Scouting In The Catholic Community

Boy Scouts of AmericaInnovation & Research1325 W. Walnut Hill LaneIrving, TX 75038research.team@scouting.org Page 1 of 7

Background• TheCatholicChurch,composedofchurchesinunionwithRomeandPopeBenedictXVI,isthe

largestChristiandenominationintheworld,encompassingoverhalfofallChristiansorone-sixthoftheworld’spopulation.

• TheCatholicChurchisthelargestdenominationintheUnitedStates,representing22percentofthepopulation.(Source:U.S.ReligiousLandscapeSurvey,PewForum)

o 20.8percentofthepopulationisRomanCatholic o 1.2percentofAmericansbelongtoEasternRiteCatholicchurches• Approximately68.5millionpeopleareaffiliatedwiththeCatholicChurchintheUnitedStates.

(Source:2010OfficialCatholicDirectory) o65percentarewhite(non-Hispanic) o29percentareHispanic o2percentareblack(non-Hispanic) o2percentareAsian o2percentareofotherormixedethnicities• Thelatestdatafromthe2010OfficialCatholicDirectory,orKennedyDirectory,indicatesthatthereare: o 195archdioceses(archeparchies)anddioceses(eparchies) o 2,119,341studentsenrolledin7,095Catholicschools: n5,889Catholicelementaryschoolswith1,507,618students n1,205Catholichighschoolswith611,723students• Accordingto2010year-endBoyScoutsofAmericamembershipinformation,thereare: o 180,286CubScoutsin4,292packs o 97,625BoyScoutsin3,684troops o 8,822Venturersin819crews

Role of Scouting in the Catholic Church• TheNationalCatholicCommitteeonScouting(NCCS)existstoensuretheconstructiveuseofthe

BSAprogramasaviableformofyouthministrywiththeCatholicyouthofournation.TheNCCSisachurchcommitteeofconcernedCatholiclaityandclergywhoactasadvisorstotheBoyScoutsofAmerica,andrelatetotheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops(USCCB)throughitsNCCSBishopLiaison.TheNCCScarriesouttheofficialPlanofOrganization,whichwasfirstapprovedin1934andwasrevisedin1989.

• TheNCCSaddressesthismissionby: o EncouragingtheformationandsupportofCatholic-charteredunits. o SupportingdiocesancommitteesofCatholicScouting. o OfferingCatholicprogramscomplementarytoBSAprograms,andprovidingformationand

activitytrainingforleadersandyouth. o HoldinganationalconferenceforallmembersofthediocesanCatholiccommittees,aswell

asregionalmeetingsandtraining.

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o SponsoringaweeklongtrainingcourseatthePhilmontTrainingCentereachyearfordiocesanpersonnelentrustedwiththeresponsibilitiesofoperatingthecommittee.Also,withthesupportoftheConstantinianOrderofSt.George,sponsoringabiennialSt.GeorgetrekinPhilmont,whereclergyandlaityhikethebackcountrywithmorethan70ScoutsandVenturers,whobecomebetterequippedtopromoteandsupportCatholicScoutingintheircommunitieswhileconsideringpossiblevocationsofservicewithinthechurch.

o Eacharchdiocese(archeparchy)anddiocese(eparchy)hasaCatholiccommitteeonScouting,withmorethan300subcommitteesinlocalBSAcouncils.

o TheNCCSprovidessupportthroughitsdiocese(eparchy)committeesusingresourcesprovidedbyitsnationalstandingcommittees,including:Membership,ReligiousEmblems,ReligiousActivities,Vocations,International,Chaplains,Marketing,andPublicRelations(whichmaintainsitsWebsite,www.NCCS-BSA.org,aswellasitsquarterlynewsletter,The Bridge,andfrequente-maildistributions).

o RepresentingallRomanCatholicinstitutionswithcharterrelationshipstoScoutingtotheUSCCBandtheBSANationalCouncil.TheNCCSrepresentstheBSAtotheUSCCB,andallRomanCatholicinstitutions(dioceses,KnightsofColumbus,SerraInternational,parochialschools,etc.)totheBSA.

