Re: Adult Religious Awards
Michael F. Bowman (mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Sat, 2 Sep 1995 00:43:56 -0400
Don Izard asked about religious awards for adults. The following is the
best information I have concerning Boy Scouts of America related adult
religious awards and is taken from Bowman and Bryant, A Scout's Duty to
God and Country, 3d ed. (1995):
ARE THERE AWARDS FOR PARENT PARTICIPATION WITH A SCOUT IN
A RELIGIOUS EMBLEM PROGRAM?
Beginning in November 1991, parents participating with their sons in a
Protestant God and Country series program as mentors were eligible to
receive a "Mentor" award. In the words of Mark Hazlewood, Executive
Director of Programs for Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.):
"A mentor is someone who serves as a living example for another person.
This God and Country mentor program is designed to help adults look
directly at what it means to serve as a Christian mentor and it gives
suggestions how to have a positive, Christian influence on a child. The
mentor curriculum is designed for adults to work with a young person who
is enrolled in the God and Country program series. It does not replace
the traditional God and Country program; it is an optional approach available
to adults.
"The objectives are to (1) enrich the experience of the youth enrolled in
the God and Country program; (2) enrich the experience of adults who are
working with children on this program; and (3) enrich the relationship of
the child and adult working together.
"The function of the mentor is therefore not merely to guide the student
through his or her program (not to serve as a "counselor" in the
traditional sense) nor to strike out on his or her own to complete the mentor
curriculum, but to work with the child as they grow in the understanding
of their own faith and as they learn how to share their faith with each
other and with others."
Upon completion the parent is eligible to receive a certificate and a
lapel pin or pendant. However, Scouting magazine has indicated that this
does not entitle the mentor to wear the Scouter religious award square
knot. New publications on the mentor program and award include God and
Me Mentor (No. 3601M) and God and Family Mentor (No. 3597M). It is our
understanding that other faiths are considering offering similar
programs encouraging family participation in the religious emblems program.
ARE THERE RELIGIOUS AWARDS FOR ADULT SCOUTERS?
There are religious awards for adult Scouters, which are presented for
exceptional service to boyhood through Scouting and the community for
between 3 and 10 years depending on the religion (Our best information
on tenure is indicated by the number in the parenthesis after the
award. An "N" indicates that the nomination form does not require
any specific tenure.). The criteria for these awards include service to
the community outside of Scouting, service to Scouting and active
involvement in the nominee's own religious organization. These awards
cannot be sought or earned (unless indicated in parenthesis). In fact,
the nomination forms for some awards include a caution that any
efforts to obtain the award by the nominee will disqualify him or her
from receiving the award. The awards available to adults include the
following:
Association of Unity Churches Distinguished Youth Service Award ( 3)
Baptist Good Shepherd ( 5)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) God and Service ( 5)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (LDS) On My Honor
(Bishop's Approval/Earned) (3+)
Churches of Christ Faithful Servant (10)
Eastern Orthodox Prophet Elias ( 8)
Eastern Rite Catholic St. George (10)
Episcopal St. George (10)
Islam Allaho Akber
Jewish Shofar
Lutheran (2) Servant of Youth ( 5)
Lamb (10)
Meher Baba Ancient One ( 2)
Moravian Order of David Zeisberger ( N)
Polish National Catholic Bishop Thaddeus F. Zielinski ( N)
Presbyterian Church (USA) God and Service Award ( 5)
Protestant God and Service Award ( 5)
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of
LDS International Youth Service
Religious Society of Friends Friends Award
Roman Catholic Bronze Pelican ( N)
St. George (10)
Salvation Army Salvation Army Scouter's Award ( N)
Unitarian Universalist Religion and Youth Award
United Church of Christ God and Service ( 5)
United Methodist (3) Cross & Flame ( 5)
Torch Award (10)
God and Service ( 5)
These awards were created by each religious organization and recognized
by BSA. If you wish to pursue the creation of additional awards, you should
contact the national organization of Scouters for your own faith; e.g.
National Catholic Committee on Scouting, National Association of Lutheran
Scouters, etc.
Speaking only for myself in the Scouting Spirit, Michael F. Bowman
DDC-Training, GW Dist. Nat Capital Area Council mfbowman@CAPACCESS.ORG
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
