PARTICIPANTS:
Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout's Mother
Eagle Scout's Father
Scoutmaster
Commissioner (or Executive)
Volunteer Scouter
Presenter
Eagle Scout escorts (four Eagles)
CEREMONY:
COMMISSIONER: At this time, on behalf of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, I hereby convene this Court of Honor for the purpose of presenting the Eagle Scout Badge to Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ]. Will everyone please stand and will the escorts please bring forward the Eagle Scout to the front of the room.
[Eagle escort brings the Eagle Scout forward to the assembled group.]
COMMISSIONER: The Eagle Scout Badge is the highest youth award that may be earned by a member of the Boy Scouting program. It represents another step forward by the Scout toward the BSA's goals of developing citizenship, imparting character development, and enhancing personal fitness. While the Eagle Scout Badge is one of seven badges that the Scout earns, the achievement of the Eagle Scout Badge is indeed the highest honor that a Scout may achieve.
Scout [ Scout's name ], will you please face the audience, raise your right hand in the Scout sign and please repeat the Scout Oath.
[Eagle Scout repeats the Scout Oath.]
COMMISSIONER: Thank you, Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ]. At this time, I wish to call upon your Scoutmaster to wish you well.
SCOUTMASTER: Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ], I wish to congratulate you upon this achievement on behalf of the boys and adults of Troop ___. We are all extremely proud of your achievement and equally proud of your progress along the Scouting trail. As a small token of our pride in you, it is my honor to present this special neckerchief, emblematic of all Eagle Scouts everywhere, to you. Please wear this with pride in our program and with pride in your personal achievement.
[Scout master removes old neckerchief and replaces it with Eagle Scout Neckerchief. This is different from the NESA white neckerchief, this one is blue and silver.]
[Scout master then expresses his or her own personal good wishes for the new Eagle.]
SCOUTMASTER: Just like your past progress along the trail, you did not go it alone. Your fellow Patrol and Troop members assisted you greatly. Your friends and those in your community-supported you while you completed the service projects in the Troop. But your parents supported you throughout and it is at this time I ask them to please join us here. Will the Eagle escort s please bring Mr. and Mrs. __________ forward to join their son.
[Eagle escorts bring the parents of the Eagle present.]
SCOUTMASTER: At this time, I wish to present __________ who will address all of us but particularly the new Eagle and his parents. Ladies and Gentlemen, __________.
PRESENTER: [says personal greetings, and other comments relating to the achievement of the Eagle Scout Badge. Then, states the following:]
I have the honor of presenting this presentation kit and certificate on behalf of the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America to your Scoutmaster for presentation to you.
[Presenter presents the presentation kit and certificate to the Scoutmaster, who then holds it while the presenter gives the new Eagle Scout the Eagle Scout Charge.]
PRESENTER: Mr. Scoutmaster, will you please assist me in presenting the Eagle Scout Badge to Mrs. __________, who will pin her son with this high honor.
[Scoutmaster opens the kit, gets the medal out, and gives it to the mother, who then pins her son's badge on the uniform on the left side above the pocket centered.]
PRESENTER: __________, because your mother gave birth to you, nurtured you and gave you solace, comforted you and assisted in your development, I ask you to please present to her the small Eagle pin, an outward symbol of your achievement which she may wear with pride.
[Scout master gives the pin to the Scout, who then turns and pins his mother.]
[At this time, the Volunteer Scouter stands and faces the Scout and his parents.]
VOLUNTEER SCOUTER: __________, my name is __________, and it is my honor to read to you a special message sent to you from the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America. However, before I read this, I wish to call upon anyone present who is a holder of the Eagle Scout Badge to please stand.
[Eagle escorts and any other Eagle Scouts present stand at this time. Volunteer Scouter reads the letter sent to Eagle Scouts from the National President and the Chief Scout Executive. Afterward, a Volunteer Scouter presents the letter and the Eagle Scout card to the father of the Scout.]
VOLUNTEER SCOUTER: At this time, the National Council, Boy Scouts of America hereby recognizes [ Scout's name ] as an Eagle Scout of Troop ___. We ask that Mr. __________ present his son with his card and the letter from the National Council.
[father presents card and letter to Scout.]
PRESENTER: [ Scout's name ], because your father raised you, taught you important lessons, gave you solace, comforted you, and assisted in your development, I ask you to please present to him the small Eagle tie tack, an outward symbol of your achievement which he may wear with pride.
