Scouting

Scouting IS Youth Ministry

For scores of years, the highest levels of the church have supported Scouting as an effective ministry to parish youth. That service is more important than ever today as violence and drugs erode the moral fiber of so many young people.

Scouting builds character and teaches devotion to God in an environment that provides wholesome fun under the guidance of strong adult role models.

The unique combination makes it an excellent way to involve youth in the life of Catholic parishes.

Young people experience Scouting as a growth into personal maturity and social responsibility. They learn to assume their place in life with a high degree of commitment to the common good. They learn to care for those who are less fortunate. They develop a fervent desire to build a culture of goodwill, openness and harmony in human relationships, respect for the environment, and acceptance of duties, including the most fundamental of all duties - love of the Creator and obedience to His will.

There are many Religious Emblems programs in which our scout may participate depending upon their age and rank. While here we are particularly dealing with the Catholic Religious Emblems, almost all denominations have their own. There is even a nondenominational program.

When we are encouraging our Catholic youth to earn their emblems, we should also be encouraging all youth to earn theirs. That information may be received through the Diocesan Youth Office or the local scouting offices.

To be eligible to work on the LIGHT OF CHRIST program, a Scout must be a registered Tiger or Wolf Cub Scout of the Catholic faith. To receive the Light of Christ emblem, all requirements are to be completed before the Scout starts the third grade. The Scout works with his family for this emblem.

The purpose of the Light of Christ program is to have the Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as a real person and his friend.

This type of relationship will allow him to better understand and appreciate Christ's love and concern for him.

The PARVULI DEI is a parish and family-oriented program. To be eligible the Scout must be a registered Catholic Scout, who has completed the second grade. This program helps the Scout develop an awareness of God's love for each of His special, uniquely created beings and to understand his identity as an important member of his family, his community, and as a member in the Family of God.

The AD ALTARE DEI program is designed for registered Catholic Boy Scouts, 13 and 14 years of age although older Scouts may work on the program.

They must have completed the sixth grade and been a member of the troop for six months. This program is best presented by two counselors working as a team so that the Scouts can share their experiences with one another.

Ad Altare Dei is based on the seven Sacraments and designed to help the growth of faith within the Scout, relating the knowledge of our faith to the ordinary experiences of the Scout's life.

The POPE PIUS XII program strives to help the Scout move from an affiliated faith to a searching faith. This is at a time in a Scouts life that we must show them that we practice what we preach and we expect them to put their faith in action also.

The Pope Pius XII is a vocation-based program designed for high school & college age youth, conducted within a group of the youth's peers. The scouts must have started the ninth grade and, again, be Catholic. The difference with this program is that it is open to registered male and females in the Venturing Scout program.

The FAMILY OF GOD program is for Catholic children ages 7-9, who are enrolled in the Girls Scouts, Camp Fire Boys and Girls and for other Catholic youth organizations like PRE.

It is an activity series developed to compliment the catechetical efforts of the parishes and families with children in the first and second grade. It helps children to explore a wide range of activities to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish.

I LIVE MY FAITH is a program designed to help Girl Scouts and Camp Fire members, ages 9-11, to appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their lives. This program focuses on developing awareness within the individual of his/her potential as a growing person, friend, family member, and a participant in the community of faith.

This program also supports the more formal religious education provided in Catholic School and parish programs. An important part of the program is the involvement of parents in the process of faith sharing.

The MARIAN MEDAL program is written for young Catholic, ages 12-15, to enable them to "proclaim the greatness of the Lord." This is accomplished by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality - a woman of the church. A Christian spirit of hope and faith will develop in youth as a result of working on this program.

THE SPIRIT ALIVE program is designed for Catholic youth in high school who are in the Senior level of Girl Scouts or are Horizon Club members of Camp Fire. It assists them in discovering how the Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the Church's ministry.

Each of the youth religious emblem programs have a workbook. All Girl Scout books are purchased from the youth office; the Boy Scout books are purchased through the local Boy Scout Council. All the medals are purchased through the youth office upon presentation of the completed application found in each book.

These medals are presented at the parish as they are earned or on Scout Sunday. That is a pastoral decision. Diocesan certificates are presented to the young people who earn these emblems yearly at the annual diocesan scouting celebration.

Adult emblems can be presented after a nomination process. These recognitions are always presented in our diocese at the Catholic Scouting Celebration

The SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON MEDAL recognizes meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouting and Camp Fire. This medal affirms the work of those who help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations.

The SAINT ANNE MEDAL is the highest national recognition for adults Serving through Girl Scout and Camp Fire. It honors the outstanding services of these adults.

The BRONZE PELICAN EMBLEM is a diocesan adult award presented to those registered in Boy Scouting who have given worthwhile service.

The SAINT GEORGE EMBLEM is a national emblem given by the National Committee for Catholic Scouting to individuals who have given outstanding service to the spiritual development of Catholic Scouts in the Boy Scout program. This award has its own form and must be sent to the national office after selection by the diocesan committee. Only one St. George emblem may be presented each year.

Individual adults do not seek to earn these awards, rather individuals are nominated. These forms may be obtained from your pastor, the youth office or downloaded from this web site and must be returned to the youth office by November 30 of each year.

Scouting VISIT THE NATIONAL SCOUTING WEB SITE: www.nccs-bsa.org

Scouting
VISIT THE NATIONAL SCOUTING WEB SITE:
www.nccs-bsa.org