verified, confirmed, and approved by the National Boy Scout office. [ASM XXX returns to his seat] MC: It is important to recognize that the Eagle Award, in addition to being a great honor, is also a great responsibility. The Troop Committee feels it appropriate that the candidate be 5

6 informed of these responsibilities of an Eagle Scout before accepting the award. ASM X will now explain the obligations and responsibilities of being an Eagle. Eagle Obligations and Responsibilities ASM X: Through the years, the majesty of the eagle has appealed to great people from prehistoric times to the present day. To the Egyptians, the eagle was the messenger to the gods, a symbol of eternal life. To the Romans, he was the carrier of Jupiter s thunderbolts and a sign of power. To the American Indians, the eagle stood as the incentive to valor and the pledge of victory. Today, the Eagle is a living symbol of courageous and freedom aspiring Americans. When the Eagle Scout Award was initially designed in 1912, it was decided to suspend a small silver Eagle from a tri-colored ribbon of red, white, and blue. So it has remained until today. The first responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. An Eagle's honor is sacred. Honor is the foundation of all character. Character is what one really is -- down deep inside -- and not what others think he is. An Eagle will so live that he reflects credit upon his home, his church, his school, his friends, and upon himself. May the white of your badge remind you to live with honor. The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. An Eagle is loyal to his ideals. To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. Neither pain nor profit, pride nor personal loss shall swerve him in his loyalty. May the blue of your badge remind you to always be loyal. The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is courage. Courage gives all character force and strength. With faith in God and trusting in his fellow man, he faces each day unafraid and seeks his share of the world's work to do. May the red of your badge remind you always of courage. The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be cheerful. To remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile, the red, white, and blue ribbon is attached to the scroll of the second class Scout award, which has its ends turned up in a smile. The final obligation of an Eagle Scout is service. He extends a helping hand to those who still toil up the Scouting trail he has just completed, just as others before him helped him in his own achievement of the Eagle rank. The habit of a daily good turn must take on new meaning, and blossom forth in a life of service. He protects and defends the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate, and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while demanding his own. His code of action is based upon the belief that real leadership must be founded upon real service. May the motto Be Prepared always remind you that as an Eagle you are among the best prepared to be of service to others. May the Eagle suspended from the ribbon always remind you to perform that service when the opportunity presents itself. 6

7 As the Eagle Scout Award was initially designed with a small silver eagle suspended from a tri-colored ribbon of red, white and blue. So it has remained until today. (ASM X takes his seat.) VOICE OF the EAGLE MC: Listen now to the Voice of the Eagle. (Lights are dimmed if possible) ASM X (Red from the rear of the room): I am the eagle. I am prepared To stand for virtues Of Freedom, Strength, And Pride. I am prepared To serve My God, My Country, And Other people. I am prepared To stand for Honesty, Truth, and Integrity. I am Prepared To lead others To accompish set tasks, To the best of my ability. I am the Eagle I am prepared To defend What makes America great For all people I am prepared To cross all lines Of race, creed, And nationality. I am prepared To be self-reliant And resourceful. I am the Eagle I am prepared. (Lights raised to normal level) MC: ASM X, will now administer the Eagle pledge. EAGLE PLEDGE ASM X: Eagle candidate XXXX, please stand to accept the Eagle Pledge. 7

8 XXXX stands and faces ASM X ASM XXX: Eagle candidate XXXX, do you understand the meaning of the Eagle rank? XXXX: ASM X: Scout? XXXX: I do. Are you willing to accept the obligations and responsibilities of an Eagle I am. ASM X: In recognition of these obligations, I ask you to reaffirm yourself to scouting by repeating the Scout Law. Resolve to uphold forever its principles, with the same ambition and preseverance that have brought you this far. XXXX: (Recites Scout Law) A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent ASM X: I will now administer the Eagle Pledge. XXXX, please repeat the Eagle Pledge after me: I, (state your name), realize the obligation to my fellow Eagles, my home, my country, and my God. I will at all times, do my best to assist other Scouts who are climbing the Trail of the Eagle, to give back more to Scouting than it has given me, to assist my troop as much as possible and to be a living example of the Scout Oath and Law to the best of my ability. [ASM X and XXXX returns to their seats] MC: ASM X or Guest Eagle Scout Adult will now administer the Eagle Charge. EAGLE CHARGE 8

