Scouting America shares a long history with a link to religion and reverence. From its “Duty to God” found in our Scout Oath, reminder that “A Scout is … Reverent” in the Scout Law, the Declaration of Religious Principle which starts sharing that “no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.”
Scouting provides resources for this, both at the local and national levels.
Chaplain Aide and Troop Chaplain
One of the positions of responsibility a Scouts BSA scout may fulfill is the role of Chaplain Aide. An adult leader and most often a member of the clergy supporting a Chaplain Aide may serve the unit as a Troop Chaplain. Click on the menu link for more information, or go to Scouting America’s page describing these two roles.
Religious Emblems
Religious Emblems are typically earned within your faith, following guidance from local and national committees supporting these awards. Once a religious emblem is earned, a Scout (or Leader) is eligible to receive and wear the Religious knot. For youth, this is a silver knot on a purple background, and for adults it is a purple knot on a silver background.
Programs for specific religions with local support are listed below.
Catholic Scouting
Catholic Religious Emblems
- Tigers, Wolves, and Bears – Light of Christ
- Bears and Webelos – Parvuli Dei
- Scouts BSA (must be in 7th grade or higher) – Ad Altare Dei
- Eastern Right Catholic Boy Scouts – Light is Life
- Ventures (ages 14-20) – Pope Pius XII Award
For more information about Catholic Scouting Awards and Activities in this area, go the Catholic Committee on Scouting website at www.ccsala.org
For local questions, contact Chair Proxy Manriquez.
Jewish Scouting
Jewish Religious Emblems
- Lions and Tigers – Aryeh
- Tigers, Wolves, and Bears – Maccabee
- Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light – Aleph
- Scouts BSA, grades 6-9 – Ner Tamid
- Scouts BSA, grades 9-12 – Etz Chaim
- Venturing and Sea Scouts – Etz Chaim
For more information about Jewish Scouting Awards and Activities, go the National Jewish Committee on Scouting website at https://www.jewishscouting.org/
For local questions, contact Chair Len Kamlet
Other Faiths
For religious emblem opportunities, and other opportunities to learn more about scouting within your faith, the following resources are available
- Scouting America’s Religious Emblems Program page
- Scouting America Duty to God pamphlet
- P.R.A.Y. website (which administers a number of religious emblems, primarily Christian)
If you are helping sponsor and support local Religious Emblems of your faith, contact Len Kamlet and we can add that information here