Program for Installation of
a Troop
It is believed that hundreds of Troops fail and go out of existence
because they do not make a good start. One cause of this is a failure to recognize all the
elements of sound Troop organization and the importance of their cordial cooperation from
the very beginning. These are the Troop Committee, the commissioned officers, the Scouts
and the Scouts' parents and, where the Troop is connected with a permanent community
institution, the officers of the institution.
It is believed that a public "Troop installation"
participated in by all these groups provides an excellent opportunity to lay solid
foundation for the Troop and to insure the active cooperation of all from the very
beginning. The following suggestions can be readily developed to fit the particular
conditions of each Troop.
Wherever possible this program should be conducted under the auspices
of the highest ranking Scout officials available with the cooperation of the best Patrol
of Scouts that can be secured. This will give added emphasis and increased dignity and
influence to the occasion. This delegation should include, if possible, a commissioner, a
Troop Committee Member and a Scoutmaster.
The Program should consist of two parts: (1) The Installation. (2)
Entertainment and social activities. The former should be thoroughly serious and
dignified, devoid of all "horse-play" and foolishness, an endeavor to have every
one present get a deep, serious impression that Scouting is character building, that the
activities of the work are to be real and hard, testing the capacity of every boy, that
fun and humor and play and joy are to characterize every meeting and future occasion but
that right now they are dealing with the so-called serious things of life with which
Scouting has primarily and ultimately to do.
The second part of the program should be given to music and singing, a
moving picture if possible, games that will make everyone unbend and laugh and above all
get everybody acquainted. Refreshments if possible.
The chairman of the "Installation" should be the ranking
official of the visiting delegation if there is such delegation, otherwise he should be a
representative of the institution or group applying for the charter, one who knows how to
preside and keep things going.
Scouts should act as ushers and see that every, one takes his appointed
place.
Two Suggestions:
1. Form a circle with the chairman at the top, the other visiting
officials on his right and left with the visiting Patrol on low chairs or stools in front
of them (see Diagram A), the Troop Committee-men at the right, the Scoutmaster and the
assistant at the left, with the Scouts arranged to complete the circle grading down from
the older or larger boys seated next the Troop Committee and the commissioned officers to
the smallest or youngest boys at the bottom of the circle opposite the chairman, the
parents seated in semi-circles behind the boys.
2. Form a hollow-square-the visiting delegation, committeemen and
officers across the top, the boys on each side, the parents opposite the committee-men and
officers (see Diagram B).
Have a small table in front of the chairman, an American Flag at his
right, a Troop flag at his left. Troop charter, officers' and Scouts certificates on the
table. When all are in place the Chairman announces the purpose of the gathering and then
introduces in turn the various speakers.
In either program the visiting Patrol should enter in formal marching
order.
If an institutional (church, school, etc.) Troop, the chief officer
of the Institution should open the program by stating the Significance of the occasion and
the institution's part in the organization of the Troop, introduce the chairman of the
meeting and turn over the conduct of the program to him.
The following program is suggested:
1. Invocation by Pastor of Church.
2. "America," by all present.
3. Visiting Troop Committee-man talks on functions of Troop Committee.
4. Chairman calls on Troop Committee-men to stand. He reads the
"Declaration" of Principle. (Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1.)
(a) He calls each man to answer. Do you believe in this Declaration of Principle? Ans.
I do.
(b) He reads the duties of Troop Committee-men as given in Art. XI,
Sec. 1, Clause 5, By-Laws, and asksWill you faithfully undertake to discharge these duties
to the best of your ability? Ans. I will.
5. The visiting Scoutmaster talks on Scoutmasters' work.
6. The Chairman of the Troop Committee then calls on the Scoutmaster to
stand and
(a) Pledges him and his Scouts the cooperation of the Committee.
(b) Reads the Declaration of Principle and asks if he believes in it.
(c) Reads a statement of Scoutmaster's responsibilities and asks if he will discharge
same faithfully.
(d) Presents Scoutmaster with Registration Certificate. (Likewise to A. S. M. if any.)
(e) Presents Scoutmaster to Scouts and declares him Scoutmaster of the
Troop and bespeaks their faithful observance of the Law--A Scout is Obedient.
7. Visiting Patrol Leader tells about what it means to be a Scout.
8. The Scoutmaster calls the Scouts to stand.
(a) Calls attention to Troop Committee pledge, also his own.
(b) Pledges himself personally to them.
(c) Asks if they will cooperate with him and others. Ans. We will.
(d) What is the Scout Motto? "Be Prepared."
(e) What will you do to show that you are a true Scout? ans. I will do at least
one Good Turn daily.
(f) What is the Law of the Scout? Repeats Law.
(g) Presents Scout Certificates and pins to Tenderfoot Scouts. (See Special Investiture
Ceremonies.)
9. Chairman calls on all to stand.
(a) Asks Scouts. Are You prepared to take Scout Oath? Ans. I am.
(b) Asks Assistants, if any.
(c) Asks Troop Committee.
(d) All join in taking the oath.
10. Chairman of Meeting.
(a) Reads Message of National Scout Commissioner.
(b) Reads Message of Chief Scout Executive.
(c) Reads Charter.
(d) All join in taking the Oath.
11. Pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
12. Star-Spangled Banner.
