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Description

Investing a Squirrel: Welcoming a new child to the Drey (and the worldwide Scout family) is an exciting time, especially for the person making their Promise.

Resources

Flag
Neckerchiefs
Woggles
Badges
Certificates

Instructions

An Investiture is a ceremony where someone makes their Scout Promise – some people call them Promise ceremonies. A welcome to Squirrels, and become a member of both their Drey and the worldwide Scout family. As long as each Investiture covers the main components (welcome, Promise, scarf), it’s up to you where you do them, what you say, and what other special tweaks or traditions you want to add in.

Preparing to Promise
- Before they make their Promise, a Squirrel should have plenty of time to look at the different Promises they can make and decide which one is right for them. They might want to talk about their choice with their parents or carers. The Promise poster is a useful way to show people all of the options.

- The person leading the ceremony should invite the childs’ parents or carers to watch the Investiture. It’s an important step in the Scout journey, so it’s nice to have people there to watch the occasion.

- The person leading the ceremony should make sure everything is ready BEFORE the Investiture begins. This includes preparing badges; each child needs a Group name tape, local Scout badge (County and District, Region and Area, or Region and District), and, of course, the World Membership Badge. Don’t forget to write the details on certificates and tie a friendship knot in (or put a woggle/slider on) the Group scarves, too.

The Investiture
What an Investiture looks and feels like is UP TO YOU. Some people have old traditions that have been handed down, others enjoy inventing new traditions. There’s no one way to get it right – have fun making your Promise ceremonies exciting and unique. We’ve included some top tips to give you an idea of a structure you could use. As long as you include a welcome, Promise, and scarf, any embellishment is yours to decide.

1. The person leading the Investiture should check in with the child making their Promise. How are they feeling? This is a great time to run through what to expect one last time – and to check what the child would like to do as well. Some people don’t want to stand at the front on their own, and that’s OK.

2. Everyone should welcome the new Squirrel to the Drey. It’s up to you how you do this: some people use songs, rhymes, or props (such as a cuddly toy or flag), others get people’s friends or Lodge Leaders involved. Some people salute, some people shake hands – you could do a dance.

3. The person leading the Investiture should give the child making their Promise their Group Scarf. It should already be tied (or held with a woggle/slider), so the Squirrel should be able to just slip it on.

4. The new Squirrel should say their Promise while making the Scout sign by raising their right hand to about chest height, holding their middle three fingers up, and holding down their little finger with their thumb. If the squirrel is signing their Promise, they should make the Scout sign at the beginning and end. Different people may want to make their Promise in different ways. Some people might be happy on their own in the spotlight, while others might want to say it line by line with a friend or volunteer.

5. The person leading the Investiture should give the new Squirrel their certificate and badges. Some people give the certificate and badges with their right hand, so they can shake hands with their left. Everyone should welcome the new Squirrel with a round of applause. Making your Promise can be a big step, so don’t forget to say well done too.

A Promise ceremony can be used at any time in the life of the Drey, but should be used at the investiture of new Members. New Squirrel Scouts make their Promise soon after they join the Drey and have completed the requirements of the Scout Membership Badge.
Drey stand in a horseshoe
Section Leader stands at the front with parents/child holding the flag new squirrel puts left hand on flag
Invested and new Squirrels makes the Scout sign and says the Promise all together.
Leader welcomes the new squirrel into the Drey and the worldwide Family of Scouts. They receive their World Membership Badge, County/Area/Region and District badges, Group scarf, woggle and the Group name tape. If a welcoming handshake is offered, the Scout left handshake should be used.
Turn Squirrel to face Drey and they give a round of applause

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