My son is in college now, but a great part of his time and energy while in elementary, middle and high school was taken up with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. The scouting program is a great leadership training program and my son followed it all the way through the rank of Eagle. Dad was also drafted as Cub Master and Scout Master at various times, I am sure to everyone’s distress.

But along the way, amongst all the other functions we took part in,  we were treated to quite a few “Blue and Gold Banquets”. For those without boys in scouting, a Blue and Gold banquet is quite a big deal. It the meeting when all the fifth grade cub scouts (known as Webelos) are taken through a “crossing over” ceremony simultaneously recognizing their achievements in Cub Scouts while also ushering them into their new roles as Boy Scouts. The evening is always a big deal, and a highlight of the scouting year.

On such occasions, leaders involved in planning the event are always on the lookout for good ideas for entertainment for Blue and Gold Banquets. Sometimes a pack will stage the entertainment themselves. Other times, a local act of some kind will be enlisted to help. But it should be noted that these evenings present an opportunity to not only entertain but also to educate.

School assemblies and school shows are available in many forms, and from many sources. At their best, they are just as entertaining as a clown or a ventriloquist, but they are also filled with golden educational content, of interest to kids and adults alike.

In our pack, over the years, we employed a Chemistry program (twice!), a Light show, an Animal program and several others, all to great affect.

Cub Scout leaders looking for entertainment for Blue and Gold banquets would do well to look into the school assembly market to fill their needs!