Scouting is youth ministry! The Diocese of Camden’s Office of Lifelong Faith Formation Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministries is honored to support and work with the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting to encourage and foster Catholic scouting in South Jersey.
Scouts who work on these religious emblem programs learn more about themselves, our church and their faith. They explore themes such as the sacraments, Mary as a model of discipleship, the Holy Spirit’s role in their lives, the saints, and their vocation as disciples who give witness to their faith. Thse programs are excellent examples of comprehensive youth ministry.
- The programs are catechetical in nature; they help youth know and live their faith.
- Religious emblem programs encouage youth to develop a life in which prayer and worship are core elements.
- Catholic scouts who work on these emblem programs have an opportunity to evangelize others – their peers, and even their families.
- Scouts who engage in the additional work for these emblems show themselves to be leaders, and the emblem programs help them to develop their leadership skills.
- In their scout troops and especially whild working toward religious emblems, scouts experience positive community life among their peers and with adult mentors.
- The religious emblem programs enage youth in service to their parishes and communities.
- Working on the religious emblems programs brings youth into relationship with caring, responsible adults who provide pastoral care, helping young people develop positive assets and avoid at-risk behaviors.
- Presenting these religious emblems annually is one way that we advocate for youth, showcasing their gifts, hard work and leadership abilities for our church and community.
- Scouting presents young people with the practical applications of Catholic Social Teaching, especially Care for God’s Creation through camping and learning about nature.
No doubt, Scouting – especially through the religious emblems programs – is youth ministry! We celebrate and give thanks for all the Catholic Scouting brings to our diocese and for all the young lives touched by scouting.
All church leaders – especially youth ministry leaders – are strongly encouraged to become familiar with and support Scouting religious emblems programs. Pastors have an excellent opportunity to encourage young parishioners involved with their parish by connecting with scout troops and leaders. Youth ministers may strengthen the comprehensive ministry they coordinate in their parish by connecting with scout troops and leaders If the scouting troops at your parish don’t currently engage in the religious emblem programs, youth ministers can become religious emblem counselors and work with the scouts on these programs. If your parish doesn’t sponsor scout troops, a parish youth minister (or other adult volunteers) can still reach out to area troops to offer the opportunity for the Catholic scouts in those troops (your parishioners!) to work on the religious emblems for their faith tradition.
At the very least, youth ministry leaders and catechetical leaders should avail themselves of the resources and activity ideas in the religious emblem program leaders’ guides. These are inexpensive resources that contain great, practical ideas that can be incorporated into parish religious education classes, youth nigths or retreats.
To further discuss how Catholic Scoutin cam be integrated with your parish youth ministry program, please contact:
Joe Brennan
Diocesan Scout Chair
jpbrenfsa@verizon.net
856-428-2645
Helpful Links about Catholic Scouting
Southern New Jersey Catholic Scouting Committee
The website for the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Current information is available about upcoming programming, resources and medals.
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
This website is designed by the Boy Scouts of America and provides great information and resources.
National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire USA
This website is designed by the Girl Scouts for general information and resources for Girl Scout troops.