Ceremonies can be an important part of your Quest Club. They serve a variety of purposes such as to acknowledge in a formal way work that has been done; to impress upon people the purpose and meaning of the Quest program; an opportunity to thank parents and volunteers; and to recognize advancement or commitment.
In this section you will find a variety of readings and pieces for use in your ceremonies. Adapt them as necessary to suit your needs or use them as they are. Remember, the best ceremony hasn’t been written yet. Feel free to write your own. As you use these ceremonies, we hope you’ll never lose sight of the fact that recognition in Quest can be fun as well as meaningful.
Planning Ceremonies
- Use as many people as possible
- Have proper planning. What props are needed? Who is doing/saying what?
- Delegate responsibility
- Keep it dignified. No horseplay; keep your audience’s attention
- Use imagination and showmanship
- Improvise, use what is available, low cost & easy to find
- Gather ideas. Use the moral code, flag, poems, skits, songs, etc.
- Make sure to include the kids. Participation in ceremonies helps kids develop poise, self reliance and confidence.
- Keep it simple, keep it fun
- Use symbolism. Props, candles, flowers, etc.
- Mix it up. Try not to repeat ceremonies.
Colored Candles
This beautiful dedication ceremony uses differently colored candles. All kids form a horseshoe. Each member is presented with a white candle . [Have on a table one short candle for each Area of Discovery; color—red, orange, yellow, light green, dark green, light blue, dark blue, purple, and pink. In the center have one tall white candle]
[Start with a formal flag ceremony]
LEADER: We welcome you to our investiture and rededication ceremony. This is a time when returning Quest Club members rededicate themselves to being active members of our Quest club, and for new members to be invested into the club. Before you, you see a rainbow of candles, representing the wide variety of things in this world that there is to discover.
[Have the oldest member light the center white candle ]
“The white candle represents the Quest motto, “Ask Anything, Explore Everything”. As the color white encompasses all other colors, so does our motto include everything we wish to learn.”
[Use the white candle to light the others for the rest of the ceremony]
Red is for the Discovery of Health and Fitness as we learn to make our minds and bodies strong.
The orange is for the Discovery of Knowledge, encouraging the love of learning and the constant quest to investigate new interests.
Yellow is for the Discovery of Science and Technology which lets us look into the how and why of things, solve problems, and recognize the ways in which our present interests can build toward future ones.
Light green is for the Discovery of Agriculture and an appreciation of God’s creatures and creations that provide for our food.
Dark green is for is for the Discovery of Outdoors, explorations here help us to appreciate our natural environment and to take actions to protect and preserve our world.
Light blue is for the Discovery of Character which helps us grow to be people of honor and teaches us to take joy in our surroundings.
Dark blue is for the Discovery of the World, helping us to build pride in our heritage, while appreciating the uniqueness of each culture.
Purple is for the Discovery of Art which helps us develop a personal appreciation for the many art forms and things of beauty in the world around us.
Pink is for the Discovery of the Home, preparing us to take care of ourselves and our families.
LEADER: From the light of discovery may your world ever grow. [have each member light their candles from one of the colored candles] Take your light into the world and let it shine forth with love and knowledge.
[All the kids return to the horseshoe formation. Sing a song of your choice.]
Flowers
LEADER: “Welcome to our Investiture and Rededication ceremony. Flowers have always played an important part in human life. From the earliest times they have been given as signs of love and respect and have been used in ceremonies of all types. The flowers in this ceremony represent the nine parts of the Quest Moral Code.
[Have children pass out flowers to family members as they are read.)
READER: As a member of Quest,
I will be loving, treating others as I would like to be treated. The red rose symbolizes this love.
I will be Joyful, finding the blessings in every situation. The red daisy symbolizes joy in all things.
I will be Peaceful, respecting others opinions and beliefs. Winter Greens symbolize the harmony we try to keep between ourselves and others.
I will be Patient, persevering toward my goals despite obstacles. The Indian paintbrush shows cheerfulness even in difficulty.
I will be Kind, respectful to all and willing to help others at all times. The zinnia represents thoughtfulness about friends
I will be Good, pure in all I do, think and say. The white daisy symbolizes innocence and truth.
I will be Faithful to my God and loyal to family, friends, and country. The dandelion represents faithfulness.
I will be Gentle, taking special care of those weaker or less fortunate than I. Baby’s breath shows generosity and thoughtfulness toward others
I will have Self Control, using my time, materials, and talents wisely, and being accountable for my own actions. The gladiola symbolizes strength of character, maturity, and responsibility
Investiture/Rededication Oaths
Club Member
As a member of Quest
I promise to do my best
To live according to the Quest moral code
Both at our meetings
And in my everyday life.
