Arrow of Light and Crossover Ceremony
Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah Chapter
Wha-Sha-She Lodge 42
_____________________________________________________________________
Important Note:
This ceremony script is intended to provide a “general” structure for the crossover ceremony. Each
participant should feel free to modify the wording to fit his own style and ability. There are ‘key’
phrases that should be agreed upon by the team to signify when it is time for the next participant to
begin speaking, however this script should NOT be viewed with the same requirement for exactness
in wording as are the official OA pre-ordeal, ordeal, brotherhood, and vigil ceremonies.
Any variations introduced however must be similar enough to the script that members of other teams
will still recognize the beginning and ending of each part allowing cross participation between
individual members of our multiple chapter teams.
This script contains full instructions for movement and actions for the chapter Arrow of Light and Crossover
Ceremony. It is divided into sections allowing it to be performed in full or only as a crossover or Arrow of Light
ceremony should that be all that the pack requests.
You will see letters in brackets by many of the outline actions and speaking parts. These designate the principle
who is responsible for either the speaking part or initiating the action be done. All directions (i.e. left, right) are
given from the audience’s point of view.
As a result of the completeness, team members may want an abbreviated version showing only the speaking
parts, once they are comfortable with the ceremony process. A ‘speaking parts only’ script can be found in
the appendix to make memorization or referral easier during the learning and practice process.
Ceremony actions or outlines are shown in Large Type bolded and underlined
General instructions are shown in regular type
Speaking Parts are shown in bold type
Here is the letter key:
C – chief
G – guide
MM – medicine man
ED – emissary/drummer can be dressed in regalia or in Class A
CSCA – Cub Scout Candle Array (see photos in appendix)
BSCA – Boy Scout Candle Array (see photos in appendix)
F.Y.I. - When using ‘names’ of the principles in the ceremony make
use of their vigil name, or other native-american nick-name they are
already known by in the team or OA. Traditionally names were
given by friends, parents and/or the spiritual leadership and NOT
chosen by the individual. Among peers and friends a boy’s nick-
name was often a reflection of a private joke or commemorating an
event that they all shared, not always flattering! There are many
resources on the internet to find the equivalent words in Lenape or
another native-american language for any name the team might want to give its members.
Page- 1 -
Opening
(All directions are from the audience point of view)
All principles file in from back of room in this order ED/C/G/MM. ED continues up to center candles, others
branch off to stand at rear of room, G goes to left, C/MM go to right. When all are in their place ED begins.
Lights Extinguished [ED]
Good evening, my name is ___________ and I am a member of the Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah chapter of Wah-
Sha-She Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. I would like to thank you all for attending this ceremony
to honor the achievement of these boys as they prepare to leave Cub Scouts and enter the world of
Boy Scouting.
This ceremony is lit only by candle light. For the safety of the boys and the team I ask that you
please refrain from taking any pictures that use a flash during the ceremony. We will be happy to
reenact any portion of the ceremony with your sons afterwards allowing you to get closer to the
action and ensure a better picture without causing ‘blindness’ to anyone on the stage.
Please extinguish the lights so that this ceremony may be lit by the light of Scouting
Sparks [ED]
When lights are extinguished, ED lights fire from spark and picks up center candle and lights it from the
fire. (use fluffed dryer lint and sparker)
(Holding candle in front of him and looking out toward audience)
I light this candle to represent the spirit of Scouting.
Light Cub Scout Candles [ED]
(Call up Cub Master and tell him/her to light the cub scout candle from the Scouting candle)
We light this candle to represent the Cub Scout Pack, the tribe of Akela
Light Boy Scout Candles [ED]
(Call up the Troop SPL if available and tell him to light the Boy Scout candle from the Scouting Candle, or
do it himself if SPL not available)
We light this candle to represent the sprit of the Boy Scout Troop, the tribe of the Eagle
Fire movement to Cub Scout candle array (CSCA)
ED turns to SPL and sends him back to audience.
ED turns to Cub Master, hands her/him the spare candle taken from position #1 of CSCA. Tells her/him to
light it from the Cub Scout candle and carry it over to the CSCA where G will tell her/him what to do next.
ED walks down center of isle to back of audience and retrieves drum and prepares for drumming. (Note it
may be necessary for ED to move the chief’s headdress up to be directly behind the candle holder in
preparation for upcoming investing by the principles.)
CSCA Lighting
G tells Cub master to light candles #2-3 and then to put her candle in the empty spot (#1). While this is
being done he says to the audience
We light these candles to represent the three parts of the Cub Scout Promise.
G tells Cub Master to light the next three candles #4-#6
We light these candles to represent the three words of the Cub Scout Motto “Do Your Best”
G now instructs Cub master to call up six cub scouts, one at a time, which will represent the 6 ranks in
Cubs, each one lighting a candle and placing it on the CSCA. Each candle is lit from the one next to it.
The ranks are Tigers, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, WEBELOS I, and Arrow of Light.
