Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting

The Roman Catholic Church has used the Scouting program since the early days of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the most extensive users of the BSA program. There are more than 330,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers in more than 9,600 packs, troops, and crews under Catholic auspices, and an equal number of youth members in other Scouting units. Scouting is used in about one-third of the parishes in the United States and Religious emblems were developed to promote the spiritual phase of Scouting.

Scouts interested in earning their Catholic awards may purchase their activity books at the Scout shop, however for the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII awards, Boy Scouts and Venturers will need prior approval. Please contact Deacon Leo Ferguson at lferguson [at] saparish [dot] com or 616.453.8229 x105 to have a religious counselor assigned to you.

The Catholic religious emblems available to Scouts are:

	This emblem is given to Tiger Cubs 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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	This national recognition is presented to any adult who is working with the Scouting program under Catholic auspices, to Catholics in Scouting units not operated by the church, and to those who have made a significant contribution to Scouting in the field of Catholic relationships. It may be given to men, women, priests, and non-Catholics.