Scouting Youth and Adult Recognitions• Accordingtothe2009-2010NCCS Annual Report,religiousemblemshavebeenearnedand

awardedin2009to: o18,016CubScouts o2,778BoyScouts o897Venturers o187adults

Cub Scout Emblems

Light of Christ

About the emblemThepurposeistohelptheCubScoutdevelopapersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Withparents’activeassistanceandparticipationinthisprogram,itishopedthattheCubwillcometoseeJesusasarealpersonandhisfriend.

Program objectives• Tosupporttheroleoftheparentsastheprimarycatechistsoftheirchildren.• TohavetheCubScoutidentifyJesusasarealpersonandashisfriend.• Tofosterearlyfamilyreligiousinvolvement.• TobeasteppingstonetowardParvuliDeiandtheotherreligiousemblems,whentheparents

areinvolved.• Toserveasacatalysttodrawtheparentsintoadeeperinvolvementwiththechurchthroughthechild.

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Eligibility• Registered6-and7-year-old(TigerorWolf)CubScoutofCatholicfaith.

Requirements• EachCubScouthashisownactivitybook.• ThebookisdesignedfortheCubScoutandhisparentorguardiantoworkontogether.• DiocesanandBSAYouthProtectionpoliciesmustbefollowed.

Parvuli Dei

About the emblem

ThepurposeoftheParvuliDei(ChildrenofGod)emblemistohelpyoungboysexploreawiderangeofactivitiesinordertodiscoverthepresenceofGodintheirdailylivesasmembersoftheirfamiliesandparishes,andalsotodevelopagood,positiveself-imagethroughthecontributionstheycanmaketothegrouporcommunity.

Program objectives• TohelptheCubScoutdevelopanawarenessofGod’sloveforeachoneofHisspecial,uniquely

createdbeings.• TohelptheCubScoutbecomeawareofandunderstandhisidentityasanimportantmemberofhis

family,hiscommunity,andasamemberofthefamilyofGod.• TocontinuetodevelopanawarenessofmembersoftheparishandthebodyofChrist.• ToaidtheCubScoutinhisawarenessoftheresponsibilitiesthatgrowoutofGod’sloveforus.

Eligibility• Registered8-to10-year-old(BearorWebelos)CubScoutofCatholicfaith.

Requirements• EachCubScouthashisownactivitybook.• ThebookisdesignedforCubScoutandhisparentorguardiantoworkontogether.• TheCubScoutwillberequiredtomakeabanneraspartoftherequirements.• DiocesanandBSAYouthProtectionpoliciesmustbefollowed.

Boy Scout and Venturer Emblems

Ad Altare Dei

About the emblem

ThepurposeoftheAdAltareDei(tothealtarofGod)programistohelpCatholicBoyScoutsoftheRomanRitedevelopafullyChristianwayoflifeinthefaithcommunity.TheprogramisorganizedinchaptersbasedonthesevenSacraments.ThesevenSacramentsareaprimarymeanstowardspiritualgrowth.

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Program objectives• ThemostimportantaspectoftheprogramisthattheScoutgrowsinhisspiritualexperienceofhis

relationshiptoGodandthechurch.

Eligibility• RegisteredBoyScoutofCatholicfaith.• Designedfor13-to14-year-oldScouts,butolderboysmayusetheprogram.• Activememberofthetroopforsixmonths.• Completedsixthgradebeforestartingtheprogram.

Requirements• EachScoutmusthavehisownactivitybook.Thebookisdesignedfortheyouthtoworkonthewith

theguidanceofacounselor.• Theprogramisdesignedtobecompletedinsixtoeightmonths.• TheuseofaCatholicBibleisrequiredforthisprogram.Youwillneedtohaveonetouse.• RegularparticipationinSundayworship.• DiocesanandBSAYouthProtectionpoliciesmustbefollowed.• CompletetherequirementsintheAdAltareDeiScoutManual.• SuccessfullycompleteanAdAltareDeiBoardofReview.• Atrainedreligiousemblemcoordinator/counselor/moderatorisrequiredtoworkonreligious

emblems.ContactyourDiocesanCatholicCommittee.

