Written by Amanda Coers – Seven local Cub Scouts received their Arrow of Light during a promotion ceremony held Tuesday evening at the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood.

 

 

The Arrow of Light is the highest award offered for Cub Scouts and is bestowed upon scouts who have completed the Webelos rank in preparation to become Boy Scouts. It is one of the few Cub Scout badges that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform. Often Eagle Scouts (the highest honor) will display their Arrow of Light award alongside their Eagle Scout medals.

The ceremony held Tuesday evening was a combination of a Crossover Ceremony and the Arrow of Light award. During the Crossover Ceremony, graduating Cub Scouts ‘crossed over’ a symbolic bridge to their new Boy Scout troop.

The following Cub Scouts were recognized for their Arrow of Light achievement: Avery Baker, Carter Wheeless, Elijah Ewen, Foneca Estpuinan, James Riggs, John Haines, and Nathen Graham.

To earn the honor, the boys had to work on outdoor skills, physically fitness, learn about citizenship and working with others. The Arrow of Light award is worn on the left pocket flap of the blue Cub Scout Uniform or below the left pocket of the tan Boy Scout Uniform.

It’s customary to honor Arrow of Light recipients with a ceremonial arrow with stripes on the shaft of the arrow to symbolize the boys’ achievements during their Cub Scout careers.

Also honored during the ceremony was longtime Scout leader, 35th District Judge Steve Ellis. He began leading scouts 20 years ago when his sons were involved. As his sons are now in their 30’s, Ellis feels it is time to allow new parents to step up and lead their troops.

The ceremony featured a chivalrous knight theme, encouraging their young squires to live by the Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

The Arrow of Light ceremony featured Scouts dressed in Native American garb, reciting verses that described directional winds the Scouts would encounter throughout their journeys.