Boy Scouts & Religious Boy Scouts & Religious Emblems ProgramsEmblems Programs

Program information, promotion and resources

Objectives:Objectives:

Explain the relationship between the religious emblems and Boy Scouting

List resources that help promote religious emblems

Explain the difference between youth awards and adult recognitions

What are religious emblems?What are religious emblems?

Created by the national religious groups for their youth

Recognized by BSA who allows the recognitions to worn on the uniform

Optional programs for youth members to complete with the help of their families and religious leaders

Religious emblems are:

Why promote religious Why promote religious emblems?emblems?

Religious emblems help youth members fulfill their Duty to God

Religious emblems can help strengthen partnerships with faith communities

How do we get started on How do we get started on these programs?these programs?

4 simple steps to start your religious emblems program

1. Youth members must obtain the 1. Youth members must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.specific booklet for their religion.

Check with your council store or contact the religious organization directly.

Each youth member needs his or her own booklet to document progress.

Some religions offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.

2.Parents must review the 2.Parents must review the program guidelines.program guidelines.

Some programs require participants to be official “members” of the religious institution.

Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.

Each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors; other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors.

3.Families should talk to their religious 3.Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet leaders and show them the booklet

before beginning any program.before beginning any program.

Most programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization.

Many programs require the signature of the local religious leader.

4. The youth member needs to complete 4. The youth member needs to complete the requirements, obtain the proper the requirements, obtain the proper

signatures, and follow the instructions to signatures, and follow the instructions to order the emblem.order the emblem.

These emblems are not available from your local council store (follow instructions in your booklet).

The emblem should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the member’s religious institution.

The award can be presented at anytime of the year. Boy Scout Sunday/Sabbath in February is a perfect time to recognize recipients.

What are adult awards?What are adult awards?

Adult recognitions are by nomination only.Adult awards usually require a minimum

number of years of service.

How can you promote How can you promote religious emblems?religious emblems?

Promote the religious emblems of all faiths.Understand that promoting religious

emblems means providing information, not religious instruction.

Make a presentation at your Roundtable / Training event.

Make a presentation to your Scouting Unit and parents.

Resources Resources

Duty to God color brochure (No. 05-879D)Unit leader scriptsPromoting Duty to God: Religious

Emblems Video

Please visit http://www.praypub.org for these and other resources.