P.R.A.Y.'s Boy Scout News Bulletin, Fourth Quarter 2007
Programs of Religious Activities with Youth
Boy Scout News Bulletin
Fourth Quarter 2007
Welcome to P.R.A.Y.'s Boy Scout News Bulletin. This Bulletin is how we share
information about the religious emblems programs and ways to strengthen
relationships with the religious community.
RELIGIOUS EMBLEMS AS MEMBERSHIP
The religious emblems programs have been part of Scouting's "Duty to God" for
many years. Although the religious emblems have always been recognized in terms
of "program," they have been overlooked in terms of "membership."
Consider: 62% of all units are chartered to religious institutions.
In light of this, religious emblems can have a huge impact on membership, but it
starts with a basic understanding of religious emblems and chartered partners:
* Who "owns" the religious emblems programs? Religious emblems are created and
administered by the national religious organizations, not the Boy Scouts of
America. Although BSA promotes the programs and allows the emblem to be worn on
the official BSA uniform, the religious emblems are owned and operated by the
religious organizations.
* What is BSA's role to chartered partners? BSA provides the Scouting program as
a vehicle to further the ideals and goals of the chartered partner. If the
chartered partner is a religious organization, then its goals will more than
likely center around religious instruction and membership. Religious emblems can
address both of these.
Councils can strengthen their relationships with chartered partners and increase
membership by using religious emblems to:
* Initiate dialogue with chartered partners about a resource created by their
own denominations to serve their own youth.
* Help congregations embrace Scouting not as an outside group that meets in its
building, but as an integral part of their ministry with youth. Local
congregations will not only be providing specific religious instruction through
the religious emblems programs, but they will also be strengthening the
spiritual component of the Scouting program.
* Encourage congregations to embrace Scouting as ministry and offer all levels
of Scouting. Although 62 percent of all units are chartered to religious
institutions, only 8 percent of all chartered organizations offer all levels of
Scouting. It would seem that current chartered organizations would be the
biggest (and perhaps easiest) target to increase units.
* Provide opportunity for community outreach. A faith community that offers a
religious emblems class and publicizes it through the council newsletter might
be reaching out to Scouts of the same faith who do not have membership in a
religious institution but are interested in earning an emblem of their faith.
* Reach diverse racial and ethnic groups and specific geographic areas or
communities not being served by Scouting. The religious emblems programs provide
an instant and visible connection between Scouting and a faith community.
* Provide first exposure to the Scouting program. Adults active in a
congregation may volunteer to serve as counselors for the religious emblems
programs because they see that as a direct extension of their congregation's
ministry.
* Increase the continuity and tenure of adult leaders. Leaders who volunteer in
religious institutions have greater tenure than those in other areas. In
addition, congregations that recognize their leaders with an adult religious
award are encouraging them in their service.
There are many ways that local councils have used the religious emblems programs
to strengthen their relationships and increase membership through their
chartered partners. Check out some of the resources on the P.R.A.Y. website. You
may also want to consider the Religious Emblems course that is being offered at
the Philmont Training Center July 27 - August 2, 2008.
Visit http://www.praypub.org/partnerships/philmont_training.htm
<http://www.praypub.org/partnerships/philmont_training.htm> for
more information.
RECORD NUMBERS ATTEND RELIGIOUS SERVICES AT GOSHEN SCOUT CAMP
This summer, something for the future of the Church and the world happened at
the Goshen Scout Reservation in Goshen, Virginia, one of the major Boy Scout
Camps attended by over 7,000 Scouts and leaders. Scouts of every faith attended
religious services in record numbers. Jewish and Islamic Services, Buddhist's
meditations, All-faith Scout's Own Services, non-denominational Christian
Services, and daily Catholic Masses reported significant increases in
attendance.
According to Msgr. John Brady, "For 52 years I have been a priest, serving as
Scout chaplain and have never experienced this type of youthful spiritual
enthusiasm."
He tells about the time that eleven-year-old Scouts came up after Mass to thank
him: "Our troop voted not to go to Mass today because it was scheduled during
our swimming period. At the last minute, we changed our minds and gave up our
swim. We're glad we did. Thank you for saying Mass for us - awesome!"
