MANUAL

CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
To begin a ceremony, the Troop Leader calls the Troop into the horseshoe formation.
There are several ways to call the Troop to the horseshoe, but the most common
(and respectful) is for the Troop or Patrol Leader to raise the Scout Sign, and wait
for all the other Scouts to do the same. When a Scout has raised the Scout Sign, he
or she should be silent and await instruction. For each Scout participating in the
Advancement Ceremony, Canadian Path Scout badges are provided. These badges will
be worn on the Scout’s Venturer Scout uniform, along with any previously awarded
Canadian Path Link badges.
A Troop may also have its own rewards as part of the Advancement Ceremony, such
as Venturer Scout uniforms for Scouts moving up, or another form of recognition
unique to the Group. It is important that the Advancement Ceremony treat all Scouts
moving up from the Troop equally. A table may be required to lay out paraphernalia
for the ceremony.
The Troop Leadership Team will design its own Advancement Ceremony. For this
occasion, the Troop Leadership Team may decide that it is best to have Scouters play
a larger role than usual, as it is likely that members of the Troop Leadership Team will
be moving up. The Troop Leadership Team should be able to consult resources with
suggestions for this ceremony, developed by Scouts Canada. The Troop Leadership
Team should also be aware of its Group’s traditions and its sponsor’s expectations.
Cub Scouts to Scouts
The Troop Scouter should talk to older Cub Scouts and their parents to ease potential
concerns about the transition. The Scouter might bring along a Patrol or the Troop
Leadership Team to demonstrate a Scout activity or lead a game for the Pack.
The Troop Scouter and Scouts could also work with Cub Scouts who are working on
their Outdoor Adventure Skills or another project. At a Troop meeting, the older Cub
Scouts will see Scout activities firsthand and have a chance to try some of them.
Encourage Troop members to take older Cub Scouts on an outing that isn’t too
challenging, but which gives them a chance to sample outdoor skills at the Scout
level. It may or may not be desirable for a Pack Scouter to go along, depending on the
youth and outing in question. The Troop Leadership Team can discuss this with the
Pack Scouters in advance.
Some Trail Card activities for both Cub Scouts and Scouts will suggest or require
linking with the older or younger Section.
EASING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN SECTIONS
AND DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
Linking activities are helpful in easing transitions from one Section to the next and
developing leadership skills in those youth who visit other Sections. Linking refers
to an activity or event in which two different Sections are "linked" together in an
activity. At the beginning of the Scouting Year, Scouters from the Pack, Troop and
Company should meet to determine the best times for having older Cub Scouts visit
the Troop and older Scouts visit the Company. Alternatively, the older Cub Scouts may
participate in Troop outings and events while the older Scouts may do the same with
the Company.
Either second or third-year Scouts should visit Cub Scouts because of their experience,
and the fact that they’ll still be in Scouts when the Cubs move up to Scouts.
The more opportunity to build familiarity with the Troop program in Cub Scouts, and
the Company program in Scouts, the better the chances that youth will feel at ease in
moving into their new Section.
196 SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH SCOUTER MANUAL—A SCOUTER’S GUIDE TO THE CANADIAN PATH 197