Generations Connection
A Program to Retain and Grow Membership
Sample Council Tree Planting Ceremonies
Personnel: Master of Ceremonies (MC), Council Scout Executive, Council Executive
board members, Cub Scout representatives in uniform, Boy Scout representatives in
uniform, Venturing youth representatives in uniform.
Supplies needed: U.S. flag and holder, shovel, bucket of water, tree for planting,
commemorative marker
MC: Announces name of Boy Scout who comes forward and leads a flag ceremony.
Remind the audience to salute with the Scout salute if they are in uniform, their hand
across their heart if not in uniform.
Flag Ceremony is conducted by Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venture youth.
MC: Welcome all who are present. Introduce guests and dignitaries.
MC: In his final letter to the Scouts, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of
Scouting, wrote:
“Try and leave this world a little better than you found it”. One of the many ways that
Scouts have done this is through conservation and dedicated stewardship of our planet.
Today this tradition is continued.
The Boy Scouts of America have a special milestone for 2009-2010. The
BSA celebrates 100 years of helping shape youth and the future.
We are going to be disturbing this piece of ground for a very good reason. This earth is
the foundation for growing plants. It is where nature gets its nutrients. Similarly, the BSA
has had an active foundation growing the Scouting program for the last 100 years.
The tree you see here represents the future – future growth, creating shade, becoming a
home for animals or insects, a place to play under, even nurturing the earth with fallen
leaves as the seasons pass, and measuring time by the rings formed in its trunk.
This tree will provide for a new generation for the future 100 years with memories for
youth and families in Scouting experiences, many memories to be made in the shadow
of this tree.
May I see a show of hands for those in the audience who have been involved in the
Scouting program, (pause for hands to raise.) You are a part of the history of Scouting.
This anniversary tree celebrates you.
May I see a show of hands for those whose parents were involved in Scouting (pause for
hands to raise.) You represent a generation of involvement. This anniversary tree
celebrates you.
Generations Connection
A Program to Retain and Grow Membership
Sample Council Tree Planting Ceremonies
All of us represent the next and future generations of youth involved in Scouting.
anniversary tree celebrates our future.
This
Boy Scouts of America looks to the future, our city looks to the future. This tree is
dedicated as a reminder of our past and as a pillar for that future.
Thanks to ___(name)______ for making this possible.
Thanks to __(name)___council for leadership in this city.
Thanks to the youth, who learn and grow within the Scouting program.
Thanks to our families, the cornerstone of Scouting.
We hereby dedicate this 100th anniversary tree to the youth of our program, in history,
today and for tomorrow.
___(Name)_______ the __(title)_____ will initiate breaking ground.
___(Name)_______ Scout will insert the tree.
___ (Name) ______ Cub Scout will add water.
___(Name) _______ will place the commemorative marker. (Read the inscription. Tell
where it came from, if appropriate.)
Thank you all for your attention and for your continuing dedication to Scouting in the
___(name)______ Council. May this tree flourish and grow along with the Scouting
program for the next 100 years.
Tree Planting Ceremony (additional versions)
Possible additions done as appropriate for time allotted and council sensibilities:
Version 2. Add poem: If this is used, BSA would need permission to use this
poem, check with CCD restrictions.
The tree you see here represents the future – future growth, creating shade, becoming a
home for animals or insects, a place to play under, even nurturing the earth with fallen
leaves as the seasons pass, and measuring time by the rings formed in its trunk. The
importance of trees to us all was captured by Joyce Kilmer in the poem: Trees (read
poem.)
Poem: Trees, by Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
Generations Connection
A Program to Retain and Grow Membership
Sample Council Tree Planting Ceremonies
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair,
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Version 3: Add Invocation.
MC: Announces name of Boy Scout who comes forward and leads a flag ceremony.
Remind the audience to salute with the Scout salute if they are in uniform, their hand
across their heart if not in uniform.
Flag Ceremony is conducted by Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Venture youth.
Invocation is conducted by Venture youth representative or appropriate clergy member.
MC: Welcome all who are present. Introduce guests and dignitaries.