Log Caldelabra

[Troop 125]

We are a brand new troop. In reviewing various ceremonies, I have seen reference to the use of candelabras made of logs, etc. Is there a guide on making one? Some of them have I read about used different numbers of candles. Is there a standard? It would be great to see some pictures of different ones. Thanks!

[KA6BSA]

It is common for troops to use three candles (sometimes red white and blue) to represent the three parts of the Scout Oath. Ranking boy leaders light each one in sequence while saying the parts. Then they may have 12 white candles for the Scout Law lit each by a boy in his best full uniform. This is quite a ceremony and can get tedious waiting for each boy to try to get his candle lit, so we usually reserve the use for Courts of Honor only. Even there you need to make sure the log is stable and watch out for the difficulty of the boys doing the lighting with only one hand while trying to maintain the Scout Sign with the other, while the audience holds it breath waiting for the table cloth to catch fire! But the boys sure do like playing with the fire in the process, and it does cast a kind of spell over the rest of the proceedings.(This message has been edited by KA6BSA)

[Bob58]

We use split logs all with bark on and holes drilled for the candles. (3/4 or 1 inch"?)

The 3 candle version is a foot long. We usually flank it with one 18" log on each side. These two will each carry six candles / points of the scout law.

One of the neatest pieces we have is a lighter that was made years ago. It was made by cutting at 90 degrees through a 4 inch branch just below a younger branch to for a short back with handle above a flat platform with hole in wich a candle can rest.

 

Something like...

_____

| |

B | |

A | |

R | |

K | |

| | C

____| | A

| | N

|branch | D

|____ | L

S | | E

I | |_________.....______

D | |...| |

E |_________________ ________|

Clean cut through log / branch

 

 

Way too much time on my hands!

 

Bob

[Bob58]

lets try that again...

Ignore the periods...

..........._____

.............|..........|

.......B...|..........|

.......A...|..........|

.......R...|..........|

.......K...|..........|

............|.........|..........C

______|.....| A

|...............| N

|... branch... |.......... D

|_______......|.......... L

...... S...|.....|.......... E

...... I...|.....|_________.....______

...... D...|...............|...|......|

..... E |..........................|

....... |__________________________|

. Clean cut through log / branch

[Bob58]

 

AAARRRGGGHHH!

 

I'll find a picture & insert it!!

 

Bob

[Shell in WA- USA]

While Bob58 is trying so hard to show you a picture.

 

We just took a basic "log" about 2.5 - 3 ft long. We drilled 13 holes on the "top" lengthwise for inserting 12 red small candles with one white tall candle in the middle. And it just rests on a table or the floor.

 

For a ceremony, it can always change for the occasion. But one they will do is kind of cool, might be standard, but cool. What the troop does is that the SM will light the middle candle and state that this is the light of Scouting and that we all have that light within us to do good for others, etc. Depending on the occasion, he will also throw in there that the candle also represents all the adults in the troop and the support we will be giving the troop as they learn and grow. (OR something like that)

 

Then the SPL will pick up the white candle out of the log and use it to light each of the red smaller candles. As he says the scout law to go with it, a Troop scout in the audience will stand and say a description of that law. All 12 are done. (SPL will have pre-chosen the scouts ahead of time.)

 

Sometimes the SPL will then blow out the white candle and state that we are one as a troop and the oath is prove of that. Then he will have everyone say the oath together. then he'll relight the white candle from every red candle still lit and state that this is a symbol of our unity together and that our use of the oath and laws will not only ban us together but they will help us to become better people for ourselves, our world and our God.