Planning a Court of Honor or Campfire - Boy Scout Troop 195
Planning a Court of Honor or Campfire - Boy Scout Troop 195
Planning a Court of Honor or Campfire - Boy Scout Troop 195
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<strong>Planning</strong> a <strong>Court</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hon<strong>or</strong></strong> <strong>or</strong> <strong>Campfire</strong><br />
One <strong>of</strong> the most imp<strong>or</strong>tant and complex challenges you will face in earning the<br />
Communications merit badge is planning and serving as master <strong>of</strong> ceremonies at either a<br />
troop court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> <strong>or</strong> a campfire program (requirement 8). You will be in charge <strong>of</strong> making<br />
sure committees complete their assignments on time, and you will need to keep track <strong>of</strong><br />
many <strong>or</strong>ganizational details to pull <strong>of</strong>f a successful campfire <strong>or</strong> court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> program. Here<br />
is some inf<strong>or</strong>mation from the updated Communication Merit Badge Booklet to help you plan<br />
and execute these events successfully.<br />
<strong>Planning</strong> a <strong>Court</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hon<strong>or</strong></strong><br />
<strong>Court</strong>s <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> require even m<strong>or</strong>e careful planning than taking charge <strong>of</strong> a campfire<br />
program. A court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> is convened when <strong>Boy</strong> <strong>Scout</strong>s achieve Tenderfoot, Second Class,<br />
First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle <strong>Scout</strong> ranks.<br />
Write out your plan, and then have key members rehearse their parts. Use the checklist<br />
provided to help guide you through the court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> planning process. The checklist is only<br />
a guide. Develop your own ideas and do not f<strong>or</strong>get to get feedback from other troop<br />
members and parents on how to make the ceremony even m<strong>or</strong>e mem<strong>or</strong>able. Remember to<br />
use a pencil to complete your checklist so you can neatly make changes as needed.<br />
Have an agenda <strong>or</strong> program f<strong>or</strong> the <strong>Scout</strong>s and the adults who will be presenting the award.<br />
Rehearse, if possible, in the actual setting where you will he serving as master <strong>of</strong> ceremonies.<br />
If scripts are needed, be sure they are distributed to participants well in advance.<br />
Consider the following basic protocol as you develop your plan:<br />
1. The <strong>Scout</strong>s enter carrying the troop and patrol flags.<br />
2. The court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> members enter.<br />
3. The col<strong>or</strong> guard enters carrying the col<strong>or</strong>s. The <strong>Scout</strong>s and audience members stand<br />
at attention.<br />
4. The parents and audience members join the <strong>Scout</strong>s in reciting the Pledge <strong>of</strong><br />
Allegiance.<br />
5. An appropriate opening ceremony is presented.<br />
6. The court chairperson (<strong>or</strong> master <strong>of</strong> ceremonies) convenes the court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong>.<br />
7. The court chairperson calls on members <strong>of</strong> the court to make awards presentations.<br />
8. Special program features are presented—<strong>Scout</strong> demonstrations, a brief address, <strong>or</strong><br />
singing.<br />
9. Retire the col<strong>or</strong>s.<br />
10. Close. The court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> may close with the troop's regular closing ceremony.<br />
As you plan the ceremony, keep the following tips in mind.
