What are Career Arrows?
Career Arrows are a popular scouting tradition. Pack 86 began presenting Career arrows in 1994. The arrows are marked to show the major achievements in a boy's Cub Scout career, in a fashion modelled after Military ribbons. Each unique combination of color bands represents an achievement in the scout's personal cub scouting career. The arrows are presented to the scout during the Webelos Graduation ceremony.What do the markings mean?
There are many Cub Scout Packs that prepare career arrows, and probably just as many different methods for marking the arrows. Some use a sparse system, while others have markings for every event. Pack 86 marks arrows to show rank advancements, arrow points, activity pins, and religious awards. This mix makes for an attractive arrow that is not cluttered.The Career arrow is symbolic
- It is straight and true, for only an arrow that is straight and true will hit its mark. It is a reminder for a Scout to be straight and true in keeping his promises.
- The flights (feathers) on this arrow guide it on its course; just as the ideals of Scouting guide a boy on his course through life.
- The bands on the shaft represent the steps in each scouts journey to the Arrow of Light.
- The tip of the arrow is hard and sharp, to remind the scout that they must always keep themselves sharp and prepared for their journey in life. This is the culmination of all their Cub Scouting efforts. Without a sharp tip, the arrow is not effective, just as the scout will be less effective if he does not remain sharp.
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Long ago, Indian braves would collect eagle feathers. Eagle feathers could not be worn by
just anyone. A brave needed to earn the right to wear such prized honors. He would stand before
the tribal council and tell of a brave deed he had done to win the feather. If the council felt
the deed was worthy, the brave was allowed to display the feather. This was called 'counting coup'
and feathers might be worn in the hair, on clothes, on a banner, or on a coup stick.
The Webelos scout 'counts coup' by actively participating in his den and pack to earn the rank awards and activity badges on his uniform. When he is no longer a member of the pack, he may no longer wear the badges and honors he received in Cub Scouting. But he may keep them forever and share the stories of how he earned them with his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The coup feathers on the arrow are a reminder of all of the teasures the scout earned that are not represented by the bands on the arrow.
The Career Arrow is a keepsake
The arrow will help the scout to always remember the ideals he learned as a Cub Scout and remain straight and true on his path to manhood.These arrows should always be a reminder of all the fun and good things accomplished as a Cub Scout.
