A Scout is reverent. They are reverent toward God. They are faithful in their religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the religious emblems programs. Additional resources are available from Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y). Scouting America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer the programs.
Scouting America designates a Saturday and Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. It is permissible for a local church to celebrate on a different day most acceptable to the religious leader and congregation.
Scout Sunday / Scout Sabbath is an opportunity for units to participate in the religious service of their chartering organization by attending services in uniform, conducting a flag ceremony, speaking about Scouting, and/or formally thanking them for their support throughout the year. Units should also consider having a recruiting information table in the foyer or hospitality area. This is also a great time to distribute the religious emblem awards earned by Scouts.
Units should have a religious emblems coordinator on their committee. With the recent release of the unit religious emblems coordinator patch, the religious emblems coordinator program is now in place. When properly implemented, the program not only leads to an increase in the number of religious emblems earned and provides another opportunity to affirm "duty to God" in Scouting but also serves as a tool for unit retention and growth. BSA research indicates that Scouts working on their religious emblems remain in Scouting longer. Additionally, relationships are strengthened with the chartering organizations, more than 70 percent of which are faith-based, and doors are opened to the starting of new units.
The responsibility of the coordinator is to educate, motivate, evaluate, and facilitate the religious emblems program at the unit level. In addition to serving on the unit committee, a key function of the position is to serve as the liaison to the district religious emblems coordinator.
Training is offered at roundtable, and University of Scouting.
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