Page- 2 -
As each candle is lit the G announces it to the audience “We light this candle to represent the cub scouts
of the ________ clan/rank/den”
G now sends Cub Master back to audience and calls up the Webelos leader for the Webelos that will be
crossing over.
The WEBELOS leader calls up each boy who will be crossing over, one at a time, and gives him a candle
to light. The WEBELOS leader then returns their candle to the upper tier of the CSCA. The G announces
each boy’s name as his candle is placed on the CSCA and sends the boy back to his seat. When this is done
the Webelos leader is sent back to the audience.
Fire movement to Boy Scout candle array (BSCA)
C removes the center candle from the BSCA and walks over to the CSCA and lights it from the AOL
candle, brings it back to the BSCA
BSCA Lighting
C turns to the audience and says
We light these candles to represent the 12 points of the Scout Law,….. trustworthy
C then re-places the lit candle in the center positing of the BSCA and MM then takes up one next to it on
his side lights it and announces the next point it as it is placed into the BSCA. The full 12 candles are lit
alternating between C and MM each saying a point of the Scout Law. (i.e. Loyal, helpful, friendly, etc.)
When all are lit, wait for drummer to begin and investing.
Ready to invest wait for drummer to start
Invest
Drums [ED]
When drums begin, chief walks to center stage behind the center candles and stops. When he
stops the MM and G move to stand in line with the center candles forming the base of a triangle
with the chief at the apex.
Animal calls if additional help available. Used to involve the troop members of the troop the
WEBELOS will be joining and allow them to take part in the ceremony, also has great effect on the cub
pack if the calls are scattered out around the area and coming from the blackness!
Guide is 1st in Investing (see notes on investing in appendix)
Med 2nd to invest
Chief 3 rd to invest
Drums stop on signal (raise hands) from chief [ED] Stop with three quick beats
Welcome
Chief
Cub Scouts, leaders, parents and guests. My brothers (say G name) the guide, (say MM
name) the medicine man, and I chief (say chief’s name) have come here this evening to fulfill
an ancient prophesy spoken of long ago in the legends of our tribe.
Page- 3 -
Med man
The words of the prophecy say that in the springtime of each year, young braves may be
found who have met the challenges of Akela, and are ready to become warriors. My bothers
and I have been watching your pack and have found such braves…among you.
At this point the script will vary depending on whether you are doing an arrow of Light ceremony or just a
Crossover
Page- 4 -
ARROW OF LIGHT CEREMONY
Guide
We have come here tonight to bestow upon them the highest honor that may be earned by a Cub
Scout - The Arrow Of Light. But—before they can receive it, they must take a journey through their
memories. For their trail has been long and all that they have done has been to prepare them for this
night, in this place, in this ceremony.
Movement (Chief to Middle Stage Left, Med to Middle Stage Right, Guide to Front Stage Center)
Guide
Bobcat Talk
Long ago you entered the Cub Pack. You first joined the bobcat clan, where you learned
what it meant to be a scout, the law of the pack, and the three words that would inspire you
to overcome all other challenges, “Do Your Best”
Wolf Talk
Having started on the trail you next sought to join the Wolf Clan. Here you were presented
with 12 challenges, harder than the Bobcat tests, but with the cleverness of the Wolf itself,
you met them and continued on your journey.
MED
Bear Talk
Ahh but now the trail became darker and fainter as you entered the bear clan. Again twelve
challenges were presented before you, each more difficult than the last. As you met these,
you grew in spirit and in strength. It was this strength, like that of the bear, which
prompted you to move onward.
Chief
Webelo Talk
As you near the summit, you joined the Webelos clan. The time of your testing had begun.
In the Webelos clan you began to learn about scouting, Just as in the Bobcat clan, wolf clan
and bear clan you learned the ways of a brave, in Webelos you would begin to learn the was
of the warrior.
Now you have reached the summit and the end of this journey. But as with all journeys, the
end of one marks only the beginning of another. So I say, let the arrow of light be conferred
upon them!
Guide interrupts
Wait my brother! Before receiving this most high honor they must hear its legend so they may
understand and appreciate what they are to receive.
Legend of AOL (arrow of light) [MM]
See appendix for two versions of this part. MM should memorize only an outline of the story and then
embellish it himself using his own ideas. Not only does this make the story easier to deliver without
panicked pauses due to memorization errors, it also makes for a more believable story!
As a result no two ceremonialists will ever tell the story the same way. Each should strive to develop
interesting details in the story and make it ‘real’ to the cubs through their actions and facial and body
movements. A ceremonialists ‘knows’ this part when he ceases to recite the story and instead watches it in
his mind and listens himself tell it as it unfolds from within him during the ceremony.
