Training Topic – Flag Ettiquette
Scouting is one of the few places where flag etiquette is still taught. It is important to remind
Cub Scouts that the United States flag is much more than a piece of cloth. Like their parents
and teachers, the flag deserves their respect.
Roundtable Preparation
Bring a copy of Your Flag (No. 33188), a BSA publication that teaches the proud history of the
American flag and provides information on flag ceremonies and proper display. Have a flag on
hand that is available for folding. Print a list of flag-related Scouting achievements and
electives. Consider asking a Scoutmaster or senior patrol leader—or a representative from the
VFW, the American Legion, or the Marine Corps League—to come and talk about the flag.
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Why do we have a flag? (It shows who we are, and serves as a symbol of our nation.)
2. What do you feel when you see the flag (proud, happy, sad)? Why?
3. What are the parts of the flag and what do they mean? (Stripes—represent the original 13
colonies; stars—one for each state; red stripes—valor, bravery, blood spilt in defense of our
freedom; white stripes—purity and innocence; blue field—vigilance, perseverance, justice.)
4. How do we treat the flag? (Discuss proper display and fold the flag.)
• The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is displayed at night, it
should be illuminated.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or the floor.
• When the flag is displayed on a wall or window, the blue field should be in the upper left
corner.
• The flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly.
• The flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone who has died. When
flown at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top for an instant and then lowered
to the half-staff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it is lowered
at the end of the day.
• Practice folding the flag.
• Practice flag posting and retrieving.
• At meetings, the U.S. flag and other flags (pack flag or den flag) should be placed first
in the back of the room. The U.S. flag should be on the right side of the procession and
should never be behind the other flags. When they come to the point where the flags
must cross, the U.S. flag should cross in front of the other flags. (See the June
roundtable breakout sessions for opening and closing ceremonies.)
Resources
• Your Flag (No. 33188)
• Cub Scout Den & Pack Ceremonies (No. 33212)
• http://www.usa-flag-site.org/
• http://www.usflag.org/
• http://www.vfw.org/
Training Topic – Flag Ettiquette
Scouting is one of the few places where flag etiquette is still taught. It is important to remind
Cub Scouts that the United States flag is much more than a piece of cloth. Like their parents
and teachers, the flag deserves their respect.
Roundtable Preparation
Bring a copy of Your Flag (No. 33188), a BSA publication that teaches the proud history of the
American flag and provides information on flag ceremonies and proper display. Have a flag on
hand that is available for folding. Print a list of flag-related Scouting achievements and
electives. Consider asking a Scoutmaster or senior patrol leader—or a representative from the
VFW, the American Legion, or the Marine Corps League—to come and talk about the flag.
Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Why do we have a flag? (It shows who we are, and serves as a symbol of our nation.)
2. What do you feel when you see the flag (proud, happy, sad)? Why?
3. What are the parts of the flag and what do they mean? (Stripes—represent the original 13
colonies; stars—one for each state; red stripes—valor, bravery, blood spilt in defense of our
freedom; white stripes—purity and innocence; blue field—vigilance, perseverance, justice.)
4. How do we treat the flag? (Discuss proper display and fold the flag.)
• The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is displayed at night, it
should be illuminated.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground or the floor.
• When the flag is displayed on a wall or window, the blue field should be in the upper left
corner.
• The flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly.
• The flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone who has died. When
flown at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top for an instant and then lowered
to the half-staff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it is lowered
at the end of the day.
• Practice folding the flag.
• Practice flag posting and retrieving.
• At meetings, the U.S. flag and other flags (pack flag or den flag) should be placed first
in the back of the room. The U.S. flag should be on the right side of the procession and
should never be behind the other flags. When they come to the point where the flags
must cross, the U.S. flag should cross in front of the other flags. (See the June
roundtable breakout sessions for opening and closing ceremonies.)
Resources
• Your Flag (No. 33188)
• Cub Scout Den & Pack Ceremonies (No. 33212)
• http://www.usa-flag-site.org/
• http://www.usflag.org/
• http://www.vfw.org/