[Scoutmaster gives the tie tack to the Scout, who then turns and pins his father.]
COMMISSIONER: On behalf of the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, I hereby declare this Court of Honor closed and join with all assembled in greeting the new Eagle Scout.
NOTE: Depending on time and circumstances, it is possible and desirable to add a place for the new Eagle to insert his own personal touches and for someone to list his achievements and his progress toward Eagle. Also, it is possible to add a presentation of membership in the National Eagle Scout Association.
SETTING:
The colors are posted in the front of the room with other appropriate candles and Eagle paraphernalia place.
PARTICIPANTS
Master of Ceremonies (MC)
Scoutmaster
Ceremony participants
Family of the Eagle candidate are all seated in the front row
Visiting Scouts, Scouters, and friends are also seated near the front.)
CEREMONY
MC: Tonight we have the honor and pleasure of bestowing the rank of Eagle Scout to a member of our troop. This presentation takes on added significance when one considers the tempo of the times. Democracy is a fresh conquest for each generation. This is an important and serious matter and a cause for concern of every true American.
In full awareness of the challenge of the times, the parents of this young man and his Scout leaders have labored long and faithfully. Their efforts culminate tonight in the presentation of the Eagle Award.
The success of these efforts will manifest in the way that this and every other Eagle Scout sets a social pattern for the lives they touch.
(The candidate is escorted to the front of the room by an honor guard.)
CHAPLAIN: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the interest in the Scouting movement that has brought this group together. We thank you for the success of the Scouting program in the United States since 1910. We are grateful for the influence that Troop ____ has had on the lives of boys since it held its first charter in 19___. We pray for continued blessings on this troop, its leaders, its troop committee, and its sponsor through the years ahead. We pray that Troop ____ may continue to turn out leaders for tomorrow, prepared as good citizens.
MC: The Scouting movement constitutes one of the most wholesome and significant developments of our day. Eagle Candidate [ Scout's name ] you have been deemed worthy of the highest rank in its membership. All who know you rejoice in your achievement. Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are now a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you will be asked to assume a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to your country, to your fellow Scouts, and to your fellow citizens. As this is a great undertaking, it is therefore right and proper that a board of review make a careful examination of each candidate prior to the presentation of an Eagle Award.
This candidate presented a record of merit badges earned. These have been carefully checked against council records and certified by appointed merit badge counselors. The board of review carefully checked the record of this candidate for leadership in his troop, school affairs, church association, in his community, and in the conduct of his Eagle service project.
This candidate has demonstrated his capacity and willingness to exert leadership in activities that are constructive and worthwhile. It has been satisfactorily established by the board of review that this candidate is putting into daily practice the principles of the Scout Oath and Law. In light of the inquires made, and the favorable results in each case, the board of review has found this candidate qualified and has authorized this court-of-honor to bestow upon you, [ Scout's name ], the rank of Eagle.
(Here, the parents would be recognized, the presentation made, and while the new Eagle Scout is pinning the miniature Eagle on his mother, the poem "An Eagle Scout" is read to the audience. The poem is found in Chapter 14)
(The rest of the ceremony would proceed as other typical examples illustrated.)
The Eagle Scout candidate will now take the Eagle Scout pledge. As the candidate takes this pledge for the first time, will those Eagle Scouts who are present in the audience please stand and reaffirm their pledge? Will each of you please give the Scout Sign and repeat after me in unison?
On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God. On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to my country. I reaffirm 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, and make my rank and influence strongly count for better scouting and for better citizenship, in my troop, in my community, and in my contact with other people, regardless of race, color, or creed. To this, I pledge my sacred honor.
The Eagle Scouts in the audience may now be seated. I charge you to enter this Eagle Scout brotherhood holding ever before you, without reservation, the ideals of honor and service. By repeating the Eagle Scout pledge before your fellow members, you have become an Eagle Scout. Though the words you used just now are similar to those by which you joined Scouting, today they mean more than they ever could have meant at that time, or at any time in the past. When you pledged yourself on your sacred honor, using the same words which are found at the end of the Declaration of Independence, you sealed your eternal loyalty to the code of the Eagle Scout. [ As one Eagle Scout to another, ] by the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege and pleasure to pronounce you an Eagle Scout. May the oath you have taken remain true in your heart. Ladies and Gentlemen, Scouts and Scouters, I present to you Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ].
This Eagle ceremony is ideal for more than one candidate.
