Arrow Of Light Ceremony Arrow Of Light Ceremony For many years Troop 57 has prepared and performed an Arrow Of Light ceremony. The Arrow Of Light is the highest award that a cub scout can earn and as such it is appropriate that those who earn it receive special recognition. The troop works hard at putting on the annual event and the planning for it begins months in advance. The pictures below are a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into putting on the ceremony.
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No night-time Indian ceremony would be complete without a bonfire! A friend of Troop 57 donated a trailer full of wood fencing to serve as the fuel. Here the Scouts & Scouters are dismantling the fence before getting started building the bonfire. |
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First the fire ring is dug out, then the fencing stacked up to fuel the fire. |
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Every Arrow Of Light ceremony ought to have an arrow. Here the boys are building one of the two giant arrows that will be used. Each of the seven rays represents a day of the week and is a reminder to do a good deed on that day. During the ceremony as each day is named a bright red flare at the end of each ray will be electronically ignited. |
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Group shots of the guys at work. |
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If you've got Indians, a bonfire, and arrows then you've got to have drums! Troop 57 made these two drums by hollowing out sections of tree trunks then lacing onto them heads cut from rawhide. These drums have a deep booming tone that is perfect for ceremonial use. |
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Boogie Down !!! |
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If you've got Indians, fire, and drums you've got to have teepees. Here the scouts & scouters are lashing together cedar poles to make teepees. |
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On top of the cliff at the rear of the ceremony area we prepare three
small fires, rigged to ignite on cue, representing the three points on the Scout Badge:
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Rigging the fires for the three points. |
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As each Webelo's name is called, the Troop Archer will fire a flaming arrow into the sky. Here our ceremonial archer for this crossover takes a few practice shots. During the ceremony the arrows will be tipped with sparklers, making an awesome sight as they arc high across the night sky. |
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Our Ceremonial Archer taking a break ... (this has to be the palest Indian who ever lived!) |
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Rather than light the bonfire with a match Troop 57 goes for a more elaborate approach. During the ceremony Chief Akela calls upon the great spirit of Scouting to bring fire to their council. A fireball ignites and descends from the sky to light the bonfire. Here a scout is rigging a guide wire at the top of the cliff for the fireball to ride down to the fire ring. On cue the ball is lit & glides down the wire setting the bonfire ablaze. |
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As part of the finale a large "57" is hung in front of the cliff. At night it can't be seen but at the end of the ceremony a button is pushed and the 57 lights up in flame. |
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Akelas Party. Chief Akela and his council approach the council fire ring to start the ceremony. |
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The Great Spirit has answered Akelas call and sent fire down to the coucil. The Ceremony begins !!! |
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After the crossover Troop 57 held a "Flag Retirement" ceremony. |
 
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Akelas Party welcoming the "Former" Webelos to Scouting ! |
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