Here is a copy of the Eagle ceremony that my troop has done for many
years. -- Joe Ulrich, joe_ulrich@yahoo.com
Welcome : Scoutmaster
Invocation : Clergyman or Scoutmaster
Dinner (Cleanup by Scouts): Dinner Committee
Opening Ceremony: Senior Patrol
Scoutmaster Messages: Scoutmaster
Court of Awards: Scoutmaster
Opening candle Ceremony: Scoutmaster
Trail of the Eagle: Scoutmaster
Eagle Poem : Scoutmaster
Eagle Charge: Selected Eagle Scout
Eagle Oath: Scoutmaster
Eagle Presentations: Mother, Scout
Speakers: Scoutmasters, Dignitaries
Acceptance: New Eagle Scout
Benediction : Clergyman or Scoutmaster
Refreshments: Dinner Committee
Note: While guests are arriving, talk to each dignitary to determine if
they have a presentation to make, and if the care to speak. Ask them how
they prefer to be introduced, and put them on the schedule of speakers.
Ask if they have any special scheduling needs.
Ask the SPL if he has the Trail of the Eagle participants arranged. If
not, do it NOW!!
SM On behalf of the [ Scout's name ] family, I'd like to welcome all of
you to this banquet. Many scouts set out on the trail to Eagle, but few
have the perseverance to follow it to the end. [ Scout's name ]is one of
those few and we are here tonight to honor his great achievement.
{ Minister's name ] will now perform the invocation.
Invocation (if needed): Lord, you bring us together this evening to honor
the Eagle scout. We thank you for the food we are about to eat. We acknowledge
your guidance in helping boys and adults work together to build leadership
and appreciation of the outdoors. Lord, continue to watch over these boys
as they grow into young men, and give the adults the patience and wisdom
to guide them. Amen.
SM: Please remain seated until I call your table. Thank you and enjoy your
meal.
[Note: Get scouts to pick up trash near end of meal. Don't neglect to recognize
the kitchen staff!!]
SM: Will the color guard please perform the opening ceremony.
SPL: Pledge, Oath, Law.
[Note: Use this time for any important messages that MUST be done this
night. Keep it short!!]
[Note: If this is the first family activity of the year, do a slide show
of the past years activities. Keep it short!!]
[Note: Recognize those scouts who are working on advancement, but try not
to take the time to hand out patches. When the awards are completed, instruct
the Trail of the Eagle participants to file out and get organized.]
SM: We would now like to begin the Eagle Court of Honor for [ Scout's name
]. [Name] will perform the Opening Candle Ceremony.
[Note: The scout spirit candle must be lit prior to starting ceremony.]
SM: Will the honor guard please take their positions. (Honor guard (preferably
2 Eagle Scouts) files into position)
Will the honor guard please escort Mr. & Mrs. [ Scout's name ] to the
Eagle Court of Honor. (Parents escorted and seated at the front of the
room)
Will the Honor guard please escort Eagle Candidate [ Scout's name ] to
the Eagle Court of Honor. (Candidate escorted to the Candle Ceremony. It
should be located to allow enough room to move from ceremony to the beginning
of the Trail of the Eagle.)
Please turn out the lights. (The large Scout spirit candle is to be the
only light in the room.)
The candle aflame represents the spirit of Scouting. [ Scout's name ],
it is in fact your demonstration of scout spirit that has brought you to
where you are tonight. As a symbol of the spirit in you, [ Scout's name
] , will you at this time light your candle from the scout spirit candle
and take your position behind the table.
This evening, [ Scout's name ] , as you prepare to receive Scouting's highest
honor, the Eagle Scout Award, let's pause and reflect on the oath and the
law which are the essence of the scout spirit in you.
Would you now recite the scout oath to this audience and pause to light
a candle for each of the three parts of the oath.
Scout: On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the scout law. (Lights red candle.)
SM: As a Boy Scout of America, I believe that America's strength lies in
her trust in God and in the courage and strength of her people. I will,
therefore, be faithful in my religious duties and will maintain a personal
sense of honor in my own life. I will treasure my American heritage and
will do all I can to preserve and enrich it. I will hold the values of
the scout law in highest regard.
Scout: To help other people at all times. (Lights the white candle.)
SM: I recognize the dignity and worth of my fellow men and will use fair
play and goodwill in dealing with them.
Scout To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
(Lights blue candle.)
SM: I will acquire the attitude that seeks truth, strength, and uprightness,
first in myself and then in all situations I encounter throughout my life.
The scout law is a set of guiding values that you have adopted for your
life. ___________, recite the scout law and light a candle for each point
as we pause to reflect on its meaning.
