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The Religous Emblem, Awards and Activity programs target a specific age range to help Scouts learn about their Catholic faith. All programs are designed to support and complement the catechetical efforts of Catholic parishes and schools. Religious emblems programs have a specific workbook to assist the Scout and a minimum time period assigned. Please see below for specific program requirements. Please note that some programs must be taught by a certified Religious Emblem Counselor. Click here for more information on becoming a Religious Emblem Counselor.
Please see the Applciation Instructions and the Intent to Begin forms below before beginning any program instruction.
Application Instructions for Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture Crew Emblems
Application Instructions for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Religious Programs and Awards
Requirements for Religious Emblem Counselors
Intent to Begin Form
When a scout has completed the requirements for a religious emblem, award or activity, please click here to complete submit a request for the award. To complete the request, scouts must also email their completed application to dccs-emblems@austindiocese.org.
Click here for Religous Emblem completion exceptions due to the Covid-19
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Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venture Crew Religious Emblems
Light of Christ Designed for 6-7 year old Cub Scouts Parvuli Dei Designed for 8-10 year old Cub Scouts. Ad Altare Dei Designed for youth 13-14 years old and up, of the Roman Catholic Faith, who is registered in a BSA Troop or Crew. Designed for the youth to work as a group with the guidance of a counselor. Pope Pius XII Designed for Venturing Crew Members and Scouts BSA 15 years old and up. Designed for the youth to work as a group with the guidance of a counselor. Light is Life Designed for Scouts BSA, 12 -13 year old of the Eastern-rite Catholic Churches. Scouts in the Eastern Catholic Churches work on Light is Life rather than the Ad Altare Dei emblem. Designed for the youth to work as a group with the guidance of a counselor. Workbooks for these emblems are available for purchase on line at www.bsacac.org/shop
or in person at the
Steve Matthews Scout Shop:
12500 N IH 35, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 617-8630
NCCS-BSA also offers Five Series of Religious Activities which include: Rosary Series, Marian Series, American Saint Series, Modern Saint Series and Faith Series.and two International Activities, International Awareness and Blessed Are Merciful - Keep The Lamp Burning Activities.
All of these activities may be used by groups, families, schools, or any Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, Venturer, Girl Scout, American Heritage Girl, or Campfire USA. Scouts as well as adults will find fun and easy ways to learn more about their faith, Catholic role models and become more aware of the faith community and cultures around the world. More information can be found here.Upon completion of a Religious Emblem or Activity, please click here for further instructions on how to submit payment and the completed application form.
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Ad Altare Dei E-Book
July 1, 2020
Dear Catholic Scouter, Diocesan Chair and Diocesan Chaplains,
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting and the Emblems Committee are pleased to announce that the Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual is now available in an interactive, electronic format (e-AAD). Given the current situation related to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stay-at-Home orders, quarantining in some areas and the advent of Zoom and other virtual meeting venues, this is an ideal time to make this electronic Ad Altare Dei Youth Manual (e-AAD) available. This electronic format is a “copy” of the printed version. The original content of the program has not been changed or altered. The entire workbook has been programmed so that Scouts can work on the manual and send their answers to their counselor and the counselor can review the answers anytime. A counselor can still use the printed version if they feel more comfortable with it.
Each Ad Altare Dei participant has access to their own manual for their individual use. The e-AAD Manual is not intended to replace group meetings and discussions but is simply an alternative method for Scouts to use to record their answers. Features include:
- The AAD Youth manual is web-based. Access can be gained via Wi-Fi or a “hot spot.”
- A Scout can use Apple or Windows software. Electronic devices such as a desktop PC, laptop, tablet, notebook, iPad and Smartphone can also be used to access the workbook.
- Voice to text features can be utilized if compatible with their device.
- The counselor can create reports on the status of the group as a whole or individual Scouts.
You are invited to a Zoom Webinar on the new e-AAD. Participants will learn about the structure and features of the new e-AAD, how to navigate the e-AAD manual from both the counselor and the scout perspectives and the steps to setting up groups using the e-AAD. This will be an excellent training program for not only the diocesan religious emblem training committee but also for trained religious emblem counselors in their diocese. With today’s social distancing restrictions, this is a great way to help scouts grow in their faith. The Webinar will be on July 11th at 11:00am East Coast Time.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_STMhnkmpR4e08I9oy4Fe3Q
For a PowerPoint presentation of the new e-AAD, please click here.
The e-AAD youth and counselor e-AAD and manual are available at https://www.nccs-bsa.org/store/product-category/electronic-version/
We would like to thank Mark Healy and Kathy Polowski from the Diocese of the Phoenix Catholic Committee on Scouting. They developed the manual starting in 2014 and have been testing the electronic version in several dioceses since 2016. We are extremely excited to see this modern-day tool made available for scouts and counselors to use while working on the Ad Altare Dei religious emblem program.
Please forward this to your distribution lists.
