Eagle Scout Court-of-Honor Worksheet

Sample Eagle Scout Ceremony Outline

Troop 16, Oak Park, IL (founded 1916)
by Ben Parker, bparker@interaccess.com

Troop 16 Eagle Scout Court of Honor Work Sheet

(To parents of new eagle scout)

The Committee of Troop 16 sends our sincere Congratulations on achieving Scouting's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout. Every Eagle Scout is constantly looked up to as a special example of leadership and service. It is indeed a special accomplishment.

Because of the special significance of this award, we invite the Eagle Scout and his parents to assist in planning the Court of Honor, so it will always be a special memory for him. This guide has been prepared to help you in your choices. While there is an organized plan to the ceremony, there is also a good deal of flexibility, to accommodate any special people or events that you want to be part of the ceremony. If you want to make changes, please do so, and let us know what you would like to do. The Troop Committee will appoint someone to work with you throughout this process. Please note that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to make all the necessary arrangements, select teams, rehearse them, print invitations, etc.

General Information:

The date, time, and place of the Court of Honor are basically up to you to decide. You should, of course, be cognizant of holidays, school, church and Troop schedules. This will allow a maximum opportunity for other Troop members to attend. It may be done at First United Church, at your own church, or at another location that has special significance for you in your son's achievement. You should also give thought to whether or not a reception afterward will be held, and if suitable facilities are available for it. Please note we are a large Troop and the number attending the Court of Honor and reception can easily be 100 or more people.

Once a date, time and location have been determined, please notify us and the Troop will print invitations on standard BSA Eagle stationery. We will give these to you for addressing and mailing. The members of the Troop will all be invited by an enclosure in a regular Troop mailing. You may also have your own invitations printed if you prefer.

The Troop will also make the printed programs for the Court of Honor, based on the Program Worksheet enclosed, again on standard BSA stationery, unless you choose to provide your own. The Troop will provide scouts to serve as the Master of Ceremonies, ushers, the Color Guard, and the Dedication Team. The Troop will of course provide the Eagle award presentation kit which includes the Eagle Ribbon badge, cloth badge, Mother's miniature pin, Father's tie-tac, and Scout's miniature pin, as well as a framed Eagle certificate. Additionally, the Troop will prepare a binder for the Scout which will include (mounted in plastic sleeves) all congratulatory letters and a copy of the ceremony. The Troop will also pay for the Scout's initial (5 year) membership in the National Eagle Scout Association.

You should know that once your son's Eagle application has been processed by the National Office, you will receive various solicitations directly from National for various Eagle mementos, stained glass windows, plaques, and other forms of recognition. The choice to purchase of any of these items either by yourself or as a suggestions to family relatives is of course up to you.

Court of Honor Program & Ceremony:

In planning the location and time, please remember the Troop needs to have access to the location a minimum of 1 hour before the ceremony, for setup and rehearsal by the various teams that will be performing. There is a worksheet attached which outlines the principal parts of the ceremony. Many items are indicated as optional. You may include them or not as you choose. The choice to include any kind of music, such as a hymn or the camp song is optional. If you want a organist or other musician for accompaniment of music you will need to ask them yourself. The Master of Ceremonies will usually be the Senior Patrol Leader of the Troop, but you may select another Scout if you choose.

The Color Guard will usually be composed of Troop members, but you may select other scouts if you desire. The 'Dedication Team' will be composed of Troop 16 boys because this ceremony is unique to the history of Troop 16. You may choose the boys to participate on this team or leave it up to the SPL.

The Call of the Eagle is an audio or video tape special presentation. Its use is optional.

The choice of Speakers is up to you, or we will help with suggestions. The main purpose is for various adults, in different aspects of the Scout's life, to briefly tell of the effort and accomplishment of the Scout in the area of experience they know him. It is not necessary to have all 5, but there should be at least 3, ending with the Scoutmaster. The speaker representing the BSA may be a Scouter from another Troop, a District or Council Executive. The speaker for the Church usually represents the church where the COH is performed or someone from the Scout's own religious training. A significant teacher or perhaps someone from the community, perhaps with whom the Scout worked on his Eagle Project, is another possibility. The Scout may have another personal or scouting mentor, a person from the OA Lodge perhaps, or a relative of significance to his achievement. Lastly, will be the Scoutmaster, who will relate the Scout's record of accomplishments and scouting history in the Troop.

