Blue and Gold Banquets
Most Cub Scouts celebrate Scouting Anniversary Week with a celebration
called the blue and gold banquet. In nearly all packs, the annual blue and
gold banquet, which is often the pack meeting for February, is the highlight
of the year. It brings families together for an evening of fun and
inspiration.
The purpose of the blue and gold banquet is to celebrate the pack's
anniversary, recognize pack leaders and other adults who have been
instrumental in the pack's success, and inspire the leaders, Scouts, and
parents. Packs often like to invite former members and other Scouting or
community leaders to take part in the annual blue and gold banquet.
The banquet program must appeal to boys as well as adults. The evening
can be conducted as a regular pack meeting (with songs, skits, stunts, and
awards), or it can be something different and a little more special. Your
pack may choose to bring in outside entertainment, such as a magician or
storyteller, or have a video or slide presentation of the activities the
pack participated in over the previous year. Choose a master of ceremonies
who will keep the evening moving and enjoyable for all.
Careful planning is necessary for the banquet to be successful. Most
packs begin planning at least two months in advance. The pack committee
should recruit a banquet chair, who in turn may select others to carry
out the responsibilities of the program, such as making physical
arrangements, handling invitations, choosing a theme, etc. Try to involve
as many people as possible, but avoid giving den leaders too many additional
responsibilities because it may distract them from their duties to
their dens.
A detailed plan for the blue and gold banquet, including a planning
calendar, sample agenda, and suggested program activities, is available
in the Cub Scout Leader How-To Book.