Advancement ceremonies mark one of the most meaningful moments in a member’s journey — the transition from one level to the next. This ceremony uses the imagery of a growing tree: roots that ground us in shared values, a strong trunk built through years of effort, and new growth added each season as members advance. Every member has a role — those already at a level welcome those joining them, making the moment personal for everyone in the room.
Supplies Needed
- A large branch or small tree in a pot, placed at the front of the room (a painted paper tree on a display board works equally well)
- Leaf-shaped cutouts in the six level colors — enough for every member in the program to have one, plus extras for advancing members who will receive a new leaf in their new level color:
- Pink — Penguin
- Yellow — Otter
- Blue — Dolphin
- Green — Butterfly
- White — Eagle
- Grey — Owl
- A marker for writing names on leaves ahead of time
- String or twist ties to attach leaves to the branch
- Optional: Badges or pins for advancing members, organized by level
- Optional: a small table with a lantern or candle as a focal point
Before the ceremony, write every member’s name on a leaf in their current level color and attach all leaves to the branch. The branch should arrive full. Also prepare a second leaf in the new level color for each member who is advancing, and a first leaf in the appropriate level color for each new member joining the program. Keep these extra leaves set aside at the front of the room.
Setup
Arrange seating so that families can see the branch clearly. Place the fully decorated branch at the front of the room. Keep the new and replacement leaves organized by level in a separate spot nearby, ready to be handed out during the ceremony. Current members should be seated together by level so they can stand and speak as a group when their level is called.
Opening
Leader: “Welcome, everyone. We are glad you are here.
Before us is a branch already full of leaves — one for every member of this program. Each leaf bears a name. Each leaf has a color that tells you where that member stands today.
A tree doesn’t grow all at once. It grows season by season, adding new rings, new branches, new leaves. Tonight we mark a new season. Some of these leaves are about to change color — because the members they belong to are ready to move forward. And some new leaves are about to be added for the first time.
But before we talk about where our members are going, let’s talk about what holds them.”
The Roots
Leader: “Every tree begins with its roots. Roots don’t show, but without them nothing grows.
The roots of this program are a set of values we believe matter — not just here, but in everyday life.”
(Distribute the following lines among several members to read aloud, one trait each.)
Reader 1: “We believe in being Loving — treating others as we would like to be treated.”
Reader 2: “We believe in being Joyful — finding the blessings in every situation.”
Reader 3: “We believe in being Peaceful — respecting others’ opinions and beliefs.”
Reader 4: “We believe in being Patient — persevering toward our goals despite obstacles.”
Reader 5: “We believe in being Kind — respectful to all, and willing to help others.”
Reader 6: “We believe in being Good — holding ourselves to a high standard in what we do, think, and say.”
Reader 7: “We believe in being Faithful — loyal to the people and commitments that matter most.”
Reader 8: “We believe in being Gentle — taking special care of those who need it most.”
Reader 9: “We believe in Self-Control — using our time, materials, and talents wisely, and being accountable for our own actions.”
Leader: “These are the roots. They do not change as you advance. They go with you to every level, and they grow stronger the longer you tend to them.”
The Levels
Leader: “This program has six levels. Each one is named for an animal that reflects something true about the members at that stage of life. As I introduce each level, the members already there will welcome those who are joining them.”
Penguin Level — Ages 3–5 — Pink
Leader: “Our youngest members are our Penguins.
Penguins are among the most social of all birds. They huddle together for warmth. They take turns. They look out for one another. On their own, they would not last long — but together, they thrive.
Our Penguins are learning exactly that: how to be part of something bigger than themselves. How to share, how to take turns, and how to trust the people around them.”
(Call the names of members advancing into the Penguin level. As each name is called, the child comes forward. Current Penguin members stand.)
Current Penguins: “Welcome to the Penguin level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each child find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a pink leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a pink leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Penguins have been recognized.)
(Current Penguins are seated.)
Otter Level — Grades K–2 — Yellow
Leader: “Our Otters are in Kindergarten through second grade.
Otters are curious, playful, and clever. They are constantly exploring — turning over rocks, testing the water, figuring out how things work. Their play is not just fun; it is how they learn.
We hope our Otters never lose that curiosity. The world is full of things worth discovering, and these members are just getting started.”
