A Scout is Reverent:Religious Emblems Program

George Mason District Roundtable

National Capital Area Council

Boy Scouts of America

February 8, 2007

Prepared by: Dr Rich GoodwinC: (402) 980-5459W: (703) 808-5637rgoodwin15@cox.net

Reverence

Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbor and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule on his parents' wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, what ever form of the religion the boy professes.Robert Baden-Powell, Aids to Scoutmastership

On my honor, I promise to do my duty, to God and my country...

Agenda

• Learning Objectives• The Basics• Religious Emblems for

Youth• Adult Role and Recognition• The Role of Religion in Cub

Scouting• Special Opportunities • Conclusion

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role of religion in Scouting

• Understand the BSA religious emblems program

• Understand how to provide religious opportunities in Scout events

Religious Awards--A Scout is Reverent. Most faiths offer religious education programs for Cub Scouts and Leaders, with awards presented to those who learn about their faith. We’ll help you get started in thisexciting program and integrate it into your Den and Pack program.

The BasicsStatement of Religious Principle

• The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but is absolutely non-sectarian in its attitude toward that religious training.

• The Boy Scouts of America's policy is that the home and the organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life. Only persons willing to subscribe to this Declaration of Religious Principle and to the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled to certificates of leadership.

• Adult Registration Application B.S.A. No. 28-501K

Religious Emblems Program. • To encourage members to grow stronger in

their faith, religious groups have developed the following religious emblems programs. The Boy Scouts of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs. Check with your local council service center or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum booklets.

• For Scouts. Most religious bodies have specific programs for the different stages of Scouts. The religious body establishes the requirements and Scouting acknowledges the achievement with a religious emblem worn on the Scout Uniform

• For Adults. Religious emblems for adult recognize exceptional service to youth

• Wearing the Awards. Service uniform: knot with appropriate device. Dress: medal

A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.

How do I get started? Step 1: Youth members must obtain

the specific booklet for their religion

Step 2: Parents must review the program guidelines

Step 3: Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program

Step 4: The youth member needs to complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the emblem

Resources BSA Handout Duty to God brochure Letter to Parents

There are scripts, slides, and a video… guess where?

Jewish Youth Awards

• Maccabee emblem is intended to involve the families of boys in first through third grades as partners in the experiences related to the award. To earn the Maccabee, a Cub Scout must complete requirements in six categories: Jewish personalities, holidays, vocabulary, symbols and objects, community helpers, and heroes.

• Aleph emblem is earned through a home-centered set of activities for Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts (third through fifth grades), centering on the Torah, prayer, holidays, American-Jewish heritage, the synagogue, and Eretz Yisrael.

• Ner Tamid emblem provides an opportunity for Boy Scouts to enhance their knowledge of Judaism through advanced activities that strengthen the youth's relationship with his rabbi. Central to the Ner Tamid are service projects for the synagogue or other chartered organizations that are organized and completed by the Scout.

• Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) Award is designed for Boy Scouts in high school, ages 14 to 18, and registered Venturers, ages 14 to 20. The purpose of the award is to encourage young adults to explore adult Jewish roles in the context of family, community, and Jewish people. The requirements can be completed in six months and require a counselor.

Scout Sabbath offers an opportunityfor worshippers to honor Scouts andScouters, as well as to learn morethemselves about the value ofScouting as a youth programchartered to a Jewish organization. Itgives a rabbi a framework to addressScouts directly, in addition tospeaking about Scouting to thecongregation

Catholic Youth Awards

Light of Christ. This emblem is given to Tiger Cubs and Cub Scouts (through Wolf rank) for advancement in spiritual growth and religious knowledge. It is the first of five religious emblems available to Catholic youth involved with Scouting.

Parvuli Dei. This is a Christian family emblem to recognize Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts for advancement in religious knowledge and spiritual formation. With the help of parents or guardians, the boy becomes more aware of God's presence in his daily life, especially within his home and community.

Ad Altare Dei. The purpose of earning the Ad Altare Dei emblem is to equip the Scout to take his place in the world as a maturing Catholic and a maturing American. With a religious emblems counselor, the boy meets requirements in eight steps covering the sacraments of initiation and the sacraments of maturity.

Light Is Life. This recognition is designed for Boy Scouts of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches. The content is based on the ''God With Us'' series of the Eastern Christian Formation Program to prepare the Scout to be an active member of his faith community, as well as his civic community. With the help of an emblems counselor, catechist, or priest, the Scout meets requirements in five steps covering the Holy Mysteries and Eastern Christian spirituality. The Light Is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various rites.

Pope Pius XII. Scouts of high-school age and young men and women who are Venturers are eligible for this award. The requirements cover five units: We as Christians, Today's Vocation, Awareness of Responsibility to Self and Society, Citizenship—Home and Community, and Our Response to Faith.

