The Blue & Gold is a celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the BSA on February 8, 1910 , and serves to build a sense of community among parents, leaders, and Cub Scouts. It is the oldest tradition in Scouting started by a unit, originating in 1943 with Pack 1 in Michigan City, IN, to encourage father/son participation.
The guide outlines a planning process that should begin 2–3 months in advance and involves a committee structure with a Banquet Chair overseeing four key roles: Location, Meal, Program, and Invite Chairs. Key planning areas include choosing a venue (e.g., Charter Organization or community spaces) , deciding on a meal format (catered, potluck, or hybrid) , and selecting activities like Crossover, Advancement, games, or skits. The banquet does not need to be decorated in blue and gold , and the guide provides 50 theme ideas ranging from “Star Wars” to “Minecraft”.
Ultimately, the planning process boils down to four main tasks: defining the goal, identifying a location, setting the date, and making the event special while building the Scouting community.
