Boy Scouts Religious Emblems

Eligibility

• Registered Tiger or Wolf Cub Scout of Catholic Faith

• The Scout must complete the requirements before starting third grade 

Purpose

• The purpose is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus.  With the parents' active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend

Program Objectives

• To support the role of the parents as the primary catechists of their children

• To have the Scout identify Jesus as a real person and as his friend

• To foster early family religious involvement

• To be a stepping stone toward Parvuli Dei and the other religious emblems, when the parents are involved

• To serve as a catalyst to draw the parents into a deeper involvement with the church, through the child

Requirements

• Each Cub have his own Activity Book

• The book is designed for the Cub and his parent or guardian to work together

Program Completion

• When the Cub completes all steps, he presents the book to his parish priest or the priest's representative and the book is reviewed with the Cub

• After the priest or representative signs the book, the application is then sent to the diocesan chaplain for final approval

Presentation

• The emblem and knot  may be presented at a diocesan or parish ceremony

• Ideally, the youth will receive an invitation to be presented a certificate from Archbishop Beltran at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the Archdiocese each year.

Scout's Role

• Actively work on the activities with his parents or guardians

• Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of his progress

Parent's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their son; he may need your help with Bible readings and getting information

• Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of the Cub's progress

Suggested Time Requirements

• One to ninety day(s)

• Although the book could be completed in four to six hours, the goal of earning a religious emblem is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus, so it is suggested that steps be spread over several weeks; this will help the Cub understand that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-time project

Steps

• Step 1 - Families

• Step 2 - God's Call

• Step 3 - Eucharist

• Step 4 - Forgiveness

• Step 5 - Family of God

Eligibility

• A registered Bear or Webelos of Catholic Faith

• Completed second grade 

Purpose

• The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community

Program Objectives

• To help the Scout of his age develop an awareness of God's love for each one of His special, unique created beings

• To help the Scout become aware and understand his identity as an important member of this family, his community, and as a member of the Family of God

• To continue to develop an awareness as members of the parish and the Body of Christ

• To aid the Scout in his awareness of the responsibilities that grow out of God's love for us

Requirements

• Each Cub must have his own Activity Book

• The book is designed for the Cub and his parent or guardian to work together

• The Cub will be required to make a banner as part of the requirements

Program Completion

• When the Cub completes all steps, he presents the book to his parish priest or the priest's representative and the book is reviewed with the Cub

• After the priest or representative signs the book, the application is then sent to the diocesan chaplain for final approval

Presentation

• The emblem, knot, and card are presented at a diocesan or parish ceremony

• Ideally, the youth will receive an invitation to be presented a certificate from Archbishop Beltran at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the Archdiocese each year.

Scout's Role

• Actively work on the activities with his parents or guardians

• Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of his progress

Parent's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their son; he may need your help with Bible readings and getting information

• Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of the Cub's progress

Suggested Time Requirements

• Thirty to ninety days

• The goal of earning a religious emblem is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus, so it is suggested that steps be spread over several weeks; this will help the Cub understand that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-time project

Steps

• Step 1 - God and His Creation

• Step 2 - God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and I

• Step 3 - Jesus, Our Church, and I

• Step 4 - Jesus, His People, and I

• Step 5 - Children of God, Other Cub Scouts, and I

Eligibility

• Before work on the workbook begins, the approval form must be signed by the applicant, parent, counselor, Unit leader, and pastor

• A Boy Scout of Catholic faith

• The content is designed for 13 and 14 year olds

• Older Scouts may also work on the program

• Active member of the Troop for six months

• Completed sixth grade before starting the program 

Purpose

• The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Scouts of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community.  The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments.  The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.

Requirements

• The use of a Catholic Bible is required

• The Scout should be advancing in Scouting (not mandatory)

• Regular participation in Sunday worship

• Involved in formal religious education program

• Complete the requirements in the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual

• Successfully complete an Ad Altare Dei Board of Review

Program Completion

• After all sections have been completed, the counselor will contact the (arch) Diocesan Chaplain or the (arch) Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to find out the schedule for the AAD Board of Review

• The Scout will sit before the Board of Review to determine:

  • Does he have a better understanding of his Christian commitment?

