Diocese of Kalamazoo

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting

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 and Camp Fire to all Catholic Scouts and Scouters of the diocese.  Members serve by appointment of the Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.  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:
  • Develop, schedule and carry out programs that develop Catholic identity and spirituality for all Catholic youth and adults involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.  

  • Through publicity and other contacts, strive to reach all Catholic youth and Scouters, whether in Catholic units or units not chartered to Catholic organizations to offer them participation in activities conducted by the committee.

  • Work to provide the best possible climate for Scouting in the diocese.

  • Recruit members with an awareness of the geographic areas of the diocese, the  GSUSA and BSA councils within the diocesan boundaries, and balance of representation of Boy and Girl Scouting and Camp Fire.

  • Inform adults involved in scouting of the requirement to be in compliance with the Diocesan Child Protection Guidelines, including attendance at the Protecting God’s Children awareness sessions for those in regular contact with children/youth and criminal background checks.

  • Schedule regular meetings to carry out diocesan and national programs and/or activities.

  • Provide for the training of adult leaders who will work with the children/youth to earn the religious emblems.

  • Promote attendance at annual NCCS meetings by appropriate committee officers and subcommittee chairs for representation, training and information.
  • Advise BSA, GSUSA and Camp Fire councils within the diocese on all matters relating to Scouting among Catholics.

Programs

Kumbaya – annual afternoon retreat for Boy and Girl Scouts in grades 1 – 8.

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



Leadership

Chairperson: Dr. Rick Thurmer (St. Philip, Battle Creek)  269-721-8195
Vice Chairperson: Dr. Richard Swanson (St. Basil, South Haven)  269-561-4710
Secretary:  Kim Lewis (St. Joseph, Battle Creek) 
Treasurer:  Pat Westrick (St. Mary, Kalamazoo)  269-343-8603
Chaplain:  Fr. Richard Altine (Holy Angels, Sturgis)  269-651-5200
Boy Scout Liaison:  Chris Buckley (St. Monica, Kalamazoo)  269-343-4687
Girl Scout Medals:  Anne Root (St. Monica, Kalamazoo)  269-388-3403
Diocesan Liaison for Scouting:  Lisa Irwin, 269-349-8714 x228.

Catholic Religious Emblems and Awards - 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 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, the Marian Medal and The Spirit Alive require special training for the adult working with the young people. Scouts desiring to work on these medals can be assigned a counselor by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.  The Committee also sponsors counselor training for interested adults.  

Award programs available for Catholic Girl Scouts, their registered leaders, and troops are:
Family of God program for ages 7 through 9
I Live My Faith program for ages 9 through 11
Mary, the First Disciple program for ages 12 through 15    
Spirit Alive program for Senior Scouts
International Catholic Neighbor program for all ages
Rosary Patch – for all ages.  Available from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.  See http://www.nccs-bsa.org/
Annual Bishop's Award, a diocesan award for outstanding troops
**Saint Elizabeth Seton Medal, a diocesan adult award
**Saint Anne Medal, a national adult recognition
**Adults must be nominated for these recognitions.  Criteria and nomination forms are available from the Catholic Committee.

Award programs available for Catholic Cub and Boy Scouts, their registered leaders, and troops are:
Light of Christ program for grades 1 & 2
Parvuli Dei program for grades 3 through 5
Ad Altare Dei program for grades 7 through 12
Pope Pius XII program for grades 9 to college
International Awareness Activity program for all ages
Rosary Patch - for all ages.  Available from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.  See http://www.nccs-bsa.org/
Pope Paul VI special unit recognition
Golden Bow special unit recognition for recruitment
**St. George Medal, a national recognition for adults
**Bronze Pelican Medal, a diocesan adult award
**Adults must be nominated for these recognitions.  Criteria and nomination forms are available from the Catholic Committee.

For more information about the Catholic religious programs for Girl and Boy Scouts, or the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, contact Lisa Irwin, Diocesan Liaison for Scouting (269) 349-8714 ext 228 Lirwin@dioceseofkalamazoo.org or Dr. Rick Thurmer, Chairperson (269) 721-8195 DrRick@mei.net.  For BSA counselor training contact Dr. Richard Swanson (269) 561-4710.  For Girl Scout awards and training contact Anne Root (269) 388-3403 anneeroot@yahoo.com. 

Adult Religious Recognitions

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 Scout and Camp Fire) Programs.  It may be presented to any adult working in or supporting Scouting Programs under Catholic auspices or in 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.  For more information, selection guidelines and a nomination form, contact Lisa Irwin (269) 349-8714 ext 228 Lirwin@dioceseofkalamazoo.org. 


Awards specific to Girl Scouts and Camp Fire

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award 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. criteria and nomination form

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.  criteria and nomination form


Awards specific to Boy Scouts of America

The St. George Medal is a 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. For more information including the nomination form, go to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website, http://www.nccs-bsa.org/emblems-awards/awards.php. Nominations should be forwarded to the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting c/o Lisa Irwin.

Golden Bow Membership Initiative symbolizes the arrow shot from a bow straight toward its target. The bow represents leadership and charter partners - the arrow,
Catholic Scouting Programs - the target, Catholic youth in our communities. The Golden Bow is a symbol, then, of our intention to deliver quality Catholic Scouting programs to as many Catholic youth as possible by strengthening charter relationships, building new units, and recruiting more youth and adult members. Our goal is to make the Scouting ministry available to every Catholic youth.For more information and application form, go to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting website, http://www.nccs-bsa.org/emblems-awards/awards.php. Nominations should be forwarded to the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting c/o Lisa Irwin.