The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting

Purpose

The purpose of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is to provide guidance, vitality and leadership in the development of the spiritual emphasis of Boy and Girl Scouting, Camp Fire and American Heritage Girls to all Catholic Scouts and Scouters of the diocese.  Members serve by appointment of the Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.  Under the guidance of the Diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Initiation, the committee endeavors to serve all Catholics involved in Scouting whether in parish units or units not chartered to Catholic organizations.

Responsibilities

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting shall:

Programs                                                                                                                                              Catholic Scouting Celebration of Faith – annual afternoon retreat for all Catholic Scouts in grades 1 – 8. 

Annual Diocesan Scout Mass – For all Catholic scouts, leaders and families. 

Leadership:                                                                                                                                   
Secretary:  Kim Lewis (St. Joseph, Battle Creek)                                                             Treasurer:  Pat Westrick (St. Mary, Kalamazoo)                                                              Chaplain:  Fr. Richard Altine (Holy Angels, Sturgis)     
Boy Scout Liaison:  Chris Buckley (St. Monica, Kalamazoo) 
Girl Scout Medals:  Anne Root (St. Monica, Kalamazoo)     
Diocesan Liaison for Scouting:  Lisa Irwin lirwin@dioceseofkalamazoo.org

Catholic Religious Emblems and Awards for Youth

These programs reinforce family-centered and parish-supported religious education and promote spiritual growth and a deeper appreciation of our Catholic faith.   Any Catholic scout is eligible, regardless of what organization charters or sponsors the Cub Pack or Boy/Girl Scout/American Heritage Girl troop, or Camp Fire unit. Each emblem has specific preparation materials and requirements.

Parents assist their child for most of the medals.   However, Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII, Mary, the First Disciple and The Spirit Alive require special training for the adult working with the young people.  

Adults who wish to be trained as counselors and Scouts needing counselors should contact the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.    

For Youth:

All Scouts (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls and Camp Fire)
Rosary Patch and Footsteps of American Saints Patches – for all ages.  Available from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. 

Award programs available for Catholic Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Camp Fire, their registered leaders, and troops are:

Family of God program, for grades 2 – 3, helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish.  Workbook is bilingual.

I Live My Faith program, for grades 4 – 6, helps girls appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily lives.

Mary, the First Disciple program, for grades 7 – 10, develops an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality.

The Spirit Alive program, for Senior Level Girl Scouts, Horizon Club and Teens in Action members of Camp Fire, explores the action of the Holy Spirit in each person’s life and the call to greater participation in the church's ministry.

International Catholic Neighbor program, for all ages, deepens the Scout’s understanding of Scouting and Catholicism in other countries.

Award programs available for Catholic Cub and Boy Scouts, their registered leaders, and troops are:

Light of Christ program, for grades 1 & 2, focuses on the Scout’s unique identity as a child of God and a member of his family and parish community

Parvuli Dei program, for grades 3 - 5, focuses on the experience of God in daily life and the importance of the sacraments in living out our faith.

Ad Altare Dei program, for grades 7 - 12, focuses on the importance of the sacraments as the primary means of faith growth.

Pope Pius XII program, for grades 9 to college age, focuses on vocation; discernment, and living out God’s call in our lives.

International Awareness Recognition, for all ages, helps youth understand more about Scouting and Catholicism in other countries.

For more information about the Catholic religious programs for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls and Camp Fire, the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, or counselor training contact Lisa Irwin, Diocesan Liaison for Scouting at (269) 349-8714 x228 or lirwin@dioceseofkalamazoo.org. 

Catholic Religious Recognitions and Awards for Adults

All Scout organizations:

The Bronze Pelican Emblem 
The Bronze Pelican Emblem is a diocesan recognition designed to recognize an outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls and Camp Fire) Programs.  It may be presented to any adult working in or supporting Scouting Programs under Catholic auspices or in troops/units not partnered by the Church and to those who have made a significant contribution to Scouting in the field of Catholic relationships.  Recipients may be Catholic men and women, including priests and religious, and non-Catholic individuals. 

Awards specific to Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls and Camp Fire

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recognition was inaugurated in 1980 to
recognize the meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth
through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire.  This medal affirms the work of those who
help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations. 
It is ordinarily received before the St. Anne Medal is earned, but this is not a
requirement for receiving the St. Anne Medal.

The St. Anne Medal
The St. Anne Medal is the highest national recognition for adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire.  The purposes of the St. Anne recognition are to honor the outstanding services of adults who contribute to the spiritual development of Catholic young people in these organizations and to further adult Catholic leadership in youth ministry through these national youth- serving organizations. 

Awards specific to Boy Scouts of America

The St. George Medal
This national recognition, is awarded to individuals who have made
significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic
youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.  Members of the laity and
clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike are eligible.

All completed nomination and application forms should be sent to:
Lisa Irwin, Liaison for Scouting
Diocese of Kalamazoo
215 N. Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI  49007

Special Recognitons for Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops

For Girl Scouts: Bishop Donovan Quality Troop Award 

For Boy Scouts: Catholic Quality Unit Award - Pope Paul VI