Eagle Court Of Honor In Troop 57

This ceremony is used by Troop 57 of Owego, NY. The version as presented here was used at a court of honor for three Eagle Scouts. The words can be adapted for a single Eagle Scout.

CEREMONY:

SCOUTMASTER: [Step to microphone.] Senior Patrol Leader, front and center.

SPL: [Color guard is in position at the rear of room: American
flag, troop flag, four honor guards.]

[Step to microphone.]

Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the opening ceremonies.

[Wait until the audience is standing and quiet.]

Color guard, advance the colors.

[When color guard is in position]

Scout salute.

[Pledge of Allegiance]

Two. Scout Sign

[Scout Oath]

Two. Color guard, post the colors.

[Wait until colors are in place.]

Everyone, please be seated.

SCOUTMASTER: My name is __________, Scoutmaster of Troop ___. I'd like to welcome everyone and thank you for coming. Our master of ceremonies for today is __________.

MC: Good evening. I would now like to introduce our honored guests and ask them to stand. Please hold your applause until they are all standing. [Introduce guests who are present.]

MC: Will the guard of honor please escort Life Scouts __________, __________, and __________ to the stage.

[Wait until they are seated.]

At this point, I call upon __________ to ask God's blessing upon this ceremony.

MINISTER: [Invocation]

MC: I now present __________, Scouting Coordinator for Troop ___ to open this court of honor.

COORDINATOR: I now declare this court of honor in session. Today we have the honor and pleasure of recognizing three candidates for the award of Eagle Rank. This is an important and serious matter. In full awareness of the challenge of these times, the parents and leaders of these candidates have labored long and faithfully to develop them to be alert and to participate in citizenship through the Scouting program. Their efforts culminate tonight in the presentation of the Eagle Scout Badge. The success of these efforts will become evident in the way these Eagle Scouts will set their social pattern for all the lives they may touch. Democracy is a fresh conquest for each generation.

MC When a boy becomes a Boy Scout, there should be instilled within him that which we call the "Spirit of Scouting."

[Light a candle.]

This lighted candle symbolizes that spirit. Because the "Spirit of Scouting" embodies the fine principles of the Scout Oath and Law, it becomes a shining beacon of inspiration. Alone, this light may be feeble, but when multiplied by the millions of boys in Scouting, it can become very powerful indeed.

[Step out. Take candle and move to other candles.]

After a boy has entered Scouting, the Scout Law that he has promised to obey, is put into effect as occasions may demand, and so, one by one, the symbols that stand for the parts of the Scout Law are lighted. There are twelve parts, all important and all meaningful.

[Light a candle at each point of the Scout Law]

Each is an important cornerstone in the building of a strong character. A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave. clean, and reverent.

And finally, in the three points of the Scout Oath which we heard during the opening ceremony, he promises on his honor to do his best to do his duty.

First [light candle] to God and his country.

Second [light candle] to others by helping other people at all times.

And third [light candle] to himself by keeping himself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

You see how the light from this "Spirit of Scouting" grows and becomes stronger. These, in outline, are the basic ideals of Scouting, to which each boy subscribes when he becomes a Boy Scout.

It is, therefore, right and proper that we have made a careful review of the qualifications of these candidates. In order that all may understand the completeness of our review, __________ will report on the candidates' qualifications to First Class.

[Takes "Spirit of Scouting" candle and goes to the First Class Scout poster and candle.]

REVIEWER: [Light Scout candle]

Our candidates earned Scout by understanding and promising to live by the Scout Oath and Law. They learned the Scout Motto, Slogan, Salute, and Handclasp and understood the significance of the Scout Badge. They also took part in a personal growth agreement conference with their scoutmaster.

[Light Tenderfoot candle]

As Scout, our candidates were active in their troop and patrols for at least two months. They repeated from memory the Scout Oath and Law and demonstrated how they practices them in everyday life. They also earned Citizenship and one other skill award, and after a personal growth agreement conference with their Scoutmaster, and a Troop Leaders Council review, they became Tenderfoot Scouts.

[Light Second Class candle]

After showing Scout Spirit and being active for at least two months as Tenderfoot Scouts and earning the First Aid, Hiking, and one other skill award, they had a personal growth agreement conference with their scoutmaster and a Troop Leaders Council review and they became Second Class Scouts.

[Light First Class candle]

For at least two months as Second Class Scouts, our candidates were active in their troop and patrols and showed Scout Spirit. They earned the Camping, Cooking, and one other skill award and the First Aid merit badge. After having a person growth agreement conference with their scoutmaster and a Troop Leaders Council review, they became First Class Scouts.

Now, Senior Patrol Leader __________ will continue with our review.

SPL: [Light Star candle]

As First Class scouts for at least four months, our candidates were active and showed scout spirit in their troop and patrols. They earned five more merit badges, three of which are from the required list, and did service projects of at least six hours. They also served for four months or more in troop leadership positions and after a person growth agreement conference with their scoutmaster and a Troop Committee review, they became Star Scouts.

[Light Life candle]

Continuing along the scouting trail, our candidates were active as Star Scouts for at least six months and showed scout spirit and leadership. They earned five more merit badges, three of which were from the required list for Eagle. After doing service projects of at least six hours and having a personal growth conference with their scoutmaster, they had a Troop Committee review and became Life Scouts.

Will the honor guard please escort our candidates' parents to the stage.

[Wait for parents to reach stage and be seated.]

To attain the highest rank in Scouting, our candidates were active in the troop and their patrols for at least six months, showing scout spirit and leadership. They earned ten more merit badges for a total of twenty-one, twelve of which were from the required list. They planned, developed, and gave leadership to a service project which was helpful to their school, religious institution, or community. They passed a troop and district board of review. Tonight you will witness the presentation of their well-earned award.

Now, __________ will describe their Eagle projects.

DESCRIBER: [Give description of the Eagle service projects. This may be broken up among several speakers.]

SPEAKER: Webster's dictionary describes an eagle as a large bird of prey with sharp vision and powerful wings, famous for their strength, size, grace, and keen vision. It is the national emblem for the United States: the Bald Eagle. Though the eagle is found throughout the world, he is never found in abundance; he is always rare and he is always a superb specimen. In Scouting the eagle stands for strength of character. The eagle stands for knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The eagle represents an understanding of community and nation, and a deep respect for same. The eagle is a symbol of what a young man has done as well as what that young man will do, and will be, when he grows to manhood. The eagle is a leader. The eagle is respected, both by his peers and by his adult leaders.

MC: Eagle Scout candidates, please rise.

I would like to call upon __________ to give the Eagle Scout charge to these scouts.

CHARGER: [Eagle Charge]

MC: Would the parents of these Eagle Scout candidates please stand behind their sons.

Will __________, Scoutmaster of Troop ___, please come up and present our new Eagles with their medals.

[After he is finished and returns to his seat]

Will __________ please come up and present our new Eagles with their patches.

[After he is finished and returns to his seat]

Will __________ please come up and present our new Eagles with their certificates.

[After he is finished and returns to his seat]

Will __________ please give our new Eagles their mothers' pins. Will the new Eagles please present their mothers with the mothers' pins.

[After he is finished and returns to his seat]

Will __________ please give our new Eagles their fathers' pins. Will the new Eagles please present their fathers with the fathers' pins.

MC: The parents of the new Eagle Scouts may be seated.

[Read letters of congratulations. This may be done by someone else. If there are many to be read, excerpt should be used instead of the letters in their entirety.]

[If any of the guests have presentations to make, this is the time for them.]

[If any of the guests wish to speak, this is the time for them.]