Thunderbird District
Inland Northwest Council
Boy Scouts of America

Sample Eagle Scout Ceremony # 7
Alternate Opening Ceremony

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SETTING: Across the front of the room are located the set of poster cards representing each of the Rank Awards in Scouting. In front of each is a candle to be lighted as the words are spoken about each rank. The light of Scouting, which would be by itself in the middle of the whole arrangement is used to light each one in turn.

MC:  Upon my chest I proudly wear,
A badge of gold with which I dare
To challenge you to aim so high,
Your life will be where Eagles fly.
Five million strong, the boys and the men
Stand up for Scouting . . . Salute . . . and then,
Hark to the tale of one who knows,
As onward . . . onward . . . Scouting grows.

(First candle is lit as tenderfoot, then proceed, one at a time.)

I am the tenderfoot. My three points stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath. You find me on the mariner's compass, forever pointing the way to the north star and a safe journey to life. On my face are two stars representing truth and knowledge, a shield which is the emblem of a nation molded together in justice, and an Eagle to guard the freedom of the land.

I am the second class. The ends of my scroll are turned up in the willing smile of the Scout. On my face is our motto . . . 'Be Prepared', and suspended from me is the knot, tied there to remind you of the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America . . . 'Do A Good Turn Daily'.

I am the first class. I was a tenderfoot and I laid my course by the stars of truth and knowledge and girded myself with the righteousness of justice and freedom. I added a smile that I might be a friend to all and bound myself together with the knot of duty to others.

I am the star. Now that I can stand alone, I have earned the right to improvement on my own. To me goes the honor of choosing my field. Before me lies a horizon of endless opportunity.

I am the life. I have shown the world that Scouting is in my heart. I have mastered knowledge of subjects that will benefit my country and my fellow man. I am ready to reach for my wings to fly.

I am the Eagle. It has been a long, hard - - but wonderful - - road. I have mastered my goal. With deep humility I now stand as a representative of the best that Scouting can accomplish in the lives of boys. May I now pass on to my younger brothers a portion of my knowledge.

The red candle, like the red of my flag, is the life blood of brave men ready to die or worthily live for our country.

The white candle, like the white of my flag, is for purity; cleanliness of purpose, thought, word, and deed.

The blue candle, like the blue of my flag, is for faith and loyalty, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens.

Scouting is no doubt one of the greatest organizations in the world to foster the highest ideals of citizenship. It is little wonder then that so many of our nation's greatest leaders had some of their earliest leadership experience in scouting. Your Scouting is changing, but one thing remains constant and that is that the total development from boyhood to manhood depends upon the physical, mental, and moral growth expressed in the Scout Oath. The skills are so demanding and the challenges are so great that it is not surprising to learn that only about two percent of all boys in Scouting achieve the rank of Eagle Scout each year. When most boys enter Scouting they picture themselves as some day becoming Eagle Scouts, but as you know, there are just too many activities and interests clamoring for their attention and the flames that were burning aspirations dim to ashes, flicker away and they stop short.

What does the Eagle Badge represent? It means that a Scout has set a goal and worked to achieve that goal. The Eagle Scout Badge stands for strength of character. The Eagle Scout Badge is a symbol of what a boy has done. But, more important, it represents what the boy will be in the future as he grows to manhood.

(At this time, the Eagle Candidate(s) are introduced to the Court, and the presentation ceremonies continue as other examples found on this website.)

This page last updated: March 7, 2006