PERSONNEL: Akela (Cubmaster in Native American costume), Assistant Cubmaster, Tiger candidates and their parents.
EQUIPMENT:
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Tiger Cub Neckerchiefs
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Tiger Belt Totems (Instant Recognition Kit)
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Arrow of Light candle log (or board)
ARRANGEMENT: The ceremony begins with the beating of the ceremonial drum by the Asst. Cubmaster. Akela approaches the campfire from the center aisle so that all present can see his regalia.
Akela: Why do you sound the ceremonial drum?
Asst. Cubmaster: Because we have boys who seek the fun of Cub Scouting.
Akela: Have these boys been properly prepared?
Asst. Cubmaster: Yes, Akela, they have. Our new Tiger Cubs know the Tiger Cub motto. Each boy has prepared himself to move into Cub Scouting by his thoughts, deeds, and participation in the Pack.
Akela: Many moons before the paleface came to America, the Indians lived and hunted in these great redwood forests. Food was plentiful. The fields were rich with berries, the water with fish, and the woods were full of game. The tribes lived in villages near the great earth-mother, who we call "Mount Diablo"
I am Akela, the Great Chief of the Webelos tribe and the head of the council of braves. My totem is the Arrow of Light, which is the final goal of all cub scouts and the highest honor they can earn. This board shows the Arrow of Light and points the way of the trail. The arch represents progress along the cub scout trail to boy scouts. The candle which I now light represents the Spirit of Akela and the light of Cub Scouts.
We learn our ways from the wisest of the forest animals. From the Wolf we learn the language of the ground, we learn to follow the tracks of other animals, and we learn the ways of the food of the forest. From the Bear, we learn the secrets of the trees and birds, the language of the air and the sky.
We have many new members of the Pack here tonight who will be following the trail of the Tiger. The Tiger Cub is inquisitive and adventurous but remains within the lair with its parents for some time before venturing out to hunt its own game. His parents, the Tiger and Tigress, have the responsibility of looking after the cub, teaching it to hunt and play, and how to protect itself from the other predators of the jungle.
(Akela to Asst. Cubmaster)Which boys have joined our Tiger Cub Den?
Asst. Cubmaster: Akela, I am pleased to report that we have _____ new Tiger Cubs this year, and _____ are with us here tonight. (reads the list), please step forward, along with your parents.
Akela: You boys are embarking on a great new journey with your parents. Your motto tells us what you will be doing. Do you remember the Tiger Cub motto? Repeat it after me: 'Search, Discover, Share'.
'Search' means you will search for new activities, new adventures, and new ways of being together. 'Discover' means you will enjoy the thrill of discovering new things together. 'Share' means you will share all of the things you have done together with your parents and the other members of your Tiger Cub group. Through this process, you grow together, become better friends and prepare yourselves for Cub Scouts.
Now that you have learned the Tiger Cub motto, you are prepared to wear the Tiger Cub Neckerchief and Belt Totem. (Asst. Cubmaster hands the items to parents, who put them on their boys as Akela is talking). This was developed in ancient times to symbolize your accomplishments. 'Big Ideas' are 17 things we like to do as Tiger Cubs. Each time you have a Tiger Cub activity, in addition to earning a paw print on your Tiger Cub shirt, you will add an orange bead to Belt Totem.
Additionally, you will receive paw prints for each major accomplishment during the course of the year. The first paw print is for learning the Tiger Cub Motto. You will earn another paw print for learning the Tiger Cub Promise between now and the Blue and Gold Banquet. And you will earn your last paw print when you complete the 17th Big Idea: "Cub Scouting Here We Come". By the end of the year, if you are active in the Tiger Cub Den you will have a very well decorated Tiger shirt with 17 paw prints and a Belt Totem full of beads.
Welcome to our Pack family!
(Participants may now be seated.)
