Arrow of Light Ceremony
Arrow of Light Ceremony
Arrow of Light Ceremony
Required: Ceremony Table with awards and pins; 1 each of the following taper candles: blue, yellow,
green, and white; 7 yellow taper candles for arrow of light; 1 white pillar candle; large Arrow of Light ray,
and Crossover Bridge.
Setting: The Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster(s) are at the table. The parents of the
scouts are aligned in front of the table. The Webelos are waiting at the back of the room where the Den
Chief has blindfolded them with their neckerchief. Scouts should have their right hand on the right shoulder
of the scout in front of them. The first scout should have their right hand on the Den Chief’s shoulder, who
will lead them forward. The Scoutmasters for the troop Webelos are crossing to should wait on the far side
of the bridge.
Script:
The simple white candle is lit by the Cubmaster to initiate the ceremony.
Cubmaster: Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us here tonight as we gather at the ceremony
where our second-year Webelos scouts will make their transition tonight from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts,
through the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light award, which is the highest rank in Cub Scouting, embodies
the hard work the boys have done through their years in Cub Scouting. The Arrow of Light is the only Cub
Scout award which can be carried over and worn on the Boy Scout uniform.
Den Chief slowly leads Webelos to the parents at table. While the scouts are being guided in…
Cubmaster: As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail with the help of many
Akelas. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout, you will find that while there are still many people willing to
help, you take on more responsibility for blazing your own trail to Eagle.
Den Chief removes the blindfolds when all scouts are in front of table
Cubmaster: Read each boy’s name – you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the
requirements for Cub Scouting’s highest rank: The Arrow of Light.
Cubmaster: The first band of color is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout.
Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting: the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you
promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, when you receive the
Arrow of Light badge?
Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, do you
also promise to continue to help your boy in his Scouting adventures?
Parents Answer: We Do.
Cubmaster: The second band of color, white, represents the Scout Law. Youth and adult leaders will
cheerfully show you the skills you need, but it will be up to you to live up to the twelve points on the Scout
Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make
your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and
Reverent?
Cubmaster: The third band of color, yellow, stands for the Arrow of Light. Within the teepees of many
braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow, just as is the path that you
Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way, the way to success in all that you do. It is
pointing to the right, a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do it, see
that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this
is to remind you that every day is a new day, a day to Do Your Best in everything, A day to honor your God
and Country, to do your Good Turn, a new chance to follow the Scout Law and to remember these words:
On My Honor. They also represent the seven great virtues of life.
On Arrow of Light Ray, there are seven yellow unlit candles. As each ray is covered, the candle is lit.
Den Chief: Wisdom does not necessarily mean superior knowledge. It means putting to the right use, the
knowledge that one possesses.
Den Chief: Courage is not meeting danger without fear; it is being able to meet danger in spite of one’s
fear.
Den Chief: Self-control isn’t limited to the control of one’s temper, but control of one’s self in all things –
emotional, mental, and physical.
Den Chief: Justice is the practice of dealing fairly with others without prejudices.
Den Chief: Hope means to expect with confidence. Always hope for better things to come.
Den Chief: There are many kinds of love – family, home, fellow man, country, God, all of which are
necessary for a full life.
Cub Master: If you live by the seven great virtues, you will become a happy and successful individual.
Each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, and now the Arrow of Light will help
them remember their promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. Do you promise to let its light shine
forth from you, to set an example for others to follow in your footsteps, to set your eye on the Eagle and
never waiver?
Cubmaster: With this, I, Akela, have the distinct honor to say to you: You are now full-fledged Arrow of
Light Holders!
Assistant Cubmaster hands the parents the Arrow of Light awards and asks them to pin them upon the
boys.
Next, we ask the Webelos to pin upon one of their parents a miniature Arrow of Light.
You may wear the awards on your Scout uniforms, centered below the left shirt pocket. It is a great honor
for me to greet you as a recipient of the Arrow of Light award.
Cubmaster: The last band of color is Green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy
Scout. As the last candle is lit, prepare yourselves to no longer be known as a Webelos Scout, but now as a
Boy Scout.
Your Den Leader will now lead you to the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting. Please
come forward as your name is called to cross over the bridge where the Scoutmasters will be waiting to
welcome you into their troop.
As their name is called, the den chief will hand them their new Boy Scout handbook and the Den Leader will
give them their new neckerchief. Scouts then proceed across the bridge.