Bellingham Cubs Celebrate Achievements at Blue and Gold Ceremony

By Jennifer Russo

The Cub Scout Blue and Gold ceremony is a long-standing tradition where cubs celebrate meeting their various requirements to move to the next rank of their scouting journey. This annual banquet is met with excitement as scouts and parents come together to honor these achievements, share a meal, and participate in some fun activities.  The ceremony also celebrates the founding of the Boy Scouts of America back in 1910, with the Cub Scout branch kicking off in 1916.

The colors blue and gold have specific meaning for the Cub Scouts.  Blue symbolizes the sky, loyalty, spirituality, and truth.  Gold stands for the sun, happiness, and good cheer. This was fitting as the sunshine poured through the windows of the function room at River Falls restaurant in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  The space was decorated with these colors – centerpieces, balloons and a glorious stand of cupcakes all sported blue and gold to remind the audience of these important traits. 

The scouts and their parents arrived wearing their various uniforms and immediately were drawn to a table full of raffle baskets that included everything from Pop Its to Nerf guns, games and Funko Pop figures, along with a money tree that had an array of folded bills and gift cards attached. Families then enjoyed a delicious dinner of chicken, meatballs, pasta, and salad as they talked about upcoming summer plans, camping trips, spring sports and other activities they are planning to participate in.

After the meal, winners of the Pinewood Derby held earlier this year were recognized with medals and trophies, as well as laminated certificates for the superlative car design wins. Following these recognitions, scouts were called up by den and asked if they were willing and ready to move into the next rank, given a badge for that rank and had their faces painted as part of the ceremony.  

The marks are specific to rank.  For example, those who are mobbing to Bobcat rank are painted with three red lines across the bridge of their nose, symbolizing the 3 “steps” they have taken to earn this rank – learning the promise, the law of the pack and the motto. Those who are moving up to Wolf rank are marked with two brown inverted V shapes above their eyebrows, signifying the “ears” of the wolf and expressing eagerness to listen.

Additionally, those that had achieved the Arrow of Light in a ceremony earlier this year called the Bridge Crossing were recognized. Those cub scouts moved to the Boy Scout rank and received wooden arrows and their new badges. Scouts which moved to the Boy Scouts were Colin Brooks, CJ Schmaelzle, Colin Barrows, Riley Parker, and AJ Hagopian.

After the ceremonial piece, scouts eagerly looked at their raffle tickets as winners were announced for the various prizes and enjoyed their cupcakes.

Cub Scout leaders were then recognized with years of service pins and as many will be transitioning out of their respective positions. Parents were encouraged to step in to fill the roles and continue the work that has been done for our local Pack 118.  The support of the adults in our community to make the program successful is critical.

If you are interested in signing your child up for the Bellingham Scouts, a leadership position within the pack, or to learn more about the program, please visit BeAScout.org