Traditions in your troop/pack?

[normanebromleyjr]

I have recently had a real delema between out troop and pack about our b&g. Through this whole process I am realizing that we lack in the area of tradition and ceremony.

 

So, I am asking all of you to share some traditions (that you are willing to share) you perform in your troops/packs. I would very much like to start something with ours. I am just having trouble with the Idea part. Not that I would copy anyone but I could take some Idea's to the committee and I'm sure we can think of a tradition to start.

 

Also, it is very interesting to see what other organizations do to keep the scout spirit alive.

 

thank you,

 

Norman

[Eagle92]

One tradition was the Scout Investure for new scouts. Yes we recognized them at Crossover, but we felt that it was the packs ceremony. Way it worked was once a new Scout was ready to get the Scout badge, instead of a normal ending for the meeting, we did the investure. The new Scout(s)were led out of the room by the SPL, the candles came out, and all the 'old" scouts would form a half circle around the SM, with an opening opposite the SM. SPL would escort the new Scout(s)with a single candle and they would stop and answer a series of questions until they came to the center of the semicircle. At the center the SM would have PL come forward with the patrol flag and have them repeat the Scoutu Oath and Law, with the SPL lighting the candles with each point of the law. SM would then give a spiel abotu the Oath and Law. The new Scout(s) then received three articles from the SM: troop necker, troop 2 strand woggle, and troop totem. Once he received everything, he joined the semicircle,a nd we ended with Scout Benediction.

 

Another tradition was the two strand woggle was for all scouts and leaders, three strand was for Eagles only.

 

Finally we had a tree stump that was brought out for our COHs that was used as the 'Spirit of Scouting." It was from the troop's first summer camp, and covered with 25+ years of wax from all the candles.

[Hal_Crawford]

We do a similar investiture. With the lights out, the new scouts are brought blindfolded into the room. Once in place the blindfolds are removed by the PL or SPL. On a table there is a log with 15 candles, three represent duty to Self, God and Country and the remaining 12 for the points of the Scout Law. The candles are lit as each is explained. The SM asks the scouts if they understand the Oath and Law and if there is any reason they cannot live by them. The log has been used for nearly 65 years and the SM usually makes a point of saying that all scouts of our troop have stood before that same log including astronaut David Brown who perished on the shuttle Columbia. Like the stump mentioned in a previous post, there is a lot of wax on the log.

 

New scouts are given their troop numerals (custom patch with veteran bar) if the have not already received it and their first Scout Handbook. Our troop does not wear neckers.

 

The investiture is usually done at a troop banquet in early March although we will do it at any time a new scout joins. Scouts often elect to have their Eagle COH at the banquet though it is by no means required. It is very impressive for the new scouts to see an Eagle COH, the other end of the trail so to speak, right after their investiture.

 

The one other tradition we have is that the troop has camped at Camp Bowman at Goshen Scout Reservation every year since it opened in 1966. As far as I know they have always gone the first week of camp and we almost always camp in site 4 which is named Camp Hitch after Clayton Hitch our first (of 4) and longest serving Scoutmaster. One of the three flagpoles is dedicated to Mr. Hitch and another is dedicated to Captain Charles Bittenbring, our second scoutmaster. The Captain camped at Goshen every year for 35 years until age and infirmity made it impossible for him to continue. My son's generation of scouts were the last to have the honor (and THEY considered it an honor) to camp with him. Even though Mr. Hitch has passed away and the Captain can know longer camp with us, even the newer scouts know of them and the traditions they instilled.

 

YiS,

Hal

[Lisabob]

Hi there Norman,

 

One tradition that my son's troop has is to collect some ashes from the campfire at big events like summer camp. They have an ash tin that contains a mix of ashes from the last 20 years or so. At the closing camp fire of an event they'll mingle some of the ashes in the tin with the fire. Then when things cool down they'll replenish with ashes from that fire so that they can "keep" the memories and experiences. It is a nice idea. The boys take it seriously and I've seen a few older boys in tears as they mingle the ashes at their last summer camps or campfires with the troop before they age out.

 

At the pack level we came to the same conclusion you have reached. One thing we did was to start modeling pack spirit. Adults showed up to the PWD wearing matching PWD shirts that a committee member made for us. Adults started doing run-ons at pack meetings. The committee made its own flag. Silly as it was, pretty soon the dens started catching the spirit too and new den flags, totems, skits, and other signs of life emerged (that adult-led aspect works better for packs than troops I think).

 

Hope this helps. By the way I grew up in WNY about 10-15 miles from you. You guys still buried under the snow up there?

 

[Gonzo1]

One tradition my troop had was to present the new scout with a "plain" neckerchief when he joined, but he would trade it in for the "custom" necker when he "sealed" his membership when he earned Tenderfoot.

 

For me, that was 35 years ago, the tradition is alive to this day.

 

Also, my old troop held it's annual fundraiser, a pancake breakfast on the first Saturday in December, it still goes on and pulls in a lot of money.

 

Gonzo

[BrentAllen]

We conduct the Investiture Ceremony for new Scouts when they join, similar to the others with the candles for the Law and Oath. At our December COH, we have a covered dish dinner and make it a big family deal. We have a couple of Hindu families, so we get to broaden our palate that night.

[normanebromleyjr]

Lisabob,

 

Thank you for your reply! And everyone else for that matter. It is so interesting to see what other packs and troops do to keep their scout spirit alive. There is not so much snow here right now. but it is plenty cold and wintery.

 

Keep your reply's comming!

 

Norman