WEBELOS LEADER: The Legend of the Arrow of Light One night in the early in the Spring, on a night much like this night, a party of warriors was canoeing back to their village after a hunt. On this night, the fog rolled thick across the river. The fog was so heavy, the river path back to their village was hidden from view. The strong current in the main river path would soon sweep them far away from their village. Another nearby fork in the river path led to a roaring chasm. The warriors did not know the safe path to take and were trapped. They were frightened and did not know what to do. Akela had been practicing his hunting skills in the hills above the river and had seen the danger to the canoe. He wrapped an arrow in a skin, set it aflame, and shot it into the sky toward the safe river path. The warriors in the canoe saw the flaming arrow through the fog and followed it toward the safe river path and the village. The warriors went to the Chieftain saying, "We were trapped on the river and the God of the Heavens sent an Arrow of Light through the sky to guide us." The Chieftain smiled and said, "The sign which led you to safety came not from the heavens but from one who you thought was too young to do anything." He brought Akela forward to the surprise of the warriors. "Akela has proved himself worthy to wear the name of warrior. He has aided his brothers in their time of greatest need. Hereafter, all young members of our tribe shall become warriors only after meeting the challenges of the Arrow of Light. Let them each be filled with the spirit of Akela and follow his example of unselfish service to our brethren." And it was made so and carried through to the present day. Tonight, we are continuing this tradition. Our campfire has grown bright, like Akela's arrow of light. Several of our Webelos Scouts will stand before us, ready to receive the Arrow of Light. WOLF LEADER: The Arrow of Light is the final and highest rank of Cub Scouting. The arrow of light is much more difficult to obtain than any belt loop, or any activity badge, or even one of the other rank patches. To earn it a boy must be an active member of his Den and must have earned the Webelos Rank. He must have earned the Fitness, Readyman, and Citizen Activity Badges and at least five others. He must know the Boy Scout Oath and Scout Law from memory as well as the Boy Scout slogan, motto, sign and salute. He must have participated in a Webelos overnight campout or a Webelos day hike. He must have visited a Boy Scout troop with his den and taken part in a boy scout outdoor activity. The Arrow of Light is one of the most significant achievements in Scouting. When you become a Boy Scout, you continue to wear the Arrow of Light on your uniform. When you become an adult leader, you wear a square knot which represents the Arrow of Light on your uniform. This is a truly special occasion for our Pack, because the scouts we are honoring tonight are showing the way for all of the other boys in the Pack. We are honoring their parents too, because they have been Akelas for their sons, for our Webelos Den, and for our Pack. The Meaning of the Arrow of Light Symbol BEAR LEADER (refering to the Arrow of Light poster): [AKELA lights the first torch] [AKELA lights the second torch] [AKELA lights the third torch] [AKELA lights the fourth torch] [AKELA lights the fifth torch] [AKELA lights the sixth torch] [AKELA lights the seventh torch] By living by these seven virtues you will lead a full and happy life. You will be ready to shoulder responsibilities of leadership and citizenship as young men. Your example will be a model to all of us. In achieving the Arrow of Light, you have shown us your commitment to live by these virtues. Presentation of Awards CUB MASTER [Calls the awardees to stand and face the audience] : [CUBMASTER presents award to each scout, congratulating scout and parents.] You are now Arrow of Light Scouts. Congratulations! Yours is a splendid achievement! We are all tremendously proud of you. WEBELOS LEADER invites all earlier Arrow of Light Scouts to join the new Arrow of Light Scouts: Scouts and families of Pack 521, lets congratulate our first ever Arrow of Light Scouts by giving them the longest, loudest Wolf Howl ever heard in these woods!!! [AKELA passes the torch to a new Arrow of Light Scout, who leads the group in silence away from the ceremony fire.] |