Religious Awards
A Scout is Reverent
A Scout is reverent. They are reverent toward God. They are faithful in their religious duties and respect the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. The BSA Statement of Religious Principle “maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.”
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed religious emblems programs. The Boy Scouts of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs. Check with your local council service center or contact the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum booklets.
Please click on the following links for more information:
Duty to God/Religious Emblem Programs
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
PRAY administers the Protestant/ Non- Denominational program
Religious Emblem Coordinators
“The Boy Scouts of America has approved the official position of Unit Religious Emblems Coordinator for adult registration in a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Venturing crew, and/or Sea Scout ship. This adult is a unit committee member who promotes the religious emblems of one or more faiths with the unit’s youth members, and may also be a religious emblems counselor for a particular faith denomination’s awards program. … This particular position is considered a member of the unit committee and has a special position patch for this particular role (available for purchase in our council scout shop).
Scout Sunday
The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. However, each chartered organization can use either of two other options to celebrate this special day.
An organization can adopt a specific Sunday to celebrate. In the instance of the United Methodist Church, Scout Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. It also is permissible for a local church to celebrate on a Sunday most acceptable to the pastor and congregation.
The Scout units are urged to participate in religious services. Scout Sunday is an opportunity for units can attend services in uniform, conduct a flag ceremony, speak about Scouting, present religious awards and/or formally thank the chartering organization for their support throughout the year, reserve pews, take an active participation in the service such as a prayer, request a notice in the church bulletin. Consider having a recruiting information table in the foyer or hospitality area. A Scout is Reverent.
Awards
Please click on the following links for more information:
Religious Emblem Square Knot for Youth and Adults
Messengers of Peace Scouts Around the Globe Are Creating World Peace