Page- 5 -
Here is the outline of the story:
1. Tribe lives by a wide river at the head of a waterfall
2. Akela is a small brave in the village who wants to be a warrior
3. Warriors say he is too small and tell him get lost
4. Chief sees something special in Akela
5. One night warriors are lost in the fog on the river returning home
6. Warriors realize the danger and call out for help
7. Akela shoots a flaming arrow over their heads toward the village
8. Warriors follow the sparks to safety
9. No one know where flaming arrow (arrow of light) came from
10. Village goes to tell the chief
11. Chief sees Akela returning across the river and understands
12. Calls Akela to the front
13. All braves now strive to match Akela’s bravery and strength
Call up AOL Scouts
Chief
Brother (say name of guide), call these braves before me!
This portion of the ceremony depends on the various options the Pack may have chosen to include or
provide for their boys. Arrows refer to arrows to be given to each AOL WEBELOS as a memento of the
night. Faces refer to the coyote face headdress the chapter makes not only as a memento but also as a start
for future OA regalia.
AOL Guides are OA members from the receiving troop or the chapter who are in class A’s or regalia and
wearing their OA sash. Non OA members from the troop if in Class A are acceptable if there are not
enough OA members to have one guide for each AOL scout being honored.
AOL guides appear wearing the coyote face headdresses if that option is available and come up to the
Guide and stand behind him after he has called the AOL WEBELOS to the front.
If using arrows, the AOL guide takes the arrow from the Guide (holding it as if lining up with the arrow on
the OA sash) and then stands on or beside the crossover bridge (if used) lining himself up behind the AOL
WEBELOS he is assigned to. Guides are located at the rear of the stage; keep some distance between them
and the WEBELOS.
Option
(NO Arrows)
Guide calls Webelos leader to help with names. Each AOL scout is called up one by one
as described below. AOL guides, if available, follow instructions in box above.
Continue after OPTION END
(YES Arrows)
Guide draws arrow from quiver & calls name of AOL scout written or taped on it. If
desired, somewhere in the process, an arrow can be drawn that is defective, noticed by
the guide and then broken over his knee. Don’t do this on the last scout as it will freak
him out! Do it somewhere in the middle if doing it at all.
AOL guides, if available, follow instructions in box above.
End Option
Scout is sent to Chief
Chief places AOL WEBELOS to middle stage left.
Page- 6 -
Guide calls parents of AOL WEBELOS to stand behind their Scout
This process is repeated until all AOL WEBELOS and their parents have been called to the front.
Chief places them side by side forming a line across the middle stage with their parents behind
them.
Chief
(spoken to the guide) Let the Arrow of Light be conferred upon them!
Presentation of the Arrow Of Light Patch
Guide
Guide walks to front stage center
In recognition of the importance that these parents have shown in scouting, I give the Arrow
of Light to them so that they may have the honor to give to their son.
Guide calls the first AOL WEBELOS in the line to the front center next to him.
You, brave, come here.
He turns the brave so that he is facing him with his right profile to the audience. He then calls the
parents and places them facing the AOL WEBELOS with their left profile to the audience.
He then gives the parents the AOL patch, and in a whisper tells them all to wait a moment while
he steps back and leaves them alone at center stage, and tells them to congratulate their son as they
want to, (i.e. handshake, hug, etc.) and then to give the patch to their son. He tells them that when
they have done this they are free to go sit down, but that the AOL WEBELOS is to remain on
stage and return to his place in line alone.
This is repeated until all AOL patches have been awarded and only the AOL braves now remain on stage,
with the AOL Guides now clearly visible behind each one.
If there are no arrows or faces being presented then jump immediately to the Crossover ceremony or end here if only
doing the AOL ceremony.
Presentation of Arrows and Coyote Face headdress tokens
Chief moves to middle stage right to stand next to Guide
The following process is repeated for each scout receiving the tokens
Chief
You brave, come here. (points to WEBELOS closest to him in line and stops him facing him.)
Chief Motions to the AOL guide closest to him to come. AOL guide stops behind the chief, chief
turns and takes the headdress off the AOL guides head. He turns and ties it on the WEBELOS
head while saying the following:
Take this headdress, symbol of Akela, and let it remind you always of Akela’s devotion to
what is now the spirit of scouting.
Chief turns and takes the arrow from the AOL Guide and tells him to go. He turns and gives it to
the WEBELOS and says:
Take this arrow, given to you by your brothers, and let it guide your path, straight and true,
to the realm of our brothers, the eagles.
Chief then takes WEBELOS by the shoulder and heads him toward the Guide
Guide
Guide tells the WEBELOS to return to his seat, he can give the arrow to his parents if he wants to
but he is to leave his headdress on for the remainder of the ceremony.
Page- 7 -
When all WEBELOS are off stage, G, MM return to their starting positions around the center candle and C stands in
front of the center candle once again forming a triangle but this time with the apex toward the audience.