9 ASM X/Guest: XXXX, I have the honor of giving you the Eagle Scout Charge. The Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant movements in the world s history. You have been judged by the Boy Scouts of America as being worthy of the highest rank in this great movement. Your position, as you know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are marked men. As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your fellow Scouts, and to mankind in general. This is a great undertaking. As you live up to your obligations, you bring honor to yourself and to your brother Scouts. America has many good things to give you and your children after you; but these good things depend, for the most part, on the quality of her citizens. Our country has had a great past. You can help make the future even greater. I charge you, XXXX, to undertake your citizenship with a solemn dedication. Be a leader, but lead only toward the best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the high level of service to God and your fellow man. So live and serve, that those who know you will be inspired to finer living. I charge you to be among those who dedicate their skills and ability to the common good. Build America on the solid foundation of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God; and whatever others may do - you will leave behind you a record of which every other scout may be justly proud. XXXX, you will now rededicate yourself to Scouting by repeating the Scout Oath. Repeat it slowly as you stand before the lighted candles representing Scouting s ideals. Resolve to uphold forever its principles, with the same ambition and perseverance that have brought you this far. XXXX: Recite Scout Oath ASM X / Guest: XXXX, I charge you to enter this Eagle Brotherhood, holding the ideals of honor and service. By repeating the Eagle Scout promise before your fellow members you will become an Eagle Scout. Though the words you use are similar to those by which you joined Scouting, they mean more now than they could have meant at any time in the past. When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor, you will be sealing your loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout, with the words that close the Declaration of Independence. ASM X / Guest: Will Scouts, Parents, and guests please stand. I ask that all Eagle Scouts present, both youth and adult, please come forward and stand in a line facing the audience to restate with XXXX the allegiance that they pledged when they received Scouting s highest award: 9

10 [Pause and wait until all Eagles come forward and stand in a line on the floor in front of altar] ASM X / Guest: XXXX and Eagle Scouts, please raise the Scout Sign and repeat after me: I affirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath. I thoughtfully recognize, and take upon myself, the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle Scout. on my honor, I will do my best, to make my training an example, my rank and my influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in my troop, in my community, And in my contacts with other people. to this I pledge my sacred honor. Two ASM X / Guest: XXXX, your fellow Eagles and I welcome you to the brotherhood of Eagle Scout. ASM X / Guest: Eagles, I thank you for participating in this Eagle Charge. You may take your seats. [XXXX returns to seat] LETTERS OF CONGRATULATIONS PRESENTATION OF GIFTS MC: Troop Committee Chairman, will now present letters of congratulations and gifts for the newest Eagle Scout of Troop

11 TC Chair: XXXX, I would first like to present the congratulations of the Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and other dignitaries who could not be with us today. Several have sent congratulatory letters instead. TC Chair reads portions of some letters, points out certificates and presents gifts: This portion is at the discretion of the Eagle Scout based on letters received or gifts (TC Chair then sits down.) MC: Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster of Troop 1145, will now present the Eagle award to XXXX SM: XXXX, I am sure you would agree that some special persons should be afforded the privledge of standing with you to share in the high honors you have earned. Will the parents of the Eagle candidate come forward to join their son. [Pause while parents take their place beside the new Eagle Scout.] SM: XXXX it is a real pleasure to present you with your Eagle Award. [SM pins the award on XXXX shirt and shakes his hand.] SM: XXXX, I ll also present you with other additions to your Scout uniform that serve as symbols of your Eagle Scout Award. [SM removes Troop neckerchief and replaces it with the eagle neckerchief.] SM: By the authority vested in this Court of Honor by the National Capitol Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, and by the recommendation of the various persons who have investigated your credentials, your leadership practice, and your character, this court hereby awards the rank of Eagle Scout to XXXX. SM: In recognition for the encouragement, and support given by your parents to aid in your efforts, please present your mother and father the miniature Eagle pin which they will be proud to wear in your honor. [XXXX presents pins to parents] 11

12 SM: No Eagle Scout completes the trail to Eagle alone. There are many adults and fellow Scouts that have provided XXXX with mentorship over the years. XXXX, in recognition of the mentorship that you have received, you are afforded the opportunity to present the one individual that has most significantly helped you along the Eagle trail with your Eagle Mentor Pin. XXXX has selected as this mentor. XXXX please present with your Eagle Mentor pin. SM: On behalf of all the Scouts and Scouters of Troop 1145, I express our most sincere congratulations to you for your outstanding accomplishment. We are all very proud of you. Parents, would any of you like to offer any comments? [SM returns to seat.] MC: Will the parents please return to their seats? [Parents return to their seats] MC: I now present Troop 1145 s newest Eagle Scout, XXXX. Would you now please address the audience? XXXX: makes his address MC: We will now give the Benediction. Benediction MC: Will XXXX and his parents, please adjurn to a reception line. XXXX & Parents go to stand in a reception line. MC: Following the retiring of the colors, please join the XXXX family in a reception. Will the audience PLEASE STAND for the retiring of the colors. Color Guard Captain moves to front of room, color forms in the rear of the room Captain: Color guard, advance Troop Salute retire the colors ready 2 MC: This concludes this Court of Honor. Thank you for attending. 12