Welcome to Pack 88's Blue and Gold planning
page. With the Blue and Gold being an annual event
we've started this page to help share the information that
we've learned over the years. With the help of past
Cubmasters, Den Leaders, and Pack volunteers we captured
the files and steps needed to successfully plan and execute
the Blue and Gold Banquet. While the majority of information
is specific to Pack 88, other Cub Scout Packs will benefit
from the experiences that we have gained in planning many
banquets. The information below is not only form Pack
88 but a collection of information from Packs from around
the US on how they have made the B&G successful. A
special thanks to Bill Smith's Unofficial Cub Scout Roundtable.
An excellent resource on the web.
What is a Blue
and Gold Banquet?
A blue and gold banquet is a birthday dinner for the Cub
Scouting program, held during February. The anniversary
month of the Boy Scouts of America, which was organized
in February 1910. The Cub Scouts was organized 20
years later in 1930.
Some packs have a dinner, this can be a potluck affair,
with each family brining food, or many packs prefer buying
the food, having it prepared by a mother's committee, and
still other packs prefer to have it catered. The plan
of feeding is not important, it is the Cub Scouting that
takes place during the preparation and dinner that really
counts. Dens should sit together. Guests may
be invited and seated either at a head table or seated with
the dens.
Decorations may be as elaborate or as simple as you wish.
Attractive menu cards or dinner programs can be made, place
cards, centerpieces, place mats, nut cups and favors are
all suggestions of things which might be used. Cubs
can take part in making decorations.
The dinner program
should include entertainment from within the pack, but outside
entertainment is okay. Also don't forget the importance
of recognizing advancement of the boys and leaders of the
pack.
Entertainment
Remember that the B&G is supposed to be fun for all the
Scouts from Tigers to Webelos. The entertainment portion
of the event will be from 60 to 90 minutes in length.
In years past Pack 88 has had multiple magicians, ventriloquists,
combinations of the two and the very popular
Mad
Science people perform. Others options such as
trained animal shows have been researched but the cost has
always been prohibitive. Discuss the options with the Committee
and make a decision based on cost and availability of the
performers.
Arrow of Light
The Arrow of Light Ceremony is the most important
portion of the B&G but it does not have to be the most complex
or lengthy portion of the event. Their are multiple
Scouting website dedicated to just the B&G and Arrow of
Light Ceremony. A simple Google search will yield
hundreds. The information here is just a sampling of what
Pack 88 has used in the past. Using the files from
our Arrow of Light page is an excellent starting point
for the ceremony. Putting a unique touch on the event is
always a way to make it all the more memorial for the boys.
Important Things
to Remember
Be sure that the boys, leaders, and parents know that the
banquet is Cub Scouting's birthday celebration.
Begin planning at least three months ahead.
KISMIF - Keep it Simple, Make it Fun
Involve leaders and parents. Sharing responsibilities
makes it easier and fun for everyone.
Let the boys help plan
and make the decorations, but keep the cutting and pasting
to a minimum. Do let them help make each item.
(Then watch their eyes glow with pride the night of the
banquet.)
Invitations,
Programs and etc.
The following files can be downloaded and edited to fit
your need for the
program (.doc),
invite (.pub), and
reserved seating cards (.pub). The files are
in Microsoft Word and Publisher formats. Again,
all the files can be modified to fit your needs and
tailored to fit the theme of your Blue and Gold.
