Religious Emblems in Scouting
Duty to God
and
A Scout is Reverent
Boy Scouts of America &
Religious Emblems Programs
Purpose:
All of us are here today because we believe that
each boy needs to come to or strengthen his
faith in God.
The Religious Emblems programs are a tool to
assure that each boy can accomplish that.
Today we will learn how to use these tools
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
 Religious Awards vs Duty to God Patches
What are religious emblems?
Religious emblems are:
 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
Available to
Members of
the Boy
Scouts of
America
Why promote religious
emblems?
 Religious emblems help youth members
fulfill their Duty to God
 Religious emblems can help strengthen
partnerships with faith communities and
the council
 Increasing the number of Scouts with
Religious emblems help the Unit have
sustained growth AND increase retention
How do we get started on
these programs?
4 simple steps to start your
religious emblems program
1. Youth members must obtain the
specific booklet for their religion.
 Check with the HOAC Scout Shop or
contact the religious organization directly.
 Each youth member needs their 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, counselor,
parent and Scout 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 instructions in your booklet).
 The emblem should be presented in a meaningful
ceremony, preferably through 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?
 Adult recognitions are by nomination only
 Adult awards usually require a minimum
number of years of service.
God and Service
Good Shepherd
St. George
On My Honor
How can you promote 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 or ask for assistance from
RED Team.
 Make a presentation to your Scouting Unit
and parents.
Religious Awards vs
Duty to God Patches
Resources
 Duty to God
color brochure
 Unit leader scripts
 Promoting Duty to God:
“Religious Emblems Video”
Local Resources
 Contact your---- Faith Representative
 and/or
 District REC
OR
Local Resources
 HOAC Website / “Programs” tab
 Religious Emblems link
 http://www.hoac-bsa.org/religious-emblems
OR
Local Resources
Other Local Resources
Heart of America Council RED Team
Request a Religious Emblems Display
Team presentation for your Cub Pack,
Scout Troop, Venture Crew
You are the vital link…
 You! Are where the rubber meets the road
 You! Are where things happen
 You! Are the unit
You are the vital link......
Make sure that your unit has a REC

A Unit REC is a new
nationally formed position
This is NOT a chaplain
You are the vital link......
The responsibilities of the Unit Religious Emblems Coordinator are to:
1. Serve as a member of the unit committee.
2. Acquaint all youth with the religious emblems programs and the emblems
available from their faith group.
3. Provide Scout families and clergy with an orientation to the religious
emblems
program and encourage their involvement.
4. Urge all youth in the unit to earn the religious emblem(s) of their faith.
5. Disseminate information to the unit's Scouts and Scouters about any
district or
council religious emblems activities, retreats, camps, etc.
6. Promote religious emblems usage like BSA promotes other youth
advancement.
7. Coordinate the establishment of goals and track the number of religious
emblems completed every year.
8. Serve as the unit's liaison to the District Religious Emblems Coordinator.
You are the vital link......
What are your
Questions?
Thank You for being a leader in
Scouting and the building up
of the Duty To God and
A Scout is Reverent program