Cub Scouts Grand Howl

The Opening Ceremony

Arrival and Sign In

• Cubs should arrive and be signed in by a Parent / Guardian. 

• Cubs should keep themselves busy until Akela is ready to begin.

Sometimes this will take a while if there are a lot of questions from parents. In our pack, cubs are permitted to run around and play ball games until the leader calls the parade.

• Every night has a specific colour pack allocated to it.  That colour pack is responsible for flag breaking duties.

• If the sixer does not arrive in time, then the seconder will assume their duties.

• The cubs chosen to participate in flag duties must be invested and they must be wearing their scarf.

Getting into Formation

• Akela or another leader will shout "PACK" with their right hand in the air "Prepare for Grand howl" or similar.  

This should get the pack's attention and signal the need for all balls to be put away and for the group to be standing in their sixer groups.

• The sixer should be at the front of the pack and the seconder should be at the back.  If the sixer is absent, then the seconder should take their place at the front of the line.

Inspection

• The sixer should check their pack to ensure that appropriate gear is being worn.  In particular, that the cubs have their scarves on and have removed any jackets.

• The leaders will often take part in inspection to ensure that all cubs are properly dressed to show respect to the flag. Inspection needs to be brief.

• Opening and Closing Ceremonies won't start until everyone is quiet. It is the job of the sixer and seconder to make sure that the pack is quiet.

Grand Howl

• Akela will shout; "Pack Pack Pack!"

• The cubs should shout "PAAAAACK!!!" back.  

• Pack to fall into formation (circle while shouting "PAAAAACK!!!").

The "PACK!" response should be loud but not overly long and the cubs should form the circle quickly.

The cubs should come to the "Alert" position. (ie: standing straight with their feet together).

• Akela will walk to the middle of the circle and face the cubs.

• Akela will then spread their arms out horizontal to the body. 

• Akela will then make a downward gesture (ie: bring hands down to the sides).  

• crouch down, make the three-fingered scout sign with both hands on the ground between their knees and say...

• "A-ke-la We'll do our Best"

• The cubs should then return to a standing position.  

• As the cubs stand up from their sitting position, they should use their hands to make three fingered wolf ears which point TO the temple - not above it, then drop their left hand to make the cub salute.   

• The sixer of the flag party for the night will yell while saluting; "Do your best!"

Note: This is supposed to sound like a challenge, so it should be sharply shouted.

• The cubs then reply "We'll do our best!" (with determination) and salute Akela using the normal cubs salute.

• Akela joins in the salute.  This reaffirms the promise that the leaders are bound to do their best as well.  

The other leaders simply stand to attention.

The Flag Parade

• Akela will say "Face the Flag"

• All members to face the flag

• The Patrol Leader and Acting Patrol Leader  who are on duty will walk around the circle Behind the Cubs  and stand at the flag pole

• Once Akela gives a head node the Patrol leader will pull on the cord underneath the flag to release the flag.

• At this point the Acting patrol leader will give the flag a gentle shake to open the flag up .

• Akela will say "Salute the flag"

• All members  will salute the flag

• Akela will then say ""Pack - At Ease"

• The Patrol Leader and Acting Patrol Leader  who are on duty will then return to the circle with their Pack.

• all members to face Akela and remain standing "At Ease"

Acknowledgement of Country

• One Youth member is given the opportunity to read out the "Acknowledgement of Country"

As Scouts of Australia, 

we acknowledge Australia’s First Nations Peoples, 

the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 

as the Traditional Custodians of this land. 

We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.

Instruction and Break-Off

• Akela or another leader will give the Parent / Guardian and all Scout members quick outline of the nights activities plus some instructions to immediately follow the ceremony.  

• The ceremony concludes with the leaders turning to their right and Akela saying "Break Off".

• At this point all Members turn to their right and taking one step to the right heading away from the circle.

Late-comers Salute

Any cubs who were late must enter the door removing their Jumper and facing the flag.  and salute the flag before returning to the circle or participate in any activity.

