Florida 4-H Camp

Counselor Training
-Flag Ceremonies

Flag Ceremonies
The raising of the flag indicates that the
camp day has begun and the lowering at
sundown emphasizes the close of the day.
It should be done with meaning and not
as a routine motion.

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Flag Ceremonies
Flag raising and lowering is usually done
by members of a cabin.
For many campers, this will be the only
time in their lives they will have a part in a
formal flag ceremony.

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Flag Ceremonies
Suggested duties to help you with flag
ceremonies at camp:
See that the flag is lowered at sunset and raised at
sunrise at the designated time for your cabin.
See that your group raises or lowers the flag.
See that your campers are there and on time for all flag
ceremonies.
See that the color guard that raises the flags, takes them
down in case of rain.

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Flag Ceremonies
See that the group knows how to fold the flag and each
camper helping with the ceremony understands his
responsibilities.
See that the flag is put in its proper place.
See that a program is planned for your flag raising or
lowering.
Keep the program brief and to the point.

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Sample Program for Flag

Ceremonies

Raise the flag.

Pledge of Allegiance
4-H Pledge
1-4 are appropriate for each ceremony, 5 and 6
only for the first ceremony.

1. Singing of patriotic song.

2. Reading of poems or story appropriate to the occasion.
3. Give brief history of the flag or American creed.
4. Give general rules for display and respect of the flag.
5. Demonstrate how to fold a flag.
6. Give general rules for conduct at flag ceremonies.
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How to Conduct a Flag

Ceremony
These programs are written for four to five members to
execute the mechanics of raising or lowering the flags.

Flag Raising
Campers gather at the flagpole and organize themselves by cabins in a half
circle around the flag pole.
One member of the color guard should call the entire group to attention.
Color guard march from stationed point to the flagpole. (They may be stationed
at the flagpole if they desire.)
Two campers step forward with the American flag. One attaches it to the pole
cord while the second unfolds the other end and prevents it from touching the
ground. Then two other campers step forward to fasten the 4-H flag in the
same way. The flags are then raised briskly to the top of the flagpole.
One camper quickly steps in front of the pole and leads the Pledge of
Allegiance. The group gives proper flag salute while repeating the Pledge.
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Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands;
One nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all

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4-H Pledge
A second camper leads group in 4-H
pledge.
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to
larger service, and my health to better
living. For my club, my community, my
country and my world.
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Flag Raising (Cont.)

All campers sing a verse of a patriotic
song and/or one camper gives a reading.
Color guards leave the flagpole.
Group leader asks if there are any
announcements.
Group leader dismisses campers.

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Flag Lowering
The Flag is lowered at a formation in the evening similar to flag
raising. It is lowered slowly, being especially careful to keep it from
touching the ground.
1. Campers assemble at the flagpole and color guard calls entire group to
attention.
2. Color guard march to flagpole or stationed at pole if desired.
3. Reading of poem, thought or history of our flag.
4. All campers may sing a patriotic song while color guard lowers the flag slowly.
5. Color guard remove and fold the 4-H flag, then remove and fold the American
flag. A selection may be read at this time also.
6. Color guards leave flagpole and upon reaching the edge of the formation the
campers are dismissed.

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Flag Retirement Ceremonies

It should be made clear to all people present that the retiring of the
American flag is a reverent ceremony.
It is proper to retire a flag when it becomes worn and tattered. This is the
proper way to retire a flag.
Take flag and unfold. Place stars (as audience sees it) in the upper left
hand corner.
One minute of silent meditation may be inserted if desired.
Then either cut or tear the portion of the blue containing the stars from the
flag. No talking or noise should be present.. .all quiet. Have one person
hold the blue in their arms until the end of the ceremony because the blue
and the stars are the last part of the flag to be burned.

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Flag Retirement Ceremonies

Now tear one stripe off at a time. Burn it in the fire by laying
it across the flames; not in a lump. Burn each stripe
thoroughly before tearing off the next stripe to be burned.
During the process, the audience can be humming a patriotic
song, if desired, or a reading can be given.
After all the stripes have been burned, one at a time, then the
blue and stars is ready to be burned. This portion is then laid,
as a whole piece and not torn in any way, across the fire and
all is quiet until the last speck of blue turns to ash.
End with another patriotic song.
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Flag Retirement Ceremonies

Note: If the flag to be burned is small or there is
more than one flag to be burned at a time, the flag
may (but not necessarily advised unless due to lack
of time) be laid as a whole unit across the fire. This
can be done also if the first flag is torn and burned as
described above, and others laid across the fire at
one time.

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General Rules

The flag should be displayed from

sunrise to sunset.
The flag should not be flown in
rainy or stormy weather, unless for
some special reason.
Raise the flag briskly and proudly.
Lower it slowly, ceremoniously.
When other flags or pennants are
flown on the same pole with the
American flag, the American flag
should be at the top of the pole.
Never allow the flag to touch the
ground or floor. Gather and fold it
correctly.
When the flag becomes worn,
destroy it by burning.

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When it is to be flown at half-mast,

the flag should be hoisted to the
top for an instant and then lowered
to the half-mast position. Before
lowering the flag for the day, it
should again be raised to the top
of the pole.
When giving the pledge, one
should stand erect (good posture)
with the right hand placed over the
heart, fingers together and
horizontal with the arm. At the
conclusion of the pledge, the arm
is lowered to the side. When
pledging the Allegiance, one
should face the flag.
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Folding the American Flag

Step 1
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding
it waist-high with another person so that its
surface is parallel to the ground.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 2
Fold the lower half of the stripe section
lengthwise over the field of stars, holding
the bottom and top edges securely.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue
field on the outside.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 4
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped
corner of the folded edge to meet the open
(top) edge of the flag.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to
the open edge, to form a second triangle.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 6
The triangular folding is continued until the
entire length of the flag is folded in this
manner.

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Folding the American Flag

Step 7
When the flag is completely folded, only a
triangular blue field of stars should be
visible.

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