Jungle Opening & Closing Ceremonies
At the 91st Toronto Cub Pack, Cubs immerse themselves in the Jungle theme, inspired by The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. The Grand Howl and ceremonial traditions celebrate teamwork, respect, and Cub Scout spirit!
Opening Ceremony – Embracing the Jungle Spirit
The leader calls:
"Look well old wolves, look well!"
Cubs howl and form a circle around the wolf head, ready to begin their adventure.
📜 The leader recites the Law of the Jungle:
"Now this is the law of the jungle,
As old and as true as the sky.
And the wolf that doth keep it shall prosper,
But the wolf that doth break it must die."
🔹 Cubs respond with the Cub Law:
"The Cub respects the old wolf,
The Cub respects himself."
🔹 The leader continues:
"As the dawn was breaking, the wolf pack howled."
🔹 Cubs reply: "Once, twice, again!"
🔹 Leader: "Feet in the jungle that leave no mark."
🔹 Cubs: "No mark!"
🔹 Leader: "Eyes that see in the dark."
🔹 Cubs: "In the dark!"
📢 The leader calls: "Tongue, give it tongue to it, hark, O hark!", selecting a sixer or second to lead the Grand Howl.
🐺 The Grand Howl begins:
The sixer or second shouts: "Akela, we’ll do our best. We'll DYB, DYB, DYB!", drawing out the words like a wolf's howl. The Cubs respond with "We'll DOB, DOB, DOB!", barking in sharp bursts.
DYB (pronounced "dib") means Do Your Best, and DOB, DOB, DOB means We’ll Do Our Best.
🌙 Closing Ceremony – Ending the Jungle Gathering
The leader calls:
"Pack! Pack, Pack, Pack!"
Cubs run to form a circle, calling "PAAAAAAK!" as they gather around the wolf head.
📜 The leader recites:
"Because of his age and his cunning,
Because of his gripe and his paw,
In all that the law leaveth open,
The Word of the old wolf is law."
🔹 Cubs respond with the Cub Law:
"The Cub respects the old wolf,
The Cub respects himself."
The leader repeats the opening ceremony structure, leading into the Grand Howl once more.
🐺 Final words from the leader:
"There is none like me, says the Cub,
in the pride of his earliest kill.
But the jungle is large, and the Cub he is small;
let him think and be still."
🎖 Pack Salute & Closing Words
Cubs salute horizontally toward the center of the circle, saying:
"Wood and Water,
Wind and Tree,
Wisdom, Strength, and Courtesy.
Jungle Favour go with thee,
Good night & Good Hunting."
🐾 Why These Ceremonies Matter
The Jungle Opening and Closing ceremonies reinforce tradition, respect, and leadership, helping Cubs feel connected to Scouting history while embracing their role in the Pack.