Wolf cubs’ and wolvets’ promise

 

The sixes are hiding in nature (see the gathering for a parade circle). The pack or clearing leader arrives, greets the parents and authorities, and explains to them what is going to happen. He / she insists on the fact that a wolf cub / a wolvet is going to become a member of the movement of European Guides and Scouts. Then he turns back and calls:” Pack! Pack! Pack! Pack! ». All sixes arrive running and shouting lengthily « Pack! » (once), in the official order of the colours of sixes,, the white six leading the gathering. The recruitstands near his / her sixer. Parents and guests stand outside the circle, near enough to see the ceremony. A gap is left between each six.

For wolvets, obviously, everything has to be transposed to the feminine, the word “Pack” is replaced by “Clearing”, “Scout” by “Guides”, “Rover” by “Ranger”, etc. However the gathering shout (pack, pack…) is the same for wolf cubs and wolvets.

 

Akela: Wolf cubs, do you do your best?

All wolf cubs: Yes, our best.

Akela (to the sixer in charge of the wolf cub): X (name), a boy of your six wants to make his promise. Bring him to me… Do you think he will be a good wolf cub?

Sixer: Yes, Akela.

Akela (to the sixer): Thank you. (Mutual salute).

Akela (to the recruit): What do you want?

Recruit: To become a Wolfcub.

Akela: Why?

Recruit: To become a good Scout and a good Rover later on.

Akela: It is very serious. Go and ask the Wolfcubs if they accept you.

The recruit goes round the circle, outside, and stops in front of each six.

Sixer of the white wolves: You mustn't enter the white six without knowing the law of the pack.

Recruit: The Wolfcub gives in to the Old Wolf. The Wolfcub does not give in to himself.

Second of the white: Well, as you know our law, the white six accepts you. Try to enter the grey six.

Sixer of the grey: You mustn't enter the grey six without knowing the motto.

Recruit: Do our best.

Second of the grey: Well, as you know our motto, the grey six accepts you. Try to enter the black six.

Sixer of the black: You mustn't enter the Jungle by breaking creepers; try to undo these knots.

Recruit: Here you are.

Second of the black: Well, as you can undo these knots, the black six accepts you. Try to enter the brown six.

Sixer of the brown: Wolf Cubs are polite and make the salute before they enter.

The recruit salutes.

Second of the brown: Well, as you can salute, the brown six accepts you.

Akela: Come back here… Wolf Cubs, are we going to accept this cub into the pack?

All: Yes, Akela.

Akela: Do you think he will be a good Wolf cub?

All: Yes, Akela.

Akela (to the recruit): Do you promise it?

Recruit: Yes, Akela.

Akela: With all your heart?

Recruit: With all my heart.

Akela: But you cannot stay in the pack without the permission of your parents. Go and ask them. (The recruit goes to his parents and comes back).

Akela: As you have been a Christian since your baptism, go and ask the priest to give you God's blessing.

The priest : May the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and of saint Francis, come upon you and remain with you forever.

Recruit: Amen.

Akela: And now, knowing that you are going to be a cheerful, obedient and honest wolf cub at home, at school and in the pack, you may pronounce your promise.

Recruit (saluting with the right hand, holding Akela's left hand with his left hand – Leaders and all the cubs who have already pronounced their promise salute as well):

I promise to do my best to be faithful to God, to my country, to my parents, to the Law of the Wolf Cub Pack, and to do one good turn to someone every day.

Akela puts the beret (with the red F.S.E. wolf sewn on it) on the wolf cub's head; he shakes hands with him).

The wolf cub salutes the Priest and the Leaders, and then comes back in front of Akela.

Akela: Now, you really belong to the pack of (name of the group) and you become the brother of all the cubs of Europe and throughout the world. In your honour, the pack is going to shout its Grand Howl of joy: you will receive it only twice in your life. Today, because you enter the pack and the day you will have nothing more to learn in the pack and you will go up to the troop in order to become a Scout. In honour of our new little brother…

The wolf cub goes near the Totem Pole. All squat down (except the tenderfeet who go two steps backwards) and shout the Great Owl. Then the wolf cub goes back to his six and the pack sings the song of the wolf promise.

 

Note:

This ceremonial is meant for a single Wolf cub who makes his promise; this is normal because everyone makes his promise when he is ready. In case of necessity, two or three may be admitted on the same day (three being a maximum). In the case of several promises, the attempts to break the circle may be done together, but each wolf cub has to pronounce his promise individually.