Props:  Use an actual door if possible, or have the audience visualize the door as it is discussed.

 

Note:  This is an effective ceremony for use with an adult audience, and is especially effective if done in a darkened room with a spotlight on the door.

 

As we close this time together, let's consider this door.

 

This door could be on a church, a school, or a home.  Or it could be on a dirty cellar, an abandoned building, or a reform school.

 

This door - for a boy it could open to a great wide wonderful world, or it could lead to a jail.

 

This door could carry a "WELCOME" sign, or say "QUARANTINED", "FULL HOUSE", "KEEP OUT".

 

This door can open into the warm light of an Den or Pack program, or it can be kept locked and dark.

 

This door could be opened to more boys in Cub Scouting, or it could be slammed in their faces.

 

Watch the boys, 6, 7, up to 10 years of age, as they come up to this door.  Some are happy and carefree, some troubled; some are fit, and some unhealthy or handicapped.  They come in all shapes and sizes, from all social backgrounds, and from all ethnic and racial.

 

Doors must be opened for boys.  Boys will seldom go up and knock on the door.  They do hang around outside and wait to be invited in.  Only one out of every five boys enters through the door of Cub Scouting.  Many are not given the opportunity, and some are even turned away because there is no one on the other side to welcome them.

 

What boys do and what they think cannot be left to chance.  Help them enter the door that opens to adventure, to wholesome experiences, to an understanding of God, and an appreciation of and a love for their country.

 

Open that door for just one more.