Order of the Arrow Eagle Court of Honor for _________
All guest, Scouts, Scouters are seated. Campfire on stage. Scoutmaster and Committee Chair escort parents to seats, then light Spirit Candle and 3 candles for the Scout Oath, then take seats on stage. Kitchkinet and __________ remain at back with Color Guard and 4 Winds. All entries and exits are at the back of the church.
Music and Drum - start softly. (Drum beats about every 5 seconds. Last drum beat is always a quick, double beat. Note there is no rush to get to the last beat.)
Allowat Sakima - (enters when drum begins, walks slowly up center aisle, or enters from stage rear, to position on stage, turns, faces forward.)
Drum - double beat stop when Allowat Sakima faces forward.
[Note that Allowat Sakima can be replaced by a master of ceremonies]
Allowat Sakima - (pause before speaking, speak slowly and distinctly) I am Allowat Sakima, the mighty chief, and I welcome you as we open our lodge for this special occasion. Today we honor one who has excelled as a Scout and as an Arrowman, a young man who has reached the pinnacle of Scouting by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. This is a great moment worthy of celebration. We are of one nation living under one god. (raise arms) Rise, now for the invocation and remain standing for the presentation of Colors. ___________ will give the invocation.
___________ - stands and/or comes forward and gives invocation .
Color Guard - ( On cue, Senior Patrol Leader and ASPL bring Colors forward. SPL leads Pledge. Colors are posted, and both return to seats. )
Allowat Sakima - I call upon __________, as our Council representative, to convene this Court of Honor. ( Allowat Sakima lights the red, white, and blue candles ).
___________ - By the power vested in me by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, I declare this Court of Honor to be duly convened for the sole purpose of presenting the Eagle Scout Award to __________ .
Music and Drum - begin again, to end when all 4 Winds are in position.
[Note the 4 Winds can wear regalia or Field (Class A) uniform. The OA sash must be worn by all OA members, even in regalia. The Merit Badge sash is never worn with the OA sash.]
4 Winds - (Determine entry and destination points for each of the Four Winds depending on church orientation)
SPL & ASPL - (Take position behind candles. 12 Law candles are lit as each Wind speaks)
Allowat Sakima - As Scouts, we are bound together in brotherhood by the Scout Law, a sacred set of principles for living whose origins are lost in the mists of time. Listen now to the wisdom of the winds.
__________ - I am the spirit of the East Wind. I represent the common law, a Scout's duty to God and country. Trustworthy, Loyal, and helpful are the qualities that a man must possess who lives by the laws of this land. The Scout must always be worthy of his brother's trust and show loyalty to all to whom it is due. May the daily good turn be a central focus of your life.
__________ - As the spirit of the West Wind, I represent the law of equity - your duty to country and to others. Friendly, courteous, and kind are the principles that speak of conscience. They create the atmosphere that comes from within your heart. Kindle the desire to be a friend to those of all ages and stations of life. Be courteous to those who pass along the trail. Cast away the harmful spirits of unfriendliness and selfishness.
__________ - I am the spirit of the South Wind. I represent civil law, your duty to others and to self. Obedient, cheerful, and thrifty are the marks of civility. Obedience is something we all must learn, to take orders and carry them out cheerfully. Real thrift means spending both money and time wisely. and sharing both with those less fortunate than us.
__________ - I am the spirit of the North Wind, the most powerful of all. I represent the divine law, your duty to be brave, clean, and reverent. To be brave is to be unselfish in service, always prepared to face the unknown. Cast from your mind and body and unclean spirits that try to weaken or destroy you. Live a life of reverence toward God.
Music and Drum - begin again, stop when Kitchkinet and __________ are at stage.
Kitchkinet and __________ - (Enter from back of room. Kitchkinet stops __________ just forward of stage steps, then moves forward to greet Allowat Sakima with shoulder taps.)
Allowat Sakima - (Responds to Kichkinet's greeting with shoulder taps.)
Kitchkinet - (Steps back to be beside __________ .)
Allowat Sakima - Brother Kitchkinet, who is this person who seeks admission to our circle?
Kitchkinet - He is __________ __________ , a young man who believes himself worthy to wear the mark of the Eagle.
Allowat Sakima - Is there one here who can vouch for him.
Scoutmaster - I am (Name ___________) and can vouch for this young man and his abilities. It is only right that he be admitted to the Eagle brotherhood.
Allowat Sakima - I call upon the 4 Winds to tell of this Scout's history. To wear the wings of the Eagle, a young man must pass many moons in his troop and must live out the principles of Scouting in his everyday life. Has this young man done so?
East Wind - Since becoming a Life Scout on September 30 th of 2000, __________ has participated actively in the meetings and outings of the troop. He has shown that the spirit of Scouting is alive within him.
Allowat Sakima - To enter the eagle aerie, a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, mastering the skills of Scouting, and exploring those career and hobby interests that he chooses. Has this young man done so?
West Wind - __________ has earned a total of 38 merit badges, including those required for the rank of Eagle Scout.
Allowat Sakima - To become a member of the Eagle brotherhood a young man must serve his fellows by leading them. Has this young man done so?
South Wind - He has. Since becoming a Life Scout, __________ has served as Senior Patrol Leader and Order of the Arrow Representative, leading his brother Scouts toward a better tomorrow.
