Duty To God & Religious Emblems
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Religious Emblems
Learn About Religious Emblems on April 16th, 2024 • 7PM
The 12th point of the Scout Law is a very important part of Scouting – A Scout is Reverent. This twelfth Point Zoom event is open to leaders and youth of all ages. It will show you how and why you should earn your religious emblem regardless of your faith. Religious emblems are an essential part of Scout advancement in your journey to become an Eagle Scout. Earning the emblem will satisfy the Duty to God Adventures in Cub Scouts, Scout Spirit requirements in Scouts BSA, and TRUST Award for Venturers.
Thank you to everyone who attended our information session. We hope that you found it to be a valuable experience.
Questions?
Dan Eslinger
DBCdutytogod@gmail.com
937-499-4791
Click the button below to access the recording of the information session
Passcode: F5FW8*VH
U.S. National Day of Prayer
Participate in National Day of Prayer on May 1st, 2025 – And that week
This is second annual event focusing on Scouts Read Sacred Texts. Last year was a worldwide event and registered participation is already larger for 2025. Please join in on May 1st, or any time that week. Open to all Youth and Youth Organizations.
This is much more than reading. Each youth that participates will have engaged in a discussion with their Scout leader, Faith Leader, family or friend about their Faith’s Sacred Texts. For some, it may be the first time they have read their Sacred texts. We are encouraging this on-going practice that continues to change lives and is part of Scouting’s and other’s core values.
Scouts can Participate in One of Three Ways
- Read from home with your family your faith’s Sacred Texts.
- Ask your Faith leader to read at their faith location. Faith leaders may suggest the readings, promote, or broadcast this to the public.
- Invite a Scout friend to participate in this event at their home or Faith location.
Participating in this event could help satisfy the Duty to God requirement necessary for advancement.
All youth service organizations and Faith youth groups are invited to participate. Two different patches are available – Scouts and Youth as pictured here.
Registration is for participation counting purposes. Please join in and register to be counted. Follow the links to learn more.
Questions?
Jim Marchbank
Chair, Council Support Subcommittee
National Religious Relationships Committee
jimmarchbank@gmail.com
314-914-2162
A Scout is Reverent
One of the basic tenants of Scouting is Duty-to-God. The first point of the Boy Scout Oath is the promise “To do my Duty to God” and the last point of the Scout Law is Reverent, as in a “Scout is Reverent”. There are many ways you as an adult scout leader can build faith into your unit’s scout program, whether you are in a pack, troop or crew. An important concept to keep in mind is that we need to be respectful of other faiths and not promote one faith over another. However, it is ok to concentrate on one faith if everyone in the unit is of that faith (e.g. Jewish units, some Catholic, Protestant and Muslim units).
With that said, in multi-faith units it is ok to have Scouts do something that’s in their personal faith tradition that is appropriate for the timing and to share it with the unit. For example, in the Jewish tradition on Friday night before dinner, a Jewish scout may give a special blessing over grape juice and challah bread. Several years ago at summer camp, Troop 2000 wanted to expose all their scouts to this tradition. So they asked everyone to watch. Opportunities like this where people realize that they are not necessarily being asked to participate, but rather to observe are great occasions to educate those in other faiths. The difficult part is that it mostly works for groups in the minority. Also, non-denominational services are an excellent way to show our Duty-to-God in a respectful way.
Council Duty to God Award
The Council Duty to God Award was created to recognize those registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of the Boy Scouts of America. The deadline submit nominations is January 31, 2025. Nominations can be sent to Michelle Byrne at michelle.byrne@scouting.org
The Scout Oath begins with “On my honor, I will do my best to do my Duty to God” and the Scout Law ends with “A Scout is Reverent”. Between these two mighty pillars, the rest of Scouting happens.
Across the nation and in Dan Beard Council are individuals who go above and beyond in their Duty to God. They, like those recognized with the National Duty to God Award for their national impact, are people impacting Scouts in their Duty to God in our council.
The Council Duty to God Award was created to recognize those registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of Scouting America.
There are no restrictions on the number of nominations that may be submitted to the Scout Achievement Center. Even so, a maximum of two Council Duty to God Awards per year may be awarded by Dan Beard Council. Nominations for Dan Beard Council are open now and must be submitted to the Scout Achievement Center by January 31, 2025. The nomination form is available by clicking here. It will be available on scouting.org and other BSA materials as updates are made.
The award medal is the same as the National Duty to God Award medal and but will suspended from a blue and white ribbon. A beautiful certificate will also be available through National Supply.
The Council Duty to God Award presentation should be conducted with the highest level of honor at a council event (such as the council’s Silver Beaver recognition) or a religious emblem ceremony for the recipient’s faith. Each recipient should receive recognition worthy of the service rendered on Scouting’s behalf.
Unit Leaders & Committee Chair Resources
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Chaplain Aide Resources
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Additional Online Resources:
Questions? Please contact your District Professional by visiting the Staff Directory.