Scouting for Catholic Youth
Record
The Roman Catholic Church has used the Scouting program since the early
days of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the most extensive users
of the BSA program. There are more than 351,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and
Venturers in more than 9,600 packs, troops, and crews under Catholic auspices,
and an equal number of youth members in other Scouting units. Scouting is
used in about one-third of the parishes in the United States.
National Committee
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has had the responsibility for
more than 57 years to promote and guide cooperative contacts between the
authorities of the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America in the United
States. The Scouting program is recognized as an integral part of the total
youth ministry at the diocesan level. As such, Scouting becomes part of the
parish youth ministry as units are operated by the parishes, parent-teacher
organizations, Holy Name Societies, and schools. The Knights of Columbus
and other Church related organizations also operate units.
The national committee carries out the official Plan of Organization,
which was first approved in 1934 and was revised in 1989.
Each archdiocese and diocese has a Catholic committee on Scouting, and
more than 300 BSA local councils have their own committees.
Every two years, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting holds a national
conference for all members of the diocesan and local Catholic committees.
At this conference, new programs are introduced, planned, and developed.
Ultimate approval for the new programs comes from the vote of the membership.
Thus, ideas, comments, and experience from every part of the country can
be heard and shared.
In addition, the national committee sponsors a week-long training course
at the Philmont Training Center each year for those diocesan personnel entrusted
with the responsibilities of operating the committee.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting also promotes and coordinates
Scouting in the Eastern Catholic Church, creating new programs or modifying
current ones as needed.
National Membership Initiative
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting and the BSA launched a membership
initiative in April 1995. The goal of the initiative is to bring a quality
Scouting program to more Catholic youth than ever before. Emphasis is being
placed on organizing more units, holding membership roundups, ensuring quality
training for existing units, and securing more volunteer leaders. Dioceses
are encouraged to conduct a bishop's luncheon or dinner to promote Scouting.
Promotional materials—including a brochure that features endorsements from
the Pope and nine United States cardinals—are available to support the initiative.
Responsibilities
Through each level of organization, subcommittees carry out the responsibilities
established in the Plan of Organization, No. 16-151. These include:
Membership
Create and promote national programs that diocesan Scouting committees can
use to further membership and the relationship between the Catholic Church
and the BSA.
Training
Provide training for lay people of the Catholic faith, training for people
who serve as religious emblems counselors, and assistance in recruiting for
parishes.
Religious Emblems
Promote the spiritual phase of Scouting, provide for a religious emblems
program, provide a board of review to examine all candidates for religious
emblems, and develop ways and means to communicate with Scouts of the Catholic
faith in units of other chartered organizations in order to help them qualify
for Catholic religious emblems. These religious emblems are:
- Light of Christ. This emblem is given to Tiger Cub 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.
- Saint George. This national recognition is presented to any
adult who is working with the Scouting program under Catholic auspices, to
Catholics in Scouting units not operated by the church, and to those who
have made a significant contribution to Scouting in the field of Catholic
relationships. It may be given to men, women, priests, religious, and non-Catholics.
Religious Activities
Promote regular and meaningful Catholic religious activities and programs
for youth at the unit and diocesan levels throughout the country.
Communication
Keep Scouters informed on Scouting activities, promote the program and activities
of the Catholic committee, create a better understanding of the aims and
ideals of Scouting by both clergy and laity, and make known the many advantages
of Scouting under Catholic auspices to the parish as part of its Catholic
youth program.
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