Akela: This concludes the Tiger Induction ceremony. I now return to the forests of Diablo to prepare for spring. In June, I will return to help each boy who remains to graduate to the next step in Cub Scouts. Good night!
Cubmaster: Would all Tiger Cubs and their parents please come forward?
Many years ago in the village of akela there grew a mighty oak. She, who is Mother Earth, had given the tree to Akela’s grandfather. Akela, the wisest wolf, cherished this tree and held council beneath Its outstretched branches. The beautiful tree was home and playground to any bird or animal who respected and cared for it. Mother Earth provided abundant sunshine and rain to nurture and patience would be needed to ensure that the tree would grow to its fullest potential.
Who presents these Tiger Cubs for their Tiger Patch?
Tiger Cub Coach: I do, Akela. They have Searched, Discovered, and Shared. They are also learning the way of the Pack.
Cubmaster: Let them speak the Promise of the Tiger Cub.
Tiger Cub Coach: Tigers and Parents, repeat after me.
I promise to love God,
Tiger Cubs: I promise to love God,
Tiger Cub Coach: My family,
Tiger Cub: My family,
Tiger Cub Coach: and my country
Tiger Cub: and my country
Tiger Cub Coach: and to learn about the world.
Tiger Cub: and to learn about the world.
Cubmaster: This tree represents our Tiger Cub program. In order for it to flourish, much time and effort must be spent by the Tiger Cubs and their parents. (Look towards Tiger Cubs)
As each of you receives your award, please replace the patch with a leaf, and you will see how much more vital the tree will become.
(Boys are called by name, take patch, place leaf, get awards.)
You have each helped nurture this tree, and it has become a part of you. Just as Mother Earth’s trees endure for many years, you have gained values through the Tiger Cub program which will last you a lifetime. May you always stand tall and straight like a tree... and be a beautiful resource of our land.
Will the audience please join me in congratulating these scouts.
EQUIPMENT: Fake council fire, 1/4" dowel rod cut in two (one per boy plus one), 1 Bobcat stamp, Blue cloth or paper for fake water, Certificate, pin, patch, Tiger make-up or mask, 1 Arrowhead per boy, 3 feathers per boy - red, yellow, and blue, fake stepping stones for steps in the water.
ARRANGEMENTS: Lights off. Council fire on, Semicircle sitting with Tiger Cubs on the floor and parents seated behind them. Council fire in the center. At the open end, place fake water on the floor and steps on top. Be sure to place steps so some difficulty is encountered while crossing water so it's a real challenge. Put stamp and rod taped together and in the fire. Arrowheads, remaining rods, and feathers at water's edge. Certificate, pin, and Tiger patch at Shere Kahn position.
CHARACTERS: Cubmaster or Tribal Chief, Tiger or Shere Kahn, Den Chief or Ceremonial Brave.
TRIBAL CHIEF: (Chief is sitting at the fire, when all is quiet he stands.) "Tonight, we have gathered to honor our young braves. Let us call forth...
SHERE KAHN: (Interrupts loudly.) I Shere Kahn wish to test these braves before honor is given them! I call forth the man cubs called Tigers!
(Tiger Cubs and adults go to Shere Kahn and stand before him.)
What is the motto of the Tiger Cubs? Have you obeyed the Promise of the Tiger Cub? Tigers, this is the emblem of your first rank in Scouting, wear it proudly. (Patch) Adult Tiger, this is the symbol of your deeds in preparing these Tigers for their next adventure in Cubing. (Pin) So all may know that you have done well, here is the writing to prove your efforts. (certificate) Go now, I wish no more to see you. You must walk the water of evil. Be wary of its quickness and smooth appearance, for it can fool you.
CEREMONIAL BRAVE: (Brave is at the end of the water. he greets them. He takes them to a spot where he has the makings of the arrows and says,) The arrowhead breaks the wind. The stick, if straight, will guide the arrow's path. The feathers give balance and distance. Take these and make your arrow of life. Learn of its true nature and be a good Scout.
