What is the Arrow of Light Ceremony? What is a “Bridging”? What is
the Blue and Gold Banquet?
In the eyes of BSA these are 3 separate Cub Scout events. Some packs choose to combine
them in various ways, based on time/cost/convenience factors...there is no right or wrong
method.
Q: What is the “Arrow of Light Ceremony”?
 A pack celebration that recognizes and honors a 2nd year Webelos Scouts
accomplishment in earning the highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light.
 The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light Award. Earning this rank
prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Webelos Scouts who have earned
the Arrow of Light Award have also completed all requirements for the Boy Scout “Scout”
Badge. The Arrow of Light Award is one of the only Cub Scout badges that can be worn
on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop.
 Each pack chooses whether to hold the Arrow of Light Ceremony during a pack meeting,
a separate gathering or during their Blue and Gold Banquet.
 A parent makes their son an arrow or orders a premade one, and presents the arrow
to the Scout during the Arrow of Light Ceremony to celebrate his hard work. The Arrow
of Light Award is presented the same evening to each boy who completed the Arrow of
Light requirements. If a 2nd year Webelos Scout does not complete the Arrow of Light
requirements by the Arrow of Light Ceremony they do not participate in the ceremony.
 A boy does not have to earn the Arrow of Light Award, nor have been in Cub Scouts, to
be in Boy Scouts.
Q: What is the “Blue and Gold Banquet”?
 The Blue and Gold Banquet, the “birthday ceremony” for the Cub Scout program,
is held during February, the anniversary month for the Boy Scouts of America.
The Boy Scouts of America was organized in February 1910, and the Cub Scout
program was organized in 1930.
 February is also the birth month of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting. This
celebration gets its name from the Cub Scout colors, blue and gold. The banquets are
held throughout the month of February by packs all across the United States
 Each pack can tailor the event to their liking. Some packs hold it during the February
Pack Meeting and some hold it as a separate event. The Blue and Gold can be a short
ceremony held during a pack meeting at the regular meeting place, or a long banquet
held at a separate location on a day different than the pack meeting.
 A pack can choose to run the Blue and Gold Banquet as an event celebrating
Scouting’s anniversary/birthday and all Scouts rank advancements, as an event
dedicated to honoring the 2nd year Webelos Scouts, or a combination of the two…the
parents and the pack committee decide.
Q: What is a “Boy Scout Bridging Ceremony”?
 A ceremony for 2nd year Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light
Award and are going into a Boy Scout Troop.
 In some packs the parents and Webelos Scout literally stand on one side of a small
handmade bridge and some adult leaders and Boy Scouts from the troop the Webelos
Scout is transitioning into stand on the other side of the bridge. During the ceremony
each Webelos Scout and his parents physically walk over the bridge…symbolizing his
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“bridging from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts”. The Boy Scouts and adult leaders welcome
the new scout, give him his Boy Scout shoulder loops and say a few words. Some packs
choose to hold the “Bridging” during their Blue and Gold Banquet, some choose not to.
Q: Does a Scout have to earn his rank badge by the Blue and Gold?
 No he does not. No Tiger, Wolf, Bear or 1st year Webelos Scout has to complete the
requirements of their current rank by the Blue and Gold Banquet. These Scouts have
until the last day of their current school year to complete their current rank requirements.
 Some packs encourage Scouts of each rank to earn their current rank badge by the Blue
and Gold Banquet.
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