Scout : A scout is trustworthy. (Lights a candle on one side.)
SM: A scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is a part of
his code of conduct. People can always depend on him.
Scout: Loyal. (Lights a candle on the other side. Continues to light candles
after each point alternating sides.)
SM: A scout is true to his family, friends, scout leaders, school, nation,
and community.
Scout Helpful.
SM: A scout is concerned about other people. He willingly volunteers to
help others without expecting payment or reward.
Scout: Friendly.
SM: A scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other scouts. He seeks
to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs that are
different from his own.
Scout: Courteous.
SM: A scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows
that good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
Scout: Kind.
SM: A scout understands that there is strength in being gentile. He treats
others as he wants to be treated. He does not harm or kill anything without
reason.
Scout : Obedient.
SM: A scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys
the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws
are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than
disobey them.
Scout: Cheerful.
SM: A scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks
that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
Scout : Thrifty.
SM: A scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the
future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses
time and property.
Scout: Brave.
SM: A scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to
stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten
him.
Scout: Clean.
SM A scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those
who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and
community clean.
Scout: Reverent.
SM: A scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties.
He respects the beliefs of others.
[ Scout's name ], you have thoughtfully prepared yourself for the Trail
of the Eagle. Your journey now is only beginning.
SM: Please post the Trail of the Eagle. (Participants file in and take
their positions.)
At this time, your Eagle Scout escorts will conduct you through the Trail
of the Eagle. (Candidate is escorted to start of the trail.)
Mr. [Name] will now tell us of [ Scout's name ]'s, Trail to Eagle.
[Note: A slide show and talk of the scout's activities and dates of advancement.
As each rank is presented on the screen, the candidate lights the candles
of the scouts along the trail representing that rank.]
[Note: 15 second pause, then raise the lights.]
Eagle Charge
SM: [ Scout's name ], having completed the requirements for Eagle, are
you prepared to accept the challenge of the Eagle Scout and rededicate
yourself to the Scout Oath and Scout Law?
Scout: I am.
SM: [ Scout's name ],, please join your parents for the Eagle Charge. The
honor guard may be seated.
The Eagle Charge will be given by Eagle Scout [Name].
Eagle: Eagle Candidate, [ Scout's name ], I charge you:
Enter the Eagle Scout Brotherhood holding, without reservation, ever before
you the ideals of honor and service. I further charge you to remember that
this entry into the Eagle Brotherhood is not an end to your commitment
to these ideals but rather, just the beginning of the commitment. By repetition
of the Eagle Scout Oath before your parents, leaders, and fellow scouts
you acknowledge your acceptance of the challenge and become an Eagle Scout.
Though these words are similar to those by which you joined scouting, tonight
they have a special significance as you pledge, on your sacred word of
honor your eternal loyalty to this code.
[Note: Eagle scout giving oath replaces Scout neckerchief with Eagle scarf
and slide.]
SM: Thank you [Name].
SM: [Scout's name], give the scout sign and repeat after me:
I, [Scout's name], reaffirm my allegiance to the three promises of the
Scout Oath.
I thoughtfully recognize
and take upon myself
the obligations and responsibilities
of an Eagle Scout.
With the help of God,
I will do my best
to make my training an example.
My influence and my opportunities
strongly count for physical fitness,
for wholesome character
and for devoted citizenship,
in Scouting,
and in my community.
To this I pledge my sacred honor.
SM: By the authority vested in me by the National Court of Honor of the
Boy Scouts of America, it is my privilege to pronounce you, [Scout's name],
an Eagle Scout. Let's have a round of applause for this fine young man.
Mrs. [Mother of Scout's name], will you please pin the Eagle badge on [Scout's
name].
As a symbol of the advice and council provided you by your mother as you
advanced along the Eagle trail, I now ask you, [Scout's name], to pin the
miniature Eagle pin on your mother.
As a symbol of the fatherly guidance provided as advanced along the Eagle
trail, I now ask you, [Scout's name], to present this token to your father.
Eagle Scout [Scout's name], you and your parents may be seated.
SM: Would our new Eagle scout like to say a few words?
Scout Gives speech.
SM: Thank you [Scout's name],. I would like to join the [Scout's name],
family in thanking the Eagle Banquet committee and everyone else who helped
make this celebration such a success.
SM: Now I'd like to ask [ Minister's name ] to close these proceedings
with the benediction.
SM: Thank you. Please join us in congratulating [Scout's name], and enjoy
some cake and refreshments.
Please direct all inquiries & submissions to the webmaster at Eaglescout.org
Last update: 12/10/2004