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CUB – OPENING & CLOSING PARADES

BASED ON ENCOMPASS ARTICLES BY BC CUB SCOUTS – TIM GIBBINGS

The notes, procedures and comments below are from an amalgamation, and some refinement, of a series of Qld Branch Encompass Articles written by Qld Branch Commissioner Cub Scouts – Tim Gibbings (KAA) from September 2014 to March 2015. The details are in accordance with the procedures contained in the Ceremonies Book and the Leaders Handbook; with comments and clarification by the Author.

Introduction

One part of the Cub Scout Program that seems to cause a lot of angst, especially for Leader Trainers and the District and Region Leaders of Cub Scouts, is the standardisation of the Packs’ Opening and Closing Parades, and the individual ‘additions’ that exist because ‘that’s the way we do it’, etc. In the following article I take a look at this issue, with an aim of describing the processes (in accordance with what already exists in the Ceremonies Book and Cub Scout Leaders Handbook) and ‘debunking’ a few of the myths and common misconceptions and errors. I also provide some context and explanation, as appropriate, as to how elements of the Parades relate to Theme. At the end of the Opening and Closing Parade information, I also briefly look at The Investiture and how that also is related to the Jungle Book Theme.

I would welcome any comments you may have; please send them to BC Cub Scouts via email or Branch first and not post them on Facebook where they tend to unnecessarily ‘escalate’ confusion or doubt.

The ‘Base Line’

Firstly, let me set the base line from which I will be commenting. The requirements for the Cub Scout Opening and Closing Ceremonies, including the Grand Howl, are outlined in the Scouts Australia Ceremonies Book, supplemented by the Cub Scout Leaders Handbook. I admit that the Ceremonies Book is a bit ‘disjointed’, as you have to go to separate Sections of the book to find out about the format for the various elements: the Grand Howl, the Flag, Layout, etc, and some of the ‘finer details’ to aid a deeper understanding are in the Cub Scout Leaders' Handbook. However, with a careful read of all relevant bits, many of the 'errors' could be addressed. So, please make the effort and revise the contents of the Ceremonies Book; including the first three pages of the Ceremonies Book, that covers ‘Introduction, Ceremonies, On the Conduct of Ceremonies and Smartness’, in order to set a context for the purpose and importance of Ceremonies.

While the proper conduct of Ceremonies is important and also part of the developmental training for the Cub Scouts, please remember the Opening and Closing Parade is only a very small part of the program; it is not worth hours of effort and angst (this coming from an Army guy ‐ what would my Sergeant Major say?) which could be better spent on planning and running great programs. Also, for 2

those Leaders that go against the Ceremonies Book by choice and ‘customise’ elements of the parade, then it is unlikely that ‘re‐presenting the procedure, by the Book’ in this article will easily rectify the situation. On visits to Cub Packs, one of the main issues I see with the standard of the Parades is the standard the Leader/s sets and/or accepts, which significantly influences the Cub Scouts and their conduct during the parades; LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

Opening & Closing Parade

Elements of the Opening and Closing Parade: The Grand Howl is only a part of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies; the Cub Scout Section is the ONLY Section that has an additional ‘special’, traditional element as a standard (not optional) part of its Opening and Closing Ceremony. The basic elements of both ceremonies (by the Ceremonies Book) are:

‐ Inspection ‐ Call onto Parade (there is a Cub Scout only element here as well) ‐ Grand Howl (Cub Scouts only) ‐ Flag Break or Flag Down (depending whether Opening or Closing) ‐ Prayer ‐ ‘Break Off’ or ‘Dismiss’ (Good Night) (depending whether Opening or Closing)

Inspection: There are no set rules as to what, how, etc, but it is usually the Sixers’ responsibility prior to parade.

