(Disclaimer: This is going to be longer than you meant for it to be, but brevity isn't my strong point.  Sorry!)

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This year I was blessed enough to get to do TWO Blue & Gold celebrations.  As well as recently taking on the position of Cubmaster within my own pack, I also have been assisting another pack in my district, so I decided to do a Blue and Gold for their pack, as well.

The theme for my own pack's celebration was "Leave Nothing but Paw Prints".  For the most part, it was a run-of-the-mill B&G with most parts pieced together from previous Program Helps and Baloos Bugles.  The best part for me was the seamless teamwork.  Even our District Executive stepped in to help with decorating and food prep.  I'd say the favorite part for the boys was when an Eagle Scout alumni with whom the boys were unfamiliar came in as Baden Powell and tested their Cub Scout Spirit using the Glowing Bobcat ceremony that Cubmaster Chris recently mentioned.  What better way to celebrate a B&G but to have Baden Powell himself attend!?

The other Blue and Gold I helped orchestrate had a less traditional theme: "Cub Scout Night at the Movies".  Each ceremony was based upon a different movie.  Invitations looked like tickets.  Our local Venturing crew and a few boy scouts acted as "ushers" and handed out popcorn, as well as helping with the lights, audio & video.  I also called in favors and had several district level folks come in and help out. 

After everyone was seated, there was a video my youngest son and I had put together which included photos I had taken at some of the pack functions, "Words to Live By" videos and other Scout related commercials, animated trivia, and some pretend advertisements for the various District folks who were represented there that night in order to introduce them and offer kudos for their assistance.  

After the "previews" were over, the "theater" went dark and we began our opening ceremony: A scene from Neverending Story in which my daughter starred as the Childlike Empress.  It was, by far, the highlight of MY night, though I'd say the the best part for the kids was their "Harry Potter" Bobcat scene where they were each sorted into "houses" (dens) with a hilarious Sorting Hat puppet, starring my oldest son.  Then they had potions class, which was just another spin off of the Glowing Bobcat.

The Glowing Bobcat was the only thing that was used in both Blue and Gold celebrations and was definitely the highlight.  It was VERY easy to adapt to fit both themes – proof that one can put a fresh coat of paint on any ceremony to make it fit to a leader's needs.