Induction Ceremony

JUST STARTING THIS TRAIL AS BOBCATS

When Akela was a young brave, his father was a great chief named Arrow of Light, and his mother knew all the wondrous things that mothers know. She was named Kind Eyes. Arrow of Light and Kind Eyes helped Akela to learn all the secrets of the forest by encouraging him to go into it himself. Akela followed the tracks of the bobcats and wolves to learn their habits. On the trail, he saw and learned many things. He saw how the beavers worked together to build their mighty dams. He watched the strong-winged geese in flight following and obeying their leader. By a stream, he watched the men and women of his tribe gather birch bark and build a big canoe, working together like the beavers and following their leader like the geese.

Each day, Akela went farther into the forest, following the tracks another mile or more. Each day he jumped across a wider stream or climbed a taller tree. He grew stronger and stronger as he learned more and more about the rocks, trees, birds and animals. He became braver too, because his greater knowledge and strength made him braver.

Tonight, you new braves are starting on this same trail. You will learn the same things Akela learned as a young brave. You will follow the tracks of the Bobcats. Some of you will learn the secret of the wolf's blood-- known only to very few of our tribe. Others will gain the knowledge of the bear and wear his claw. Still more of you will learn the ways and language of the Webelos. Only a very small number will gain the greatest prize of all-- THE ARROW OF LIGHT and learn what it means.

Today, some of you are just starting this trail as BOBCATS.