HAWK MOUNTAIN CATHOLIC COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING

Catholic Retreat

The next Catholic Retreat is scheduled for March 19-21, 2010.  Deadline to register is March 5.

Download the Flyer and Signup Sheet.

Catholic Religious Awards

There are several religious awards which youth can earn if they are registered Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts or Explorers and are of the Catholic Faith.

These programs are a tremendous building block in the personal growth of every Scout or Explorer of the Catholic faith who participates in the program. Books are available at the Council Service Center for these awards.

Light of Christ - This emblem is given to Tiger Cub and Cub Scouts (through Wolf rank) for advancement in spiritual growth and religious knowledge. It is the first of five religious emblems available to Catholic youth involved with Scouting. The program is designed so that the boy and his parents work together on this award.

Parvuli Dei - This is a Christian family emblem to recognize Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts for advancement in religious knowledge and spiritual formation. With the help of parents or guardians, the boy becomes more aware of God's presence in his daily life, especially within his home and community.

Ad Altare Dei - The purpose of earning the Ad Altare Dei emblem is to equip the Scout to take his place in the world as a maturing Catholic and a maturing American. With a religious emblems counselor, the boy meets requirements in eight steps covering the sacraments of initiation and the sacraments of maturity

Light Is Life - This recognition is designed for Boy Scouts of the Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches. The content is based on the "God With Us" series of the Eastern Christian Formation Program to prepare the Scout to be an active member of his faith community, as well as his civic community. With the help of an emblems counselor, catechist, or priest, the Scout meets requirements in five steps covering the Holy Mysteries and Eastern Christian spirituality. The Light Is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various rites.

Pope Pius XII - Scouts of high-school age and young men and women who are Venturers are eligible for this award. The requirements cover five units: We As Christians, Today's Vocation, Awareness of Responsibility to Self and Society, Citizenship - Home and Community, and Our Response to Faith.

For information on various religious emblems programs online, go to www.praypub.org. This website is maintained by P.R.A.Y. in St. Louis, MO who coordinates information on religious programs for youth.

How Do We Get Started on These Programs?

1. Youth members must obtain the 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 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 leaders and show them the booklet 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 the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the emblem.
   • These emblems are not available from your local council store (follow the instructions in your booklet).
   • The emblem should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the member's religious institution.

Click here to learn more about the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

For more information, call: Mr. Dennis O’Brien (610-678-6092) Berks County or Rita Davis (570-628-2727) Schuylkill/Carbon County.