  • Has he learned to understand, support, and apply Christian principles to the problems of our day?

  • Has he thought about his vocation in life:  a vocation to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, or single life?

  • How has his relationship with his Church grown?

  • What is his attitude toward Scouting and the ideals of the program?

  • How does his relationship between Scouting and the Church compare?

  • As a result of the program, has the Scout grown in his understanding and living out his faith? (faith growth)

Presentation

• The religious emblem will be presented to the Scout a the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony

• The religious knot should be presented at a Troop Court of Honor

• Ideally, the youth will receive an invitation to be presented a certificate from Archbishop Beltran at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the Archdiocese each year.

Counselor Attributes

• INTERESTED in youth and ready to be generous with time in helping others
   
• Able to UNDERSTAND the Scout's development process and therefore able to ACCEPT them at their level
   
• OPEN enough to listen to youth to permit them to initiate, decide, try, and even fail, of their own accord.  One who is not judgmental, but respectful  of their feelings and views.
   
• FLEXIBLE and CREATIVE enough to be open to changes, who can adapt and understand rapid and continuous modification of youth ideas, modes, and cultures
   
• LIKABLE and acceptable by the youth.  Not a stick in the mud!
   
• Has a sense of HUMOR, enjoys life, and can laugh at themselves and with others, especially youth
   
• KNOWLEDGEABLE, understands, and agrees with all of the teachings of the Catholic Church
   
• COMMUNICATE by relating the teachings of the Catholic Church to youth.  Should be able to both speak and listen.  Should also have the ability to get others to talk.
   
• SPIRITUALLY firm in their faith life and had the ability to share their faith openly and easily with youth.  Also be able to demonstrate, through their actions, the importance of their faith life to youth.
   
• SENSITIVE to the youth's family situation and his personal life, particularly in regards to the teachings of the Church
   
• OBSERVANT to intercept the signals youth project about their feelings on their faith and other issues

Counselor's Role

• The Counselor needs to be approved in accord with local (arch) Diocesan guidelines and follow all Church and/or BSA youth protection guidelines
   
• All religious Emblem Counselors and Facilitators must has current BSA Youth Protection Training, unless the local diocese (Eparchy) requires other specific youth protection training or certification
   
• Use the AAD Counselor Guide
   
• Counsel the participants when required, and in general facilitate (keep moving and on track) the general discussion
   
• Hold weekly meetings lasting 60-90 minutes
   
• Guide the Scout through the religious emblems program by:
   
  • Helping the Scouts experience Christ's deep love for them as individuals
     
  • Helping the Scout go beyond the surface answers of childhood
     
  • Showing them that your caring for them is not dependent on their behavior, but rather because you accept them as Christ accepts each of us
     
  • Encourage greater participation of Catholic Scouts in the religious programs of the Church
     
  • Promote the Spiritual component of Scouting within the parish and unit.  (A Scout is Reverent).
     
  • Help create an atmosphere with the unit conductive to the development of religious vocations
     
  • Provide guidance and assistance to non-Catholic boys in the unit and in the neighboring units, urging them to participate in the religious emblem program of their own church or synagogue

Scout's Roles and Responsibilities

• Attend weekly meetings.  If a Scout misses more than 2 meetings, it should be determined if the Scout should continue with the program.

