February 4th was last Sunday in the US and an opportunity for us to reflect on the meaning of God to Scouting. The belief in a higher being is an integral part of Scouting. In the Scout Oath we promise to …do our duty to God… The twelfth point of the Scout Law is, “A Scout Is Reverent. At Eagle Boards of Review, when asked which of the points of the Scout Law has the most meaning to the Scout, the two responses most often given are points one and twelve- a Scout is trustworthy and a Scout is reverent.

One of the ways we can demonstrate the importance of God in our lives is to earn the religious award for your faith. Both youth and adults can earn the awards and the youth religious award knot is one of the two youth awards that can be worn on the adult uniform.

How do you earn your faith’s religious award? Guides for numerous awards are available at the Scout office or the Scout shop in your area. You could also contact the office at you place of worship or you can get information on line. A link at the bottom of the page will let you contact numerous organizations for help and direction. If you know of a link that should be added, let me know.

Like most opportunities in Scouting there are numerous ways to achieve a goal. Thinking “outside the box” can sometimes make things more fun. The Catholic Committee on Scouting in the Longhorn Council has developed a novel idea. They have scheduled an Ad Altare Dei Tour for Catholic Scouts. The tour lasts 7 days and Scouts will visit cliff dwellings, Philmont, several mission churches and meet three bishops while working on the award. This really sounds interesting. If you would like more information, you can click on the link below and follow it to the Ad Altare Dei section.

And for older Scouts in the Venturing program, there is an entire channel in the program that lets you learn more about your faith and the faith of other Scouts. This is the Venturing Trust award. In working through this award Scouts learn more about themselves, their communities, their religion and culture and that of others.