ARROWHEAD WARD

ARROW OF LIGHT
CEREMONY
(Drum Starts)
I, Akela, have heard the drums
speakI am here tonight to tell
you the story of Akela and of the
Arrow of Light.
Akela was the great and mighty
Chief of the Webelos tribe. His
mother was Kind Eyes and his
father was Arrow of Light.
Akela was a brave warrior and a
skilled hunter even as a young
man.
When he became a man and a
great Chief of his tribe, his wisdom
was known throughout the land.

People would come from far and

wide to seek his counsel. They
would sit before the council fire.
(LIGHT THE FIRE!)
I call to the council fire-with their
parents:
Jeffery Hathaway
Ashton Hansen
Brayden Griffie
Gather around the campfire so that
the other braves may look upon
you. I, Akela, have heard of your
great achievements and have
brought for you the reward of your
deeds.
Tonight we are assembled to honor
those Webelos Scouts who have
earned the Arrow of Light Award.

Webelos has a wonderful meaningWell Be Loyal Scouts.

The Arrow of Light is a major
achievement in the life of a Cub
Scout. It is the highest rank a Cub
Scout can reach. It is recognized
as such by the Boy Scouts of
America and is one of only two
awards that may be transferred
and worn on the Boy Scout
uniform.
The Arrow of Light is a very solemn
ceremony, I would appreciate it,
Cubs, if you would listen and watch
quietly and in a year or two, it may
be your turn to receive this award.
The Native American tradition is to
teach the youth of the tribe
through stories. I would like to
take a moment to relate a story.

Afar in a dry southwestern country

set at the base of a high mountain
was an Indian village. The
mountain was much like Mount
Charleston. It towered above the
desert floor. It was considered a
great feat to climb this mountain,
so all of the young braves were
eager to attempt it.
One day, the chief said, Now boys,
you may all go today and try to
climb the mountain. Start right
after breakfast, and go as far as
you can. Then when you are tired,
come back; but each of you must
bring me a twig from the place
where you turned.
Away they all went; full of hope,
each feeling that he surely could
reach the top. Soon the first boy
came slowly back, puffing and

sweating. He stood before the

Chief, and in his hand he held a
piece of cactus. The Chief smiled
and said, My boy, you barely got
started.
You did not reach the mountain;
you did not even cross the desert.
I like to think this boy is like a
newly inducted Cub Scout. He has
just barely started.
An hour later the second boy
returned, he held a cottonwood
spray. Good said the Chief, you
got as far as the springs. This
might represent the Cub Scout who
reached the first level of his climb
and received his Wolf badge.
Some time later, another boy came
back with a piece of cedar. The
Chief smiled when he saw it, and

spoke, Well done, you went half

way up. This is like the Cub Scout
who has progressed halfway up the
advancement trail and earned the
Bear badge.
Later in the afternoon, the next boy
returned carrying a branch of pine.
To him the Chief said, Good, you
went to the third level. You made
three-quarters of the climb. Keep
on trying. Next year you will
undoubtedly reach the top. The
Cub Scout who has earned the
Webelos badge has reached the
three-quarter mark and is in sight
of the top.
So, it is an honor tonight to present
the Arrow of Light Award to these
Scouts who have climbed the
mountain all the way to the top.

I, Akela, say to you Scouts

receiving the Arrow of Light Award
tonight, Give the Cub Scout Sign.
Do you promise to continue to
follow the trail of the Eagle,
wherever it may lead?
If you do sayWe Promise.
Do you now promise to obey the
Scout Oath?
If you do sayWe Promise.
Do you promise to be forever
trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful,
thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent?
If you do sayWe Promise.

Now you are ready to receive the

highest award of Cub Scouting, The
Arrow of Light.
(HOLD UP THE ARROW!)
Within the teepee of many braves
this symbol has an honored place.
Each one is handmade, just like
you are. Each one is similar yet
very different, just like you are.
There is a secret meaning to the
arrow that I wish to share with you
now. The shaft is made of wood to
remind us of the trees in the forest,
the grass, the water, and mother
earth-she is so very precious. It is
our responsibility to care for her
and to pass her along for future
generations. As you can see, the
shaft is straight and true, for only
an arrow that is straight and true
will hit its mark. The shaft
represents the path you should

follow throughout your life. In

order to fly straight, it must also
have at least three feathers. These
represent the first three ranks of
Cub Scouting you achieved; Wolf,
Bear and Webelos.
The fletching of the arrow is made
of feathers to remind us of the
winged creatures, as well as the 2legged and 4-legged animals that
walk on this earth. All these things
are precious in Gods eyes and we
must respect them.
The tip of the arrow is made of
buffalo bone. The tip points the
way-the way to success in all that
you do. The tip is sharpit
reminds you to keep your mind
sharp and watch for opportunities
to do good. Dont dull the mind by
using drugs or other substances.

And lastly, the symbol of the seven

rays of the sun, one for each day of
the week to remind you that every
day is a new day, a day to do your
best in everything, to honor your
God and your country and to do
your daily good turn.
Do you promise now to agree to all
we have spoken of?
If you do sayWe Promise.
(PRESENT THEM WITH THEIR
ARROWS!)
On your journey through Cub
Scouting you have not walked
alone. You have had many den
leaders to help you and your
parents have encouraged you.
Tonight, we present to you a

walking stick to remind you of the

love and support you have
received from all those who have
helped along the way.
Promise now to set an example for
others to follow in your footsteps,
set your eye on the Eagle and
never waiver. Do you so promise?
If you do sayWe Promise.
(PASS OUT THE WALKING STICKS!)
Tonight as part of the brotherhood
of Cub Scouting, we want Jeffery,
Ashton and Brayden to place their
handprints on the Arrowhead
Cowhide for all to look upon this
great achievement.