This concludes the Arrow of Light Ceremony
Page- 8 -
CROSSOVER CEREMONY
If not providing an AOL ceremony then MM & G do not move but the chief moves to front of center
candles once again forming a triangle this time with the apex toward the audience. (if coming from the
AOL ceremony this movement is already included in that ceremony)
The SPL of the troop receiving the new scouts should come forward at this time and stand behind the
BSCA. The chief should wait before proceeding until this has happened.
Chief
It is time to bridge the gap from brave to warrior.
From cub scout, to Boy Scout. And so it is tonight, that
they will Crossover.
Chief raises both hands up from his sides, palms up. On
this signal G and MM each remove the candle closest to
them from the center candles and move to place them on
either end of the crossover bridge. The cub scout candle
on the left (same side as CSCA) and the boy scout candle
on the right.
MM moves to the boy scout side of the bridge and waits where he can receive the new scouts as they cross over.
Guide moves to stand in front of the CSCA, chief moves to his side toward center stage.
Guide
I call for the Senior Patrol Leader of the Tribe of the Eagle to take his place for this ceremony.
The SPL moves to stand behind the BSCA. He brings with him any tokens (new kerchief, scout book,
epaulettes, etc. that their troop uses that are to be presented to the new scouts). When he is in place the
Guide continues:
I call forth all of the braves who will be crossing over tonight.
Guide lines WEBELOS up behind the CSCA making sure NOT to block the far right audience’s view of
the chief where the next portion of the ceremony takes place.
The following steps are repeated for each scout until all scouts have crossover and have left the stage.
Guide
Guide sends the WEBELOS closest to him in line around the front of the CSCA to stand next to the Chief.
Chief
When the WEBELOS reaches him he stops him and has him face the audience. He then takes a candle
from the upper tier of the CSCA and holding it for the WEBELOS to see says:
This candle represents your life as a cub scout. Are you prepared to leave behind this back, which
has sheltered, and protected you, for so long, and blaze your trail of scouting onward? Are you ready
to crossover, from brave to warrior?
Scout should say yes, if not Chief needs to prompt him to. Chief then continues:
Then your life as a cub scout is over! (chief blows out candle and hands it to him, pointing him in the
direction of the crossover bridge) Crossover, young brave.
Half way across bridge WEBELOS is stopped by MM
MM
Page- 9 -
Halt! Before you may take your place among the warriors, you must take the oath of a warrior- the
oath of a scout. Turn, and face your tribe. Raise your right hand in the scout sign, and in a loud,
clear voice, say with me the scout oath.
(MM starts saying oath with scout. If the scout speaks loudly and clearly, medicine man stops saying it and
lets the scout say it alone.)
Do you promise to live your life by this oath?
(scout should say yes, if not then MM must prompt him to answer)
Then as the night is a bridge between each day, so let this be your bridge into the fellowship of
scouting. Crossover, young warrior.
(MM instructs the new Scout to re-lights his candle from the boy scout flame on the bridge and then guides
him to the BSCA where the SPL now waits in front. The SPL takes the candle and sets it on top tier. (MM
returns to his place at the bridge)
Senior Patrol Leader of Troop
At this point, the SPL troop may present the scout with kerchief and epaulettes. When done he asks the
scout his name and loudly announces to the audience:
We have a new warrior in our troop. We welcome our newest scout (say new scouts name)
Applause by all off-stage people. If no one applauds then the team can applaud to indicate that it is ok to do this.
SPL sends new scout to sit with the troop in their area.
Process is repeated for all WEBELOS that are crossing over.
Page- 10 -
CLOSING
Movement (Guide to Middle Stage Right, Chief to Middle Stage Center, Med to Middle Stage Left)
Arrowhead Necklace tokens
Chief
We have tokens for all members of the Tribe of Akela, so that they may remember this night
always. Brother (say guide’s name), call the clans before me.
The following actions are repeated for each of the Cub Scout dens (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and
WEBELOS I)
Guide
I call all members of the (say the den name) clan to stand before my brother (say MM’s name)
the medicine man.
MM lines them up single file, and when chief is ready with the arrowhead necklaces he sends them one-by-
one to have a necklace placed around their neck. He should wait until the Cub has left the chief before
sending a new one.
Chief
Chief places an arrowhead necklace around the neck of the Cub Scout and says:
Remember this night always, and seek to earn your own Arrow of Light.
He then sends the Cub on to the Guide who sends him back to his seat.
When all dens are recognized, the team may wish to call up all the boy Scouts of the troop and give them
arrowhead necklaces as well. They can also honor any special person that the Pack wants to recognize in
the same manner.
Divesting and closing
Chief
My brothers, our time here is done. Let us return now, until we are called upon again.
If the Crossover ceremony was done and there are two candles on the bridge ends then the G and MM
move to the bridge ends, chief moves to stand in front of the center candle holder. Chief repeats the hand
signals used before and while he says the following G and MM return the candles to their center candle
holder positions.
We must make sure that we are ever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Divest
See notes in appendix
Team member who portrayed the Chief:
On behalf of the Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah chapter of the Wah-Sha-She Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, we
would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Let's have the boys that crossed over come up
one last time.
