WHAT IT IS: A team of three high school age Boy Scouts in Native American regalia, with music (a flutist) and drum beat (a drummer) , conduct a ceremony during which Webelos II Cub Scouts are crossed into Boy Scouting. The ceremony symbolizes the movement from one program to another.

YOUTH REQUIREMENTS: Every boy crossing over should have already completed and submitted the BSA unit transfer form along with the transfer fee. It is not necessary to earn the Arrow of Light to crossover, but requirement #6 of the Arrow of Light requires that a boy have a conference with the Scoutmaster.

WHAT HAPPENS: When the boy is crossed over he will be met at the other end of the bridge by a representative of the troop he is joining. It is the Pack's responsibility to make arrangements with the respective troop(s) to have a representative(s) at the ceremony.

THE SET-UP: The “stage” is a 10' radius area in front of the Crossover Bridge. Kids seated on the floor need to be way back - they like to crowd the ceremony team. A bridge is not required, but there should be some physical barrier to be crossed to signify the movement to a new level. All the Webelos II should be seated in one group someplace in the room, not too far from their parents. [ Brief the Webelos II boys that they are to STAND IN PLACE when their name is called, and NOT WALK FORWARD . Someone will come to get them. It is often helpful to have a pack adult leader available to direct the youth and parents. When the ir son is brought forward, the parents should come and stand with hi m. ] The drum and flute players will position themselves toward the back of the room.

TIMING: When the Cubmaster is ready for the OA ceremony to begin, s/he tells the audience that the lights will be going out and to grab hold of any young ones so they are not running around during the ceremony. Then turn out ALL the lights. The OA will have set up a small spot light which will be the only light during the ceremony. When the lights go out, the spot stays on and the music and drum beat start. The team will enter, do and introduction, and then call forward one boy and cross him over before calling the next boy. They may also award the Arrow of light, as desired by the pack . If the OA is also presenting the Arrow of Light ... attach the Arrow of Light (AoL) badge to the card with a paper clip, not a staple. If the Pack has also purchased AoL gold M other's P ins, attach one of those to each card as well. The team will ask the father to attach the AoL badge to the boy's pocket flap with the paper clip. We then give the mother's pin to the boy to attach to his mother's collar. Then we give the card (and her flower if the pack has purchased them) to the mother for safe keeping. Then the boy is directed to the bridge , his parents follow, and the next boy called. If one or two boys are not receiving the AoL, they will be called and crossed over first. Their parents should accompany them, too (see THE SET-UP, above) . If there are any adult leaders leaving the pack and going directly to a troop, we can include them in the ceremony , and will cross them last. When the last boy (or adult leader) has crossed, the team will quietly walk away. At that point, the Cubmaster initiates a round of applause and turns on the lights. The whole thing takes 10 minutes plus 2 minutes per boy.

NEEDS: Please contact us two weeks prior to the ceremony to let us know precise times, the names of the boys to be crossed over, and which of them are to receive the Arrow of Light. The ceremony team assumes that, unless otherwise notified, your Pack Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and the crossover at 7:30. The team will need a room to change ( NOT a bathroom), and about 5 minutes notice prior to coming "on stage." The team will remain in regalia for only 5 minutes after the ceremony for photos. If you want to allow a photo session with the youth who crossed over and their parents , plan to close the meeting immediately after the ceremony, or take a photo break. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Jim & Donna Murphy ( H) 989-689-6345 , (C)989-329-7710 .