SETTING:
(In the VIP area or on a stage or platform are seated the Mayor of the city, the chairperson of the court of honor, and the MC. Also, the commissioners and other distinguished Scouters and guests. The Commissioner rises and calls the roll of honor. Each Eagle candidate rises when his name is called and advances to the platform where they all stand at attention.)
CEREMONY:
The MC of the evening delivers the charge to the Eagle Scouts. The Mayor then calls each Scout by name, congratulates him, and presents to him his personal citation in an attractive folder. The Mayor reads the first citation in full. He calls the names of those who follow.
(At the close of the presentation, Scouts about-face, give Scout sign, and repeat the Scout Oath.)
MC: "I have the honor to give you the Eagle Scout charge on the occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in Scouting. The Boy Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant movements in the world's history and you have been chosen worthy of this high rank in the Boy Scouts of America. All who know you rejoice in your achievement. Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to country, to your fellow Scouts and to humanity.
As you live up to your obligations you bring honor to yourselves and to your brother Scouts. Your responsibility goes beyond Scouting, to your country and your God. America has much to give you and your children after you, but it depends for the most part on the quality of its citizens. Our country has had a great past. Your challenge is to make the future even greater. I charge you to undertake your citizenship with a solemn dedication. Be a leader, each of you, but lead only toward that which is the best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to a high level of service to God and to your fellow citizens. So live and serve that those who know you will be inspired to better living. We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and for selfish ends. 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. Whatever others may say or do, you will leave behind you a record of which every Scout may be proud.
CITATION TO Scout [ Scout's name ],
You joined Troop _____ of _____________ in the _______________ Council, Boy Scouts of America on ________. You advanced to Second class rank on ______________. To First class rank on __________.
You earned _____ merit badges, and because of your character and good citizenship, you achieved Star rank on __________. You received additional badges and awarded the Life rank on __________. You have earned the following badges: (List the badges here.)
In addition to these badges, you were recommended by your parents, your teachers, your Scoutmaster, and others whom we rely on. The court of honor believes you will be a first-class citizen, always worthy of your Eagle Badge of rank.
On behalf of ______________________ Council, Boy Scouts of America, and with the high hope that you will always represent the finest of character and citizenship, we welcome you to the Eagle rank and congratulate you, your parents, and Troop leaders.
This statement signed by the president of the council, Scout Commissioner, Chairperson of the court of honor, District Commissioner, Scoutmaster, and Scout Executive.
Officially presented by: _____________________________
Mayor of the city of _______________________________
Personalize your drink coasters with this excellent themed craft. Your kids can customize them for special occasions like New Year, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and more.
What you'll need:
How to make it:
- Open the graphics software and choose Avery Kids #03111 Square Stickers as the format.
- Design the coaster to match the celebration that you are having.
- Add photos to the coasters if you would like a personalized coaster for each guest.
- Print out the stickers, and let dry.
- Peel off stickers, and apply them to cardboard.
- Cut around stickers.
- Apply Con-Tact paper on the top and the bottom of the coasters. Be sure to leave enough Con-Tact paper around the coaster to seal it from spills.
- Set out and enjoy the compliments.
SETTING:
A ceremonial campfire as a backdrop. Six Indians enter either in silence or chanting in a low voice from backstage or from the rear of the audience if no stage is available. The four winds stand on one side, Allowat Sakima is at center stage, and Kichkinet off to the side near the candidate.
CEREMONY:
ALLOWAT: I have led my braves to the summit of this mountain in a long journey from our camp to show you the rewards of your climb along the trail. When you began this trip as a young Boy Scout of many years ago you had this mountain top as your goal. You now have reached the summit, the realm of the Eagles. Before admitting you into honored membership, we must first hear the story of your long climb along the Eagle trail.
KINET: This Scout, after reaching the First Class rank, has worked diligently and has sought experts who gave him valuable counsel on many subjects. He has been given advice and encouragement along the trail by capable leaders.
ALLOWAT: Before admitting this Scout to the realm of the Eagles, I must have an assurance that he has been faithful in serving his troop. Also, has he put into practice giving leadership to younger Scouts, and that he is entitled to wear the wings of the Eagle. Mr. Scoutmaster, has your Eagle candidate met these qualifications?
SCOUTMASTER: Yes, he has.
ALLOWAT: Scout [ Scout's name ], you have worked hard to achieve the rank of Eagle, but listen first to the wisdom of the winds.