Call onto Parade: a. Initiated by a Cub , who is to be standing in their correct Parade position when they make the call, because they are calling the Cub Scouts to them. It is a special call, unique to the Cub Scouts of “PACK!, PACK!, PACK!”, loud and clear. b. NB. The call ‘Pack, Pack, Pack’ is only to be used to call the Cub Scouts onto Parade, NOT to get their attention or any other purpose; the call of “PAAACK!” is used to get their attention or Silence at other times. c. The Cub Scouts respond to the call to parade by passing on the call loudly with “Paaaaaack!” as they run (move quickly/smartly) onto the Parade Circle. d. NB. It is a Circle, not a horse shoe, or square or open box, etc. e. The call to parade represent calling the wolves of the Seeonee Pack to Council Rock, where he could speak with them, and the other wolves of the Pack taking up the call, as they heard it, and passing it on through the Jungle. The Wolves would arrive and sit in a Circle around Council Rock, with Akela on the Rock in the centre. Before I was a Cub Scout Leader, many Cub Scout Dens used to have a Council Rock (some still do) on which the Pack Leader stood and the Cub Scouts formed a circle around the rock so the Leader was in the Centre – ask some of the ‘more experience’ Cub Scout Leaders, like the current Chief Commissioner of Queensland – sorry Chief. f. Assumingly for better control, the Cub Scout Leaders, including Akela, now stand as part of the Parade Circle, but on the opposite side of the Circle to the Flag Pole, so they do not have to ‘about‐ turn’ and turn their backs on the Pack during Flag Break or Lowering. If 3

space is tight, the Flag pole can be on the Parade Circle or in the centre of the Circle (though this is rare to see). g. On arrival to the Parade Circle, the Cub Scouts stand on the circle ‘as ease’ and silent. h. The Cub Scouts should be on the Circle in their Sixes, with the Sixer on the right hand end of the Six and the Second on the Left hand end – NOT the Sixer on the end of the Six closest to the Leaders. i. The other Cub Scout Leaders should move onto parade at the same time as the Cub Scouts and not by invitation; guests may be invited on as appropriate.

Grand Howl: (If you are in any doubt as to the meaning and purpose of the Grand Howl and how it relates to the Jungle Book theme, please go to your Cub Scout Leaders’ Handbook, pages 56 and 57 (it may vary, but only by a page or two, depending on your edition) for the detail and history):

a. Once on the parade, the Leader (Akela) – and it does not have to be the Pack Leader, all the Leaders should take turns at being Akela for parades – calls the Pack to ‘Alert’ (not Attention) – “Pack Alert” then almost immediately followed by “Pack At Ease”. This ensures the Leader has the Pack’s attention and they know the Grand Howl is about to start. b. NB. Ensure that before parade, the Duty Sixer and/or Second know who they are. c. Akela (the Leader taking the Parade) moves smartly to the Centre of the Parade Circle and stops, at the Alert, facing the Duty Sixer. d. Akela than raises their Arms, smartly, horizontally out to their side. This is the signal for the Pack to come smartly and ‘crisply’ to ‘Alert’. (There is no harm in occasionally doing it again, by saying ‘At Ease’ and raising the arms again, if not done well by the Pack.) e. The Leader (Akela) then lowers their arms to their sides – not too fast, but steadily and smartly. AS the leader’s arms go down, the Cub Scouts go down to the Squatting position – three fingers (like the Scout Sign), from each hand, straight and touching the ground/floor with their arms positioned between their legs/knees, NOT arms outside the legs – similar to what a Wolf would sit like on its haunches. f. The moment the Pack is in the Squatting position, the PACK – not just the Duty Sixer, though they might lead off – go straight into the Howl without further signal. g. The Howl – said clearly and ‘deliberately’ and not rushed (see ceremonies book for a guide to the timing) – “AR‐KAY‐LA WE‐E‐LL D‐O‐O O‐U‐U‐R BEST”. h. As the Pack completes saying ‘BEST’, they all LEAP into to the air (or to their feet standing upright) and place their hands, with three fingers (like the Scout Sign) pointing upwards, touching each temple – like Wolf Ears (NOT Eye Brows)– listening for the challenge. i. The Duty Sixer loudly says “DO YOUR BEST”; it should be said like a Challenge. j. All Cub Scouts then answer the Challenge by saying together, clearly and confidently, “WE’L‐ L DO OUR BEST” k. As the Pack says “We’ll Do Our Best”, they drop their left hands to their sides and make the Scout Salute with their right hand. l. During the “We’ll Do Our Best” only the Leader (Akela) taking the Howl should salute. All other Leaders stand at the Alert throughout the Ceremony. 4

