A Scout is reverent. She is reverent toward God. She is faithful in her religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.
The Scout Law
According to the Scouting America religious emblems program website, “to encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the following religious emblems programs. Scouting America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs.”
Our Scouts belong to various Christian denominations as well as many other faiths. Most major religious groups sponsor religious awards, and Troop 54 encourages each family to participate in the program of that family’s religious faith.
For an index of the various religious award programs, click here.
Duty to God
The religious emblems program is supported by most Protestant dominations, including the Episcopal Church. There are minor variations, and some requirements need to be completed with a clergy member from the Scout’s specific domination.
The program has the following four components:
- God & Me: Grades 1 – 3
- God & Family: Grades 4 – 5
- God & Church: Grades 6 – 8 (offered through St. John the Divine)
- God & Life: Grades 9 – 12
The course to earn the God & Church award is offered most years for those Scouts who belong to St. John the Divine Episcopal Church and Scouts from any other Protestant domination who wish to participate in St. John’s program. This course will be conducted in a series of meetings in November, December and January of each year. This course is designed for Scouts who are taking confirmation classes (usually during 7th grade), but the award can be earned by Scouts who are younger or older.
For Scouts who are Catholic, Jewish or of other faiths, Troop 54 can assist with arrangements for Scouts to earn the religious awards offered by organizations of those faiths. For the Scouts who complete this program, the religious award is presented on Scout Sunday in February.
Contact the Troop Chaplain for more information.