EAST WIND: I am the spirit of the East Wind. I represent the common law, your duty to God and to country. Trustworthy, loyal, and helpful, are the qualities that a man must possess who lives by the laws of this land. See that you do not lose the great blessing of a lawful land.
WEST WIND: As the spirit of the West Wind. I represent the law of equity, your duty to country and others, friendly, courteous, and kind are the laws that breathe of conscience. They create the atmosphere that comes from within your heart; the desire for you always to be friends with those of all ages, young and old. Be courteous to those who pass along your trail. Cast away the harmful spirit of unfriendliness and selfishness.
SOUTH WIND: I am the spirit of the South Wind. I represent civil law, your duty to others and to self. Obedient, cheerful, and thrifty are the character of civility. A life of cheerful obedience is necessary for the development of a true citizen. Obedience is something we all must learn, to take orders and carry them out cheerfully. Real thrift means earning, spending wisely, and saving, and sharing with the less fortunate.
NORTH WIND: I am the spirit of the North Wind, the most powerful of all, I represent the divine law, your duty to be brave, clean, and reverent. To be brave is to be unselfish. To be clean in body and soul is to be pure in heart. Cast from your mind and body any evil spirits that try to weaken or destroy the divine law, live a life of reverence. Be always brave, clean, and reverent.
ALLOWAT: Through your climb up the Scouting trail, the badges have changed as your abilities grew. One pledge remained unchanged, the Scout Oath. Is there any reason why you as a new Eagle cannot renew this promise which you first made as a new Scout?
CANDIDATE: No.
ALLOWAT: Then please stand and with the Scout sign, recite the Scout Oath, slowly and clearly.
CANDIDATE: (Repeat the Scout Oath slowly.)
ALLOWAT: Scouting has been a great influence on your life. It has supplemented the effect of your home, your church, and your school. You climbed through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class.
KINET: Then additional merit badges allowed you to be a Star Scout, while still more and harder ones found you wearing the heart of a Life Scout. More time and harder requirements found you adding to your qualifications until now you have reached the highest rank in the Scouting movement, the Eagle Rank.
ALLOWAT: Without the love and guidance of understanding parents, a boy is severely handicapped. Your parents have watched you grow and develop. They have worked with you in health, nursed you in sickness, guided your thoughts and actions, and helped you in untold ways. Your Adult Leaders have been a strength to lean on. One of them was always there in times of trouble and for help. Your home influence will last throughout your life. I ask your parents to stand beside you as a symbol that they will continue to help the young Eagle to grow in the qualities of leadership and citizenship that a true Eagle must-have.
(The four winds escort the parents to the candidate's side.)
KINET: As a token of your willingness to continue your support for this young Eagle, I ask Mrs. __________ to pin the Eagle badge on your son.
Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ], you have seen that your mother plans to standby you in the future. Do you now promise to do your best as an Eagle Scout?
CANDIDATE: Yes.
KINET: Then you now have the honor to pin a miniature Eagle pin on your mother.
To let everyone know you are truly a proud Eagle Scout, I ask your father, Mr. __________, to place the Eagle Neckerchief around your neck.
Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ], you have seen that your father plans to standby you in the future. Do you promise to follow the Scout Law as an Eagle Scout?
CANDIDATE: Yes.
KINET: Then you have the honor to give your father the miniature Eagle Tie Pin.
ALLOWAT: As Ceremonial Chief, I now call upon Mr. ____________, to give the new Eagle the charge.
Mr. __________: (Any of the many charges may be used.)
(When the charge is finished, the four winds step up to the new Eagle Scout, one at a time, and tap him on the right shoulder three times, as Mr. ___________ reads.)
Always remember Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ], the words of the EAST WIND, to be TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, and HELPFUL. The words of the WEST WIND, tell one to be FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS, and KIND. The words of the SOUTH WIND urges one to be OBEDIENT, CHEERFUL, and THRIFTY. Finally, the words of the NORTH WIND, the most powerful of all admonishes, one to be BRAVE, CLEAN, and REVERENT.
(Mr. _____________________ returns to his seat.)
ALLOWAT: I now welcome you, Eagle Scout [ Scout's name ], to the summit of your trail. the Eagle is strong and powerful and flies unblinking into the face of the sun. He soars high and builds on a pinnacle. You must not swerve from your duties as an Eagle.
Will the audience please rise.
(KICHKINET and the FOUR WINDS raise both their hands.)