m. At the conclusion, the Pack drop the salute and stand at the ‘Alert’. Akela should acknowledge the Greeting by saying ‘Thank you Pack’ or ‘Good Hunting, Pack’ or something similar. n. Akela moves smartly back to their position on the circle and says “Pack – At Ease” or goes straight into the Flag Break. o. NB. All New Chums or Linking Joeys should be part of the Parade Circle during the Grand Howl, but they are to remain standing, at ‘Alert’, throughout the Howl and not participate in the actions.

Flag Break or Flag Down (depending whether Opening or Closing):

Flags: Before we look at the Flag Break/Down, just a couple of brief comments:  Please ensure that you and your Cub Scouts understand the importance of treating our Australian National Flag (ANF), or any Nation’s Flag (or any Flag), with respect at all times.  The Australian National Flag (ANF) (or any other Flag) should NOT be subject to any ‘indignity’ ‐ like touching the ground, being roughly ‘scrunched up’, thrown into a corner/cupboard/box, or the like and it should never be used to drape a table.  The ANF should never be displayed in a position ‘inferior’ to any other flag or ensign (including the Cub Scout or other Section Flags) – see the Section on Flags (about page 51) in Scouts Australia Ceremonies Book for details of the ANF’s position on the various flag poles when flying with other flags, including Section Flags (eg the Cub Scout Pack Flag) at the same time.  In line with flying with other flags, the ANF is always the first flag broken and the last one to be pulled down. Therefore if at your Pack meetings you use both the ANF and the Cub Scout Flag, always break the ANF first, then the Cub Scout Flag; likewise, at Flag Down always lower the Cub Scout Flag first then the ANF (ANF: 1st Flag Broken, Last Flag Down)  Also, in the Flags Section of the Ceremonies Book (about page 53) there is a part dedicated to Flags in respect to the Cub Scout Pack – please read it.  The correctly folded flag is to be hoisted to the masthead by the Duty Sixer and/or Second (NOT a Leader or a Scout or Youth Helper) before the parade.  Remember, you NEVER salute the ANF while it is still rolled/folded, only after it is ‘Broken’ (unrolled and flying free)

Flag Break: After the Grand Howl and ‘Akela’ has moved back to their position on the circle:

a. The Leader (Akela) says “Duty Sixer, prepare to break the flag”. b. NO Salute is given (or required) by the Sixer to the Leader to acknowledge the order. c. The Duty Sixer (and the other Cub Scout to do the Cub Scout Flag if also being used) walks the shortest distance to the Flagpole (that includes directly through the centre of the parade circle if that is the shortest distance) and grasps the halyard ready to Break the Flag – but wait for it. d. The Leader says “Pack, face the flag” (All turn to face the flagpole) – this could be done while the Duty Sixer is on route to the Flagpole. 5

e. When all steady, the Leader then says “Pack (at the same time, the Duty Sixer pulls down on the Halyard to break the flag) Salute” – All on Parade (less Duty Sixer), including Joey Scouts that may be Linking, and Leaders Salute. f. The salute ends when the Leader brings their hand down from the Salute (as some of the Cub Scouts are looking away from the Leader, I find it useful to say “Thank you Pack” or the like, as a signal for the Cub Scouts to ‘drop’ their Salute) – They remain at Alert. g. If the pack also uses the Cub Scout Flag, it is broken after the ANF, perhaps best as the Salute is ‘dropped’ and while all still facing the Flag. h. The Duty Sixer secures the Halyard, if required, and takes two paces back facing the Flag and salutes the Flag then returns to their place in the Parade Circle, again, by the shortest route. As the Duty Sixer returns to their Place, the remainder of the Pack turn to face back into the Parade Circle. The Leader may wish to say “Pack, inward turn”, but no necessary if the Pack is so trained. i. The ‘Flag Break’ part of the Opening Parade is now finished.

