Crossing Over...

We held our Arrow of Light ceremony yesterday. For those who are unfamiliar with Scouting, the Arrow of Light is the highest award in Cub Scouting; it is earned by WeBeLoS II Scouts who have shown an interest in continuing onto Boy Scouts. The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that will remain with a Scout through Boy Scouts and, if he wishes, his time as an adult leader. We elect to have the boys actually perform a physical "crossing over" a small bridge to represent their transition from Cub Scout to Boy Scout.

This was the first time that I've driven the ceremony, as it is my first full year as Cubmaster. Last year we split the ceremony, with our outgoing Cubmaster starting the Arrow of Light ceremony, then turning things over to me as his son prepared to cross over to Boy Scouts. It's a simple ceremony, but being as it involves a bunch of 10-11 year old boys, fire (we light candles), and following simple directions, it can be... challenging.

It's also a time for reflection - with the boys crossing over, we have four fewer leaders in our pack. Eight boys I've known since they were my son's age are no longer with our Pack - they've moved upwards and onwards onto Boy Scouts. They're entering a new and different phase of their Scouting experience, one where they will take greater charge of their meetings and excursions; require less adult involvement; and generally get to prove their Scouting mettle out in the field.

They're growing up. They're maturing. They're no longer the scared little Tiger Cubs trying to tie their shoes. They're miles beyond the Wolves just starting to get comfortable in their uniforms. Even though it's only two years, they're well beyond the BTDT Bears, who are just starting to get a little jaded about the ways of the world. Even their younger fellow WeBeLoS, the WeBeLoS I who will be doing this next year, have a ways to go before they, too, stand on the stage ready to become Boy Scouts.

And we, the adult leaders, we watch another group of boys take yet another step towards adulthood; another step closer to becoming responsible, productive adults. We hope that, in some small way, we have helped to guide these boys on the right path; that what we have taught them serves them well, helps them grow, helps them continue on the straight and narrow. We watch as another group of boys leaves our sphere, moving on to bigger, different things; knowing all-too-well that it will be our sons' turn soon enough. We know that the crossing over is but a metaphor for the many changes that will occur in the lives of our children.

And we hope with all our hearts that we've been a positive experience on their journey.

That is all.