Light Is Life

About the emblem

• TheLightIsLifeisaprogramdevelopedforScoutsoftheEasternRiteCatholicChurches.LightIsLiferespectstheculturalandritualdifferencesamongthevariousEasternCatholicChurches.

• TheoverallgoaloftheLightIsLifereligiousemblemprogramistobringaboutintheScout,throughhisEasternCatholicScoutingexperience,adeeperawarenessofhisshareinfaith-life.Thengoingforth,hewillwitnessthislifethroughmaturityincommunalworshipandinChristianformationofhisworld.

• ThisprogramistobeusedbytheEasternCatholicScoutsratherthantheAdAltareDeiprogram.Itisnotappropriatetoworkonbothprograms.

Program objectives• ThemostimportantaspectoftheprogramisthattheScoutgrowsinhisspiritualexperienceofhis

relationshiptoGodandtheChurch.

Eligibility• RegisteredBoyScoutofoneoftheEasternRiteCatholicChurches.• Designedfor12-to13-year-oldScouts,butolderoryoungerScoutsmayusethisprogram.Must

becompletedbytheyouth’s18thbirthday.ScoutsinanEasternRiteCatholicChurcharetoworkonLightIsLiferatherthantheAdAltareDeiemblem.

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Requirements• EachScoutmusthavehisownactivitybook.Thebookisdesignedfortheyouthtoworkonwiththe

guidanceofacounselor.• Theprogramisdesignedtobecompletedin12months.• TheuseofaCatholicBibleisrequiredforthisprogram.• DiocesanandBSAYouthProtectionpoliciesmustbefollowed.• Atrainedreligiousemblemscoordinator/counselorisrequiredtoworkonreligiousemblems.Contact

yourEparchialCatholicCommittee.

Pope Pius XII

About the emblem

• PopePiusXIIisCatholicScouting’schurch-relatedministriesandvocationprogram.• Theprogramdealswithdifferentlifechoices(single,married,religious,ordained),

occupations,andministriesinthechurchascallsfromGod.• Itincludesyouth-leddiscussionsoncurrentissuesfacingthechurchandsociety,whicharenormally

includedaspartofaPiusXIIretreatordayofrecollection.

Eligibility• RegisteredVentureCrewMemberorBoyScoutofCatholicfaith.• Designedforage15-to16-year-olds,butallregisteredVenturers(maleorfemalebeforetheir21st

birthday)andallregisteredBoyScouts(inhighschool,beforetheir18thbirthday)areeligible.

Requirements• EachVentureCrewMemberandScoutmusthavetheirownactivitybook.Theprogramshouldberun

bythecandidatesthemselves;theadultservesasamoderator.• Idealgroupsizeisfourto12youth,butthecoursemayberunwithsmallergroups.• Anumberofinterviewsandaninvestigationofacontroversialissuefacingthechurchorsocietyare

integraltotheprogram.• Aretreatexperience,ideallycenteredonthePiusXIIprogramitselfandaministriesserviceprojectare

required.• Theprogramisdesignedtobecompletedinnineto12sessions.Astheyouthareolder,two-hour

sessionsseemtoworkwell,andflexibilityisoftenrequiredinschedulingsessionsandinterviewfeedback.

• SuccessfullycompleteaPopePiusXIIBoardofReview.• DiocesanandBSAYouthProtectionpoliciesmustbefollowed.• Atrainedreligiousemblemscoordinator/counselor/moderatorisrequiredtoworkonreligious

emblems.ContactyourDiocesanCatholicCommittee.

