Girl Scout and Camp Fire Religious Recognition

Eligibility

• For girls and boys who are in kindergarten or first grade Girl Scouts, Camp Fire and American Heritage Girls.

Purpose

• The God Is Love program is designed to help girls and boys explore a wide range of activities to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of a family, a parish and the Catholic Church.

Program Steps

• Chapter 1: GOD LOVES ALL THINGS: Appreciating that God created, cares and loves us all.

• Chapter 2: GOD LOVES ME: To develop awareness that each of them is special, unique, and loved by God.

• Chapter 3: I LOVE OTHERS: To help them understand that God made them to share his love with others.

Requirements

• Each Girl Scout and/or Camp Fire Member should have their own program book and a Children’s bible.

Program Completion

• When all the lessons have been completed the application should be sent to:

Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
P.O. Box 32180 
Oklahoma City, OK  73123

 It will then be submitted to the Diocesan Chaplain for final approval.

Presentation

• The emblem may be presented at a parish ceremony.

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

Scout's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their parents or guardians help.
   
• Keep the Religious recognitions Counselor informed of her progress.

Parent's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their child. The participant may need your help with Bible readings and getting information.

Elements of Catholic Tradition Covered

• Holy Family
   
• Christian family
   
• Catholic Christian identity
   
• Blessings & talents
   
• Bible stories
   
• Christian community
   
• Interdependence of all creation
   
• Intro to prayer
   
• Forgiveness
   
• Christian stewardship
   
• God's unconditional love for all
   
• Sacraments

Eligibility

• Catholic youth ages 7-9 who are members of Camp Fire USA, Girl Scouts of the USA, or Junior Catholic Daughters

Purpose

General Growth & Development Themes:

• Intrinsic self-worth

• Discovering the world

• Give/receive love

• Self-worth through helping

• Belonging

• Family, friends relationships

Program Objectives

To have growth in their ability to communicate and gain reassurance of love in group setting and enjoy laughing, songs, rhymes, stories, etc.  The program includes six chapters:

1. I am special to my family

2. I am special to God's family

3. I belong to my family

4. I belong to God's family

5. I can help my family

6. I can help God's family

Requirements

• Each child should have their own program book and it will be completed primarily by the child at home with parental support.  In addition, each child should also have a 3-ring binder and a Children's bible.

Program Completion

• When the child has completed all steps, the application should be sent to:

Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry
Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
P.O. Box 32180 
Oklahoma City, OK  73123

Presentation

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

• Ideally, the religious certificate should be presented at the annual Youth Recognition 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 your parent or guardian

Parent's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their child, she may need your help with Bible readings and getting information

Suggested Time Requirements

• Takes 3-4 months to complete

Eligibility

• Junior level 9-11 year old Girl Scouts and/or Camp Fire Members, Grades 4-6.

Purpose

• The I Live My Faith Program is designed to help Girl Scouts and Camp Fire members, appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily life.

Requirements

• Each Girl Scout and/or Camp Fire Member should have their own program book and a Children's bible.

Program Completion

• When all steps of the book have been completed the application should be sent to the:

Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry 
Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
P.O. Box 32180
Oklahoma City, OK 73123

•  It will then be submitted to the Diocesan Chaplain for final approval.

Presentation

• The emblem may be presented at a 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 their parents or guardians help.
   
• Keep the Religious recognitions Counselor informed of her progress.

Parent's Role

• Actively work on the activities with their child.  The participant may need your help with Bible readings and getting information. 

Suggested Time Requirements

• Takes 3 - 6 months to complete.

Steps - There are three chapters with six steps within each chapter

• Chapter 1 - STRETCHING:  Growing in the Christian life.

• Chapter 2 - SEEKING:  Seeking the meanings of believing, hoping and caring.

• Chapter 3 - FINDING:  Finding peace by committing myself to Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Eligibility

• Registered Girl Scouts and/or Camp Fire Members of Catholic Faith.  The Participant must be between 12-15 years old. 

Purpose

• The program is action oriented with a strong emphasis on reflective action.  The program is designed to be done within a peer group under the guidance of a program counselor.  The counselor plays a very important role with duties that may include coordinating the projects, leading discussions, and acting as a resource person. 

