MANUAL

CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
MEETING CLOSING
Purpose and Preparation
The closing horseshoe provides for a definitive closing to the meeting or camp. Unlike
the opening ceremony, the closing horseshoe provides a reflective time and sends the
Scouts home relaxed and ready to live out the Promise and Law on a daily basis. This
time provides the Scouts with the opportunity to show respect to Canada through the
lowering of the flag.
Procedure
The process follows much the same process as the opening, with a few small
differences. The Troop is called into a horseshoe formation with the “Troop, fall in!”
command, or silently with the appropriate, Troop-designated hand signal.
On hearing the “Troop” command, Scouts should stop what they are doing, listen
for the instruction and then move quickly into formation. Scouters should place
themselves in the proper positions. The Duty Patrol again provides the Colour Party.
The Troop Leader or Duty Patrol Leader makes the “Troop, alert!” command and the
Troop comes to attention. The Colour Party takes one step back, then walks smartly
to the Flag of Canada. The Scout who is lowering the flag unties and then reports the
halyards, saying, “Halyards all clear.”
After the reporting of the halyards, the Troop Scouter gives the “Lower the flag”
command. The Colour Party lowers the flag, being careful to keep the flag from
touching the ground. The flag is removed from the halyards and is folded and
presented to the Troop Leader or Duty Patrol Leader. Upon presenting the folded
flag, the Colour Party salutes the Troop Leader or Duty Patrol Leader, who returns the
salute. The Colour Party then returns to its place in the horseshoe by walking around
the outside of the horseshoe.
At this time, a short Scouter’s Five (a short, Scouter-led reflection) could be given,
followed by a closing prayer or recitation of the Scout Promise and Law. In Troops
with multiple faiths, a moment of silent reflection may be appropriate. Scout Silence
can be used at the close of any meeting or activity along with or in place of a prayer.
The Troop Leader then gives the “Troop, dismissed!” command. Scouts take one step
back from the horseshoe before leaving. The Duty Patrol then ensures flag stands and
other flags are properly put away.
The Closing Ceremony presents a great opportunity to recognize Scouts and Scouters
on accomplishments (both inside and outside of Scouting, such as sports and school).
Recognizing the work of an individual or Patrol during the meeting is also encouraged,
as is mentioning where improvements could be made. Badge presentations can be
made at this time. Troops that run competitions between Patrols can use the Closing
Ceremony to give a rousing “Three Cheers” for the winning Patrol.
INVESTITURE OF NEW SCOUTS
Purpose and Preparation
The Investiture Ceremony officially makes a youth or a Volunteer a member of a Scout
Troop and, by extension, a member of the worldwide Scout Movement. An Investiture
should occur within a relatively short period of time (less than a month) from when
the youth begins attending meetings and has demonstrated the knowledge of the
Scout Promise and the Scout Law. In order to make a Scout feel welcome in a Troop,
he or she should be permitted to wear the Group neckerchief and Group, Area and
Council badges before being invested. A Scout woggle can be used to signify a Scout’s
Investiture; this is a subtler difference in an uninvested Scout’s uniform, and should
minimize any sense of difference or exclusion. Prior to Investiture, a Scout can
wear the Group neckerchief tied with a friendship knot, tied by a fellow member
of the Troop.
The Investiture Ceremony is one of the most important ceremonies in a Scout’s
experience. The Scout makes the Promise to the investing member of the Troop
Leadership Team who, in turn, pledges to help the new Scout to do his or her best.
Any member of the Troop Leadership Team may invest another Scout, although it
is usually the Troop Leader. Investiture can take place at the regular meeting place,
outside or at a camp.
The Friendship Knot
The Investiture Ceremony is an important occasion in the life of a Scout. For that
reason, parents or other people of importance to the Scout may be invited to
witness the Investiture. If the Troop has a sponsor, a representative of the sponsoring
organization can be invited. The Scout being invested should be consulted in this
regard. If the Investiture is to be held at a camp, it is important that parents be able
to attend.
190 SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH 191