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Adult emblems

St. George

About this recognition

• TheNationalCatholicCommitteeonScouting,actingthroughthelocaldioceseoreparchy,mayawardtheSt.Georgeemblemtomembersofthelaityandclergy,Scoutersandnon-Scoutersalike,whohavemadesignificantandoutstandingcontributionstothespiritualdevelopmentofCatholicyouththroughScouting.

• Therecipientsoftheemblemaretobesoughtafterandselectedbytheactivecommitteeofthe(arch)diocese/eparchy.Thiscommitteeistobenewly-appointedeachyearbythediocesanScoutchaplainorchairperson.

• NominationformsshouldgiveadetaileddescriptionofhowthenomineeprovidesoutstandingcontributiontothespiritualdevelopmentofCatholicyouththroughScoutingintheCatholicChurch.Itisimpropertonominateoneselforone’sspouse.

• GeneralScoutingachievementsdonotqualifyapersontoreceivetheSt.George.TheBoyScoutsofAmericahasdistrict,council,regional,andnationalawardsforsuchrecognition.

Purpose• TheSt.GeorgeemblemistheNationalCatholicCommitteeonScoutingemblemawardedbya(n)

(arch)diocese/eparchy.• ThepurposeoftheSt.GeorgeEmblemistorecognizetherecipient’soutstandingcontributiontothe

spiritualdevelopmentofCatholicyouthintheprogramoftheBoyScoutsofAmerica.

Eligibility• AnyadultwhoisworkingintheScoutingprogram.• Maybegiventoclergy,religiouslaity,orScoutersofotherfaiths.• AScouterdoesnotearntheSt.Georgeemblembutisrecommendedbyapplicationtoaboardof

reviewbyanotherperson.

Guidelines for nomination and selection• PromotingthereligiousemblemsprogramsforCatholicyouthorservingasacounselor,moderator,or

coordinator.Encouragingnon-Catholicyouthtoparticipateinthereligiousemblemsprogramsoftheirownfaiths.

• GivingnotableserviceinpromotingCatholicactivitiesandserviceprojectsforthechurchandbeingwillingtoserveoncommitteesforthosepurposes.

• ActivelyparticipatinginandpromotingScoutretreatsanddaysofrecollection.• GivingnotableserviceinorganizingandmaintainingCatholic-charteredScoutingunits,including

multipleunitswhereneeded.• GivingnotableserviceinbringingtheCatholicprogramtothoseyouthnotinCatholic-chartered

Scoutingunits.• Usingfullyone’sgeneralScoutertrainingaswellas“ScouterDevelopment”toprovideanoutstanding

CatholicScoutingprogramforyouth.

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• ArrangingopportunitiesforMassandotherCatholicworshipservicesatCamporeesandsummercamps.ThesemustbeconsistentwiththedocumentsoftheNationalConferenceofCatholicBishops.Providingalsoforthespiritualneedsofnon-CatholicScouts.

• EncouragingappropriateecumenismandCatholicleadershipwithinthevariousCatholic-charteredScoutingunits.

• UsingtheCatholicpressandothercommunicationsmediatocreateabetterunderstandingoftheaimsandidealsofScoutingasanapostolatetoyouth.

• EducatingclergyandlaityaboutScoutingasayouthapostolateintheCatholicChurch.• GivingleadershipinpromotingScoutingforallyouthsregardlessofraceorcreed.Helpingorganize

Scoutingunitsforminorityanddisadvantagedyouth.

Organization Information• FormoreinformationandsupportforneworexistingCatholicsponsoredunits,orforprogramsuseful

toCatholicsinnon-Catholicsponsoredunits,contactyourlocalDiocesanCatholicCommitteeonScoutingforassistance.ContactinformationisavailableattheNCCSwebsiteatwww.nccs-bsa.org.

• TheNCCSWebsitecontainsawealthofmaterials,includingdownloadabledocumentsonCatholicScouting,andnumerousprogramsandactivitiesdevelopedoravailablethroughNCCS.Promotionalmaterialsarealsoavailableatwww.nccs-bsa.org.

UpdatedMarch2011