Flag Down: While we are on the Flag, let’s jump to the Closing Parade and the Flag Down. Again, after the Grand Howl and Akela has returned to the Parade Circle, with the Pack still at Alert: a. The Leader (Akela) says “Duty Sixer, prepare for flag down”. (NO Salute of acknowledgment is given or required). b. The Duty Sixer (and any other Flag party Cub Scouts) again walks the shortest distance to the Flagpole and stands at Alert. c. The Leader says “Pack, face the flag” (All turn to face the flagpole) – this could be done while the Duty Sixer is on route to the Flagpole. d. NB. If the Cub Scout Flag is also Flying, the Leader may order the Cub Scout Flag to be lowered first (do not Salute); or it could be lowered at the same time (slightly ahead) as the ANF; remember the ANF should be the Last Flag down. e. When all steady and at Alert, the Leader then says “Pack Salute” – All, including the Duty Sixer, Salute. f. The Leader then says “Lower the Flag”. g. ONLY the Duty Sixer ceases saluting, they then untie the Halyard and lower the Flag steadily under control. h. The Leader drops the salute when the Flag comes to the lowest point (NOT waiting until after the Flag is removed from the Halyard) and the remainder of the Pack does the same – again, I find it useful to say “Thank you Pack” or the like, as a signal for the Cub Scouts to ‘drop’ their Salute; all remain at Alert. i. The Leader then says “Pack, inward turn” and all face back into the Parade Circle at Alert. j. If necessary, a Leader or Youth Helper assists the Duty Sixer to detach the Flag from the halyard and secure it, before the Duty Sixer returns to their place in the Parade Circle. The Flag can be held by the Duty Sixer (probably best draped around their neck) or placed somewhere else, off the ground, until it can be folded/rolled after the parade. k. The Flag Down part of the Closing Parade is now finished

Prayer:

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a. A prayer (call it a ‘reflection’ if you prefer) is conducted during the Opening and Closing parades. b. NB. Use of the Cub Scout Prayer for both should definitely be avoided; in fact, there is no necessity to use the Cub Scout Prayer at all. I would encourage the Duty Six be responsible for the Prayer, but it does not have to be the Sixer or Second. Also there are often Cub Scouts who are required to write a prayer as part of their Boomerang Work or Cub Scout Leadership Course; so why not have them use the Prayer they produced. Some Packs have a source of Prayers available for the Cub Scouts to select from, and some encourage the Cub Scouts to make one up, perhaps relevant to a theme or the night’s activities etc; but remember the Prayers should be kept simple and general, perhaps at times more like a ‘reflection’. c. Be cognisant of the range of beliefs that may be represented in the Pack, including visitors. d. It is normal for the Leader to say “Prepare for Prayer” to allow the individual Cub Scouts and Leaders to adopt whatever ‘pose’ they feel comfortable with; normally just head bowed. There is NO set requirement for the removal of head wear or hand on the heart, etc. e. (An aside)I am convinced that the Opening Prayer, at least, is very important. My Pack used to always include in the Opening Prayer, words to the effect “… and I hope no one gets hurt tonight…”. My leaders and I decided to encourage a little more variety and individuality, so we asked them to leave that out for now. BIG MISTAKE, I think it was the first night it was left out of the Prayer….., you guessed it, someone got hurt; it was immediately allowed back into the Prayers, if the Cub Scout so desired.

