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By Sir Baden-Powell
The investiture as outlined by the Founder is printed in full, but in order to assist those who prefer to leave out some of the ceremony, these parts have been printed within brackets. It should be performed by the Rover Skipper (RS) but if this is not possible, then a Scouter who has previously been invested as a Rover may take his place.
It may add to the impressiveness of the ceremony if the RS has a suitably bound copy of the ceremony which he should preferably know by heart.
The ceremony can be held, like the Vigil, in a place of worship, or in the open air or Crew den. If it is held as part of the Crew meeting, it is better positioned at the end of the evening.
The investiture should never be held in public for it is a solemn exercise of the Crew’s corporate life. The sponsors of the candidate should be present and they should stand on either side of the candidate throughout the ceremony.
The Ceremony
The candidate, after self-examination, stands before the invested members of the Crew, all members in uniform.
The sponsors and candidate stand before a table draped with the St. George’s Flag upon which is an ewer of water, a basin and a napkin.
The RS stands facing them, behind the table, and calling the candidate by name says:
Rover Skipper: Have you come with a desire to become a Rover in our World-wide Brotherhood?
CANDIDATE: I have.
RS: In spite of any difficulties you have had in the past, are you now determined to do your best to be honorable, truthful and straight in all your dealings; clean in what you say and in all you do?
CANDIDATE: I am.
RS: Have you carefully thought about what you are doing with your life?
CANDIDATE: I have.
RS: Do you understand that "Service" means that at all times you will be good natured towards others, will do your best to help them, even though it may not be convenient nor pleasant nor safe for you, and that you will expect no reward for so doing?
CANDIDATE: I do.
[RS: In ancient times it was custom of those about to become knights to be laved in water, in token of washing away past misdeeds and as a sign that you were determined to commence afresh. Are you willing to give such a sign, here, in the presence of us all?
CANDIDATE: I am.]
[The candidate, or if more than one, each in turn, places their hands together over the basin, one sponsor pours the water over them, while the other takes the napkin and dries the hands of the candidate.]
RS: Understanding these things then, I ask you to renew (make) your Scout Promise, bearing in mind that you are expected to interpret it from the point of view of that of an adult.
The Candidate steps forward and at the same time the Rover Mate steps forward with the Crew or Group Flag, lowering it between the RS and the candidate, who takes hold of the flag with the left hand, making the Scout Sign with the right.
CANDIDATE: Repeats the Scout Promise.
The RS then shakes the new Rover by the left hand (and gives a buffet on the left shoulder with his right hand). Saying:
RS: I trust you on your honor to keep your Promise (and give you the buffet, which knights of old received to remind you, as it did them, that you have one tender point, namely your Honor as a Rover. Nothing should be more quickly felt than an imputation against it.)
The RS then fastens on the new Rover epaulettes and shoulder knot (and any other badges for members who joined as Rover Squires), saying:
RS: In this shoulder knot of yellow, green and red, you see the representative colors of the three sections of our Movement. Let it remind you of your duty to your younger brothers and sisters, and of your responsibility as a Rover, to set them at all times an example worthy of your best self.
The ceremony should then end with an appropriate prayer as desired and the Crew close in around the new Rover, shaking hands with their left hands and giving their personal welcome.
As an option, the drama and romance of the ceremony can be increased with additional symbols such as:
 | Candles. (Shedding light) |
| A rock (Standing firm on principles) |
| Kneeling pads (Submission to authority) |
| A sword (Dubbing as a Rover Knight) |
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