Jim Weiskircher
National Chair
Fr. Joseph B. Powers
National ChaplainP.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079, (972) 580-2114
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Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Programs and Awards
The Catholic religious recognition programs administered by the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF), 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.All programs are designed to support and complement the catechetical efforts of Catholic parishes and schools. In particular, the Family of God is an excellent supplement for children preparing for the reception of their first Eucharist. The Spirit Alive provides substantial and creative activities to augment preparation for the sacrament of confirmation.
God is Love Grades K-1 Helps students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all. Family of God Grades 2-3 Helps youth discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. A leader’s guide is included. I Live My Faith Grades 4-5 Designed around the themes of belief, sacraments, Catholic Christian living, and prayer. Each theme provides a variety of opportunities for youth to explore areas spanning from art to technology and from research to drama. As the scouts work through the program, they will reflect on what we believe as Catholics, how we celebrate those beliefs through sacraments, and how prayer fits into our lives. A leader’s guide is included. Mary, the First Disciple Grades 6-8 The program helps them learn more about Mary, and more about themselves. Youth will meet Mary in Scripture as a young teenager, follow her journeys, and watch her grow into the woman known as the Mother of God. Through interviews, role-plays, service projects, reflection questions, and prayer the program will help scouts also learn more about themselves. The Spirit Alive Grades 9-10 The program assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church’s ministry. Missio Grades 11-12 The program invites young people to explore discipleship and their own religious identity. Missio was jointly created by the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States and the NFCYM. Woman in Scripture Patches Grades K-12 The Women in Scripture series focus on individuals who lived lives of courage and faithfulness. These women often fanned the flame of faith in their families and communities and were the backbone of the faith since the very beginning of Jesus' ministry. Learn more about these strong faith-filled women. Models of Faith Patches Grades K-12 Throughout the long tradition of the Catholic Church, women and men have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to stand up for the faith in the midst of great trials and at deep personal risk. Learn more about these great Models of Faith. Our Lady of Guadalupe Patch Grades K-12 Learn more about the appearance and miracles of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico almost 500 years ago. Youth will also learn about Our Ladys powerful meaning to people of Mexican heritage and about her love and compassion for the whole world.
Upon completion of a Religious Award or Activity, please click here for further instructions on how to submit the completed application and payment.
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American Heritage Girls Catholic Faith Awards
The AHG Catholic Faith Awards were created for Catholic American Heritage Girls to learn more about their faith and develop a stronger relationship with Christ. The Catholic Faith Awards were developed for each of the AHG Program Levels. In each Level girls will gain a greater understanding of the AHG Oath, Mission, and Creed. The materials for these awards will be available late summer. Each AHG Catholic Faith Award Program is divided into Segments: one Segment for each year of the Level.
Click here for more information on the program or visit the AHG National Catholic Commitee site.
Upon completion of a Faith Award, please click here for further instructions on how to submit payment and the completed application form.
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Adult/Unit Awards (by nomination)
DCCS -- Local Awards
- Bronze Pelican - used to recognize individuals in your local dioceses for their significant contributions.
- St. George - used to recognize individuals in your local dioceses for their significant contributions and many years of support for the Catholic Youth Ministry at the local level.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award was created by the Department of Education, USCC (now USCCB), in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions of persons serving the spiritual needs of Catholic members in organizations serving girls. It is offered to those dioceses that choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is intended to recognize notable contributions to this field of youth ministry, although the St. Anne Medal remains the highest national award.
- St. Anne Medal for adults working with Catholic members of national organizations serving girls is an award of the Department of Education, USCC. It was inaugurated at the Sixth National Conference on Catholic Youth Work in Philadelphia in November 1957 and it was redesigned in 1980. It is offered to those dioceses which choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is the highest national award in this field. The purpose of the award is to honor the outstanding service of adults contributing to the spiritual development of Catholic members of organizations for girls, and to further Catholic adult leadership in youth ministry through those organizations.
Unit Awards
- Pope Paul VI Unit Excellence Award - BSA packs, troops, crews or ships chartered to Catholic parishes may earn this award. Requirement areas cover adult training and leadership, service by the unit, religious emblems, religious activities, vocation awareness, relationships and membership.
NCCS -- National Awards- Brother Barnabas - national recognition to recognize for long and meritorious service.
- Golden AAD - a fund used to directly support the ministry of our priest chaplains who serve on the Executive Board. Significant contributions of $2,500 or more are recognized by a special medal.
- Miter Society- is a recognition given to any adult who financially supports, in a significant way, the promotion of the Saint George.
- Brendan the Navigator- The St. Brendan Award is used to recognize Diocesan Committee Development participants who return to their dioceses and complete a mission project benefiting Catholic youth of their community.
- Jerusalem Cross - used to recognize Scouting in the Catholic Church participants who return to their dioceses and complete a mission project benefiting Catholic youth of their community.
- Silver St. George - national recognition for the hard work and diligent hours supporting the Catholic Youth Ministry at the national level.
- Spes Mundi - a fund used to directly support the International Catholic Conference of Scouting. This edition has been sold out and is not available anymore.
Any questions? See our Leadership page.