Scouting is an organization that has been around for more than a century, and during this time, it has impacted millions of lives positively. One of the most significant milestones in Scouting is when a Cub Scout transitions to a Scouts BSA unit, a moment marked by a ceremony called a “Crossing Over Ceremony.” This ceremony signifies the young person’s growth, development, and readiness for the challenges and adventures they will face as a member of a Scouts BSA troop.
The Purpose and Significance of a Crossing Over Ceremony
The primary purpose of a Crossing Over Ceremony is to recognize and celebrate a Cub Scout’s transition to a Scouts BSA troop. The ceremony marks the passage from one program to another, as the young person advances to the next level of Scouting. The crossing over ceremony is usually conducted by members of the local troop, leaders from the pack, or both and can take place during a pack meeting, a Blue and Gold Banquet, or a special ceremony just for the purpose of crossing over.
The ceremony is also significant because it serves as a reminder of the Spirit of Scouting and the values and principles Scout uphold. It emphasizes the importance of personal growth, camaraderie, and mentorship, that is the cornerstone of Scouting. The transition to a Scouts BSA troop represents a new chapter in the young person’s scouting journey, and the crossing over ceremony is a way of recognizing that transition and welcoming them to the new unit.
A crossing over ceremony is also an opportunity to reflect on the skills gained during the Cub Scout years, to acknowledge and celebrate the scout’s progress, and to look ahead to future accomplishments. The ceremony serves as a reminder of the Cub Scout’s hard work and dedication, and it sets the tone for the continued pursuit of excellence in Scouts BSA.
The Elements of a Crossing Over Ceremony
While the elements of a crossing over ceremony may differ depending on location and regional customs, some components are commonly found in most ceremonies. Here are some elements to consider when planning your own ceremony:
The Scout Oath and Law
The Scout Oath and Law are at the heart of Scouting, and they should be an integral part of the ceremony. The reciting of the Scout Oath and Law is a reminder of the values and principles that young people must follow as they advance in Scouting.
The Crossing Over Bridge
One of the primary elements of a crossing over ceremony is the crossing over bridge. The bridge represents the transition from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA, and it is often decorated with symbols of Scouting. The young person crosses the bridge, and as they do so, they let go of their Cub Scout neckerchief and receive a new neckerchief, symbolizing their move to the next level of Scouting.
The Presentation of Awards
At the Cub Scout level, young people can earn various badges and awards, and the ceremony can be an excellent opportunity to present these awards to the scouts. Certificates, ribbons, patches, and medals can be presented, along with a description of the effort that went into earning these awards.
The Welcome Speech
A welcome speech is an opportunity for the Scouts BSA troop leaders to welcome the young person and to congratulate them on reaching this point in their scouting journey. They can also use this time to introduce the young person to their new troop and to outline some of the expectations and goals that lie ahead.
The Candle Ceremony
The candle ceremony is a symbolic element in many crossing over ceremonies. The ceremony usually involves the use of two candles: the candle of Cub Scouting and the candle of Scouts BSA. The Cub Scout’s candle is extinguished, and the Scouts BSA candle is lit, symbolizing the Cub Scout’s transition to the next level of Scouting.
Conclusion
A Crossing Over Ceremony is an essential milestone that marks the transition of a young person from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. It is a time to reflect on past accomplishments, acknowledge hard work and dedication, and prepare for the next chapter in the scout’s journey. While the ceremony can take many forms, it should always reflect the values and principles that are the foundation of Scouting. Every Crossing Over Ceremony is unique, but they all represent the same thing: the growth, development, and transition of a young person from a Cub Scout to a member of a Scouts BSA troop.
FAQ
What is the Cub Scout advancement ceremony?
The Cub Scout Advancement Ceremony is a special event that celebrates a Cub Scout’s achievements in completing requirements for their Bobcat, Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos ranks, as well as earning the prestigious Arrow of Light Award. This ceremony marks an important milestone in a Cub Scout’s journey and signifies their readiness to move on to the next level of Scouting.
Each rank has a set of requirements that a Cub Scout must complete in order to earn that rank. The requirements include learning and demonstrating important skills and values, such as camping, cooking, sportsmanship, respect for others, and loyalty to the Scout Oath and Law. When a Cub Scout has completed all the requirements, they are eligible to receive their badge of rank.
The Advancement Ceremony itself is a formal event where Cub Scouts are recognized for their achievements. The ceremony is often held in front of the scout’s family and friends, and usually takes place during a pack meeting or other scouting event. During the ceremony, the Cub Scout is presented with their badge of rank and/or other awards they have earned during their journey.
In addition to the advancement ceremony, there are also transition ceremonies for Cub Scouts moving from one rank to the next. These ceremonies mark the transitions from Tiger Cub to Wolf, Wolf to Bear, Bear to Webelos Scout, and Webelos Scout to Boy Scout. These ceremonies often involve special activities or challenges that prepare the Cub Scouts for the new experiences, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with each new rank.
The Cub Scout Advancement Ceremony is an important part of the Cub Scout experience. It celebrates a Cub Scout’s achievements, encourages them to continue to grow and learn, and inspires them to strive for excellence and to live up to the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
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Is AOL now called oath?
AOL, which stands for America Online, is a well-known brand that gained popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s as a provider of internet services such as email, instant messaging, and web browsing. However, in recent years, the company has undergone significant changes, including multiple mergers and acquisitions that have led to a shift in its identity and branding.
One of the most significant changes for AOL occurred in 2017 when Verizon Communications acquired the core assets of its predecessor, Yahoo! Inc., and merged them with AOL to create a new subsidiary entity. This entity was initially known as Oath Inc. and included various media and technology brands such as Yahoo!, HuffPost, TechCrunch, and Engadget, among others.
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While AOL is not technically called Oath anymore, it was a subsidiary of Oath Inc. which is now known as Verizon Media Group. The brand name AOL still exists and offers a range of internet services to its users within the Verizon Media Group.
What is AOL and what is its purpose?
America Online, commonly known as AOL, is one of the oldest and most well-known internet service providers. Founded in 1985, AOL originally began as a service called Quantum Computer Services, provided for the Commodore 64 computer. In 1991, the service was renamed America Online and opened up to a wider audience, becoming one of the first companies to provide Internet connectivity to a broad consumer market.
AOL served as the primary source of Internet access for many people throughout the 1990s, providing a range of services that included email, instant messaging, and online chat rooms. At its peak, AOL had over 30 million subscribers, and was considered one of the biggest success stories of the dot-com era.
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What is an AOL notification?
AOL, or America Online, is one of the oldest and most widely used email services in the world. Like any other email service, AOL Mail offers a variety of notification options to help users keep track of their incoming messages. These notifications can be a sound alert, a pop-up message, or an email that’s sent to your other email address.
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In addition to the classic “You’ve Got Mail” sound, AOL Mail also offers a variety of other notification sounds to choose from. Users can customize their notification preferences in the mail settings, choosing to have a generic sound notification instead of the AOL sound.
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Finally, if you prefer to receive your notifications via another email service, you can set up AOL Mail to send you an email when you receive a new message. This option can be particularly useful if you receive a lot of emails and want to keep track of them in a separate inbox.
Aol Mail offers a range of notification options to help you stay on top of your email. Whether you prefer a sound alert, a pop-up message, or an email notification, AOL Mail has you covered.
