This 3rd or 4th grade troop is in charge of the flag ceremony at the auditorium.
The script can be downloaded HERE
The caller should be a scout with a strong voice and confidence – it can be intimidating to stand before an auditorium filled with adults! Some years, the leader chooses 2 different scouts – one to be caller for Flag Up and one for Flag Down. We will leave that up to you. The Ceremony Chair needs the name(s) of the scouts(s) you choose ASAP.
For the Color Guard – choose your tallest, strongest girls to carry the American flag and California flag. They are tall and it takes some practice to figure out how to carry them, so be sure you arrive early with plenty of time to give your girls a chance to practice. You need a flag carrier and at least 2 other girls to be the color guard for the American flag, and then you need that same number of girls for the California flag. The American flag group comes down from the back foyer on the left aisle (as you are looking from the stage) one step ahead of the California flag group and holding the American flag a little higher. The California flag group starts coming down the right aisle. They each cross in front of the stage, timing it so that they pass each other right in the center (with any luck!) and then they walk up the steps to the flag holders on the stage. The American flag will end up behind the speaker's podium on the right side of the stage (looking from the stage), and the California flag on the left side. Ideally, the American flag gets posted first, then the California flag, but this is sometimes hard for these girls to manage. Then, at the command of the caller, the girls do their own salute (practice this with your girls!) and then stand at attention looking at the American flag during the Pledge. Then they can turn around and face the audience (still on the stage) for the National Anthem and Promise and Law (which means they need to have the Promise and Law memorized!). Then, they are dismissed, walk back up the aisles to the foyer and find their seats which will be the last row on the left section of seats, behind all the Bronze and Silver troops. They wait there quietly (you can bring quiet activities for them – it will be more than an hour of waiting!) until time to line up for Flag Down.
For Flag Down, have them line them up halfway down the aisle to save time. At the caller's command, they walk to the stage, up the steps, lift the flags, and at the caller's command, carry the flags up the aisle to the back foyer, again trying hard to have the American flag higher and one step ahead. The audience will start singing Taps when they are about halfway up the aisle. At some point, take the flags back to the flag holders on the stage. And your girls can be the first ones to the refreshment tables :)
WHAT TO WEAR: The Ceremony Chair will bring the white gloves. The girls should be dressed in their spiffiest uniforms – all should wear white socks and black flats.