(crossover scouts come center stage)
Let's give them a round of applause!
Page- 11 -
(Applause and the three principles sneak off side-stage at this time leaving new scouts alone to receive full
applause.)
End of Ceremony
Page- 12 -
Appendix 1
Ceremony Speaking Parts only - No descriptions of movement or ceremony
C – chief
G – guide
MM – medicine man
ED – emissary/drummer can be dressed in regalia or in Class A
CSCA – Cub Scout Candle Array (see photos in appendix)
BSCA – Boy Scout Candle Array (see photos in appendix)
Opening
ED:
Good evening, my name is ___________ and I am a member of the Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah chapter of Wah-
Sha-She Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. I would like to thank you all for attending this ceremony
to honor the achievement of these boys as they prepare to leave Cub Scouts and enter the world of
Boy Scouting.
This ceremony is lit only by candle light. For the safety of the boys and the team I ask that you
please refrain from taking any pictures that use a flash during the ceremony. We will be happy to
reenact any portion of the ceremony with your sons afterwards allowing you to get closer to the
action and ensure a better picture without causing ‘blindness’ to anyone on the stage.
Please extinguish the lights so that this ceremony may be lit by the light of Scouting
I light this candle to represent the spirit of Scouting.
We light this candle to represent the Cub Scout Pack, the tribe of Akela
We light this candle to represent the sprit of the Boy Scout Troop, the tribe of the Eagle
Guide
We light these candles to represent the three parts of the Cub Scout Promise.
We light these candles to represent the three words of the Cub Scout Motto “Do Your Best”
We light this candle to represent the cub scouts of the ________ clan/rank/den
Chief
We light these candles to represent the 12 points of the Scout Law,….. trustworthy
MM and C alternate until all 12 points said and candles lit
Investing and Welcome
Chief
Cub Scouts, leaders, parents and guests. My brothers (say G name) the guide, (say MM name) the
medicine man, and I chief (say chief’s name) have come here this evening to fulfill an ancient
prophesy spoken of long ago in the legends of our tribe.
MM
The words of the prophecy say that in the springtime of each year, young braves may be found who
have met the challenges of Akela, and are ready to become warriors. My bothers and I have been
watching your pack and have found such braves…among you.
Page- 13 -
AOL Ceremony
Guide
We have come here tonight to bestow upon them the highest honor that may be earned by a
Cub Scout - The Arrow Of Light. But—before they can receive it, they must take a journey
through their memories. For their trail has been long and all that they have done has been
to prepare them for this night, in this place, in this ceremony.
Bobcat Talk
Long ago you entered the Cub Pack. You first joined the bobcat clan, where you
learned what it meant to be a scout, the law of the pack, and the three words that
would inspire you to overcome all other challenges, “Do Your Best”
Wolf Talk
Having started on the trail you next sought to join the Wolf Clan. Here you were
presented with 12 challenges, harder than the Bobcat tests, but with the cleverness
of the Wolf itself, you met them and continued on your journey.
MM
Bear Talk
Ahh but now the trail became darker and fainter as you entered the bear clan.
Again twelve challenges were presented before you, each more difficult than the last.
As you met these, you grew in spirit and in strength. It was this strength, like that
of the bear, which prompted you to move onward.
Chief
Webelo Talk
As you near the summit, you joined the Webelos clan. The time of your testing had
begun. In the Webelos clan you began to learn about scouting, Just as in the Bobcat
clan, wolf clan and bear clan you learned the ways of a brave, in Webelos you would
begin to learn the was of the warrior.
Now you have reached the summit and the end of this journey. But as with all
journeys, the end of one marks only the beginning of another. So I say, let the
arrow of light be conferred upon them!
Guide interrupts
Wait my brother! Before receiving this most high honor they must hear its legend so they
may understand and appreciate what they are to receive.
Legend of the Arrow of Light
Chief
Brother (say name of guide), call these braves before me!
(spoken to the guide) Let the Arrow of Light be conferred upon them!
Guide
In recognition of the importance that these parents have shown in scouting, I give the Arrow
of Light to them so that they may have the honor to give to their son.
Guide calls the first AOL WEBELOS in the line to the front center next to him.
You, brave, come here.
Chief
You brave, come here. (points to WEBELOS closest to him in line and stops him facing him.)
Page- 14 -
Take this headdress, symbol of Akela, and let it remind you always of Akela’s devotion to
what is now the spirit of scouting.
Take this arrow, given to you by your brothers, and let it guide your path, straight and true,
to the realm of our brothers, the eagles.
Page- 15 -
Crossover
Chief
It is time to bridge the gap from brave to warrior. From cub scout, to Boy Scout. And so it is
tonight, that they will Crossover.
Guide
I call for the Senior Patrol Leader of the Tribe of the Eagle to take his place for this
ceremony.