(He then takes the Tigers to the council fire, the adults are asked to take their seats and the boys are asked to sit on either side of the Tribal Chief.)
TRIBAL CHIEF: Tonight, we honor these Cub Scouts, for they have completed the challenge of the Tigers. So all may know that they are not of the tribe we will place our mark upon their foreheads. This symbol is the Bobcat, your first rank in this tribe. (Chief stamps each Tiger, as each boy is "branded" the Cub pack hisses, the Chief calls them Bobcats of Den(#) and introduces them to their Den Leader.
Tiger Cub Coordinator: (Call Tigers forward by name and their parent)
As a group, you have taken part in Big Ideas together and now the time has come for you to go forth and seek new adventures through Cub Scouting.
Would all Tigers and parents repeat the Tiger Cub Promise after me:
I promise to love God, my family, and my country
And to learn about the world.
Akela! I present to you these Tiger Cubs and their parent; who have participated in the Big Ideas Program and are ready to broaden their minds through the Cub Scouting Program.
Cubmaster: Tiger Cubs, we are happy to welcome you and your parents across the bridge into Cub Scouting and Pack [number]. (Boys and parents cross the bridge with a parent following his son)
I'm sure you have had a lot of fun as Tiger Cubs and in recognition of your work, I present you with your Tiger Graduation certificate and badge. I would also like to present the Tiger parent pin, which you may now present to your parent.
As a Cub Scout, I promise you will have even more fun than as a Tiger. As your first act as Cub Scouts, I'm going to ask you to repeat after me the Cub Scout Promise and the Law of the Pack. (Show them the Cub Scout Sign and read each line, waiting for them to repeat the line before continuing.)
Cub Scout Promise
I ________, promise to do my best,
To do my duty,
To God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack
Law of the Pack
The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the Pack go.
The Pack helps the Cub Scout grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill.
Turning to our new Cub Scout Parents, your son will need you to continue to assist him along the Cub Scout Trail. If you are willing to accept these responsibilities, signify by saying "I will."
Please place your left hand on your son's shoulder, and give the Cub Scout sign with your right hand and repeat after me:
Parent Promise
I ______ promise to do my best
To help my son to be a good Cub Scout
To encourage him to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and obey the Law of the Pack.
To assist him in his Cub Scout achievements and electives,
To cooperate with the Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Pack Committee members, and
To participate actively in Cub Scouting.
On behalf of Pack [number], I'd like to welcome our newest Cub Scouts and their parents. (All Clap)
EQUIPMENT: Buffalo Blood (tomato juice) rifle (starter pistol or cap gun, cup, Tiger Cub T-Shirt.
PERSONNEL: Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, Tiger Group Leader.
CUBMASTER: Tonight we have a young man who has reached the age of Tiger Cubs. Will (Read names) please come forward.
In our Pack, we ask all Tiger Cub candidates to prove their worthiness by partaking in the Ceremonial Buffalo blood. This is a ritual used by Native Americans long ago to induct men into warrior-hood.
We ask our might Pack hunter to take his trust rifle and shoot the Buffalo grazing on the school lawn.
(Assistant Cubmaster leaves the room with the rifle. There is a noise in the background, mooing of the buffalo, running, a shot! Sounds stop and the Assistant Cubmaster returns somewhat disarranged, but with a bottle of Buffalo blood. He hands it to the Tiger Cub Group Leader who pours it in a cup.)
(Candidate faces the Pack and accepts the cup.)
Cubmaster; Now, as the young Native American boys of long ago partook of the Buffalo Blood to become warriors, we ask you to do likewise, to become a Tiger Cub in our Pack (Tiger Cub drinks)
Will (Tiger Group Leader's name) now present this new tiger Cub the Tiger Cub T-Shirt. (He does and all shake hands.)
Build an "electric" Cub-O-Matic machine into which Tiger Cubs entered, were "cooked", and then exited as a Cub (yellow neckerchief on).