We now call upon the Great Spirit of all, for his blessing on this new Eagle Scout. May he always strive to attain the noblest and highest ideals of life. Be his strength and his guide. Cause him to follow a straight trail and to never be a reason for other Scouts to waver from their path. Protect him for many moons to come. May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us until our trails cross again.
(Indians walk back from whence they came, and the Scoutmaster takes over to start the congratulations.)
I have the honor to give you the Eagle charge on the occasion of your elevation to the highest rank in scouting. The Boy Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant influences in the world's history. You have been counted worthy of this high rank in the Boy Scouts of America.
Your responsibility goes beyond your fellow scouts: it extends to your God and your Country. America has many fine things to offer you and your children after you, but these good things depend for the most part on the quality of its citizens. Our country has a great past. You can help make the future still greater. I charge you 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 men. So live and serve that those who know you will be inspired to the finest living. We have too many who use their strength and their brains to exploit others and gain selfish ends.
I charge you to be among those who dedicate their hearts and hands to the common good.
Build America on the sound foundations of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence for God. Then, whatever others do, you will leave behind you a record of which you may be justly proud.
Eagle candidate ___________, I charge you to enter this Eagle Scout Brotherhood holding before you the ideals of honor and service.
By repetition of the Eagle Scout Promise before your fellow members, you become an Eagle Scout.
Thought the words you use will be similar to those by which you joined Scouting...tonight they will mean more than they could have meant at any time in the past... When you pledge yourself on your sacred honor... you will be sealing your eternal loyalty to the Code of the Eagle Scout... with the words which closed the Declaration of Independence. Will the Scout please stand...Attention!...Candidate: Scout sign...Repeat after me...
I reaffirm 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 by training and example...my rank and my influence...count strongly for better citizenship...in my troop...and in my church...and in my community, and in my contacts with other people...To this, I pledge my word of honor...TWO! (Continue with the presentation of the badge)
I (re)affirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath.
I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and responsibilities of an Eagle Scout. On my honor, I will do my best to make my training an example and my status 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.
I, [ Scout's name ] on my honor as an Eagle Scout, promise to work to better Scouting in my Troop and to influence all Scouts for greater advancement and participation. I will conduct myself in a manner fitting and proper for one of this high rank. I will do my best, to give leadership in service whenever I can. This I promise to do always.
The Boy Scouts of all nations constitute one of the most wholesome and significant influences in the world's history. You have been declared worthy of the high rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. All who know you rejoice in your achievement.
Your position, as you well know, is one of honor and responsibility. You are a marked man. As an Eagle Scout, you are expected to exemplify in your daily life the high principles and values expressed in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. You have assumed a solemn obligation to do your duty to God, to your country, to your fellow scouts, and to all other human beings. This is a great undertaking which you are now just beginning. As you live up to your obligations you bring honor to yourself and to your brother Scouts.
As an Eagle Scout, you will be a champion to other scouts and be an example to your community. Remember, your actions will be more conspicuous. People will expect more of you. It is your responsibility to help maintain the high regard that all Americans have for Eagle Scouts. To falter would bring discredit, not only to you but to your fellow Eagles. Keep your ideals high and your honor bright.
Your responsibilities, however, go beyond your fellow scouts. They extend to your country and to your God. America has many good things to give you, and to give 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 challenge you 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, with a high level of service to God and to your fellow human beings. Live and serve so that those who know you will be inspired to the highest ideals of life.
I challenge you to be among those who dedicate their hearts and hands to the common good. Build America on the solid foundations of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship, and reverence to God. Then, whatever others may do, you will leave behind you a record of which you may be justly proud.
The foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with honor. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that "A Scout is trustworthy" is the very first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is important to him but because of the vital significance of the example he sets for other Scouts. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community. May the white of the Eagle badge remind you to always live with honor.
The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is loyalty. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build loyalty which means devotion to community, to country, to one's own ideals, and to God. Let the blue of the Eagle badge always inspire your loyalty.
The third obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be courageous. Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger but the determination to stand up for the right. Trusting in God, with faith in his fellowman, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world's work to do. Let the red of the Eagle 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 responsibility of an Eagle Scout is service. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still toil up Scouting's trail, just as others helped him in his climb to the Eagle. The performance of the daily Good Turn takes on a new meaning when he enters a more adult life of continuing service to others. The Eagle stands as a protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He will always "Be Prepared" to put forth his best.
You deserve much credit for having achieved Scouting's highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and the Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward.