In the last month, Dominic has had two important ceremonies… his Arrow of Light Ceremony in the Cub Scouts, where he earned the highest achievement a Cub Scout can get and his Crossing Over Ceremony where he crosses over from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout. When I look back on where Dominic started as a Tiger Cub, I see a little boy. Now I see a young man. <3
Dominic finished all of his requirements as a Webelo, now he is ready to learn what it is to be Scout… on the path to Tenderfoot and hopefully someday as Eagle. I am so very, very proud of him. Dominic has worked hard and has many wonderful memories with his dad and den. We still had not chosen a troop in New Braunfels, so he had his Arrow of Light Ceremony with one troop and his Crossing Over Ceremony with another.
“Dominic, you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the requirements for Cub Scouting’s highest rank: The Arrow of Light. 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?” “Yes, I do.” “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 12 points of 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?” “Yes, I do.” “The third band of color, yellow, stands for the Arrow of Light. 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
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?” “Yes, I promise.” “Then I, Akela, have the distinct honor to say to you: You are now full-fledged Arrow of Light holders!”
“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. But just as Mowgli had to leave the pack, tonight we also have a man cub among us who have grown strong and tall. The time has now come when he too must leave the pack to find his place in the world of men. He has learned many lessons as he has walked the trails of the bobcat, tiger, wolf, and bear. Tonight, this cub is ready to begin his next adventure on his way to manhood. We will not hold him back, though we will miss him when he is gone. Instead, we will wish him well and send him into the wild where he will continue on his path. We have among us a boy who has grown tall in body and strong in character. He has learned well the ways of the pack, but now he yearns to run with older boys in the wild places. He has been with the pack for many moons, and has been a source of pride for us all. But now it is time that he must leave us and search out greater adventure. This boy is no longer with our pack, yet we still call on the Great Akela of all Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to always guide his way. We ask that the Great Akela watch over him as he learns to soar with Eagles in the wild places. And, in the fullness of time, we pray that this boy will return, tall and proud and strong, and present his own man cub to be accepted into the pack. But until then, let us send him on his way with a mighty wolf howl.”
Way to go, Dominic!!!