• Work through the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual with your counselor using a Bible where appropriate

• Be prepared to share experiences at the Board of Review

• Attend a retreat or Day of Recollection while working on the AAD program

Parent's Role

• Support the Religious Emblems Counselor in his/her role

• Support your son as he shares lessons with the family

Suggested Time Requirements

• The program is designed to be completed in 6-8 months

Sections

• Section 1:  Introduction

  • Chapter 1:  Sacraments and Sacramental  in Our Daily Life

• Section 2:  The Sacraments of Initiation

  • Chapter 2:  Baptism

  • Chapter 3:  Confirmation

  • Chapter 4:  Eucharist

• Section 3:  Sacraments of Healing

  • Chapter 5:  Reconciliation

  • Chapter 6:  Anointing of the Sick

• Section 4:  Sacraments of Service (Commitment)

  • Chapter 7:  Holy Orders

  • Chapter 8:  Marriage

Eligibility

• A member of an Eastern Catholic church
   
• A registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, active in your troop for at lease six months, and completed sixth grade before beginning the program
   
• Designed for the 12-13 year old.  Other Scouts, older or younger may use the program.
   
• This program is to be used as an alternate to the Ad Altare Dei program.  It is not appropriate to work on both programs.
   
• Complete the program before your 18th birthday to receive the recognition.  For Scouts who are mentally or physically handicapped, the program may be made more flexible.

Purpose

• The "Light is Life" is a program developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for Boy Scouts of the Eastern Catholic churches.  Light is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various Eastern Catholic Churches.
   
• The overall goal of the Light is Life religious emblem program is to bring about in the Scout, through his Eastern Christian Scouting experience, a deeper awareness of his share in faith-life.  Then going forth, he will witness this life through maturity in communal worship and in Christian formation of his world. 

Methodology

• The method of presentation of each step is the learning concept basic to all Scouting learning experience.  Each step has a 'guided discovery' through reading and questions; its 'teacher-learner' situation through discussion with the counselor; its 'application' through the projects; and its 'evaluation' by the Scout and his counselor and the Scout's discussion with his Scoutmaster of his progress.
   
• The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the church.  All else is secondary.

Instructions

• Ask your Scoutmaster, pastor, parish administrator, director of religious education, or any member of the troop committee if there is a Light is Life counselor in your parish or area.  If there is a Light is Life counselor available, ask him/her to help you with the Light is Life program.  Otherwise, ask your local AAS counselor, priest, religious or catechist to help you.  (Resource material is contained in the Light is Life Counselor's Guides in the God With Us series of the Eastern Christian Formation Program.)  Inform your Scoutmaster who will be assisting you in this program.  While doing this program, share your progress with your Scoutmaster at your regular or special Scoutmaster's conference.
   
• After you have selected your counselor, you must complete the application to begin working on the Light is Life Emblem.  You should first get the signature of your parents stating that they approve of your involvement in the program.  You should then have the counselor sign that he/she is willing to work with you on the program.  The Scoutmaster should then sign certifying that you have met all the requirements to start the program, and that he/she is aware of your involvement in the program.  Lastly, you should get the approval of your pastor for you to work on and receive the emblem.

Do not tear the "Application" page out of the manual until the Board of Review at the end of the program.

• Standards for this program have been prepared by the Committee on Eastern Catholic churches of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.  All steps in the book must be completed before the Scout presents himself to the Religious Emblems Review Board and emblem presentation.

No Changes are permitted.  Additional requirements my not be added.  Scouts with special needs can easily complete the program, since the counselor has enough flexibility to present the program adapted to those needs.

• All Journal entries, reports, and written work should be legible and neat.  The book is to be examined by the counselor as the Scout proceeds through each step of the program.  It is to serve as partial evidence of the completion of the Scout's learning objectives.  It will also be a tool to help the Scout at the Board of Review or when submitting the application to the eparchial Scout chaplain, if there is no Board of Review available.   It will also help explain the Scout's spiritual growth to others.
   
• The use of a Catholic Bible is required for this program.  You will need to have one you can use.
   
• There are three parts to each step.  When all parts of a step are completed, review study with the counselor.  He/she will sign and date the certification of completion for the step.  Spiritual growth should be evident when progressing from step to step.
   
•  When all steps have been completed, the counselor should contact the eparchial Scout Chaplain or the Catholic Committee on Scouting for further direction concerning a Board of Review and presentation instructions.  If the eparchial chaplain does not know, contact the eparchial chancery office to obtain the information or contact the Committee in Eastern Catholic Churches, NCCS, BSA, 1325 W. Walnut Hill Ln., P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX  75015-2079.
   