Patrol Leaders
As a patrol leader I promise
To lead my patrol to the best of my ability
To keep order in my group at all times
To speak for my patrol and not just for myself
And to do my best
To live up to the clubs trust.
Leadership Positions
As a leader I promise
To do my job to the best of my ability
To take my responsibilities seriously
And to do my best
to live up to the club’s trust.
Ribbons
You will need 9 ribbons or streamers at least 10’ long in the following colors: red, orange, yellow, light green, dark green, light blue, dark blue, purple and pink. Keep ribbons rolled until needed.
Divide the club in half and have kids face each other across a 10’ gap. As each piece of the creed is read, have one child walk over to a child on the opposite side (not necessary directly opposite) and hand them the end of the colored ribbon. As they walk back to their place they should unroll the ribbon as they go and hold on to the end. By the end of the creed you should have a spider web of ribbon crisscrossing between the two sides.
LEADER: As Quest Club members we live by the following moral code:
I will be loving, treating others as I would like to be treated (red ribbon)
I will be Joyful, finding the blessings in every situation. (orange ribbon)
I will be Peaceful, respecting others opinions and beliefs. (yellow ribbon)
I will be Patient, persevering toward my goals despite obstacles. (light green ribbon)
I will be Kind, respectful to all and willing to help others at all times. (dark green ribbon)
I will be Good, pure in all I do, think and say. (light blue ribbon)
I will be Faithful to my God and loyal to family, friends, and country. (dark blue ribbon)
I will be Gentle, taking special care of those weaker or less fortunate than I. (purple ribbon)
I will have Self Control, using my time, materials, and talents wisely, and being accountable for my own actions. (pink ribbon)
Just as these ribbons bind these children together, so do the parts of our code intertwine and bind our lives as we work together to make this world a better place.
Advancement Ceremony
Lighted Candles
Have the members who are advancing line up on the left side of the room from oldest to youngest. The remainder of the kids should line up for a flag ceremony. Perform a formal flag ceremony and upon dismissal of the color guards, the kids should file into 4 groups at the front of the room (Level 4 to the far right, then Level 3, then Level 2, and finally, Level 1.) Each child in the front of the room should hold a candle (two if they will be greeting a new member to their level.) Advancing children should still be on the left side of the room.
As the advancing kids names are called, they should cross the room to the level they are joining, shake hands with someone in that level who will hand them a candle. They then join the group. As children join the front, they should slowly fill in the gaps between each group so that when every child’s name has been called, there should be a solid line of children in the front of the room symbolizing a united club. After all kids have crossed the room, candles are lit from the ends of the line and passed from child to child while singing “Whenever you make a Promise”. Teach this song to all the leaders and the kids so everyone knows the song. It can be sung in 3-
part rounds while the flame was being passed.
Speaker:
Each year the advancement ceremony marks a milestone in the life of a Quest club member. It is symbolic of the change of rank from one level to another and a sign of forward progress. (Start with announcing those kids moving from Level 3 to Level 4, then Level 2 to Level 3, and finally Level 1 to Level 2). As the child’s name is read, they cross the room – and shake hands with a member of the receiving level and joins the line.)
(When all children have joined the line, have leaders light the candles on each side and sing When‘ere You Make a Promise)
While we divide ourselves by level and ability, in truth we are one club. Through Quest you have explored the Areas of Discovery, art, the home, the outdoors, and so much more. There are so many things to Discover! There is yourself partly known, but still full of mysteries and surprises. There are other people, like you and unlike you, girls and boys, men and women, little children. There is laughter and beauty and work and growing up. This marks a milestone in your life and is a mark of progress for both you and your leaders. It is a joyful journey we are following together and we find that the greatest joy of the journey is the friendship in working together, playing together and growing together. As soon as we understand this joy of friendship we long to have others share it too.
This Candle flame represents the friendship bond that we all share. From the experienced Level 4 to the smallest Level 1, we pass the flame of friendship—from one to another. As you blow out our candles, remember to keep the flame of friendship alive in your hearts and in your lives. (Kids blow out their candles)
Nobody Told Me
Reader 1
Nobody told me I would really feel part of something so big, so wonderful, that when we said the moral code together tonight that I would mean every word. Will I ever know all the words? You’ll learn them, I was told.
Reader 2
Nobody told me that while I worried and fretted about “doing the right thing at the right time”, I would now be looked upon as “knowing all the answers” by the younger kids. What if they won’t listen to me? They’ll learn from you, I was told.
Reader 3
Nobody told me I would really have to cook on an open fire. “I don’t know how to scramble eggs or put up a tent.” You’ll learn, I was told.
