9 Court of Honor Ideas
Court of Honor is described by the Boy Scouts of America as a formal recognition with families, friends, and the public in attendance. Scouts who have gained rank (except Eagle Scout), or have earned merit badges since the last court of honor are recognized.
In my travels, I have seen awesome ceremonies that inspire, motivate, and reward the Scout and I have seen ceremonies where the main focus seemed to be too getting to the buffet as soon as possible.
Here are a few ideas to make your Court of Honor AWESOME!
1. Start Planning
Early
Most Troops hold about 3 or 4 Court of Honor Ceremonies a year. Careful planning of the dates will encourage attendance and make each Court of Honor memorable. We held a Court of Honor in December, followed by our holiday party; July after we returned from summer camp; A few weeks after school started (Florida starts in mid-August) which was also a recruiting event; and in late March after our Spring Break trip. Promotion is key to these events and I suggest also mailing home an invitation to each parent asking them to attend and bring any family members.
2. Each Scout must be recognized separately
This may seem obvious, but each Scout should be alone “on stage” when his awards are given out. Also, If a Scout advanced in Rank, earned some merit badges, and received other awards – You should recognize each category of award separately. We also liked to bring up the parents and let them hand the awards to their Scout.
3. The opening ceremony is important
The opening ceremony is where you set the tone for the entire Court of Honor (Eric Link to Opening Ceremonies). If your facility has an outside location you can use, consider a remote lighting fire ceremony ( Eric Link to Remote Fire Lighting tips) as the focal point of your opening. They are dramatic and solemn and go a long way to make the evening memorable. A Candle ceremony or a multi-voice reading is also perfect for setting the tone.
4. Respect the Court of Honor for what it is
The Court of Honor is a ceremony honoring and recognizing the individual Scout’s achievements. It is not a venue for lengthy announcements, administrative business, or Council or District fundraising. Adults up front running things is also a terrible way to promote a youth led Troop. Adults should be in the background, facilitating the event by doing the “grunt work”
5. Consider an overall theme
The Court of Honor after summer camp is a great example of what can make that Court of Honor special. Station a couple of Scouts at the door and have everyone tie a square knot to come in. These Scouts can teach those who do not know and congratulate everyone once they achieve it! Decorate the room with a campsite including a tent and some camp-made gadgets. Your opening and closing ceremonies would also be tied to the theme. Some other possible themes include:
6. Never underestimate the power of fire
Candles, fires, even electric flickering candles will set a mood that will make your Court of Honor. Candle ceremonies are terrific as they both have flames but can be tied to rank, advancement, the Oath and Law and so on.
7. Some Ranks can have their own ceremony
It is a good idea to select one rank(usually one that has a bunch of Scouts receiving it) and hold a ceremony just for that rank. Here is an example of a First Class Ceremony using a 3 candle candelabra.
SPL: The First Class rank represents a significant step in Scouting. It represents the ‘Complete Scout’, having demonstrated all the basic scouting skills.
( Light first candle)
SPL: This candle represents that you have earned the opportunity to demonstrate the code to which a true and mature Scout is forever bound by his Scout Oath and Law. This code is one of ‘Service’ and ‘Leadership’.
(Light second candle)
SPL:This Candle represents that you have advanced from being a Scout ‘hiker’ to being a Scout ‘camper’. You have learned skills to live in the outdoors for weeks rather than hours. You have the skills to survive in the wilds, and more importantly the knowledge to prevent the need to survive by planning well and making sound choices.
(Light third candle)
SPL: The next phase of scouting lies before you. Some scouts pick up all the scouting skills and get very good at tieing knots, building fires, and that sort of thing. But, unless you grow past being a Scout ‘hiker’ and Scout ‘camper’ to being a Scout ‘leader’, you have not experienced the true Scouting life. As you watch other leaders and learn leadership skills, you will understand that a leader is a servant. Serving and leading go hand in hand.
As a First Class Scout, you are expected to lead other scouts up the trail with you. Make their path safe, fun, and memorable so one day they can stand here where you are while you have moved on to greater things.
SPL: Wear this badge with pride in your accomplishments. The time it took you to reach this point is not important. The time that lies ahead of you and what you do with that time is all that matters.
Will [Scout Name} and his parents please come forward? Present the card and badge to the parents with a safety pin so they can attach them. Present the parent pin(s) to the Scout and have the Scout pin them on the parents.
Repeat until all Scouts have been Recognized.
SPL: Troop, please stand and join me in congratulating these new First Class scouts!
8. A great closing will make the event memorable to everyone
The closing ceremony marks the end of the Court of Honor. It should be solemn and memorable. (Eric Link to closing Ceremonies) Here is one example:
(Four Scouts are assigned to this ceremony. The room is dark except for the candles used for this ceremony)
Scout #1 As I put out this white candle representing purity, may we be ever mindful of this obligation that a Scout is clean. He is clean in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sport, clean habits, and travels with a clean crowd.
Scout #2 As I put out this blue candle representing loyalty, may we be ever mindful of this obligation that a Scout is loyal. He is loyal to all whose loyalty is due to his Scout leader, his home, his parents, and his country.
Scout #3 As I put out this red candle representing courage and sacrifice, may we be ever mindful of our obligation that a Scout is brave. He dares to face danger in spite despite standing up for the right against the coaxing of friends and the jeers or threats of enemies, and defeat does not drown him.
Scout #4 May we close this court of honor by reminding ourselves of our duty according to Boy Scout Oath and Law: Scout #3 leads the Troop in the Oath and Law.
9. After the Ceremony
Call to Action:
This might seem like a lot of work. I still have Scouts, now grown and with Scouts of their own, who visit and talk about the coolest parts of Scouting. There is always one (or more) Court of Honor in their story. For what it’s worth – remote fire lighting usually comes in first – failed remote fire lighting is a close second!
References
Troop Courts of Honor
Court of Honor Ideas
Scout Ceremonies
First Class Ceremony
Woods of Wisdom: Ceremonies