NOTE: There are also Catholic Unit Awards

Protestant Youth Awards• Awards are available to boys and girls

involved in the following programs: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, and Sunday School programs.• God and Me: For Tiger Cubs and

Cub Scouts, grades one through three

• God and Family: For fourth- and fifth-grade Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts

• God and Church: For sixth- to eighth-grade Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts

• God and Life: For older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and female and male Venturers

Adult Roles

Adult Counselor• Usually a minister, priest, or rabbi• Some programs may allow the pastor

to designate a lay leader or other adult in the church to teach the course

• The counselor serves as an instructor who gives assignments to the young people, and it is the young people who do all the work.

Adult Mentor Program

• An optional program for parents.

• Parents must work under the supervision of the pastor or counselor as "student"

• Complete the Adult Mentor Packet. Helps them focus on role as mentor.

• Meet with their counselor to review their work and to discuss the issues raised

• Work with their children to complete God and Country Student Workbook

• Meet with their counselor after completing each section in workbook

• Order the recognition items from P.R.A.Y. With forms signed by pastor.

• Upon completion of program, plan a recognition ceremony in the church to celebrate your accomplishments.

A Gentle Caution: You may have to purchase and review the materials and then explain the pastor, priest, or rabbi’s role to them.

Adult Recognition

Adult Religious Award Criteria Leadership in the Church Youth Ministry through the Church Leadership in the Youth Agency Training: List adult training programs of the

youth agency completed by the nominee Service to Youth through the Youth Agency Promotion of Youth Agency Units Outstanding Contributions

Catholic•Bronze Pelican for adult Scout leaders in some dioceses •St. George emblem for adult Scout leaders •Silver St. George emblem for adult Scout leaders working at the national level

Jewish SHOFAR A silver Ner Tamid pendant superimposed on a silver Shofar, suspended from a blue-and-white ribbon. Recognize outstanding service by adults

Wearing the Awards• For formal occasions, wear the medal pin on the left pocket• For other occasions, wear the religious emblem square knot with

appropriate devices• Miniature device worn with the youth religious emblem square

knot indicates emblem(s) earned as a youth:• Wear Cub Scout device, No. 00926,(C) first-level emblem

(God and Me, Maccabee) earned as a Tiger Cub or Cub Scout

• Webelos Scout device, No. 00932, (K)for second-level emblem (God and Family, Parvuli Dei, Faith in God, Light of the World, Aleph, etc.) earned as a Webelos Scout;

• Boy Scout Device, No. 00927,(D) emblem earned as a Boy Scout

• Explorer device, No. 00930, (G) emblem earned as an Explorer or older Boy Scout or Varsity Scout

• Only one knot is worn, but any combination of devices may be worn on the same knot

Youth, Adult, Family, ChurchBSA Family Award

• Complete, w/in 12-month period, requirements 1 and 2 plus three more of the remaining. As a family:

• 1. Decide how many times each month you will meet to achieve the Boy Scouts of America Family Award. Make a commitment.

• 2. Improve skills discussed in six or more of the 14 Family Talk areas.

• 3. Plan and participate in one or more family outings. • 4. Start one new family tradition. • 5. Do a "Good Turn" for an individual, a group, or your

community (elderly, needy, handicapped, nursing home, charitable fund-raisers, cleanup days, etc.)

• 6. Attend religious services of your choice at least once each month.

• 7. Attend or participate in at least two Scouting activities or functions (Scouting shows, pinewood derby, Scouting banquets, flag-raising ceremonies, etc.).

• 8. Identify your local BSA council and neighborhood Cub Scout pack.

Religious Thread in Cub ScoutsTiger Cubs: • 1. Know your family.

• 1. Discuss your family’s traditions. • 2. Know your Community.

• 7. Visit a place of worship different from your own.

• 8. Invite your pastor or rabbi to dinner

Wolf Achievement 11: Duty to God• Talk with parents about duty to God• Give ideas about showing religious beliefs• Help church, synagogue, or fellowship

Bear Achievement 1: Ways We Worship• Practice your religion as taught• How do I worship God? Prayer, study, acts

Bear Achievement 2: Emblems of Faith• Earn the religious emblem of your faith

Webelos: Your Religious Duties• Earn the religious emblem of your faith or

• Do two of the following:• Attend the church, synagogue, mosque, or

other religious organization of your choice; tell what you learned.

• Tell how your religious beliefs fit in with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and discuss with your family

• With your religious leader, list and do two things you think will help you draw nearer to God

• Pray to God daily as taught for 1 month• Under the direction of your religious leader,

do an act of service for someone• List at least two ways in which you believe

you have been a good example and lived in accordance with your religious beliefs

God in the Unit

Scout Promise Openings and Closings Blue and Gold Campfires Graces Inspirational Songs The Scout Religious Service Service Projects

Resources

Additional POCsVice President, Relationships Rev. Robert Chance

Staff Adviser, Dan Mullin, 301-214-9152dmullin@boyscouts-ncac.org

P.R.A.Y. 8520 Mackenzie RoadSt. Louis, MO 63123(800) 933-7729http://www.praypub.org/

