FAITH-BASED RELIGIOUS RECOGNITION PROGRAM

"The Scout, in his promise, undertakes to do his duty to his king and country only in the second place; his first duty is to God.  It is with this idea before us and reckoning that God is the one Father of us all, that we Scouts count ourselves a brotherhood despite the differences among us of country, creed, or class.  We realize that in addition to the interest of our particular country, there is a higher mission before us - namely, the promotion of the kingdom of God; that is, the rule of peace and goodwill on Earth.  In the Scouts, each form of religion is respected and its active practice encouraged, and through the spread of brotherhood in all countries, we have the opportunity of developing the spirit of mutual goodwill and understanding.

"There is no religious side of the movement.  The whole of it is based on religion that is, on the realization and service to God.  Let us, therefore, in training our Scouts, keep the higher aims in the forefront, not let themselves get too absorbed in the steps.  Don't let the technical outweigh the moral, field efficiency, backwoodsmanship, camping, hiking, good turns, jamboree, and comradeship are, by all means not the end.  The end is character with a purpose."

"And that purpose, that the next generation may be sane in an insane world, and develop the higher realization of service, active service of love, and duty to God and neighbor.  Our objective in the Scout movement is to give such help as we can in bringing about God's kingdom on Earth by inoculating among the youth the spirit and the daily practice in their lives of selfish goodwill and cooperation".
  - Robert Baden-Powell

The Religious Emblems Program is a set of programs for religious studies.  These programs are built around a workbook style of learning, following step-by-step lessons designed by the publishing group P.R.A.Y. (Program for Religious Activities for Youth).  In these books, you can find activities that involve study, prayer, service projects, and a time of sharing religious values between a parent and a child and/or a mentor.  The workbooks are school grade specific so that the concepts being shared are not beyond the comprehension of that child. 

Youth Religious Awards Program

As we look forward to another year of Scouting, let us think of what Scouting has to offer to our youth and adult Scouters. We have Camping, Advancement, Pinewood Derbies, Mall Shows, and First Aid Meets. We promote Character, Citizenship, and Physical well being as obvious parts of keeping the promise of Scouting to the youth we serve.

We need to look beyond the obvious, because there is more to Scouting. The part sometimes overlooked is the Religious aspect. Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts promise to do their duty to God each time they repeat their Oath. When you look at the youth religious award requirements you should notice that they encourage involvement of the family, the church and the community; by providing the need for input from the family, the minister, and a mentor.

For this part of Scouting to be accomplished, we need our Unit Leaders, Commissioners, and Chaplain Aides to promote the religious program. From Tiger Cubs to beyond Eagle Scouts, boys look for challenges to meet, to satisfy their desire to achieve. The religious awards program, with awards available for each age group, can open their eyes to the working of the church and their personal relationship with God. The small push your encouragement provides could help make a big ball roll. Youth seek the youth religious award in the same manner they seek a rank, arrow point, or merit badge.

The Adult Religious Awards Program exists to demonstrate to our youth the importance we place  on individuals who are fulfilling our duty to God. Unlike the youth program, the Adult Religious Award seeks the recipient. An individual needs to be nominated for the award. The program identifies and highlights adult role models for our youth to emulate, and hopefully encourage them to participate in the youth religious program of their own faith community. Do your part by nominating deserving Scouters you know. We need to utilize the youth and adult Religious Awards Programs to provide our youth this opportunity to achieve all they can in Scouting as we guide them to develop better Character, Citizenship and Physical, Mental, and Moral Habits. Please refer any questions to the appropriate religious Committee on Scouting, P.R.A.Y. at www.praypub.org