Cub Scout Pack 802 Arrow of Light Ceremony - Scouts BSA Crossover

[@alowatsakima8950]

Thinking out of the box. I was a reluctant volunteer, even though I'm an Eagle Scout. When no one else stepped up as den leader, I did. A year later the cubmaster left. We had a meeting and by the end I had volunteered to be cubmaster. The AOL is such an accomplishment for these young scouts. I wanted to make it very memorable. As a boy scout, I was elected into the Order of the Arrow. It was done at summer camp and that night we hiked up the side of a mountain to a cave. It was covered with torches and the chief came out of the cave to make his speech. fast forward to my AOL. I borrowed a bunch of torches, scheduled it for a full moon night at our local nature center. I hired an indian to set up his teepee and tell the scouts some Indian lore. He also did the climb the mountain speech during our ceremony. I built a 8' arrow of light out of 1/2" steel rod, wrapped in burlap. Held up by two poles at the edge of the pond. It was lit when we handed out their honor arrows. Each scout was called up and presented with their honor arrow. After the ceremony, everyone was dismissed except the AOL's and their parents when we had hot chocolate and smores, with pictures. I did this in Nov so the AOL's could wear their rank for the next couple of pack meetings until their cross over. We had a bright camp fire with no smoke.. I had put the firewood in my attic in May. Doing this in Nov meant the weather was milder and the full moon helped getting around in the dark. All of those scouts went on to become Eagles. One scout that moved, invited me to his Eagle Ceremony. I still hear from many of them today.

[@jamestyson458]

I remember when I was awarded the arrow of light. My mother was super proud of me that night.

[@TroopLeader]

Enjoyed it.

[@rustyb4090]

I like how you did this ceremony

[@alexmckeel9128]

I remember my crossover

[@josephkane7566]

who or where did you get your AOL Plaques to hold the arrows?

[@jorrin007]

why do they shake hands with the left hand?

[@andyhornseth5069]

It’s how the scouts do it just like the two finger salute

[@kingofsingles1522]

Do show a sign of respect

[@xaderalert]

The story goes that Robert Baden Powell modeled the left handed shake on the Ashanti who told him that "In our land only the bravest of the brave shake hands with the left hand, because to do so we must drop our shields and our protection"

[@andyhornseth5069]

never got to do that due to covid :(

[@henryjt2377]

Oh man I’m very sorry I’m crossing over on Saturday! Can’t wait

[@andyhornseth5069]

@@henryjt2377 I did get my arrow of light tho now I’m a tenderfoot in Boy Scouts

[@henryjt2377]

What is a tender foot?

[@andyhornseth5069]

@@henryjt2377 if your planning on joining boy scouts the rank system goes scour-tenderfoot-second class-first class-star-life-eagle im tenderfoot so 2/7 of the ranks

[@henryjt2377]

@@andyhornseth5069 ok thanks for the intel, my dad is a Eagle Scout