‘Break Off’ or ‘Dismiss’: These two commands are defined at the beginning of the Parade Section in the Scouts Australia Ceremonies Book (about page 9).

‘Break off’: a. “Break off” is used at the conclusion of the Opening Parade to break the Cub Scouts from the Parade Circle and onto the activities at hand. b. After the Prayer, while you still have the Cub Scouts ‘under control’ and their attention, I recommend you give them very quick instructions on where, what, etc, you require them to do immediately after they ‘Break Off’ – eg “Hang up your hats and Scarves and then go to this area and get ready for a game”. c. On the order “Break Off”, there is a slight pause and the Cub Scouts move off independently. The Cub Scouts do not need to turn or take a step out of the Circle together, and the salute is NOT given.

‘Dismiss’: a. “Dismiss” is used at the Closing Parade to signify that the day’s/night’s activity is over and it’s time to go home; it is a form of ‘formal and respectful’ Good Night. Cub Scout Packs can include a ‘little Jungle’ theme in the Dismissal. b. On the order ‘Dismiss’, the Cub Scouts:  Turn to the right (this ensures their saluting arm is on the outside of the Parade Circle and less likely to hit someone when they salute); 7

 Pause, however with Cub Scouts, during this pause consider saying ‘Good Hunting Pack’ as you send them out into the world;  Salute, as the Cub Scouts salute, they respond with ‘Good Hunting Akela’ or ‘Leaders’;  Pause;  Step off independently (as a slight variation see below).

Something to consider: This worked very well in my Pack and many others that have adopted it. Instead of the Cub Scouts all stepping of independently and dispersing all over the place, consider having the Cub Scouts remain in the Circle and file past all the Leaders and shake hands. It provides an excellent opportunity for the leaders to very briefly acknowledge each Cub Scout, perhaps acknowledge their efforts, congratulate them, encourage a little better effort next week, etc. I also used to insist, that during the handshake, ‘dead fish’ handshakes were not acceptable and the Cub Scout had to lift their head up and look the Leader in the eyes and speak clearly; this went well towards raising their confidence and being respectful and well mannered. I have some great stories of the fun my leaders and I have had with this process. Also, instead of handing out notices before the Closing Parade and having the Cub Scouts put them down for parade and subsequently leave them behind (I know they would never do that), I would have a Parent Helper, or the like, stand at the end of the Leaders and pass the notice/s directly to the Cub Scout after they have shaken the last Leaders’ hands; just a thought.

The End – Opening and Closing Parades.

Well, that’s if for Opening and Closing Parades for Cub Scout Packs; BC Cub Scouts would welcome your comments or concerns, and is happy to clarify if you are confused in anyway.

The Investiture

Many Cub Scout Leaders are also not sure how the ‘Investiture’ of a Cub Scout can also be related to the Jungle Books Theme.

The Investiture can easily be ‘aligned’ with the story of ‘What was the Price Paid for Mowgli?’ (Scouts Australia Paws Series, Book 9 – ‘Jungle Lore’, Page 9) when the very young Mowgli and his other ‘brother’ Wolf Cubs were presented to Akela, and the rest of the Seeonee Pack, at Seeonee Council Rock, by Raksha and Father Wolf. The wolves of the Pack were told to “Look well, Oh wolves, Look well” in order that they were able identify the new Wolf Cubs, as members of their Pack, as they prepared to leave the den and start to run with the Pack.

In a similar way, the (soon to be invested) Cub Scout is:

 Escorted into the Pack Circle (by their Sixer), to stand in front of the Leader (Akela);  Asked by the Leader if they are ready to become a Cub Scout;  Makes their Promise and presented Badges, etc; and  Before the new Cub Scout joins their Six, the Leader asks the New Cub Scout to turn and face the Pack and then ‘introduces/presents’ the newly invested Cub Scout to the Pack; 8

 Finally, salutes are exchanged between the Pack and the new Cub Scout. (See Ceremonies Book for details).