Flag Ceremonies

Click here to watch a great video on the Do's and Don'ts of a proper Flag Ceremony. It's good enough to have your Cubs watch it too!

Script for Basic Flag Ceremony Opening

Basic Flag Opening

Intended for: All Scouts

(have the scouts offstage, ready holding the flags. The US Flag is on the right, then State flag, then Troop or Pack flag on the far left.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Attention!"

Leader: "Audience, Please Rise!"

Leader: "Scout Salute! Those not in uniform, please place your right hand over your heart."

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March!" (wait for color guard to reach the front)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt!"

Leader: "Color Guard, Cross the Colors!" (US Flag crosses in front of others to left-most flag stand, then state, then Troop or Pack flags. Wait for flag bearers to move to the flag pole stands)

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of [Pack/Troop] 123! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of the Great State of [your state name]! " (US Flag remains held by bearer)

Leader: "Please recite the Pledge of Allegiance!"

Leader: "TWO!" (Everyone drops salute. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Scout Sign!" (Everyone raises right hand making the Scout sign or Cub Scout sign)

Leader: "Please join us in reciting the [Scout Law, Scout Oath, Cub Scout Promise, Outdoor Code, ...]!" (this is where the ceremony can be customized by the color guard. Choose what to recite. Could sing a song such as 'America the Beautiful'..)

Leader: "TWO!" (Everyone drops Scout sign. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Post the Flag of the United States of America! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Honor your Colors!" (Flag bearers salute the US flag)

Leader: "Color Guard, return to ranks!" (wait for flag bearers return to formation)

Leader: "Audience, Please be seated!"

Basic Flag Closing

Intended for: All Scouts

(leader assembles color guard in back of room or offstage so they are ready. You may only have flag bearers, 2 or 3 scouts following, 2 in front and 2 behind, or any crisp formation depending on number of scouts in color guard.)

Leader: "Color Guard, Attention! "

Leader: "Audience, Please Rise! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March! " (wait for color guard to reach the front)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt! "

Leader: "Scout Salute! Please put your right hand over your heart if you are not in uniform."

Leader: "Color Guard, Retrieve the Colors! " (wait for flag bearers to pick up their flags)

Leader: "Color Guard, Return to Ranks! " (wait for flag bearers to return to formation) ( US Flag is on the far right facing the audience, then State flag, then Troop or Pack flag on far left.)

Leader: "Color Guard, About Face! "

Leader: "Color Guard, Forward March! " (wait until color guard reaches back of room)

Leader: "Color Guard, Halt! "

Leader: "TWO! " (everyone drops salute. This is a traditional signal to lower your hands.)

Leader: "Audience, Thank you for joining us. "

Leader: "Color Guard, Dismissed! " (flag bearers should immediately put the flags away before starting to play with the other guys. )