• Eparchial and BSA Youth Protection policies must be followed. 

NOTE:  Counselors for the Light is Life emblem should be approved in advance by their pastors and the eparchial Scout Chaplain or Catholic Committee on Scouting.  The Light is Life Counselor's Guide is an integral part of this program and contains the necessary resources for anyone, including those unfamiliar with Eastern Christianity.  Scouter Development and counselor training are also recommended and may be required for counselors in your eparchy.

Suggested Time Requirements

• The program is designed to be completed in 12 months

Steps

• Step A -  Introduction

  1. Creation Reveals God's Presence

  2. Signs and symbols

  3. Icons

  4. Liturgy is Life

• Step B - Initiation

  1. Baptism - Chrismation - Eucharist

  2. Kingdom of God

  3. The Divine Liturgy

• Step C - Healing

• Step D - Vocation

• Step E - Toward A Christian Life Style

Eligibility

• A registered youth member of the Boy Scouts of America of the Catholic faith
   
• Has started ninth grade
   
• Designed for age 15-16 year old, but all registered Venturers (male or female before their 21^st birthday) and all registered Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18^th birthday) are eligible

Purpose

• To help Catholic Scouts and Venturers more fully develop a Christian way of life within a faith community

• Participants explore their Baptismal call to bring about an awareness their present and future calls from God

• It aids them in growing up Catholic in the modern world

Requirements

• Ideal group size is 4-12, but the course may be run with smaller groups
   
• The program should be run by the candidates themselves, the adult serves as a facilitator
   
• A number of interviews and an investigation of a controversial issue facing the church or society are integral to the program
   
• A retreat experience, ideally centered on the Pius XII program itself and a ministries service project are required

Program Completion

• Complete requirements for all units in Pope Pius XII Religious Emblem Scout Manual
   
• Pass a Pope Pius XII Board of Review
   
• Pope Pius XII Board of Review is made up of former Pope Pius XII recipients with adult leaders acting in an advisory and supervisory capacity

Presentation

• Ideally, the religious emblem will be presented to the Scout at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the (arch) diocese/eparchy each year
   
• The religious knot should be presented at a unit ceremony

Facilitator's Role

• A facilitator should have the same attributes as those of a facilitator described in the Ad Altare Emblem
   
• A facilitator needs to be approved according to guidelines established by the (Arch) diocesan/ eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting
   
• Facilitators must have current BSA Youth Protection Training, unless the local diocese (Eparchy) requires other specific youth protection training or certification
   
• Use the Moderator Guide
   
• Form the group
   
• Act as facilitator, not group leaders
   
• Help the candidate focus on essential elements and important issues

Scout's Role

• As an older Scout/Venturer, the candidate is expected to actively share in group discussions and complete all interviews and activities

Parent's Role

• Support and encourage their youth's participation in the program

Suggested Time Requirements

• It is suggested that the group meet for nine to twelve sessions. As the youth are older, two hour sessions seem to work well, and flexibility is often required in scheduling sessions and interview feed back's.

Steps

• Unit I - "In the beginning": To examine the individual�s I have chosen to associate with, and to explain the implications of those choices
   
• Unit II - "God and You" : To explore what it means to be called by God through the Sacraments of Initiation, and how these calls continue to affect my life
   
• Unit III - "Life Choices": To examine and discover various "life states" to which God may be calling me
   
• Unit IV - "9 to 5": To examine various professions or occupations, and seek to discover the ones to which God may be calling me
   
• Unit V "Here I am": To examine various ministries, and seek to discover ones to which God might be calling me
   
• Unit VI - "A melting Pot": To examine the Church�s definition of vocation and how it and God�s call intertwine in an individual�s daily life through life state, occupation and ministry
   
• Unit VII - "Putting it all together": To aid the participants in a realization that our faith and call from God affect our daily life and how our daily life affects our faith and call from God