I call forth all of the braves who will be crossing over tonight.
Chief
This candle represents your life as a cub scout. Are you prepared to leave behind this back,
which has sheltered, and protected you, for so long, and blaze your trail of scouting onward?
Are you ready to crossover, from brave to warrior?
Then your life as a cub scout is over! (chief blows out candle and hands it to him, pointing him
in the direction of the crossover bridge) Crossover, young brave.
MM
Halt! Before you may take your place among the warriors, you must take the oath of a
warrior- the oath of a scout. Turn, and face your tribe. Raise your right hand in the scout
sign, and in a loud, clear voice, say with me the scout oath.
Do you promise to live your life by this oath?
(scout should say yes, if not then MM must prompt him to answer)
Then as the night is a bridge between each day, so let this be your bridge into the fellowship
of scouting. Crossover, young warrior.
SPL
We have a new warrior in our troop. We welcome our newest scout (say new scouts name)
Page- 16 -
Closing
Chief
We have tokens for all members of the Tribe of Akela, so that they may remember this night
always. Brother (say guide’s name), call the clans before me.
Guide
I call all members of the (say the den name) clan to stand before my brother (say MM’s name)
the medicine man.
Chief
Chief places an arrowhead necklace around the neck of the Cub Scout and says:
Remember this night always, and seek to earn your own Arrow of Light.
When all have been honored
My brothers, our time here is done. Let us return now, until we are called upon again.
We must make sure that we are ever Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Divest
Team member who portrayed the Chief:
On behalf of the Nih-Ka-Ga-Hah chapter of the Wah-Sha-She Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, we
would like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. Let's have the boys that crossed over come up
one last time.
(crossover scouts come center stage)
Let's give them a round of applause!
Page- 17 -
Appendix 2
Two versions of the Legend of the Arrow of Light - #1 Original, #2 Team 1 version
Version #1
Legend of the Arrow of Light
Don't try to memorize this story word for word. Instead try to get the basic story line
down and the order in which events happen. Then let the story develop itself, in your
own words as you tell it over and over in practice.
This story was practiced 3 or 4 times daily for about 3 weeks. While driving, mowing
the lawn, before falling asleep at night.... that's how this version came about. It
gradually took on a life if its' own.
Approximate presentation time: 12-15 minutes
(Chief requests Legend and Medicine Man walks to center of the arena and points hand across
gathered people)
Listen now, and hear the legend of the Arrow of Light. And the story of a young brave whose
strength and whose courage are the reason we are gathered here ‘round this campfire tonight as
brothers.
(Focus now on the Pack scouts seated in the front rows)
Long ages ago, when this land knew only the nations of The People, there was a tribe, which
lived in a village by the shore of a great river at the head of a mighty waterfall. Now, this
waterfall was taller than the tallest of the grandfather trees (gesture and look up to the trees
around the audience), and at its’ base were stones and rocks the size of the lodges in the village.
Its’ voice…. Ahh..Its’ voice was like thunder on a summers evening, for the river which fed it
was so wide that only an arrow shot by the strongest of warriors could reach from shore to shore
(gesture from one side of area to the other).
Now, in this village lived a young brave by the name of AH-kay-LA. AH-kay-LA, or Akela as
you call him in your tongue, was small (point to a tiger or wolf), your size…. Or maybe yours
(point to another)…. But in his heart beat the spirit of a warrior. And every day he would
practice the skills of a warrior, hunting, and bow, and arrow. And in the way of a warrior he was
always available to help wherever he was needed in the village, and in time he became know as a
brave that was trustworthy, loyal and helpful.
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Yet, despite these skills each day when Akela would go down to the river and wait beside the
canoes of the warriors and ask to accompany them on the hunt, their answer to him was always
the same.
"HA! Little Akela" they would say, "…you’re too young to go on a hunt! Why you’re not fast
enough to run with the Bobcat clan, and you’re not clever enough to join the Wolf den. And
you’re certainly not strong enough to help the Bear den…. No!…. go back to your games Akela
for we are Warriors and we have work to do!"
(Pause and look at the younger scouts) Now, Akela never let these words wound his spirit, for he
knew in his heart that he could become a great warrior. There was one other in the village who
knew of Akelas’ ability; the wise Chief Mehlo Madzala (May-slow Maud-zal-la).
If you could have asked him, he would have told you these words, "I see a fire in the eyes of this
young brave Akela, …A fire that burns brighter than the brightest campfire. There will come a
day when this village will need that which only Akela can give."
In the fall, after the harvest, on a night much like this…. With the air (deep slow breath with eyes
closed) sweet… and cool… (Suddenly alert and focus on the faces of the scouts in the front row)
The warriors were returning from a day of hunting in their hunting grounds across the river. As
they pulled their canoes away from a mist began to form on the far side of the river near the
village. A mist which quickly thickened into a dense white fog. As the warriors reached the
middle of the river where the currents were strong and swift the fog overtook them and they lost
their way. Above them the stars shone bright, but ahead all was white.
