7 Great Ideas for your Court of Honor Opening Ceremony
In this article we will go over 7 great ideas that you can implement to ensure your next Court of Honor Opening Ceremony is one to remeber. A Troop Court of Honor is a formal recognition with families, friends, and the public in attendance.
All Scouts who have moved up to any rank except Eagle Scout, or who have earned merit badges since the last court of honor, should be recognized. As this is a special ceremony, starting with a different opening is a great way to set the tone.
Here are some ideas for your next Court of Honor
1. A Flag Ceremony
Flag ceremonies are a staple of most Troop Opening Ceremonies. The Color Guard advances the flag to the front of the room and the Troop recites the Pledge of Allegiance. This opening can be enhanced to Court of Honor status with this simple recitation:
“I am your flag.
I was born on June 14, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the World’s oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the dense jungles of Vietnam.
I walk in silence with each of your honored dead to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses – row upon row.
I have flown through peace and war; strife and prosperity; and amidst it all, I have been respected.
I am your flag.
My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation.
My white stripes signify the yearning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons and daughters.
My blue field is indicative of God’s heaven, under which I fly.
My stars, clustered together, unify fifty states as one, for God and Country. “Old Glory” is my nickname, and I proudly wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes.
Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return,
Keep alight the fires of patriotism; strive earnestly for the spirit of Democracy.
Worship Eternal God, and keep his commandments, and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind.
I AM YOUR FLAG!”
Marine Master Sergeant Percy Webb
2. A Scout Oath Ceremony
The Scout Oath is a huge part of Scouting. It has a special place in your next Court of Honor. Consider using the Scout Oath as the opening ceremony for your COH. Here is an example of a narrative for your opening ceremony.
(After the recitation of the Scout Oath) “The Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises. These three promises are delineated by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The three promises of the Scout Oath are:
Duty to God and country – Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country’s good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country.
Duty to other people – A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you’re needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.
Duty to self – Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and stay fit. Staying mentally awake means learning all you can, being curious, and asking questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.”
Using these same words and adding a candle lighting for each of the three promises will further enhance this Opening.
3. A Scout Law Ceremony
The Scout Law is a great opening ceremony for a Court of honor. Rather than just simply reciting the Scout Law, use a method to add a deeper meaning to the Law. There are multiple ways to present the Scout Law that use both the point and a definition. For Example, here is the first point shown as two distinct parts.
Part A-” A Scout is TRUSTWORTHY”
Part B – “A Scout tells the truth. They keep their promises. Honesty is part of their code of conduct. People can depend on them.”
Part A is spoken by whoever is leading the ceremony while Part B can be read by a different person, by the entire group (pass out copies ahead of time), or by people located in different parts of the room.
This repeats through the 12 points of the Scout Law. You can find the definitions here:Troop Resources: Openings
4. The Power of Darkness
Never underestimate the power of the room lights being off. The flag ceremony can quickly be enhanced by turning off the room lights and illuminating the flag as the color guard brings it to the front of the room. Of course, don’t make the room so dark that you scare the small children!
5. Using Many Voices
Some of the easiest and yet most impressive opening ceremonies consist of dividing up the speaking parts and moving the speakers around the room. This is especially effective if the room is darkened.
For example, The SPL stands at the front of the room and says “Tonight I would like to open the meeting with an explanation of the Scout Law. Please dim the Lights. The first point is A Scout is Trustworthy”
A second voice speaks from the back of the room “A Scout tells the truth. They keep their promises. Honesty is part of their code of conduct. People can depend on them.”
This repeats through the 12 points using a different part of the room as the speaker’s location. This is effective with 4 voices – front and rear left and right of the room and the voices can be Scouts, leaders, or parents
6. Duty to God
Duty to God is a great way to start the Court of Honor. If you have a Chaplin’s Aide or Chaplin they can say a simple prayer to get the meeting started. Here is an example:
“Lord, we thank you for this day. Help us to do our best every day, And forgive us when we slip.
Teach us to be kind to other people and to help them at all times Bless our parents and teachers and leaders and all the members of Scouting
Bless us, Lord in your love for us Help us to be better Scouts and let us do our best for you
Amen”
7. Candles and Fire
Honestly, if you have ever watched Scouts around the campfire, you can see the power that flames hold. Make a simple log candle holder and use it to emphasize different openings. For example, you can light a candle for each part of the Scout Oath using just 3 candles (tea light candles work great and are very inexpensive) If you have a 12 candle holder, light a candle for each part of the Scout Law. If you have an opportunity to hold the opening outside, consider lighting a fire remotely.
A great method to start a fire remotely is to use a six-volt battery connected with wire to Grade #0000 steel wool wrapped in cotton and surrounded by light tinder. When lighting a fire in this fashion, it’s crucial that the tinder is fluffy and dry, and is placed strategically with enough air space to ignite the surrounding material. I strongly recommend a few practice sessions to be sure it works as the results are quite remarkable! A slow, expressive reciting of the following can accompany the fire lighting.
“Near our campfire circle stands the wigwams of our campers.
Dark behind them stands the forest, stands the chestnut, oak, and hemlock,
Stand the pines with cones upon them.
Many things we learn and do here:
How the Great Spirit cares for all His faithful children,
Cares for all the forest people.
Learn they of the stars in heaven,
Of the birds that fly and nest here,
Learns the language of all creatures
Call them friends whene’er they meet them.
Oh, Great Spirit, then, in Heaven,
Send us flame to light our campfire
That we may for this be grateful.
Oh, Great Spirit, this we ask Thee,
Send us fire, and we shall praise Thee.”
I hope that this article has been some help in planning your next Court of Honor opening Ceremony.
The Boys In BSA Troop 8 Proudly Wearing The Patches On Their Uniforms
References:
Troop Courts of HonorTroop Meetings.
USSOUTS Ceremony
Scout Duty