Hey Everyone,
I was asked to run for Troop Committee Chaplain of our local Boy Scouts. I’ve been involved with our troop for about 5 years and my son is a Star Scout now. Pretty excited about it- putting two of my favorite pastimes together (Scouts and spreading the word) seems like a perfect combination. Can you recommend any books or readings that could help out with this endeavor? I’m sure I can find a ton of Protestant books on “faith sharing” but probably very few concerning Catholic laity doing the same. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks and God bless!
Congratulations on your assignment. I used to be Religious Emblem Coordinator for our BSA troop, and was on the diocesan committee.
Read the religious emblem materials, I assume that is part of your job. The ones they were using several years ago were ok; but quite liberal in my view, and didn’t offer much in terms of doctrinal content. So I followed the books but supplemented with other material. In particular, the materials distributed by the National Catholic committee on Scouting focused a lot on “how did this liturgy make you feel when you participated?” rather than “what actually happens at the Consecration?” But the books for elementary level, and high school level, do have some good ideas.
When planning any kind of special events - Court of Honor, spiritual presentation for your troop or a diocesan gathering, etc - keep it light, not too long, and as much as possible
practical. Scouts are very much hands-on, as I am sure you know. Relate as much as possible what you are doing with Catholicism with what they are doing in Scouting in general. Scouting
does very much recognize proper authority and tradition (as Catholicism does), but also it has to be something they can apply in their own lives - in the near future. Consider a visit to a shrine or seminary; arrange ahead so they can talk to someone there; role models are important. (“What made you think of becoming a priest?”)
In my role with the diocesan committee, I gave presentations to adult leaders at times. I didn’t find the materials from the Catholic committee fully adequate, though I used them as an outline. I added a few brief examples from C. S. Lewis, for instance, to illustrate some point on conversion. But no matter what your spiritual topic is, you have to make it brief, to the point, and keep in mind the pressures the leaders are under. Make your spiritual points, communicate a little doctrine, but recognize what they are likely going through. Adult leaders in scouting have enormous time commitments, they are constantly pressured to do more, they sacrifice time for kids who don’t appreciate them, who show up inconsistently. They often wonder if they are neglecting their family, and they know Scouting often gets trashed nowadays by the American culture. If you give a talk or plan some kind of presentation for leaders, show them YOU appreciate them! Teach them how to support each other, spiritually.
In our troop, which met in a Catholic parish, we had a Methodist scout. So I did his religious emblem preparation, and all the troop went to his Methodist church when has awarded it. If you are involved with diocesan committee, you will also run into Girl Scout leaders from Catholic groups. Keep in mind they may have other kinds of stresses; there should be mutual support, spiritually and in other ways; just be cautious not to take up too much time.
Pray for your new responsibility! That’s your best guidance. I will pray for you, and encourage all current and former scouters to do so!
