Arrow Of Light Ceremony
Where to get
The past 4+ years we have ordered the 25" agate tip arrows from:
www.arrow-of-light-awards.com.
The pack does reimburse the cost of the arrows.
How to paint
The template for painting the scouts achievements:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iRbi0cZisdH1_abQMo9KSkOEkGx9TqWciwaKHh644kE/edit?usp=sharing
(replace "arrow points" with number of adventures for each rank)
There are jigs to help, ask the previous year leaders for them.
- Sand the arrow first using a fine sandpaper (120 or 240 grit).
- Apply a multipurpose sealer to the arrow. You can get a multipurpose sealer at Michaels.
It looks like watered down milk, but does the job of sealing the wood grain and provides a smooth surface for painting. - Sand again after the multipurpose sealer dries.
- Apply paint with paint pens.
For those colors that are not available with paint pens, use the Testors "model car" paints available at Michaels. - Pin stripping works best for a line between colors, but it can be expensive.
The alternative is black paint with a steady hand.
Remarks
by Brian Rudy (2018, with permission)
I wanted to share a few words – especially directed towards our Arrow Of Light Recipients, but really to every scout in the room. I share these words that have been shaped by a story from a local teacher, Terry Matteson. With his permission, I’ve weaved in, here.
There was a college professor who would periodically say, “Learning is an exciting adventure!” And he meant it. And I believe it to be true.
I also like the quote, “Real knowledge has to be earned through hard and painful thinking.” And I believe that to be true, too.
These two statements seem to be at odds with one another. How can they both be true at the same time? Exciting adventure and require hard and painful thinking?
Well, I would offer that each of us, given a few minutes to do our own “hard and painful thinking” could figure out the answer to that seemingly odd question. I assure you, that within all of our answers, will lay the keys to your success -- not only as you earn this honor, tonight, but also for the remainder of your lives. Life – like scouting – is an adventure balancing excitement and endurance.
Thinking about adventures makes me consider the myriad heroes that we have all around us. I see forms of heroism in our public servants (like firefighters, police officers) and in our societies’ athletes, artists, scientists, politicians, military personnel - and in our parents and Scout leaders here, with whom I am so privileged to share responsibility in this pack. As I read stories or watch movies depicting peoples’ adventures, accomplishments and discoveries, I watch how often you want to emulate them.
Now, I believe this is a wonderful thing that our culture does! It presents heroes to our children.
But, with some disappointment, I notice that something is missing in many of these stories. Where are the years and years of difficult preparation that people have had to go through? Where is the sacrifice that is required to reach such a high level of skill? And where are the years of mental, moral, and physical training and the temporary setbacks that had to be endured before the final victories were attained?
Too often, we see the end product without getting to view the work. It sure would make it easier for me to believe that an average person like me might be able to do likewise if I knew that my heroes started out as average people, too.
I wish more movies would be made that highlight those years of struggle…. Maybe it would help you all before me to better see that dreams are wonderful, even essential-- but that with the dream there must be a resolve to enter into a regimen of serious preparation. And that accepting this time of preparation is not only good-- it is required. After all, we are prepared as scouts, aren’t we?
This is, in a large part, what this time in your life lives is all about-- facing difficult challenges in a safe place in preparation for a heroic life.
Each of us will find living up to the Oath and Law easier at some times than at others – but knowing each of you, I know that you will, nonetheless. You will be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
On your honor, you will do your best, to do you duty to God, and our country. You will obey the Scout Law, and help others at all times. You will keep yourself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Why? It is because that is who you are – who you’ve become.
So it is to the 20 heroes that are standing here, and to the others who will be standing here in the years to come, that I offer you my congratulations, my respect, and my appreciation for having been such a meaningful part of who we as scout leaders continue to become because of each you.
Thank you – and well done, guys.
