Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

Source: https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/opening-a-meeting/

Having an opening is an important part of a meeting’s structure. There’s no right way to do an opening ceremony – whatever you do, an opening should welcome everyone and help them focus. Opening ceremonies should help everyone in the Cub Pack bond.

Lots of groups choose to do the Grand Howl and Flag Break to begin their meeting. You can find out how to do these below – but they’re not the only option. It’s up to you what you say and what else you do – why not ask the Cubs what they think?

Grand Howl
The Grand Howl is a ceremony inspired by The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. In the book, a wolf pack’s meetings begin with everyone circling their leader Akela (pronounces ahh-kay-lah) and howling – this is their Grand Howl.

In Cubs, the Grand Howl gathers everyone together and helps them focus. By talking about ‘doing your best’, it also helps everyone remember their Promise. Not all groups do the Grand Howl, and those that do have lots of different variations, and that’s OK.

Flag Break
Flag Break reminds everyone that they made a Promise to do their duty to the Queen or the country in which they are now living.

Reflection
Opening and closing ceremonies help you respect and trust others. How do you show respect in the ceremonies? Do they remind you that you all have some things in common (for example, being Cubs) even when you’re all individuals? Do they help you feel like you can trust the others in your Pack?

Opening and closing ceremonies also remind you that you’re a local, national, and international citizen. Do you feel part of something bigger during these ceremonies? Do these ceremonies remind you of your Cub Promise? Do you feel closer to the people around you when you share things such as ceremonies? When else do you take part in ceremonies?

Safety
All activities must be safely managed. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Do a risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Always get approval for the activity and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Resources

Before you begin the Grand Howl, choose a Sixer to lead the call and unfurl the flag.

Uniform for all.
Flag.

Instructions

Grand Howl / Flag Break
Leader calls out ‘Pack! Pack! Pack!’
Everyone makes a circle, standing in their Sixes. Everyone stands ‘at ease’ with their feet shoulder width apart and their hands behind their back.
Leader calls ‘Pack! Pack alert!’
Everyone stands ‘alert’ with their feet together and their hands by their sides.
Leader moves to the centre of the circle, and raises then lowers their arms.
Everyone squats low on the ground with their hands between their feet.
Everyone calls out ‘Akela, we’ll do our best!’
Chosen Sixer stands up and calls out ‘Cubs, do your best’.
Everyone stands up, still to alert, and replies ‘We will do our best!’
The chosen Sixer comes forward and gently pulls the cord to unfurl the flag.
The Sixer takes a step backwards and leads everyone in saluting the flag, before returning to their Six.
Leader calls out ‘Pack! Pack at ease!’

The person leading the meeting may want to introduce the evening and give the first instructions, while everyone’s together and focused.

Tags

• flag break
• grand howl
• Opening Ceremony

Badge Links

• Lead - YouShape Award - Lead
• Membership - Ceremonies