A major reason for this new burst of Scout spirituality is "The Duty to God
Summer Camp Program", launched in 2006. Over a four-year period, Scouts can earn
a series of four puzzle patches. The three simple requirements are: to attend a
religious service during their week at camp; meditate at least three times on
one of the points of the Scout Law; and lead Grace or prayer before or after at
least one meal. When many of the 7,000 campers participate in these activities,
something good happens!!!
The emphasis on "Duty to God" does not detract from the fun of camp. Every camp
has its share of stories, like taking a canoe from one of the other six camps
around the lake and putting it on top of the sixty-foot climbing tower in the
middle of night, shinnying up a one-hundred foot flag pole to put their patrol
flag on top, and laughing their lungs out when the fire department can't reach
it with their tallest ladder.
Summer camp is an essential part of the Scouting experience. Thanks to Goshen
Scout Reservation for making Duty to God an essential part of the summer camp
experience!
[This article was written from a press release submitted by Monsignor John
Brady, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Washington who served as Catholic
Chaplain at the Goshen Scout Reservation in the National Capital Area Council
during the 2006 and 2007 camping season.]
CHAPLAIN TRAINING RESOURCES FROM CAPITOL AREA COUNCIL
Capitol Area Council, Austin, TX, has developed a three-phase Chaplain Training
program.
Phase I is a fast start course on the council's website
www.bsacac.org <http://www.bsacac.org/> . The website posts
the PowerPoint presentation as well as the Chaplain manual. Unit chaplains have
the opportunity to get started on their own by completing this fast start
course.
Phase II is a 2-hour classroom course, again aimed at the unit chaplain, using
various methods including counseling scenarios, peer discussions, and role-play.
Phase III is the Chaplain Outdoors Training Course. Participants spend a night
at camp but the emphasis is on training Unit Chaplains on how to train their
Chaplain Aides.
SUFFOLK COUNTY JEWISH CONCLAVE WEEKEND
A Jewish Conclave was held at Baiting Hollow Scout Camp in Long Island, NY.
The theme was "Games of Israel" and Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and
Explorer Post/Sea Scout Ship experienced camping, learned Scouting skills, and
attended Scout-led religious services. The program was Sabbath Observant and all
meals were Kosher-style, but the emphasis wasn't on Jewish cuisine or religious
services, but on "A Scout is Reverent." Participants enjoyed craftwork, merit
badges, games, and songs.
UNIT AWARDS
There are several unit awards that recognize outstanding Scouting programs in
the local congregation. These unit awards exist for different denominations (see
below). Note: these unit awards do not qualify Scouts for the religious square
knot. Please notify P.R.A.Y. if you are aware of additional unit awards.
Catholic
http://www.nccs-bsa.org/emblems-awards/ppaul6.php
United Methodist -
http://www.naums.org/AWARDS/Bishops-Award-of-Excellence.pdf
Lutheran
Presbyterian -
http://www.presbyterianscouters.org/images/UNIT_AWARD_OF_EXCELLENCE.PDF
Jewish -
http://jewishscouting.org/awards/franklweilmemorialunitrecognitionaward.asp
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ
http://www.homelandministries.org/CivicYouth/Award.htm
UPDATES FROM PRAY
Presentations by P.R.A.Y. - CEO Mark Hazlewood is scheduled to visit the following groups this fall:
National Association of Presbyterian Scouters (NAPS) Fall Conference - Philmont Training Center, NM - Oct 31-Nov 2, 2007
National Outdoor Seminar, Chaplain Workshop - Florida Sea Base, Nov 14-18, 2007
Sequoya Council, Johnson City, TN - Staff training and University of Scouting
workshop, Jan 17-19, 2008
* New Shipping Rates and Policies
http://www.praypub.org/view_pricing.htm> - P.R.A.Y. has adopted new shipping
rates and policies as a result of the postal increase this spring. Please visit
our website for current prices and shipping/handling charges. Our adult
nomination forms and youth application forms have all been updated online.
* Free Shipping on Philmont 2007 T-Shirts - We still have some Philmont T-shirts
available in large and 2X sizes. If you've been to Philmont this summer, or have
a Scout who hiked the backcountry, here's your chance to purchase a T-shirt. The
Duty to God puzzle patch is featured on the back, and "Philmont 2007" is printed
on the front left chest. Call 1-800-933-7729 or email
jenniferh@praypub.org
Sign up for PRAY's Boy Scout E-Mail List
http://www.praypub.org/working/emailrequest.asp?Flag=1