To make this machine, obtain a large cardboard (appliance) box. It can be open at the top and bottom but may need to be reinforced with small boards to help it keep its shape. Paint it half orange and half blue.
Fashion a door on the front of the box by making cuts that will be the top and the handle-edge of the door. Then make the "hinged" side by folding the door back so it can swing open (i.e. the hinges are really just part of the box front). We didn’t make the door the whole width of the front side. Add a simple handle on the outside that attaches to a Popsicle stick on the inside that will "catch" when turned - to keep the door closed.
On the back of the box, about shoulder high, cut a one-foot square door, making the hinge in the same way as the front door (side hinged is probably easier to work with than top or bottom hinged) - don’t cut a hole out. This is the "trap" door that’s used to put the scarf on the Tiger cub.
For effect, we added a "done-ness" dial on front which didn’t turn: it had Tiger and the other Cub ranks on it. A black arrow-shaped "pointer" was attached to a dowel that extended through the done-ness dial to the back of the box. There was also a light bulb on the front, whose cord had a toggle switch placed in the back of the box.
For the ceremony, the Cubmaster explains that the Tigers are ready to graduate to the next rank and to facilitate this process, he’s using this handy-dandy, state-of-the-art Cub-O-Matic machine. He must choose the desired setting (i.e. Bobcat), insert a Tiger cub, and let him "cook" until done. To alleviate any fears or apprehensions, the Cubmaster shows that he can enter the Cub-O-Matic, get "cooked" and come out unscathed. (Our Cubmaster entered the box in regular uniform and came out with a clown’s wig & nose on. Upon exit, he pretended to not notice the changes!)
Only one boy can enter at a time. The audience can’t see the person(s) in the back of the box who attaches the yellow scarf & slide on the Scout, turns the done-ness pointer, then when "done" turns on the light.
Our boys were leery at first, but the Cubmaster’s act helped ease their anxiety. After the pack meeting, all the Cubs wanted a turn in the Cub-O-Matic!
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.
Organizer brings first Tiger Cub and Partner to just in front of 1st paw print.
ORGANIZER - This past year you have spent in Tiger Cubs with your adult partner learning about yourself, your partner, and the world around you. Now you are ready to enlarge that world even more by joining the Cub Scout Pack.
The steps you took were big ones.
(Tiger Cub and Partner move to 1st paw print .... )
First, you and your partner learned to search together, to find new adventures, and have fun together.
(Tiger Cub and Partner proceed to 2nd paw print)
Second, together, you have discovered the new things you learned to help you to a better understanding of your partner, your family, your school, your community, and the country in which you live.
(Tiger Cub and Partner move on to 3rd paw print .... )
Thirdly, the sharing. Along with your partner, you shared all your new experiences with your family and other members of your tiger group. Tonight, it is time for you to take the next big step into the world of Scouting.
(Tiger Cub and Partner now step on Cub Scout emblem.)
As you take this next giant step, the support from your partner and family will become as important in Cubbing and throughout all of Scouting as it was when you became 'a Tiger Cub.
Families are an important part of the whole Scouting program
(Cubmaster moves forward to greet new cub and family)
CUBMASTER: ________(tiger's name) and ___________ (partner's name) on behalf of Cub Scout pack # _____, I would like to welcome you to the next step in scouting.
You now change your Tiger Cub Motto of "Search, Discover, Share" to the Cub Scout Motto, "Do Your Best".
(New Den Leader moves down to welcome new Cub)
Here to help you do that is your new den leader, _______from den #_______. The pack is delighted to have you and together we hope to develop your new skills in citizenship, character development, and mental and physical development.
(If the pack chooses, they may wish to present the new Cub Scout with the Cub Scout neckerchief to welcome him into the pack.)
(Cub moves with the den leader to the side of the table. Now Cubmaster welcomes new pack helpers into the pack.)