LDS: Church Distribution Center,1999 West 1700 South,Salt Lake City UT 84104, 800-537-5923

Islam: National Islamic Committee on Scouting, PO Box 51931, Indianapolis IN 46251-0931

Jewish: National Jewish Committee on Scouting, 1325 West Walnut Hill LanePO Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079http://www.shamash.org/scouts/CVC Jewish Committee on Scouting MAC: lroitstein@mac.bsa.org

http://usscouts.org/scoutduty/index.html

grayshoe@quixnet.net

703-490-3156Mark Hanson

Religious Emblems Counselor Training

sdpdtexans@earthlink.net

703-764-3473Scott Douglas

Fairfax / Arlington Scout Retreat Information

tzag3@comcast.net

703-491-2724Ted ZagrobelnyReligious

Awards Chair

scouter@cox.net

703-264-0798Bill RosenmundPublicity Chair

jimquail@aol.com

540-371-8093Margaret

MatareseMembership Ch

air

jstone@boyscouts-ncac.org

703-583-3690Joe StoneStaff Advisor

pmberney@hotmail.com

703-255-2445Patrick BerneyChairman

Email AddressPhone NumberNamePosition

grayshoe@quixnet.net

703-490-3156Mark Hanson

Religious Emblems Counselor Training

sdpdtexans@earthlink.net

703-764-3473Scott Douglas

Fairfax / Arlington Scout Retreat Information

tzag3@comcast.net

703-491-2724Ted ZagrobelnyReligious

Awards Chair

scouter@cox.net

703-264-0798Bill RosenmundPublicity Chair

jimquail@aol.com

540-371-8093Margaret

MatareseMembership Ch

air

jstone@boyscouts-ncac.org

703-583-3690Joe StoneStaff Advisor

pmberney@hotmail.com

703-255-2445Patrick BerneyChairman

Email AddressPhone NumberNamePosition

http://www.scouting.org/awards/religious/index.html

Duty to God Promotion Patch

Make a commitment to Duty to God: Making a commitment to Duty to God can mean talking to your clergy about earning your religious emblem, presenting information to your congregation, helping younger Scouts learn about religious emblems, etc.

• Purpose: To learn about and promote religious emblems

• Requirements:• Attend or make a presentation on religious emblems• and make a commitment to Duty to God

• Eligibility: Both youth and adults of all faiths• For more information:

• Patch Requirements Handout /• Order Form• Duty to God Resources DVD• Frequently Asked Questions• News Release• Price Discounts• Commemorative Patch - Special Limited Edition• Donate to this Program• http://www.praypub.org/

Discussion (Quiz) What are the Religious Recognition Programs and who creates them? How do I find out which religious groups have created Religious

Recognition Programs? I have a troop with children of all different faiths. How can I include the

religious recognition programs for my troop? Do the children have to belong to a church or synagogue? Why doesn't my church or synagogue know about the Religious

Recognition Programs? If the religious growth program for my faith has more than one level (for the

different grade levels), may I earn all of these levels? How do I start my child on these programs? How long does it take? Where should the award be presented? Where can I obtain the materials?

Who was St. George???Soldier, Martyr. • Feast Day: 23 April• Tortured, beheaded, c.304 Lydda, Palestine;  Golden Legend.• Slew dragon near Silena, Libya. Hearing the story of a princess

was to be eaten, he crossed himself, rode to battle against the serpent, and killed it

• George then held forth with a magnificent sermon, converted the locals. Given a large reward by the king, he distributed it to the poor, then rode away.

• Due to his chivalrous behavior (protecting women, fighting evil, dependence on faith and might of arms, largesse to the poor), venerated in 10th C

Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 322). A soldier of noble birth who was put to death under Diocletian at Nicomedia on 23 April, 303

Acts of St George (5th century Eastern Church). • Held the rank of tribune in the Roman army and was beheaded

by Diocletian for protesting against the Emperor's persecution of Christians

• An example of bravery in defense of the poor and the defenseless and of the Christian faith.

Patron Saint of Scouting• Chosen by Baden-Powell• Baden-Powell recounted in Scouting for Boys that the Knights of

the Round Table 'had as their patron saint St George because he was the only one of all the saints who was a horseman. He is the patron saint of cavalry, from which the word chivalry is derived'.

• On St George's Day, scouts are bidden to remember their Promise and the Scout Law.

Baden Powell Thoughts

I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life. Happiness does not come from being rich, nor merely being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence…

But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. “Be Prepared” in this way, to live happy and to die happy - stick to your Scout Promise always - even after you have ceased to be a boy - and God help you to do it.

Your friend,

Thank you for promoting religious emblems!

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

• Cub Scout: Faith in God• Webelos Scout: Faith in God• Boy Scout and Varsity Scout:

On My Honor• Venturer1, Older

Boy Scout, Varsity Scout: On My Honor

• Adult Recognition: On My Honor

LDS Relationships36 South State StreetSuite 1175Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1401801-530-0004