Religious Emblems and Awards

Information and Instructions

The Religious 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 emblem 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 Application 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
Application Instructions for American Heritage Girls Religious Awards	Religious Emblems Intent to Begin Form
Requirements for Religious Emblem Counselors	Scouts BSA Chaplain Requirements Completion Log

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.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

American Heritage Girls Catholic Faith Awards

AHG 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 Committee site.
Upon completion of a Faith Award, please click here for further instructions on how to submit payment and the completed application form.

Application Instructions for American Heritage Girls
Religious Programs

INTENT TO BEGIN FORM

(Required for God and My Community and Women of Integrity)

God and My Family (DEUS ET FAMILIA MEA) Tenderheart \| ages 6-9 Guides Catholic Tenderhearts through an awareness of who they are as children of God in the family of the Catholic Church. Girls will learn about the Holy Mass, sacraments, traditions, and history of the Catholic Church with fun hands-on activities.	GOD AND MY COUNTRY (DEUS ET PATRIA MEA) Explorer \| ages 9-12 Catholic Explorers learn more about the various saints representing the United States of America. Explorers enrich their faith by exploring Catholic elements that are most important to those saints, including the Eucharist, Corporal Works of Mercy, and missionary work.
GOD AND MY COMMUNITY (DEUS ET CIVITA MEA) Pioneer \| ages 12-14 Guides Catholic Pioneers to examine service in their community through the Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a mentor.	WOMEN OF INTEGRITY (FEMINA INTEGRITATIS) Patriot \| ages 14-18 Encourages Catholic Patriots to internalize and immerse themselves in what it means to be a Catholic Woman of Integrity. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a mentor.
NCC RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS PATCH This video will help AHG girls learn more about religious vocations while completing some of the requirements of the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch Program. The video features five American Heritage Girls interviewing four religious sisters from across the country with questions from the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch Program. Girls will need to complete the additional requirements at home with a parent or with their AHG Troop. Girls who complete all the requirements for the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch may purchase the patch for their vests or sashes in the AHGstore. Special thanks to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious for allowing the AHG NCC to use the For Love Alone video.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

Adult Awards

Local DCCS Adult Awards (by nomination)

Bronze Pelican Recognize individuals for their significant contributions to Catholic Youth Ministry at the local level.	St. George Recognize individuals for their significant contributions and many years of support for the Catholic Youth Ministry at the local level.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Recognizes the significant contributions of persons serving the spiritual needs of Catholic members in organizations serving girls. It is intended to recognize notable contributions to this field of youth ministry.	St. Anne Recognizes adults working with Catholic members of national organizations serving girls, that contribute to their spiritual development. It is the highest national award in this field.

National NCCS Adult Awards (by nomination)

Brother Barnabas National recognition for long and meritorious service.	Miter Society Recognition is given to any adult who financially supports, in a significant way, the promotion of Saint George.
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.	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 the Catholic youth of their community.
Jerusalem Cross Recognizes 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.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

Cub Scout, Scouts BSA and Venture Crew Religious Emblems

Light of Christ Designed for 6-7 year old Cub Scouts, working with the guidance of a parent/guardian.	Parvuli Dei Designed for 8-10 year old Cub Scouts working with the guidance of a parent/guardian.
Ad Altare Dei Now available via e-book; click here for more information. Designed for youth 13-14 years old and up of the Roman Rite Catholic Church. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a counselor.	Pope Pius XII Designed for youth 15 years old and up. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a counselor

Click here for Religious Emblem completion exceptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Workbooks for these emblems are available for purchase online at the NCCS-BSA Shop or in person at the
Steve Matthews Scout Shop:
12500 N IH 35, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 617-8630

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.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

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.

Application Instructions for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Religious Programs and Awards

INTENT TO BEGIN FORM

(Required for Mary, the First Disciple, Spirit Alive and Misso)

Upon completion of a Religious Award or Activity, please click here for further instructions on how to submit the completed application and payment.

God is Love Grades K-1 Students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for and loves us all.	Family of God Grades 2-3 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. A leader’s guide is included.	Mary, the First Disciple Grades 6-8 Youth 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. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a counselor.
The Spirit Alive Grades 9-10 Youth discover how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church’s ministry. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a counselor.	Missio Grades 11-12 The program invites young people to explore discipleship and their own religious identity. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a counselor.
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.	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.
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.	Our Lady of Fatima Patch In honor of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima, the NCCGSCF presents this patch to help youth learn more about this amazing event!

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

Religious Activity Series

Religious Activities Series

NCCS-BSA also offers Five Series of Religious Activities: Rosary Series, Marian Series, American Saint Series, Modern Saint Series, Faith Series, and International Awareness.

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.

Many of these activities are now available as Virtual Lessons. Click here for more information.

Upon completion of a Religious Emblem or Activity, please click here for further instructions on how to submit payment and the completed application form.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

Unit Awards

Unit Awards

Pope Paul VI Unit Excellence
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.

Questions? See our Leadership page. | Click here to return to the Scouting home page

God and My Family (DEUS ET FAMILIA MEA) Tenderheart \| ages 6-9 Guides Catholic Tenderhearts through an awareness of who they are as children of God in the family of the Catholic Church. Girls will learn about the Holy Mass, sacraments, traditions, and history of the Catholic Church with fun hands-on activities.	GOD AND MY COUNTRY (DEUS ET PATRIA MEA) Explorer \| ages 9-12 Catholic Explorers learn more about the various saints representing the United States of America. Explorers enrich their faith by exploring Catholic elements that are most important to those saints, including the Eucharist, Corporal Works of Mercy, and missionary work.
GOD AND MY COMMUNITY (DEUS ET CIVITA MEA) Pioneer \| ages 12-14 Guides Catholic Pioneers to examine service in their community through the Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a mentor.	WOMEN OF INTEGRITY (FEMINA INTEGRITATIS) Patriot \| ages 14-18 Encourages Catholic Patriots to internalize and immerse themselves in what it means to be a Catholic Woman of Integrity. Youth work as a group with the guidance of a mentor.
NCC RELIGIOUS VOCATIONS PATCH This video will help AHG girls learn more about religious vocations while completing some of the requirements of the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch Program. The video features five American Heritage Girls interviewing four religious sisters from across the country with questions from the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch Program. Girls will need to complete the additional requirements at home with a parent or with their AHG Troop. Girls who complete all the requirements for the AHG NCC Religious Vocations Patch may purchase the patch for their vests or sashes in the AHGstore. Special thanks to the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious for allowing the AHG NCC to use the For Love Alone video.