Planning a Court of Honor or Campfire

One of the most important and complex challenges you will face in earning the Communications merit badge is planning and serving as master of ceremonies at either a troop court of honor or a campfire program (requirement 8). You will be in charge of making sure committees complete their assignments on time, and you will need to keep track of many organizational details to pull off a successful campfire or court of honor program. Here is some information from the updated Communication Merit Badge Booklet to help you plan and execute these events successfully.

Planning a Court of Honor

Courts of honor require even more careful planning than taking charge of a campfire program. A court of honor is convened when Boy Scouts achieve Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks.

Write out your plan, and then have key members rehearse their parts. Use the checklist provided to help guide you through the court of honor planning process. The checklist is only a guide. Develop your own ideas and do not forget to get feedback from other troop members and parents on how to make the ceremony even more memorable. Remember to use a pencil to complete your checklist so you can neatly make changes as needed.

Have an agenda or program for the Scouts and the adults who will be presenting the award. Rehearse, if possible, in the actual setting where you will he serving as master of ceremonies. If scripts are needed, be sure they are distributed to participants well in advance.

Consider the following basic protocol as you develop your plan:

The Scouts enter carrying the troop and patrol flags.
The court of honor members enter.
The color guard enters carrying the colors. The Scouts and audience members stand at attention.
The parents and audience members join the Scouts in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
An appropriate opening ceremony is presented.
The court chairperson (or master of ceremonies) convenes the court of honor.
The court chairperson calls on members of the court to make awards presentations.
Special program features are presented—Scout demonstrations, a brief address, or singing.
Retire the colors.
Close. The court of honor may close with the troop's regular closing ceremony.

Many Scouts and Scouters have created Web pages with tons of imaginative, dramatic ideas for unique courts of honor ceremonies. With your parent's permission, just type in “Courts of Honor, Scouting” into a good search engine, and you will find many excellent resources.

As you plan the ceremony, keep the following tips in mind.

Lighting

Lighting is important to most ceremonies. It can be used to help create a sense of drama and excitement, and to spotlight award recipients in a court of honor. By following the script, you will be able to prepare in advance for the lighting techniques you want to use during the ceremony. Depending on the facility's lighting, you may have access to stage lights, spotlights, and colored lighting. Arrive early the day of the ceremony so that you can inspect the lighting controls and be sure you know how to switch the lights off and on, and when. Spotlighting should be used anytime a Scout is recognized before an audience. A simple flashlight can serve as a spotlight.

Decorations

A few appropriate decorations can transform a bare room into a special place for any court of honor. Crepe paper, neckerchiefs, Scouting posters. Scout skill displays, merit badge displays, and knot boards are just a few examples.

Audiovisuals

The BSA has many videos and slide programs (ask your Scoutmaster about these) available that are appropriate for use in a court of honor ceremony. Enhancing the court of honor with good sound equipment and carefully selected music will give the ceremony a professional touch.

Props

Props add special flair to any ceremony. Use your imagination. You may want to craft an advancement board that displays the progress of each Scout in the troop or patrol. At the court of honor, some troops present a handsome plaque to Eagle Scouts that includes a nameplate engraved with their name, troop number, and date of the ceremony. Other ideas for props include:

A candle log—a log drilled with holes, used as a candleholder.
An artificial campfire—made with a flashlight, logs, and sheets of red, yellow, and orange cellophane.
A badge holder—a device such as a felt-covered tray, used to display advancement badges, pins, and cards.
Flags—from your troop, place of worship, state, and the U.S. flag all are appropriate in ceremonies. Be certain you display and carry flags correctly.
Troop scrapbook—seek assistance from the troop historian, who helps maintain the troop scrapbook.

Idea Checklist:

Planning Phase

___ Schedule the date.
___ Reserve the facility.
___ Meet with the Eagle Scout, committee, and parents.
___ Request letters from dignitaries, etc.
___ Secure the speaker/court commitment.
___ Send invitations.
___ Print programs.
___ Prepare/distribute news releases.
___ Mail programs to participants.
___ Order refreshments.

Physical Arrangements

___ Seating for audience
___ Seating for platform
___ Lighting
___ Heat and ventilation
___ Public address system
___ Special equipment [such as movie equipment, if used)
___ Custodian’s cooperation secured
___ Refreshment?
___ Parking

Awards Presentation

___ Badges and certificates are in individually marked envelopes.
___ Clasps on mothers' pins and metal badges are open and ready to be pinned on.
___ All other awards and recognitions are arranged and marked.

Presenter's Briefing

___ One Scout at a time receives his award.
___ The Scout faces the audience.
___ The Scout is on a box or raised platform.
___ The Scout is spotlighted, if possible.
___ The presenter knows where to pin the badge.
___ The presenter know how to give the Scout handshake using the left hand.

General Program

___ Who is to be introduced?
___ Make speakers aware of the time limit.
___ Prepare notes for people who are not familiar with the activities.
___ Encourage parents' participation.
___ Recognize the Scoutmaster and other leaders. Have any demonstration or special program materials on hand.
___ Plan the entrance for court of honor officials.
___ Start on time and end on time.
___ Set up and staff refreshment? and reception tables.

Follow-up Details
- ___ Make arrangements for returning equipment and cleanup.
- ___ Send a note of thanks to program participants, the custodian, and any others who helped.