They could hear the laughter of the children in the village,… and they could hear the roar of the
waterfall as the river leapt from the cliff to the rocks below. And they knew that if they did not
chose soon they would be caught in the currents and swept to their deaths below the falls. They
looked to each other for help and guidance, yet despite their strength and courage as warriors
none could tell the direction to go. Finally, one of the warriors realizing that help was need
beyond themselves, raised his face to the heavens and cried out in a loud voice…
"Aye.. baba weight-too.. Say-see la-leigh gee lay. EE-pea in-dlay-la yeah-too?!" (This is Zulu
and not Native American, but we had to work with what we knew)
Which means in your tongue… "Oh, high father. We are lost! Show us the path home!"
Now, on the far side of the river, where he too was returning after a day of practicing his hunting
skills, Akela heard the cry of the warrior. And topping the last small hill before reaching the
shore he looked out and saw the danger that the warriors were in.
Quickly, without stopping to consider his size, or his strength, he ran swiftly to the top of a high
cliff that overlooked the river. Drawing from his quiver a single arrow straight and true, he tore
from his tunic a section of fur and bound it tightly to the shaft and set it ablaze. Then taking
careful aim toward the village Akela drew back with all his strength and let fly the flaming
arrow! (go through motions of tearing fur, binding and nocking arrow and releasing, hold release
pose for a few seconds before continuing)
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The arrow split the night like the comets which divide the heavens! And as it flew straight and
true towards the village it left behind it a trail of embers and sparks to mark its' path.
As it reached the middle of the river and passed over the canoes of the warriors they looked up in
amazement! And the warrior who had cried out to the high father said "Quickly my brother, take
up your paddles! Look! The High Father has sent us a flaming arrow.. an arrow of light… to
guide us to safety! Quickly! Let us follow its path for will lead us to safety and our village!"
And they took up their paddles, and they fought the currents with all their strength. And as the
last of the embers drifted silently down to extinguish itself in the surface of the river, the warriors
reached the safety of the shore.
As they pulled their canoes from the river, the people of the village gathered ‘round them, for
they had heard the warrior cry out and they had seen the flaming arrow. And they said "We must
go and tell the Chief what has happed, for this is a great mystery!" And they went to the lodge of
the Chief, which sat upon a hill at the end of the village. And they stood before his campfire and
called for him to come out.
(go through the motions described in next paragraph, pulling a robe over shoulders., gazing
above and beyond the crowd, etc.)
Now Chief Mehlo Madzala (May-slow Maud-zal-la) was a wise man for his name meant Old
Eyes and he had seen many years. As he pulled his robe about him and stepped through the door
he saw before him the warriors gathered round his fire, and behind them the people of the
village. He looked beyond them and saw the village, now deserted and the fog drifting away
across the river, and he saw one thing more. A single canoe drawn by a solitary brave just pulling
into shore.
"Oh great chief Wa-Paw-HA", cried one of the warriors, "We stand before your saved by the
High Father!"
"We were coming home from the hunting ground and as we reached the middle of the river we
were overtaken by a thick fog. We could not see the way to the village. We could hear the
children playing, and we could hear the roar of the waterfall but we could not tell which way to
go! We knew that soon we would be caught in the currents and swept to our deaths on the rocks
below and we cried out to the High and he sent from the heavens a flaming arrow, … and Arrow
of Light that we followed to the safety of the shore. We have come to tell you of this great
mystery, for no one in the village has memory of such a thing ever happening before."
The chief looked into their eyes and then asked them to sit beside his fire, and he called all the
people of the village to gather round. When all were close enough to hear his words he said..
"You were not saved by the High Father, but by one you thought to small to become a warrior.
One you thought without courage or strength. I will show you he who has given you this arrow
of light…" And looking beyond the people the chief spied a small dark figure standing alone in
the shadows… (point to the distance and look intensely) "You!… You, Akela! Come here!"
As the young brave Akela came forward the village looked on in amazement. When he
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reached the Chief, the chief placed him in front of him and rested his hands upon his shoulders,
and said to all the village..
(Rest hands on short imaginary shoulders in front of you)
"In the heart of this young brave beats the spirit of a warrior! For this very night he has saved his
brothers as surely as had it been in battle. (leave one hand on imaginary shoulder and point
toward the crowd with the other.) From this day forward all young braves of our tribe will follow
the example of Akela. They will take for themselves his symbol, this.. Arrow of Light, and they
will strive to achieve the strength, courage and wisdom that Akela has shown us this night. I say
to you all…. (raise pointing hand to the stars open palm up) This very night Akela is a Warrior!"