Allowat Sakima - And finally, to become an Eagle Scout, a young man must serve his community through a special project, working gladly, not begrudgingly, unfaithfulness to the principles of Scouting. Has this young man done so?
North Wind - He has. __________ took upon himself the task of rebuilding and restoring a picnic area on Ojibway Island. He recruited help from his fellow Scouts to accomplish this task.
Allowat Sakima - I am satisfied that __________ has met the challenges of the Eagle without flinching. Kitchkinet, you may bring the candidate into our circle.
__________ and Kitchkinet - (Move onto stage to stand to Allowat Sakima's right, __________ in center.)
Allowat Sakima - We have heard much today about what it means to be an Eagle Scout. Now I ask __________ to tell us a little about what being an Eagle Scout means to him.
__________ - (Speaks – answers the question, not say thanks.)
Allowat Sakima - (to __________ ) Today you join the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts. Much as you did when you joined our Order and first word the Arrow, You are being honored mot so much for what you have done, but for what you will do in the future. As you did at our Council fire many moons ago, you are committing yourself to a life of cheerful service and righteous living. Brother Kitchkinet will remind you of what is required of an Eagle Scout using the teachings of Wabasha as his guide.
Kitchkinet - Hear the words of Wabasha and heed them. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength, for your food and for the joy of living. Be merciful to those who are in your power, it is the part of a chief to take care of the weak, the sick, the old, and the helpless. Show respect to all men, but grovel to none. Remember a man is bound by his promise with a bond that cannot be broken. Be hospital. Be kind. A man tried and proven is at all times clean, courteous, and master of himself. Thus spoke a great chief, and thus you must do. Also remember the words of the East Wind who urged you to be trustworthy, loyal, and helpful, the West Wind who told you to be friendly, courteous, and kind, the South Wind who reminded you to be obedient, and finally the North Wind, the most powerful of all, who admonished you to be brave, clean, and reverent.
[Note that if only the Kitchkinet part is included in the ceremony, it should read as follows (Replaces "Eagle Challenge" included in most ceremonies):
_____, today you join the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts.
You are being honored not so much for what you have done,
but for what you will do in the future.
You are committing yourself to a life of cheerful service
and righteous living.
I will now remind you of what is required of an Eagle Scout.
Hear the words of the great guide, Wabasha, and heed them.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light.
Give thanks for your life and strength,
for your food and for the joy of living.
Be merciful to those who are in your power,
for it is the part of a chief to take care of the weak,
the sick, the old, and the helpless.
Show respect to all men, but grovel to none.
Remember a man is bound by his promise with
a bond that cannot be broken.
Be hospitable. Be kind.
A man tried and proven is at all times clean,
courteous, and master of himself.
Thus spoke a great chief, and thus you must do.
Also remember the words of
the East Wind who said be trustworthy, loyal, and helpful,
the West Wind to be friendly, courteous, and kind,
the South Wind to be obedient, cheerful, and thrifty,
and the North Wind, the most powerful of all,
to be brave, clean, and reverent.
_____, before your friends and family,
do you promise to live in accordance with the
teachings of Wabasha and the Scout Oath and Law?
Then you are ready to wear the Eagle Badge.]
Allowat Sakima - (to __________ ) My brother, for now I am permitted to hail you by this endearing title, I ask you to take upon yourself the solemn obligations of the Eagle. Though the words you will hear are similar to those you have said so many times before, today they will have much greater meaning. (face forward) I call upon Eagle Scout __________ (or who ever – the DE is always a good choice) to administer the Eagle Charge (and/or Obligation).
__________ - comes to the stage, speaks, and returns to seat.
Allowat Sakima - Brother Kitchkinet, will you please escort the parents of this Eagle Candidate forward.
Kitchkinet - Kitchkinet does so, parents are seated behind __________ .
Allowat Sakima - I call upon __________ to come forward for the presentation of the Eagle Badge.
Music - lightly in background, stops when speaking resumes.
__________ - ( comes forward and makes the presentations, including removing present scarf, donning eagle scarf and woggle, presentation of badge by mother, presentation of pins to mother and father, and presentation of any gifts. When done the presenter returns to his seat .)
(Allowat Sakima stands aside and waits until all presentations are made).
Allowat Sakima - Scoutmaster __________ will now make additional presentations. ( when letters are read ).
__________ ( comes forward to read letters, etc .)
Allowat Sakima - The eagle is strong and powerful. He flies unblinking into the face of the sun. He soars high and guilds his nest on a pinnacle. Today we have welcomed Eagle Scout __________ into the brotherhood of Eagles. (face __________ , place hand on shoulder). May you soar to new heights, but never forget those who have unselfishly provided guidance.
(To audience) All Scouts please stand and form a line on each side of the center aisle.
( When all are in position ) Kitchkinet, escort our new Eagle Scout to the reception area.
( To Scouts ) Hand Salute!
Scoutmaster – stands in time to escort __________ ‘s parents down the aisle right behind __________ and Kitchkinet ).
( When all are clear of aisle, to Scouts ) Two! Color Guard, retire the colors.
Color Guard – ( retires the colors with SPL giving commands )
Allowat Sakima – ( benediction ) May the great Scoutmaster watch over us until we meet again. I now pronounce this meeting closed, and I invite you to join __________ and his parents for a reception in the __________ room.
Music & Drum – ( end with double beat as Allowat Sakima exits .)