Thunderbird Rover Scouts’ Knighting Ceremony

Preamble: There is much symbolism in the Knighting Ceremony. The

Rover flag, which the candidates will be using to make their
promise, is a symbol of the Thunderbird Crew, and has been
charged to represent the Crew at all times. The pledge of the
promise on the flag represents a pledge to the members of the Crew,
and to the new Rover him or herself.
The sword of St. George will no doubt become for the new Rovers,
as it has for all of us, a symbol of their ideals of chivalry and
unselfish service. The sword symbolises those knightly virtues
which a Rover Scout should strive to possess and exercise in the
spiritual warfare “for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on
earth.” The blade within the scabbard, which must always be kept
shining bright, signifies the soul or spiritual part of a Rover Knight.
The scabbard, which should be kept continually clean, signifies his
or her material part. The blade and handle, which together are an
emblem of the Cross of Christ, represent his or her faith; and the
pommel (by which he or she is able to control the sword) signifies
that humility which is necessary to use his faith to the best
advantage. The point of the sword speaks of obedience, and the
two-edged blade reminds him of his two-fold duty toward God and
his neighbour. The whole represents that spiritual power which a
Rover Scout must possess for the due performance of the quests of
service which it may be his or her privilege to undertake.
The crests which will be presented to the new Rovers represent
their belonging. To the Thunderbird Crew, to the 81st Hamilton
Group, to the Area, District, Region and World Movement. They
should be proud of their accomplishment, because acceptance to
anything is no simple task.

For Each Candidate:

Sponsor: I present you __________________ who comes with a desire to be

admitted to the Rover Scout Brotherhood and to receive initiation at
your hands.

Leader: Is he/she worthy?

Sponsor: It is my belief that he/she is worthy.

Leader (to candidate): Are you determined to do your best to lead a clean
life; to be honourable, truthful and straight in all your dealings,
clean in all your thoughts, words and deeds? And are you willing to
give service whenever the opportunity presents itself?
Candidate: I am.

Leader: In ancient times it was the custom of those about to become

Knights to be laved with water in token of the washing-away of past
misdeeds and as a sign that they were determined to start afresh
with a clean page. Are you willing to give such a sign here in the
presence of us all?

Candidate: I am.
(Sponsor presents basin and cloth.)

Leader: You will now make (or renew) your Rover Promise, bearing in
mind that you are expected to look at it as an adult, in all
seriousness and sincerity. Please place your left hand on the Crew
flag, and raise your right hand in the Scout sign. Repeat after me:

On my honour, I promise, to do my best, to do my duty to God, and

the Queen, to help other people at all times, and to live in the spirit of
the Scout Law.

Leader (asking the candidate to kneel, and taking the left hand of the
candidate while buffeting the candidate on the back of the neck): I
trust you on your honour to keep this promise and give you the
Buffet which the Knights of old received, to remind you, as it did
them, that you have one tender point - namely, your honour;
nothing should be more quickly felt, or longer retained, than an
imputation against your honour. (Touching the neck with the sword)
Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou
dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee wheresoever thou goest.

Leader (presenting appropriate insignia): Your sponsor will now present

you with his/her shoulder tabs, which recognise you as a member
of the Rover Scout brotherhood. You will wear your sponsor’s tabs
until you pass them on to your first Squire, to signify the passing on
of knowledge and experience.
Your Sponsor will now present you with the Thunderbird Crew
colours; red and gold which represent the Rover Brotherhood
throughout the world. The Thunderbird on the back of the colours
is an ancient native North American symbol of energy in Thunder
and Lightning. In the Crew, this symbol represents this same
energy which can be seen through our relationships with each other
and our dedication to service for others.
 I am now pleased to present you with these insignia to be worn on
your uniform with pride. They identify you as a proud member of
the Thunderbird Crew.
Congratulations. (Shake hands) Please return to your spot in the
formation.

After all New Rovers have been Knighted:

Leader: I now present you to the Crew with the charge of the Rover
Scout:
It is your duty as a Rover to imitate in your daily life the example of
the Knights Errant of old; to seek at all times to serve your fellows in
the spirit of Him who was the Master Rover and who came amongst
us as “One who serveth.” You will seek every opportunity of giving
help and kindness to those in need around you. The Scout Law is
the law of love. To love is to find happiness, not in thine own, but in
another’s gain. Remember the words of Him who made the only
truly perfect service for others; “Inasmuch as ye have done it to the
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

To the New Rovers, I say that the Thunderbird Crew is now the
best Crew in the world, because you’re each a member of it.

(Removing hats) Let us pray:

Teach us good Lord, to serve Thee as thou deservest; to give and
not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil
and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any rewards
save that of knowing that we do Thy will.
Amen.

Three cheers for the New Rovers.