The Eagle Scout Challenge is a statement in the responsibilities expected of an Eagle Scout and all other Eagle Scouts present will participate at this time. The Eagle Scout Charge is the actual 'oath of responsibility' and immediately precedes the presentation of the Eagle Award. The parents will be a part of this ceremony. The Scout will receive his award, and he will in turn, present miniature awards to both parents.

The Eagle Scout is expected to say a few words in acceptance of his award, perhaps thanking particular people who have been of special help along his trail as well as inspiring others Scout's still working the Trail to Eagle. The Scoutmaster will then read from various letters of congratulations and recognitions from political figures or others unable to attend. This may be followed by an optional closing hymn and then the closing flag ceremony.

After the Court of Honor:

Since the location of the Court of Honor is your choice, the place of a reception afterwards is also yours. Whether or not to have a reception, what kind of refreshments, how much to have, etc. are all up to you. If asked, any members of the committee will help with these arrangements, but the principal direction and decisions must be yours. The Troop will pay for a decorated flat cake for the reception.

The reception is a good time and place to present any additional family recognitions, and also to display a 'memory board' of your son's involvement with Scouting as well as the book detailing his Eagle Project work.

Troop 16 Eagle Scout Court of Honor Work Sheet
for Eagle Scout ___________________________

The Eagle Scout Challenge (SM or _____________________) (incl. all other Eagles present)

Boy Scout Troop 16
A Ceremony for Eagle Scout Re-dedication to the Scout Oath & Law

(Props needed: Troop 16 "Induction" birch log candle rack and candles, matches)
[Note: this is 3 tiered birch logs, mounted on a post.
1 candle on the highest log, 3 candles on the middle, 12 on the lowest]
(Personnel: 1 Boy Scout leader (SPL?) and 6 Scouts for Scout Law, all in full Class A uniform)

SPL: My Brothers, Once before you stood here with your Fellow Scouts. I will now remind us all of our determination to always be true and faithful to the obligations of a Boy Scout. (SPL lights 1 candle.)

You see before you a single light, which represents the Spirit of Scouting. As we go through this ceremony, you will see this light grow until it shines in all parts of the world. In this way, the promises you make and the obligations you take, when in deed you live them, will make your whole life a shining light.

You see before you 3 candles, each symbolizing a part of the Scout Oath. The center candle represents your Duty to God and Country, and to obey the Scout Law. (light center candle)

Service is the keynote of the second part of our Oath, and exacts a solemn promise: To help other people at all times. (light second candle)

Character is the third part of our Oath, and is bound up in a pledge: To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. (light third candle)

Now the 12 points of the Scout Law will be presented to complete the true obligations of a Scout. May the virtues which they represent glow the brighter in our hearts and minds.

(1st scout comes forward, in front of candle racks, turns to face candidates,

makes the scout sign and says "A Scout is Trustworthy." As he speaks, SPL lights 1st candle. REPEAT FOR EACH LAW.)<

SPL: Will Eagle Scout Candidate ________________ please come forward. (candidate does so)

SPL: (to candidate) Eagle Scout Candidate _______________. We, your

fellow scouts ask that you re-dedicate yourself to the principles of Scouting, and that you resolve to uphold these principles with the same ambition and perseverance that has brought you this far on the scouting trail.

(to audience) Will all Scouts and Scouters please rise, and raise your right hand in the Scout sign and say with us the Scout Oath.

The Call of the Eagle

We remember well when you first came to the base of our mountain, and how you looked up with ambition and determination.

Pause for a moment, and look back over the trail you have climbed: Look back at the adventures you have encountered on your ascent. These experiences are a valuable teacher if you but heed them.

We remember when you took your first steps upon the Boy Scout trail. With your first step you began to start living the Scout Oath and Law. You began to build yourself, physically, mentally, and morally. Your brother scouts then called you a Tenderfoot -- and they were right, for you were indeed a tenderfoot.

But not for long. For as you climbed, you soon reached a turning in the trail, and you were greeted by a large group of friendly Second Class Scouts.

Some, like yourself, were stopping to catch their breath, before continuing along the trail. But you studied more, you worked harder, you continued your climb, and soon came to another turning, the place where First Class Scouts dwell.

There you found a green, flowered meadow close by a crystal clear stream, sparkling in sunshine. Many other scouts rested beside the murmuring waters. You were tempted to remain. But your ambition spurred you, and you continued your upward venture.

