Recently I was approached by my diocesan Office of Youth Ministry to become the diocesan liaison for Catholic scouting. Until then, my view of scouting: Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts USA, and Camp Fire USA, was most likely similar to other youth ministry professionals. Scouts go camping, earn merit badges, do good deeds, and sell popcorn and cookies. They show up in uniform on Scout Sunday, use the church hall or gym, and do projects around the parish to earn awards.

That outlook has changed considerably, and I have been the beneficiary of years of experience and training which the adult leaders of our local troops, units, packs and crews, have under their belts.

For the past several years, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), has been promoting a program which is, and should be, of great benefit to those associated with youth ministry. The NCCS, through its connection with BSA promotes Catholic values through the Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Venturing Programs. Scouting Is Youth Ministry is a national initiative which promotes the goals of Renewing the Vision through scouting and its varied age appropriate activities.

Each summer during Relationships Week at the Philmont Scout Ranch Training Center in New Mexico, the NCCS runs a program entitled Scouting in the Catholic Church. Having attended this year’s program, along with fifty other adult leaders in scouting, priests, and youth ministry professionals, I came to understand more fully the scope of the Catholic scouting programs.

Girl Scouts of America (GSUSA), along with Camp Fire USA, are members of the NFCYM, and promote various youth programs and religious awards through the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF).

Catholic scouting, through the emblem and religious recognition programs, helps each young man and woman learn more about their faith. All levels have an age-appropriate Catholic emblem or award covering various topics relating to the sacraments, church history, Mary, and vocations (among others). What better way to reach our youth than to volunteer as an emblem or awards counselor or religious recognition moderator? As youth ministry professionals we have the knowledge and experience to build bridges.

Each Catholic diocese, through the NCCS, has established a Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS), and should be coordinated through the diocesan youth ministry office. If you are unsure how to contact your own DCCS, you may go to the NCCS website and click on the local contacts tab to find out who your DCCS chairperson and chaplain are. Many dioceses also have distinct diocesan councils for the religious recognition programs for Catholic youth in Girl Scouts and Camp Fire USA. Contact your diocesan youth ministry office or NCCGSCF regional representative for additional information.

Want to learn more? Visit the following websites:

• Boy Scouts of America
• Venturing BSA
• Girl Scouts of America
• Camp Fire USA
• National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
• National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire
• National Catholic Committee on Scouting
• History of US Catholic Scouting

In closing, I want to say that my own youth ministry has been uplifted through the relationships that have been formed with the Catholic scouts and adult leaders in my parish and diocese. Reach out to scout troops, packs, units, and Venturing crews to welcome them and offer your assistance.