Flag Break and Flag Lowering

A ceremony to start and end the day.

By Scouter Liam Morland

The Flag Break ceremony is usually conducted at the opening of a Scouting meeting, camp, or other event as well as every morning at camp. Flag Lowering are done at the closing of these events and every evening at camp. Flag break is only done with national flags.

A flag on land should not fly at night unless it is fully illuminated. At camp, I suggest breaking the flag before breakfast, in the case of a Troop flag. If at a large event, Flag Break should take place before the morning's activities begin. The flag should be lowered just before dark. In the summer, this can be after dinner as part of gathering for the evening's activities.

A recitation of the Promise and Law can happen after flag break or lowering or both. When these are recited, one must be at alert, making the Scout Sign, and facing forward (i.e. not towards the flag, as for during the flag break or lowering).

A Colour Party usually consists of two Scouts, who will be referred to as Scout A and Scout B. Scout A is the leader of the Colour Party. For special ceremonies, such as a district camp, it might be desirable to have a larger Colour Party which will parade around to the flag with their troop's flag.

Flag Break

Scoutmaster makes the signal for the horseshoe to form.

Scoutmaster:
Colour Party to Flag.

The Colour Party starts to come around the horseshoe travelling Clockwise.

Scoutmaster:
Troop Alert; face the flag.

Scoutmaster, once the Colour Party has arrived and Scout A has untied the halyards:
Report halyards.

Scout A:
Halyards all clear, Scouter!

Scoutmaster:
Break the flag. Waits for flag to unfurl. Troop salute.

Everyone salutes the flag. The Scout A takes one step back then salutes. They should now be standing next to Scout B. There is a brief pause, then Scout A puts their hand down and everyone else follows. The Colour Party returns to its place, walking clockwise around the horseshoe.

Scoutmaster:
Troop face in.

The Promise and Law may be recited.

Scoutmaster:
Troop at ease.

The rest of the horseshoe business takes place.

Scoutmaster:
Troop break off.

Flag Lowering

Scoutmaster makes the signal for the horseshoe to form.

The closing horseshoe business takes place.

Scoutmaster:
Colour Party to Flag.

The Colour Party starts to come around the horseshoe travelling Clockwise.

Scoutmaster:
Troop Alert; face the flag.

Scout B drops onto their right knee by the pole, removes their hat, and sets it on their left knee. Scout A unties the halyards.

Scoutmaster:
Report halyards.

Scout A:
Halyards all clear, Scouter!

Scoutmaster:
Troop, hats off. Lower the flag.

Everyone removes their hats. Scout A slowly lowers the flag which is gathered by Scout B in their hat. Scout B rises for Scout silence. The Colour Party stays out of the way at the front of the horseshoe until the Troop starts to file out.

Scoutmaster:
Troop face in; Scout silence.

Silence is held. A Scouter's Five may be said and/or the Promise and Law may be recited.

Scoutmaster:
Troop, hats on. Hats are put on. File off.

The Scouts file out clockwise around the front of the horseshoe shaking the hand of each Scouter as they pass by. The Colour Party should fold the flag then file past the Scouters.

At a large gathering, it would be unfeasible for all the Scouts to shake the hands of those at the front of the horseshoe. In this case, the Scoutmaster will say, "Break off" instead of "File off." If the flag is being lowered in the evening at camp, the Scoutmaster will explain the next activity then tell the troop to break off for it.