How to Conduct a Troop Court of Honor

The BSA celebrates 100 years in 2010.

For Boy Scouts, the Court of Honor is a special time for sharing achievements with their families and one another. Special accomplishments, such as badges earned, ranks achieved and special trips or events that the troop or any member of the troop has participated in, are recognized and awarded at a Court of Honor. Holding a Court of Honor is a responsibility that should be shared by both the troop committee and the different patrols within the troop.

Things You'll Need

• American flag
• Troop flag
• Banquet hall
• Awards

Instructions

Plan the Court of Honor

1. 

   Proper planning will ensure a smooth ceremony.

   Decide on a location. Take into consideration what activities you would like to do and make sure you choose a facility that can accommodate your needs. For example, if you would like to have a campfire, you will need to be outside, with access to a fire ring.

2. 

   Keep the menu simple enough to please a wide range of appetites.

   Decide on what meal to serve. You may ask the troop committee to provide some part of the meal and assign other parts of the meal to the different patrols. For example, have the committee provide the beverages, one patrol bring side dishes and another the main dishes.

3. Assign each patrol to a part of the ceremony. For example, one patrol can be in charge of the opening ceremony, another can be in charge of the closing ceremony and the third can be in charge of the entertainment.

4. Submit orders for awards to the advancements chair to have any badges or pins or knots ordered.

Run the Court of Honor

1. 

   The American flag should always be present at Scouting events.

   Have an opening ceremony. This should include a procession with both the American and troop flags. If you have a flagpole available, you may want to raise the flag. The opening should also include the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Scout Law.

2. 

   A Scout is reverant, so all meals should start with grace.

   Say grace and begin the meal. The Philmont Grace is a suitable option for a scouting event.

   "For food, for raiment
   For life, for opportunity
   For friendship and fellowship
   We thank thee, O Lord."

3. 

   A campfire is a great place to have skits.

   Start the entertainment. This can include songs, skits and stories performed by the Scouts, or other entertainment that has been arranged.

4. Present awards to the Scouts. The scoutmaster should be assisted by the assistant scoutmasters.

5. Close the ceremony by lowering the flags. Singing Scout Vespers would also be appropriate.

References

• Dan & Sherree: Running a Court of Honor
• Boy Scout Trail: Boy Scout Ceremonies
• Scoutmaster: A compilation of Boy Scout Rank Advancement Ceremonies