Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Phoenix

 

National Catholic Scouting Affiliations

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting®

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting®  (NCCS) is a church committee of concerned Catholic lay people and clergy who see as their mission the constructive use of the program of the Boy Scouts of America as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic youth of our nation. The committee, which is advisory to the Boy Scouts of America, seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between BSA and the Catholic Church in the United States. Through interaction and dialogue with the Secretariat on the Laity and Family Life (the formal connection between youth ministry in the United States and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), NCCS works cooperatively with various other groups involved in youth ministry and catechesis in the United States.

Youth Ministry & Catechesis: Connecting Boy Scouts

The relationship between Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church started in 1910 with the incorporation of BSA.  Many of the first troops were chartered to Catholic institutions.  In 1917, the Bishops of the United States formed the National Catholic War Council (NCWC), the predecessor to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting®. The War Council's Committee on Men's Activities undertook the responsibility for promoting Scouting under Catholic auspices across the country.  Since that time, BSA and the Catholic Church have collaborated to spread the message that “Scouting is a Youth Ministry.” 

Brother Barnabas assisted in the early formation of Catholic-chartered Scouting units including Catholic churches, schools, Holy Name Societies, and the Knights of Columbus. The Ad Altare Dei was the first national religious emblem recognized by BSA. 

In 1934, a "Plan of Cooperation" was signed between BSA and the Catholic Church whereby Scouting recognized the church's interest in the spiritual welfare of Catholic youth, and the Scouting program was recognized as an approved youth program in the Church.  Today, programs for Catholic Scouts are available at Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Venturing levels of Scouting. 

Youth Ministry & Catechesis: Connecting Girl Scouts and Camp Fire

Catholic youth ministry, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Camp Fire USA have collaborated in various ways for more than thirty years. The Catholic Religious Recognition Programs administered by the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, under the auspices of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), allow young people to explore and become more involved in their Catholic faith. NCCGSF promotes Catholic Church teachings on human sexuality and recommends all Catholic-sponsored troops or clubs to use resources that uphold those teachings. NCCGSCF affirms the rights of parents of youth in Girl Scouts or Camp Fire programs to withhold their child from participating in activities that utilize resources contrary to Catholic Church teachings. NCCGSCF is dedicated to the promotion and development of positive, Catholic, age-appropriate resources for human sexuality. *View the True Love Waits abstinence education materials from the NFCYM.

View the Position Statement and Background between the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and Girl Scouts of the USA and the A Guide for a Working Relationship Between the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry and Camp Fire USA.

Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to helping today's girls become tomorrow's leaders. For more than 90 years, the Girl Scout program has delivered quality experiences for girls age 5 to 17, locally, nationally, and internationally.

The program encourages increased skill building and responsibility, and promotes the development of strong leadership and decision-making skills. All activities are age-appropriate and based on the Four Program Goals, as well as the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Camp Fire USA  has as its mission to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. Camp Fire USA provides all-inclusive, co-educational programs in hundreds of communities across the United States. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire USA's outcome-based programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education and child care. Their coed programs allow parents to consolidate schedules for both their daughters and sons.

Boy Scouts of America  has as its mission to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.  Their vision is that the Boy Scouts of America will prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Law. Boy Scouting is a year-round program for boys around ages 11 - 17. Through the Boy Scout program, young men can achieve the core objectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship.

 

Cub Scouts, another program of Boy Scouts of America, offer a year-round family program designed for boys who are about 7 to 10 years old. Parents, leaders, and organizations work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.

 

Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) through 20 years of age. Venturing's purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.  Young people do NOT have belong to a scout troop in order to participate in a Venturing crew.  Venturing is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth, adult leaders, and organizations in their communities. The result is a program of exciting and meaningful activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, develop leadership skills, and become good citizens. Venturing crews can specialize in a variety of avocation or hobby interests.

In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, several Catholic high schools are in the process of beginning Venturing Crews.  For more information on Venturing in the Catholic high schools, contact Sr. Melita Penchalk of the Catholic Schools Office or Mr. David Gironda of the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Phoenix.