The Closing Ceremony

Getting into Formation

• Akela or another leader will shout "PACK" with their right hand in the air "Prepare for Grand howl" or similar.  

This should get the pack's attention and signal the need for all balls to be put away and for the group to be standing in their sixer groups.

• The sixer should be at the front of the pack and the seconder should be at the back.  If the sixer is absent, then the seconder should take their place at the front of the line.

Inspection

• The sixer should check their pack to ensure that appropriate gear is being worn.  In particular, that the cubs have their scarves on and have removed any jackets.

• The leaders will often take part in inspection to ensure that all cubs are properly dressed to show respect to the flag. Inspection needs to be brief.

• Closing Ceremonies won't start until everyone is quiet. It is the job of the sixer and seconder to make sure that the pack is quiet.

Grand Howl

• Akela will shout; "Pack Pack Pack!"

• The cubs should shout "PAAAAACK!!!" back.  

• Pack to fall into formation (circle while shouting "PAAAAACK!!!").

The "PACK!" response should be loud but not overly long and the cubs should form the circle quickly.

The cubs should come to the "Alert" position. (ie: standing straight with their feet together).

• Akela will walk to the middle of the circle and face the cubs.

• Akela will then spread their arms out horizontal to the body. 

• Akela will then make a downward gesture (ie: bring hands down to the sides).  

• crouch down, make the three-fingered scout sign with both hands on the ground between their knees and say...

• "A-ke-la We'll do our Best"

• The cubs should then return to a standing position.  

• As the cubs stand up from their sitting position, they should use their hands to make three fingered wolf ears which point TO the temple - not above it, then drop their left hand to make the cub salute.   

• The sixer of the flag party for the night will yell while saluting; "Do your best!"

Note: This is supposed to sound like a challenge, so it should be sharply shouted.

• The cubs then reply "We'll do our best!" (with determination) and salute Akela using the normal cubs salute.

• Akela joins in the salute.  This reaffirms the promise that the leaders are bound to do their best as well.  

The other leaders simply stand to attention.

Badges

• At this point if any achievements and badges are to be handed out this is a good time to do so

The Flag Parade

• Akela will say "Face the Flag"

• All members to face the flag

• The Patrol Leader and Acting Patrol Leader  who are on duty will walk around the circle Behind the Cubs  and stand at the flag pole

• Once they are standing side by side they will Salute the flag

• Once Akela gives a head node the Patrol leader will then slowly drop the flag 

• At this point the Acting patrol leader will have his hands flat under the flag ready to catch the flag so it does not touch the floor.

• Akela will say "Salute the flag" while the flag is traveling down

• All members  will salute the flag

• Akela will then say ""Pack - At Ease" before the flag is completly down 

• The Acting Patrol Leader  will hang the flag so it is not to fall behind the flag pole (a Leader May Help with This)

• and The Patrol Leader and Acting Patrol Leader  who are on duty will then return to the circle with their Pack.

• all members to face Akela and remain standing "At Ease"

Reminders and Notes

• Akela will then talk about what the cubs need to bring for next week, fundraising, upcoming camps etc.  

• If we had any parent helpers or other special assistance during the night, we will thank them.  and If they've been a really big help, you can even give them a 1-2-3 WOOF!

• When Akela has finished the reminders, other leaders will be asked if they have anything they need to add.

Closing Reflection

Each week we ask one Cub to also read a reflection or the scout Prayer

• if a cub would like to read out their reflection now is the time to do this other wise 

• Akela will say prepare for prayer and all Members will bow there heads saying the following

Help us o Lord

To serve you day by day

To do our duty

and to enjoy our play

To keep the Cub Scout Promise and to rest

Happy that we've tried to do our best

Amen 

Dismissal

• Akela will Say "Good night and good hunting Pack"

• The Pack will respond with "Good night Akela and Leaders"

• The ceremony concludes with the leaders turning to their right and Akela saying "Dismissed".

• At this point all Members turn to their right and taking one step to the right and saluting as heading away from the circle.