(If the parents are joining the pack committee or are becoming an active member of the pack such as den leader, asst. Cubmaster, it would be appropriate at this time to also welcome. them into the pack, and to introduce them to everyone present.)
Parents move to the side (or to chairs, depending on how many times the ceremony is done,) with their cub while others are welcomed.
MATERIALS: Council fires, Bobcat Sign, Practice tip arrows, Indian costumes, and Bridge.
(The Tribal Chief and braves are sitting around the fire. All are quiet as he rises.)
CHIEF: Tonight we gather to honor our young braves and test them before they are welcomed into our pack. Let us call forward: (calls up Tiger Cubs and partners.)
Tiger Cubs, what has been your motto these months as you and your adult partner have experienced Scouting for the first time? (Tigers respond: Search, Discover, Share)
Have you obeyed the Tiger Cub promise you learned? (Tigers: Yes)
Look at the brave who holds the banner of your first rank in Cub Scouts. Next month, as you pass your Bobcat requirement at our next council fire, you will be allowed to wear this sign on your uniform.
Wear it proudly!
Look now at the brave who holds the writing to prove your efforts as a Tiger Cub (graduation certificate). Display this proudly in your lodge as you and your partner labored long and hard to earn this award.
Parents, receive the graduation patch for your son. Place it on the right pocket of their uniform to let all know that these boys have been a brother to these Cubs and all who have trailed the Tiger.
Look now to our lodge chief and receive the star with its orange back. Wear this above your left pocket on your uniform now and at all future council fires. Many seasons from now, you can retell your exploits to the young braves you help along the way of the Tiger.
Go now, I wish to see no more of you as Tiger Cubs but rather Cub Scouts who have crossed the bridge into the excitement of the Cub Scout Trail. (Chief and braves lead the boys and partners across the bridge to the arrow-making area.)
CHIEF: See these braves make the arrow. The arrowhead breaks the wind. The shaft, if straight, will guide the arrow's path. The feathers give balance and distance. As Cub Scouts, you will learn the secrets of the arrow. Learn its true nature and become good Scouts. These secrets will lead you to soar with the eagle.
Tonight we honor these new Cub Scouts who have completed the challenge of Tiger. We now ask them to retire the flag they carried proudly to their meetings and replace it with their den flag. We know they will bring their new den flag as much honor as they did their Tiger Flag.
Will the two new den leaders for this den please step forward? (Introduce them to the audience) Cub Scouts of Den (#) please join your den leaders.
(To the rest of the Pack) Pack (#) I present to you our newest Wolf Den, Den(#)! Let's congratulate our new brothers. (Cheer)
PERSONNEL:
Akela, the leader of the wolf pack (the Cubmaster), Shere Khan, the evil tiger
EQUIPMENT:
-
A candle log (with enough holes for each boy)
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Candles (one per boy)
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A camp-stove lighter (one that makes a flame, not just a spark)
ARRANGEMENT:
Call all boys in the pack into a semi-circle on the floor with the Webelos first. Tigers will stand behind a candle table facing the ring of boys. Parents stand behind them.
Akela: The moon is full, just as it was long ago on that night in the jungle when Mowgli first joined the wolf pack. It has been many years since Mowgli returned from living with the wolves. After he returned, he taught us many of the lessons he learned while in the jungle. The most important was that the strength of the wolf is the pack, and the strength of the pack is the wolf. That is why we are here tonight in this council ring. Tonight we have many young boys who have earned their tiger badges. So let us begin. Parents bring forward these tiger cubs.
(Once Tigers and parents are in place, call the rest of the scouts to circle on the floor.)
Akela: Each of you Tigers has learned the Tiger Cub promise. Are you boys ready to make that promise again in front of your parents and the rest of the pack?
(Akela shakes head in yes motion. Boys should also shake their heads yes.)
(Shere Khan now interrupts from an unseen place offstage.)
Shere Khan: These boys are tiger cubs! The pack has no business with them!