(Pause, then address the crowd)
So it was then… So it is tonight as you (point to and walk over in front of the AOL Webelos)
young braves have come before us ready to become warriors. And we say to you that you must
wear the symbol of Akela with honor and pride. But remember well! There is no honor without
responsibility! Just as the Arrow of Light left behind it a trail of embers of sparks to guide the
warriors to safety, so to do your lives (point directly at AOL’s one by one) leave behind you a
trail that others will follow! Make sure that the trail you leave behind is one that leads to honor,
and truth, and courage.
(Address the rest of the cub dens)
I tell you ALL this legend of the Arrow of Light so you will remember. And when the time
comes you will tell your sons, as I was told by my father, and he by his father before him so too
until the very night of Akela.
Listen now, and know the secret of the symbol of the arrow of light, for from it’s shaft stream
seven radiant beams. This is their meaning. Wisdom, Courage, Self-Control, Justice, Faith,
Hope, and Love.
(address full pack in same manner as the opening)
Remember now the legend of the arrow of light, and the story of the young brave Akela, whose
strength and whose courage are the reason we are gather here ‘round this campfire tonight as
brothers.
(Turn to chief and guide)
Oh great chief Wa-Paw-HA, once again the legend has been told. Let this night of the warrior
continue…
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Version #2
Legend of the Arrow of Light
Don't try to memorize this story word for word. Instead try to get the basic story line
down and the order in which events happen. Then let the story develop itself, in your
own words as you tell it over and over in practice.
Long ago, in ages past, when the nations of the people spread across the land, there lived a tribe of people at the
front of a mighty waterfall. This waterfall was taller, and older, than the tallest of all the grandfather trees. And its
roar... its roar was that of thunder on a midsummer night's eve.
In this tribe was a young boy named Akela. Akela was small (point to tiger scout) your size... (point to another small
scout). maybe yours... but in his heart beat the spirit of a warrior. Every day Akela would try and accompany the
warriors as they went out on the hunt, but they would always laugh at him and say: "Little Akela, you are too young
to join the hunt! You're not fast enough to join the bobcat clan, you're not clever enough to join the wolf clan; and
you're certainly not strong enough to join the bear clan! Little Akela, go back to your games, for we are warriors and
we have work to do.
No matter how hard Akela tried, all ways were barred to him. But he never let their words wound his spirit, and
every day he would go and practice his skills in the woods.
The aged chieftain of the tribe, however, saw Akela differently than the rest, and if you could have asked him he
would have told you:
"I see a fire burning in the eyes of that one that burns brighter than the brightest campfire. There will come a time
when this tribe will need that which only Akela can give."
...
One evening in the fall... on a night... *breath* much like this... with the air cool, and sweet.... a group of warriors
were returning from a hunt.
As they got into their canoes and began to cross the river, a mist began to form on the opposite bank. And then,
when they reached the middle of the river, where the currents are swift and strong, the mist overtook them, and
became a thick, white fog. They could hear the laughter of the children in the village, but they could also hear the
roar of the waterfall nearby.
Finally, one of the warriors, realizing that help was needed above themselves, looked to the stars and cried out--
"Aye um-kulu, say see lah hlay gee lay, e-pee in-dlay-la way-too?!" Which, in your tongue means "Oh grandfather,
we are lost, where is our path."
Meanwhile, Akela had been practicing his skills in the hills nearby. He had seen the warriors in the canoe, and he
knew of the danger. Running quickly to a cliff which overlooked both the river and the village, he took from his
quiver a single arrow, straight, and true. And he tore from his tunic a section of fur, and wrapped it tightly around
the shaft, and set it ablaze.
And then, taking careful aim in the direction of the village, he let loose the arrow.
The arrow split the night as the comets which divide the heavens, leaving behind it a trail of embers and sparks to
mark its path.
The warrior who had cried out said "Look my brothers! It is a flaming arrow; an arrow of light! Let us follow it!"
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The warriors did so, and found the safe way to the village.
They went to the chieftain saying "We were trapped on the river, and the high father sent an Arrow of Light to save
us!"
The chieftain slowly drew his robes about him and stepped out of his wigwam. In front of him he saw his fire, and
behind that the warriors, and behind them the people of the village. And he saw one thing more. A single canoe,
drawn by a lone brave, just reaching shore.
The chieftain spoke, and said: "You were not saved by the high father, but by one who you thought too small and
too weak to do anything."
And then to their amazement, the chieftain pointed to the back and said: "You! You, little Akela, come forth!"
Akela did so, and the chieftain put his arm around.
"Tonight, Akela has saved his brothers as surely as had it been in battle. Henceforth, all young braves of this tribe
shall seek to achieve the courage, and the strength Akela has shown us. I say to you this very night, Akela IS a
warrior!"
... So it was then... and so it is now, as you braves have come before us, ready to become warriors. Listen now, and
hear a secret within the Arrow of Light, for from its shaft stream 7 radiant beams, and this is their meaning--
Wisdom, Courage, Self-control, Justice, Faith, Hope, and Love.
*to chief* Chief (name), the legend of the Arrow of Light has been told.
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