We next remember your progress when you turned the trail to become a Star Scout. You found the trail from First Class had been an optical illusion, not so difficult as it had first seemed. This inspired you to push onward, to climb higher.

But now the trail was steeper, and less traveled. Fewer Scouts seemed headed in your direction. You looked back and saw crowds below you. You looked up, and saw very few above. Yet, with the same determination as you started your climb, now enhanced by experience and firm resolve, you continued to push up the trail.

Soon you turned another corner on the trail and the Heart shaped badge of the Life Scout was placed on your uniform. You will always recall the thoughts in your heart at this moment, it has been experienced by all scouts reaching the ledge of Life: "Now I am close to the Eagle, I will carry on".

But the trail now grows tougher and fainter, many seem to falter along the way. The original simple principles of the Scout Oath and Law take on a fuller meaning, as your understanding grows greater.

WE, the Eagles, have watched your character unfold and become more manly. We have watched your leadership ability expand into a valuable asset. We have watched your mind develop and your wisdom increase. Yes, We have watched all these things in you,

And now, that you are standing at the summit of the trail, in the glory of sunshine and wind and cloud at the threshold of your goal, WE, your Fellow Eagles applaud you and welcome you, for you have done your climbing in a true scout-like manner.

Eagle Scout Challenge

Leader: The foremost responsibility of an Eagle Scout is to live with HONOR. To an Eagle Scout, honor is the foundation of all character. He knows that "A Scout is Trustworthy" is the first point of the Scout Law for a good reason. An Eagle Scout lives honorably, not only because honor is important to him but because of the vital significance of the example he sets for other scouts. Living honorably reflects credit on his home, his church, his troop, and his community. May the white color of the Eagle badge remind you always to live with honor.

Person 1: The second obligation of an Eagle Scout is LOYALTY. A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation. His loyalty to his troop and brother Scouts makes him pitch in and carry his share of the load. All of these help to build the loyalty which means devotion to community, to country, to one's own ideals, and to God. Let the blue of the Eagle badge always inspire your loyalty.

Courage has always been a quality by which men measure themselves and others. To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but the determination to stand up for the right. Trusting in God, with faith in his fellow man, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world's work to do. Let the red of the Eagle badge remind you always of courage.

Person 3: The fourth obligation of an Eagle Scout is to be CHEERFUL. To remind the Eagle Scout to always wear a smile, the Red, White and Blue ribbon is attached to the scroll of the Second Class Scout, which has its ends turned up in a smile.

Person 4: The final responsibility of an Eagle Scout is SERVICE. The Eagle Scout extends a helping hand to those who still toil up Scouting's trail, just as others helped him on his climb to the Eagle. The performance of a daily Good Turn takes on new meaning when he enters a more adult life of continuing service to others. The Eagle stands as a protector of the weak and helpless. He aids and comforts the unfortunate and the oppressed. He upholds the rights of others while defending his own. He will always "Be Prepared to put forth his best.

Leader: You deserve much credit for having achieved Scouting's highest award. But wear your award with humility, ever mindful that the Eagle Scout is looked up to as an example. May the Scout Oath and Scout Law be your guide for tomorrow and onward.

(Read for the Scout to repeat in short segments as given below and use scout's name as appropriate.)

I, ________________________, /
thoughtfully recognize / and take upon myself /
the obligations and responsibilities / of the rank of Eagle Scout. /
I will at all times do my best /
to assist other Scouts / who are climbing the trail of the Eagle, /
I will give back to Scouting /
more than it has given to me, /
and I will assist my Troop / as much as possible. /

On my honor, I will do my best /
to make my training / an example for others, /
to make my influence / count strongly for better Scouting, /
in my Troop, / and in my community. /
I pledge my honor / to be a living example / of the Scout Oath and Law, /
to the best of my ability. /

[Award is presented, Mother usually pins on boys award, boy pins miniature on mom & dad. Memories book and framed Eagle certificate are presented

Scout Benediction:

Color Guard leader: "Scout Sign of Reverence"
(move right hand, still holding 3 fingerd scout sign, to over the heart)

<< SAMPLE PROGRAM >> (use BSA program form)

High above the Twin Lakes waters, Nestled in the trees,
Lives the Spirit of Good Scouting, And true loyalty.
We are striving, always trying, ever more to be
Faithful to the Oath and Scout Law, Hail Shin-Go-Beek to Thee!

Eagle COH Worksheet