When children become Cub Scouts they start on an upward trail. I say 'upward' because as they grow older they advance in Cub Scouting. They do not join a Cub Scout pack and then wait around for a few years until they become Boy Scouts.
As a child moves up the Scouting trail, badges of rank and changes in uniform show that scout's progress. One of the changes in uniform is the neckerchief. There are five neckerchiefs in Scouting. Lion scouts, as the youngest, do not have a neckerchief. Tigers are the first, with an orange neckerchief. Next is the yellow Wolf neckerchief. Then, the blue of the Bear scout. The fourth neckerchief of mixed colors is worn by Webelos scouts. The last neckerchief represents those worn by Boy Scouts, but each troop has its own neckerchief.
Will our Lion scouts please come forward.
You are ready to receive your Tiger neckerchief. The orange represents the beginning flame of scouting. An orange flame is not yet hot, but has just started and has huge potential.
To show you have the flame of scouting in your heart, make the Cub Scout Sign... And, say the Cub Scout Motto:
You are ready to become a Tiger. Walk over the bridge and receive your neckerchief.
(walk over the bridge)
Pack 539's new Tiger den!
Will our Tiger scouts please come forward.
You are ready to receive your Wolf neckerchief. The yellow shows that the flame of scouting is burning bright in you and you are learning more scout skills. There is also more expected of you as your flame grows.
Please make the Cub Scout Sign... And, repeat the Scout Oath:
I will now take your Tiger neckerchief. As you walk over the bridge you will be given your Wolf one and be welcomed into that den.
(walk over the bridge)
Pack 539's new Wolf den!
Will our Wolf scouts please come forward.
You are ready to receive your Bear neckerchief. The Bear neckerchief is blue. Just as a blue flame is very hot, the scouting spirit flame burns hotly in you. Blue also stands for truth, loyalty, and obedience. As you grow into a leader, you must learn that these are important traits.
To demonstrate the strength of your scouting flame, make the Cub Scout Sign and recite the Scout Law:
I will now take your Wolf neckerchiefs. As you walk over the bridge you will be given your Bear one and be welcomed into that den.
(walk over the bridge)
Pack 539's new Bear den!
Will our Bear scouts please come forward.
You are ready to receive your Webelos neckerchief. The multiple colors in your new neckerchief are more like fireworks than a flame. You are reaching the very top of the Cub Scout ranks and are exploding with skills, spirit, and energy. You now need to use your scouting spirit to reach the final heights of Cub Scouts and prepare to launch into a Scout troop before you know it.
I will now take your Bear neckerchiefs. As you walk over the bridge you will be given your Webelos one and will be welcomed into that den.
(walk over the bridge)
Pack 539's new Webelos den!
Will our Webelos scouts please come forward.
You are not crossing over today. The Webelos is a two year program, but now you will be known by the rank you are working toward: the Arrow of Light, or AOL, den. The Arrow of Light is Cub Scout's highest honor, and the only rank from Cub Scouts that can be worn on a Scouting uniform. In fact, you can wear it on an adult uniform too: this is showing that I earned the Arrow of Light when I was your age.
(point to the AOL knot)
Your time in Cub Scouts is almost done. At our Blue and Gold dinner next year you will walk across this bridge, and on the other side you will be welcomed into the Troop.
I've watched many of you grow up, some since you were Tigers. Every one of you has grown in skill, personality and character. I look forward to watching as you work towards your Arrow of Light.
Pack 539's AOL den!