Lighting<br />
Lighting is imp<strong>or</strong>tant to most ceremonies. It can be used to help create a sense <strong>of</strong> drama and<br />
excitement, and to spotlight award recipients in a court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong>. By following the script, you<br />
will be able to prepare in advance f<strong>or</strong> the lighting techniques you want to use during the<br />
ceremony. Depending on the facility's lighting, you may have access to stage lights,<br />
spotlights, and col<strong>or</strong>ed lighting. Arrive early the day <strong>of</strong> the ceremony so that you can inspect<br />
the lighting controls and be sure you know how to switch the lights <strong>of</strong>f and on, and when.<br />
Spotlighting should be used anytime a <strong>Scout</strong> is recognized bef<strong>or</strong>e an audience. A simple<br />
flashlight can serve as a spotlight.<br />
Dec<strong>or</strong>ations<br />
A few appropriate dec<strong>or</strong>ations can transf<strong>or</strong>m a bare room into a special place f<strong>or</strong> any court <strong>of</strong><br />
hon<strong>or</strong>. Crepe paper, neckerchiefs, <strong>Scout</strong>ing posters. <strong>Scout</strong> skill displays, merit badge displays,<br />
and knot boards are just a few examples.<br />
Audiovisuals<br />
The BSA has many videos and slide programs (ask your <strong>Scout</strong>master about these) available<br />
that are appropriate f<strong>or</strong> use in a court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> ceremony. Enhancing the court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> with<br />
good sound equipment and carefully selected music will give the ceremony a pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
touch.<br />
Props<br />
Props add special flair to any ceremony. Use your imagination. You may want to craft an<br />
advancement board that displays the progress <strong>of</strong> each <strong>Scout</strong> in the troop <strong>or</strong> patrol. At the<br />
court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong>, some troops present a handsome plaque to Eagle <strong>Scout</strong>s that includes a<br />
nameplate engraved with their name, troop number, and date <strong>of</strong> the ceremony. Other ideas<br />
f<strong>or</strong> props include:<br />
• A candle log—a log drilled with holes, used as a candleholder.<br />
• An artificial campfire—made with a flashlight, logs, and sheets <strong>of</strong> red, yellow, and<br />
<strong>or</strong>ange cellophane.<br />
• A badge holder—a device such as a felt-covered tray, used to display advancement<br />
badges, pins, and cards.<br />
• Flags—from your troop, place <strong>of</strong> w<strong>or</strong>ship, state, and the U.S. flag all are appropriate in<br />
ceremonies. Be certain you display and carry flags c<strong>or</strong>rectly.<br />
• <strong>Troop</strong> scrapbook—seek assistance from the troop hist<strong>or</strong>ian, who helps maintain the<br />
troop scrapbook.
<strong>Court</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Hon<strong>or</strong></strong> Checklist:<br />
• <strong>Planning</strong> Phase<br />
o ___ Schedule the date 10/22/07.<br />
o ___ Reserve the facility.<br />
o ___ Meet with ceremony assistants confirming time, etc.<br />
o ___ Request letters from dignitaries, etc.<br />
o ___ Secure the speaker/court commitment.<br />
o ___ Send invitations.<br />
o ___ Print programs.<br />
o ___ Prepare/distribute news releases.<br />
o ___ Mail programs to participants.<br />
o ___ Order refreshments.<br />
• Physical Arrangements<br />
o ___ Seating f<strong>or</strong> audience<br />
o ___ Seating f<strong>or</strong> platf<strong>or</strong>m<br />
o ___ Flags arranged<br />
o ___ Lighting<br />
o ___ Heat and ventilation<br />
o ___ Public address system<br />
o ___ Special equipment [such as movie equipment, if used)<br />
o ___ Custodian’s cooperation secured<br />
o ___ Refreshment?<br />
o ___ Parking –any other activities this night<br />
• Awards Presentation<br />
o ___ Badges and certificates are in individually marked envelopes.<br />
o ___ Clasps on mothers' pins and metal badges are open and ready to be pinned<br />
on.<br />
o ___ All other awards and recognitions are arranged and marked.<br />
• Presenter's Briefing<br />
o ___ One <strong>Scout</strong> at a time receives his award.<br />
o ___ The <strong>Scout</strong> faces the audience.<br />
o ___ The <strong>Scout</strong> is on a box <strong>or</strong> raised platf<strong>or</strong>m.<br />
o ___ The <strong>Scout</strong> is spotlighted, if possible.<br />
o ___ The presenter knows where to pin the badge.<br />
o ___ The presenter know how to give the <strong>Scout</strong> handshake using the left hand.<br />
• General Program<br />
o ___ Who is to be introduced?<br />
o ___ Make speakers aware <strong>of</strong> the time limit.<br />
o ___ Prepare notes f<strong>or</strong> people who are not familiar with the activities.<br />
o ___ Encourage parents' participation.<br />
o ___ Recognize the <strong>Scout</strong>master and other leaders. Have any demonstration <strong>or</strong><br />
special program materials on hand.<br />
o ___ Plan the entrance f<strong>or</strong> court <strong>of</strong> hon<strong>or</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
o ___ Start on time and end on time. Start 7:00 pm<br />
o ___ Set up and staff refreshment? and reception tables.<br />
• Follow-up Details<br />
o ___ Make arrangements f<strong>or</strong> returning equipment and cleanup.<br />
o ___ Send a note <strong>of</strong> thanks to program participants, the custodian, and any<br />
others who helped.