Arrow of Light Ceremony

At the opening of the ceremony, the simple white candle is lit by the Cubmaster and Assistant Cubmaster at the front of the room.
Parents are on one side of the room and Den Leader in the rear with the Webelos Scouts. The Den Leader should blindfold all scouts and have each put his right hand on the right shoulder of the scout in front of him.
The Scoutmaster for the troop Webelos are crossing to should wait on the far side of the bridge.

The Den Leader leads the Webelos to the parents who each take the hand of their son and guide him to the cermony table.

Cubmaster: (while the Scouts are being guided to the table)
As a Cub Scout, you have been guided through the Cub Scout Trail with the help of many Akelas. Soon, when you become a Boy Scout, you will find that, while there are still many people willing to help, you take on more and more responsibility for blazing your own trail to Eagle.

(Assistant Cubmaster removes blindfolds when in front of table)

Cubmaster: (Call out each AoL recipient name) – you have been called before the Pack because you have satisfied the requirements for Cub Scouting’s highest rank: The Arrow of Light.

The first band of color is to remind you of the lessons you learned as a Cub Scout.

(Asst. Cubmaster lights Blue Candle, as the Cubmaster reads)

Blue represents the spirit of Cub Scouting : the spirit of giving goodwill and doing your best. Do you promise to fulfill the Cub Scout Promise and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, when you receive the Arrow of Light badge?

(Webelos Scouts answer, ‘We do’. Webelos Den Leader applies Blue Paint to each recipient’s face).

Cubmaster: Webelos Scouts have faithfully promised always to keep the spirit of Cub Scouting. As their parents, do you also promise to continue to help your boy in his Scouting adventures.

(Parents answer, ‘We do’).

Cubmaster: (Asst. Cubmaster lights White Candle, as the Cubmaster reads)
The second band of color, white, represents the Scout Law. Youth and adult leaders will cheerfully show you the skills you need, but it will be up to you to live up to the 12 points of the Scout Law. Daily you will be faced with decisions and, at times, the trail will seem most difficult to follow. Make your choices by always remembering the Scout Law. In all you do, do you promise to be forever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent?

(Webelos answer, ‘We do’. Webelos Leader applies white paint)

Cubmaster: (as the Assistant Cubmaster lights the yellow candle)
The third band of color, yellow, stands for the Arrow of Light. Within the teepees of many braves, the Arrow of Light has an honored place. Its shaft is straight and narrow : just as is the path that you Scouts should follow throughout your life. Its tip points the way : the way to success in all that you do. It is pointing to the right : a symbol that nothing should be left undone; if it is within your power to do it, see that it is done. And lastly, this is the symbol of the seven rays of the sun, one for each day of the week; this is to remind you that every day is a new day : a day to Do Your Best in everything:

A day to honor your God and Country,
to do your Good Turn,
a new chance to follow the Scout Law
and to remember these words: On My Honor

Cubmaster: Each boy has blazed his own trail toward the Arrow of Light award, and now the Arrow of Light will help them remember their promise to keep the Spirit of Cub Scouting alive. Do you promise to let its light shine forth from you, to set an example for others to follow in your footsteps, to set your eye on the Eagle and never waiver?

(Webelos reply, ‘We promise’. Webelos Leader applies yellow paint).

Cubmaster: Then I, Akela, have the distinct honor to say to you: You are now full-fledged Arrow of Light holders!

(Assistant Cubmaster hands the parents the Arrow of Light awards and asks them to pin them upon the boys).

Cubmaster: Next, we ask the Webelos to pin upon their mom or dad a miniature Arrow of Light.

Cubmaster: You may wear the awards on your Scout uniforms, centered below the left shirt pocket. It is a great honor for me to greet you as a recipient of the Arrow of Light award. (all leaders shake hands of recipients)

Cubmaster: (while assistant Cubmaster lights green candle) The last candle, and the last band of color, is Green; it symbolizes the beginning of your path toward Eagle as a Boy Scout. As your Den Leader applies the paint on each of you, prepare yourselves to no longer be known as a Webelos Scout, but now as a Boy Scout.

Your Den Leader will now lead you to the bridge that connects Cub Scouting with Boy Scouting. As your name is called, cross over the bridge where Boy Scouts will be waiting to welcome you into their troop and present you with the handbooks and neckerchiefs you already have earned through your diligence as Webelos Scouts.

(Webelos den leader leads scouts to bridge. As a name is called, he can shake their hand and wish them well before they cross over.)