Requirements

• Each participant should have her/his own "Mary the First Disciple" work book.
• Need to have a Catholic Bible.

Program Completion

•      When the youth has completed all steps of the book, the application form is sent to the:
             Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry
             Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
             PO Box 32180
             Oklahoma City, OK  73123 

• It will then be submitted to the Diocesan Chaplain for final approval

Presentation

• The religious recognition should be presented to the youth at a parish Recognition 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.

Counselor's Attributes

1. Interested in youth and ready to be generous with time in helping others
    
2. Able to understand the youth's development process and therefore, able to accept them at their level
    
3. 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.
    
4. Flexible and creative enough to be open to changes.  One who can adapt and understand rapid and continuous modifications of youth ideas, modes, and cultures. 
    
5. Likeable and acceptable by the youth; not a stick in the mud!
    
6. Has a sense of humor, enjoys life, and can laugh at themselves and with others, especially youth.
    
7. Knowledgeable, understands, and agrees with all of the teachings of the Catholic Church.
    
8. Communicates 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.
    
9. Spiritually firm in their faith life and has the ability to share their faith openly and easily with youth.  Also, should be able to demonstrate, through their actions, the importance of their faith life to youth.
    
10. Sensitive to the youth's family situation and his personal life, particularly in regards to the teachings of the Church.
     
11. Observant to interpret the signals youth project about their feelings on their faith and other issues.

Counselor's Role

• All facilitators/ counselors need to be approved according to guidelines established by the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
• Church Safe Environment Curriculum guidelines must be followed
• Use the Mary First Disciple Counselor Guide.
• Counsel the participants when required and in general facilitate, (keep moving and on track), the general discussion.
• Guide the Participant through the religious emblems program by: Helping the Scout experience Mary's deep love for them as individuals.

Scout's Role & Responsibilities

• Attend all meetings.  If a participant misses more than 2 meetings, it should be determined if the participant should continue with the program.
   
• Work through the Mary, the First Disciple Manual with your counselor using a Bible where appropriate.

Parent's Role

• Support the Religious Emblems Counselor in his/her role.
   
• Support your youth as she or he shares lessons with the family.

Suggested Time Requirements

• The program is designed to be completed in about one year.

Sections

• Section 1:  Introduction

Chapter 1: Sacraments and Sacramental in our daily life.                                   

• Section 2:  The Sacrament of Initiation

Chapter 2:  Baptism

Chapter 3:  Confirmation

Chapter 4:  Eucharist                                                                                                

• Section 3:  Sacrament 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

• The Spirit Alive program is designed for Catholic youth in high school grades 9 to 12 (ages 15-17) who are in the senior level of Girl Scouts or Horizon Club and Teens in Action of Camp Fire USA.

Purpose

• The Spirit Alive program assists youth in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church's ministry. 

Requirements

• Each youth should have her/his own Activity Book

• A journal, Bible and a copy of the documents of Vatican II are necessary

Program Completion

• When the youth has completed all steps of the book, the application form is signed by the applicant and the adult counselor.  The parent/guardian will need to send the application at the back of the book to:  Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire  PO Box 32180  Oklahoma City, OK  73123
   
• It will then be submitted to the Diocesan Chaplain for final approval

Presentation

• The religious recognition should be presented to the youth at a parish Recognition Ceremony.  
   
• Ideally, the religious certificate will be presented at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the Archdiocese each year.

Facilitator's Role

• All facilitators need to be approved according to guidelines established by the Archdiocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and Camp Fire
   
• Church Safe Environment Curriculum guidelines must be followed
   
• Facilitators should be:
  • Interested in youth and ready to be generous with time in helping others
     
  • Able to understand the youth'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.  One who can adapt and understand rapid and continuous modifications of youth ideas, modes, and cultures. 
     
  • Likeable 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.
     
  • Communicates 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 has the ability to share their faith openly and easily with youth.  Also, should 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 interpret the signals youth project about their feelings on their faith and other issues.

Scout's Role

• As an older youth, 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 backs.

Sections/Goals

• Assists youth in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives
   
• Calls youth to greater participation in the Church's ministry