(Call the names of members advancing to the Otter level. As each name is called, the child comes forward. Current Otter members stand.)
Current Otters: “Welcome to the Otter level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each child find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a yellow leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a yellow leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Otters have been recognized.)
(Current Otters are seated.)
Dolphin Level — Grades 3–5 — Blue
Leader: “Our Dolphins are in third through fifth grade.
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and their loyalty. When one member of a pod is injured, the others rally around it — helping it stay afloat until it recovers. They do not abandon their own.
As our members grow into the Dolphin level, they are developing that same awareness — a growing sense of responsibility not just for themselves, but for the people around them.”
(Call the names of members advancing to the Dolphin level. As each name is called, the child comes forward. Current Dolphin members stand.)
Current Dolphins: “Welcome to the Dolphin level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each child find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a blue leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a blue leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Dolphins have been recognized.)
(Current Dolphins are seated.)
Butterfly Level — Grades 6–8 — Green
Leader: “Our Butterflies are in sixth through eighth grade.
Every year, Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles — from the eastern United States all the way to Mexico and back. They do not stop because the journey is hard. They do not turn back because the wind is against them. They keep their focus on where they are going.
These middle years can be challenging ones. There is a lot changing, both inside and out. The Butterfly level is a reminder that transformation, even when it is uncomfortable, is leading somewhere worth going.”
(Call the names of members advancing to the Butterfly level. As each name is called, the child comes forward. Current Butterfly members stand.)
Current Butterflies: “Welcome to the Butterfly level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each child find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a green leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a green leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Butterflies have been recognized.)
(Current Butterflies are seated.)
Eagle Level — Grades 9–12 — White
Leader: “Our Eagles are in ninth through twelfth grade.
The bald eagle is known for its vision. It can spot a target from more than a mile away. It does not rush — it watches, waits, and then moves with precision and purpose.
Our Eagles are preparing for life beyond this program. They are developing the kind of vision that looks past today’s moment and asks: What am I building? Where am I going? What kind of person do I want to be?”
(Call the names of members advancing to the Eagle level. As each name is called, the child comes forward. Current Eagle members stand.)
Current Eagles: “Welcome to the Eagle level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each child find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a white leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a white leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Eagles have been recognized.)
(Current Eagles are seated.)
Owl Level — Adults 18+ — Grey
Leader: “Our Owls are our adult members — those who have graduated high school and continue to grow alongside the program.
Owls are patient observers. They see in the dark. They do not panic when things are uncertain — they wait, they watch, and they trust what they know.
Our adult members bring experience, perspective, and steadiness to this community. They are proof that learning does not stop at any age.”
(Call the names of members advancing to the Owl level. As each name is called, the member comes forward. Current Owl members stand.)
Current Owls: “Welcome to the Owl level. We are glad you are here.”
(For advancing members: help each member find and remove their old leaf from the branch, then present them with a grey leaf bearing their name to attach in its place. For new members joining the program for the first time: present them with a grey leaf bearing their name to attach to the branch. Lead the room in applause after all Owls have been recognized.)
(Current Owls are seated.)
The Completed Tree
Leader: “Look at this branch now.
It was full when we started — and it is still full. But it has changed. Some leaves have been replaced with new colors, marking the members who moved forward tonight. Some leaves have been added for the first time, marking those who are joining us.
That is how a tree grows. It does not start over each season. The roots deepen, the trunk grows stronger, and the leaves change with the times. Some things stay. Some things grow into something new. And the tree is better for all of it.”
Commitment
Leader: “Before we close, we ask every member who advanced tonight to make a commitment — not to us, but to themselves and to this community.”
(All advancing members stand.)
Leader: “Please repeat after me.
As a member of this program, (repeat) I will continue to learn and grow. (repeat) I will hold to the values that ground me. (repeat) I will do my best (repeat) both here and in my everyday life. (repeat)“
(All advancing members are seated.)
Closing
Leader: “To the families here tonight — thank you. You are part of this too. You are the soil that makes the roots possible.
To every member who advanced tonight — this is not the end of something. It is the beginning of the next season. Take what you have learned with you, and keep growing.
Congratulations to all of you.”
(Optional: close with a warm, community-spirited song — a simple round or familiar group song works well here.)
