Religious Emblems Promotion and Recognition Program

Published 05.27.2021

Jacob Perkins
Unit Chaplain
Scouts BSA Troop 4019
Old North State Council
S7-70-20

The purpose of this document is to provide a program to raise awareness and promote the
religious emblems award program, and to encourage scouts and adults to pursue the award with
their home place of worship. This program will include basic information about the awards
available and procedure, advice for those who choose to pursue the award, data tracking
worksheets, and a written recognition ceremony to be used by the unit upon individuals’
completion of the award.

Outline:
1. Introduction: Why should a troop use religious emblems program?
2. Basic Information
a. Types of awards
b. Procedure for each type of award
c. Where to find books/other resources for each award
3. Best Practices
a. Scouts not active in a faith community
b. Pairing with confirmation, Bar Mitzvah, etc.
c. Maintaining forward momentum
d. Do it with friends!
4. Chart of Religious Emblems (note: there are some emblems from faiths that have not
been officially approved but may still be worn on the uniform if earned). Duty to God
Brochure on this page.
5. Data Tracking sheet
6. Ceremony Script
7. Promotion Presentation (contains info from Part 2: Basic Information and Part 3: Best
Practices)

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Introduction: Why use a religious emblems program?
o Invite any Scouts or adults who have earned the award to stand and share their
experience.
o Explore your faith’s teachings, history, and approach to many issues
o Build relationships with religious leaders in your community
o Reflect on your own beliefs and perspectives in light of your faith
o Recognize the place of faith in Scouting, and the place of Scouting in your faith
o Have fun, ask questions, and learn!

Basic Information:
a. The Religious Emblems program in Scouting is unique in that it is not designed or managed
by the national organization, but is created by national committees and other faith
organizations dedicated to Scouting. As such, there is no universal model for how these
religious organizations have organized their awards, though typically there are a series of
awards related to age. Use at least two examples here: United Methodist Church and National
Jewish Committee on Scouting are both excellent programs and represent a fairly typical
model.
b. All awards require you to work with an adult of your faith – ranging from a parent/guardian,
lay leadership, or clergy. The main resource is the workbook and your religious
organization’s committee on scouting website, if they have one (most do). Some religions
also provide a handbook for counselors/mentors. Most programs involve having
conversations and reflecting on your beliefs and the creeds of your religion, as well as an
emphasis on learning more about your faith and its history, theology, and life.
c. There are a number of online resources available that can help (see slide). The best starting
point would be your Unit Chaplain and/or Scoutmaster. They can help you obtain the
workbook, get started, and can work with your faith leader if they aren’t knowledgeable
about the program.

Best Practices:
a. Scouts whose families are not active in a faith community may find this particular award
logistically challenging to complete. There is no clear guidance on how Scouts who are not
(often due to a family choice) an active part of a religious community but who still want to
explore their own beliefs and earn an award should do so. Scouts in this situation should
work with their unit leader, chaplain, and parents to seek out a solution, if possible.
b. Many faiths have a ‘coming of age’ ritual practice that includes learning about the history
and theology of the faith and, often, making a commitment to accept that faith as your own.
Examples of this are Confirmation in many Christian traditions and Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the
Jewish Tradition.

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c. Completing the religious emblem workbook material may take a few months or even longer,
so it is important to manage levels of motivation and to keep pushing forward with a pace
that works for you. The key is to keep moving consistently forward. One good way to do this
is to do the award with any friends you might have that share your faith and are also in
Scouts – even if they aren’t in your troop! Your adult leaders can also be a resource to check
in with regularly during the process.

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 Ceremony for Recognition of Recipients of Religious Emblems for Scouts BSA
This ceremony may be used alone or as part of a Court of Honor, but should include the entire
troop’s youth and families, unit leaders, religious emblem counselors, and others involved in the
process.
Recognition is one of the elements the Scouting program embraces. Aside from recognizing the
past achievements of Scouts, it inspires and encourages future achievement and excellence.

Speakers:
 Senior Patrol Leader
 Chaplain’s Aide
 Chaplain
 Scoutmaster

Supplies:
 Table and tablecloth
 Two candles, holders, etc.
 Lighter; matches

Welcome
Senior Patrol Leader: Thank you all for coming to our ceremony to join us as we recognize and
celebrate our Scouts who have completed their Religious Emblems through their churches (may
substitute or add: Masjids, Synagogues, Temples, etc.). Recognition for achievements is one of
the bedrock principles of Scouting, as is our Duty to God.

Invocation and Candle Lighting

Chaplain’s Aide: Great Spirit of Life and Light, we come to you today in gratitude and
celebration for our Scouts who have worked to embolden their understanding of you and their
faith.
We light these candles to represent two of Scouting’s core principles: our Duty to God in the
Scout Oath [light the first candle] and A Scout is Reverent, the twelfth point of the Scout Law
[light the second].

Baden-Powell Quotes

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Senior Patrol Leader: Founder of Scouting Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell spoke well when he
summarized the core of religion: “Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and Serve
God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor."
Chaplain: Baden-Powell also said “The study of Nature brings into a harmonious whole the
questions of the Infinite, the Historic, and the Microscopic as part of the Great Creator’s work.”

Transition
Chaplain’s Aide: I now call on ____ our Troop Chaplain and _____ our Scoutmaster to come
forward and present the Religious Emblems to the recipients. I would also ask that as a scout is
recognized, that their faith leader come forward to say a few words about the scout’s work (if
applicable).

Presentation of the Awards

Chaplain: The scouts we are about to recognize have worked hard over the last few months to
earn these awards. The requirements for each faith’s award is different, but each involves
elements of exploration and learning about the history, theology and practice of the tradition. It is
my pleasure to present the __________ [Name of Award] to ______ [Scout].
Faith Leader: [Speaks briefly about their work with the Scout, growth, admonitions, etc.]
Scoutmaster: [Speaks briefly about the Scout’s progress in the troop and how Duty to God is part
of Scouting’s program.]

Scoutmaster Minute
Scoutmaster: [Gives a relevant minute.]

Benediction and Sending Forth

Chaplain: Almighty Creator and Sustainer of all things, we thank you for all of the Scouts and
families here and for times of celebration. Let us all strive to do good in the world, to inspire our
fellows, and to seek our higher purpose. We ask for safekeeping and safe travels as we go our
separate ways homeward. Amen.
Though we extinguish these candles, may the principles they represent, our Duty to God and
Reverence, burn ever brighter within each of us as we go our separate ways [extinguish the
candles].

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