Reader 4
Nobody ever told me that I would become queasy or that my voice would crack when I led the Flag Ceremony. “But, I’ve never done a flag ceremony, I said. What if I forget the words?” You’ll learn, I was told.
Reader 5
Nobody told me that the moral code was made to help us become better people. How will I learn to get along with so many kids, we’re all so different? You’ll learn, I was told.
Leader
Nobody told me that getting to know these kids would be so much fun. Nobody told me, I learned.
In Unison
Nobody told us that we would make so many friends! Nobody told us. We learned.
Compass Ceremony
Adapted from a Cub Scout ceremony
Make a large compass on a stand, tilted so the audience can see and place a candle in front of it.
– We look to the East and see Level 1 bringing their eagerness like the dawn of new day. (Level 1 kids stand to the right of the compass)
– We look to the South and see Level 2 with their dreams alive with action. (Level 2 kids kneel in front of the compass)
– We look to the West and see Level 3 poised for flight and ready for any adventure. (Level 3 kids stand to the left of the compass)
– We look to the compass as our guide. We find at the North, Level 4, only steps away from adluthood, whose adventures enable them to carry into the future the ideals of the Quest program. (Level 4 kids stand behind the compass)
We read the compass, we set the course…trained leadership will not lose the trail. Look again, the light of our quest burns bright (light the candle)
Four-Winds
North Wind:
I am the North Wind. People say I am cold, but to [child’s name] I will always bring the warmest weather because he has been true to the Quest moral code.
South Wind:
I am the South Wind. I wish you all success in your quest. Over hill and dale I have carried stories of [child’s name] and his experiences. He has been happy, willing, and fair—a credit to his club and community.
East Wind:
I am the East Wind. I wish you well. I have spread the story of [child’s name] fun and happiness with his club, and of how he was fair and helpful.
West Wind:
I am the West Wind. I would like everyone present to know that [child’s name] did not walk the trail to the [award] alone. He had the wonderful help and guidance of his parents, [mothers name & fathers name]. Parents, continue to help your children achieve and grow.
Other Ceremonies
Spirit Candle—Opening
This candle represents the spirit of Quest. It burns throughout our meeting to represent the friendship and fun we enjoy together and the quest for knowledge. Look to the flame and see its challenge to you:
- to do more than belong… Participate.
- do more than care… Help.
- do more than believe… Practice.
- do more than be fair… Be kind.
- do more than forgive… Forget.
- do more than dream… Work.
- do more than teach… Inspire.
- do more than live… Grow.
- do more than be friendly… Be a friend.
- do more than give… Serve•
Campfire Ashes
Legend has it that Lord Baden-Powell (founder of the Boy Scouts) would always take a small amount of ashes from the campfire and spread these ashes into the next campfire.
Ashes taken from a campfire are sprinkled into the flames of the next campfire. The next morning, when the ashes are cold, they are stirred, and each scout takes some along to mix with her/his next campfire logging the date and location on a list kept with their ashes. If more than one child brings ashes to the same campfire, the lists are
pooled, with the dates and places of all campfires recorded and passed on. It is tradition that only those present at the ceremony may carry the ashes from that ceremony.
Charge of the Ashes
May the memories of past campfires be here with us tonight, carrying fellowship in these ashes from other campfires, thus uniting us with friends and comrades in other places.
[Now, sprinkle saved ashes over fire]
May the joining of the dead fires with the leaping flames of our campfire tonight symbolize once more the unbroken chain that binds children around our nation.
Challenge to Parents
I welcome you and your children to Quest. The success of our club depends much upon each child’s family relationship. To all parents in our club, we offer a challenge. As a member of our club lights a candle, listen to their challenge.
1. Learn to have more fun with your children. Encourage and help with their achievements. Help them progress through the ranks of the Quest program.
2. Learn to live together better, asfriends, as families, as neighbors, and as a nation.
3. Become better parents by practicing the principles of the Quest moral code.
4. Extend and strengthen the influence of our club children, parents, and the community.
We welcome you.
Nature
Have kids hold large block letters
Quest encourages kids to look to nature to learn from creation. Nature carries many lessons for us if only we are willing to learn.
N – stands for your Name, be proud of it. Everything you do and say affects your good name.
A – stands for Attitude. As sunlight is essential to growth, so attitude affects your spirit. Quest members with the right attitude are happy, loving, and fair.
T – stands for Task. As the beaver works hard at his task, so does a Quest club member.
U – stands for Usefulness. Just as animals and birds are judged by their usefulness, so your place in life depends on your usefulness.
R – means “you’re Ready!” As the squirrel gathers food for future use, so you have worked on your achievements, getting ready for the day when you leave Quest and go out on your own.
E – stand for Energy. As the bee is never idle, so you keep busy giving good will.