Akela: Shere Khan! The Evil One! Mowgli knew you in the jungle as an evil tiger. And you tried to catch him whenever you could.
Shere Khan: These boys are tiger cubs! I will be the one to teach them!
Akela: Silence, Shere Khan, you evil one! Even among the tigers, you are scorned because of your evil ways. Only the most disgraceful of tigers hunt for man cubs as you do.
But we know the one thing that you fear the most, the red flower. And the reason you fear the red flower of fire so much is that all your evil cannot stand against the light of one small red flower.
I will prove to you that each of these tiger cubs has already chosen to walk the path of truth and light. I will prove to you that each of these boys knows that your dark path is evil.
Akela: Tigers, I have here the tiger badge that you have earned! Do you want to accept this badge and go on to become a Cub Scout with this pack? Or do you want to leave us now and go learn the wicked ways of Shere Khan, the evil tiger?
Tigers: Stay with the Pack!
Akela: Then make the Tiger Cub sign and repeat the Tiger Cub Promise with me.
I promise to love God, my family, and to learn about the world
Akela: You have chosen well young tigers. So that Shere Khan can see the wisdom and truth that already has begun to grow in your young heart, I want you to light one of these red flowers.
(After each boy has lit a candle, give him his tiger badge.)
Akela: Shere Khan would teach you boys to have empty minds and to have no concern about others. So that he will know that you already know better than that, I want each of you boys to again make the Tiger Cub sign and repeat the Tiger Motto with me.
"Search, discover, and share"
Shere Khan: These boys are tiger cubs! I will be the one to teach them!
Akela: Silence and be gone evil one! These boys know better than to follow you. Pack [number]! These tiger cubs have chosen well. Over the years we hope that the red flowers they have planted tonight will thrive and grow into blazing arrows of light. So to encourage these young tiger cubs and to send Shere Khan on his way, let's give a good loud tiger growl.
(Akela leads the pack in tiger growl.)
Do you remember the "Let’s Make a Deal!" TV program from years ago? MC Monty Hall would approach audience members who were dressed up in outrageous costumes and ask them if they would be willing to trade part of their costume for the special prize behind the curtain/the box/in his pocket? Well, many of your parents will, and even though your Tiger Cubs won’t be familiar with it, if you jazz up the selections, they’ll want to trade!
Create a curtained area(s) and put some junk behind it. Get a large box(es), set it on a stand or table, and put something trashy in it. Additionally, cover a shoebox in some glitzy paper, and set it on a TV tray.
The number of selections you have depends on the number of boys you have, whether you let boys select (share) the same item or not, and your creativity. I plan to create 3 "bogus" prize selections and use a shoebox selection to hold some scarves. In addition, the Cubmaster will have some "backup" envelopes in his pockets that contain scarves.
For the ceremony, the Cubmaster will explain that the Tigers are at the point in their Scouting career where they are now ready to become Cubs. He adds that they have grown and matured and are on their way to learning (or HAVE learned) the basic tenets of Cub Scouting (Bobcat requirements). But, he now wants to test their courage and decision-making skills. He asks all the Tigers to come forward.
His assistant(s) puts up the "Let’s Make a Deal" sign and "rolls" the various trade-off selections into place. The Cubmaster explains that behind each selection is a very special prize. Each boy can select ONE choice, in exchange for something the Scout is willing to trade (his old Tiger Big Idea booklet, or some other prop the Den Coordinator has pre-arranged).
If you have more boys than selections, be sure to ask all the boys what they want to trade for BEFORE showing the "prizes."
Then show the boys their prizes! The Cubmaster can "heartily endorse" the gag prizes to the boys (i.e. these boxes will really come in handy for building a tunnel or holding a collection - things that are really possible requirements for the Wolf badge).
If the boys didn’t "win" the Wolf scarf, give them another chance to trade for an envelope the Cubmaster just happens to have in his pocket. Some boys may want to keep the gag prize, which is OK too.