Representing an array of faiths — from the African Methodist Episcopal Church to Zoroastrianism — religious emblems encourage Scouts, Venturers and adult volunteers to strengthen their faith-based journey within Scouting.

This journey aligns with the 12th point of the Scout Law — reverent — and the “duty to God” part of the Scout Oath.

While the BSA is secular and members are not required to belong to any religious organization, BSA members are required to acknowledge a belief in God.

Earning a religious emblem helps turn that “acknowledgement” into something deeper and more meaningful.

To learn more about religious emblems, including how to earn them, wear them and promote them within a Scout unit, I talked with Jason Noland. He’s the CEO of Programs of Religious Activities with Youth, or PRAY. PRAY is one of several faith organizations with which the BSA partners to administer religious emblems programs.

“Religious emblems are important because they help connect young people deeply to their faith and implement Scouting as part of a congregation’s youth ministry within the denominations where they belong,” Noland says.

What are religious emblems?

They are medals created by the various religious groups represented in Scouting. Their purpose is to encourage youth and adults to grow stronger in their faith as part of their Scouting experience.

Why are religious emblems important?

Studies by the BSA have shown that Scouts who earn a religious emblem stay registered longer in Scouting’s programs.

Considering that nearly three of every four units is chartered to a faith-based institution, this connection is vital to sustaining those relationships.

How are these emblems different from regular advancement?

In one sense, they are not different at all. Just like earning a merit badge, a Scout has to take the initiative to start the process to earn a religious emblem.

However, a young person doesn’t ask his or her Cubmaster, Scoutmaster or Venturing advisor to help with that process. He or she contacts the religious institution. At most institutions, there’s already a process in place for earning these emblems.

What role do adult leaders play?

An important one. They can encourage young people to earn the emblems, connect them with the appropriate faith leader and present the awards in a meaningful way.

Units with a Religious Emblems Coordinator have a designated adult who promotes emblems and tracks which ones have been earned.

What resources are available?

Many of the faith organizations have their own websites, including the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, National Catholic Committee on Scouting and more.

The official website of PRAY has a ton of great info, like this Duty to God poster you can print and share.

What are the steps to earning a religious emblem?

1. Obtain the specific booklet for your religion by checking with your local Scout Shop or contacting the religious organization directly.
2. Ask parents to review the program guidelines.
3. Become a member of your religious institution, if necessary. Note that some programs require participants to be official members of the religious institution and that age and grade requirements vary from program to program.
4. Find a counselor. Each program sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors; other programs allow parents or other family members to fill the role.
5. Complete the requirements and obtain the proper signatures.
6. Order the emblem itself. These emblems are not available from your local council Scout Shop. Follow the instructions in your booklet to order the emblem.
7. Receive the emblem in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the member’s religious institution.

How do you get the medal itself?

Unlike other advancement, these emblems are not purchased through the local council Scout Shop. You buy them through the faith organization that administers the emblem program.

The instructions for ordering are highlighted at the end of the booklet. Emblems should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, like any other award in Scouting.

Many units do this on Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath or Scout Jumuah.

Depending on the grade and emblem, it may take anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks for the emblem to arrive. So plan accordingly.

What about adult emblems?

Unlike youth religious emblems, adult awards are based on service to Scouting and their faith.

Most require a nomination form, letters of reference and clergy signature.

Their approval also goes through the appropriate faith organization. Because most units are interfaith and multidenominational, it is not uncommon for adults to receive the emblem of other faiths in recognition of their service.

How/where are emblems worn?

All faiths have emblems or medals that should be worn as part of the official uniform and are appropriate for those events.

A silver knot on purple cloth may be worn by youth members who have received their religious emblem. For adults, the knot is the reverse: purple on silver cloth.

If you earned both, you may wear both at the same time.

A reminder about the BSA’s position on religious principles

From the Guide to Advancement:

5.0.5.0 Religious Principles

From time to time, issues related to advancement call for an understanding of the position of the Boy Scouts of America on religious principles. The Boy Scouts of America does not define what constitutes belief in God or practice of religion. Neither does the BSA require membership in a religious organization or association for membership in the movement. If a Scout does not belong to a religious organization or association, then his parent(s) or guardian(s) will be considered responsible for his religious training. All that is required is the acknowledgment of belief in God as stated in the Declaration of Religious Principle and the Scout Oath, and the ability to be reverent as stated in the Scout Law.

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/11/13/scouts-guide-earning-religious-emblem/

Advancement, Ask the Expert, Eagle Scout

Let’s say there’s a Boy Scout who has completed all the requirement for the Eagle Scout rank. He finished the merit badges, service project, active participation, Scout spirit, position of responsibility and unit leader conference.

But he still lacks one step: the Eagle Scout board of review.

And then — Happy Birthday! — he turns 18. He’s no longer a Boy Scout.

Is it too late for that Scout to earn Eagle?

The answer is no.

The Eagle board of review may be conducted after the 18th birthday. After all, it’s not the Scout’s fault if the adults who will sit on his board aren’t immediately available. Or if circumstances arose that prevented him from having a board of review within the allotted time frame.

Here’s the full answer, courtesy of Section 8 of the Guide to Advancement. (Note: the 2015 version is still current as of this writing.)

Which requirements must a candidate complete before 18?

These Eagle rank requirements must be completed before a Scout turns 18:

• Six months active participation since earning Life
• Demonstrate Scout spirit
• Earn 21 merit badges, including 13 from the required list
• Hold a position of responsibility for six months or more
• Plan and execute an Eagle Scout service project
• Participate in a Scoutmaster conference

Does this rule apply to Scouts with special needs?

Not in many cases. There is advancement flexibility for Scouts with special needs.

Men age 18 and older, properly approved by the council executive board to register beyond the age of eligibility, may apply for the Eagle Scout rank. Since they are considered youth members for as long as they are so registered, they do not need a time extension. In these cases, you don’t need special permission to hold the Eagle Scout board of review more than three months after the 18th birthday.

See section 10 of the Guide to Advancement for more on this topic.

Can the Eagle board of review be completed beyond the 18th birthday?

Yes.

What special approval is required to complete an Eagle board of review after 18?

That depends on how long after the 18th birthday we’re talking.

Within three months of turning 18: No special approval required.

Three to six months after turning 18: Local council must preapprove. To initiate approval, the candidate, his parent or guardian, the unit leader, or a unit committee member attaches to the application a statement explaining the delay.

Six months or more after turning 18: Local council must send to National Advancement Program Team to approve. The candidate, his parent or guardian, the unit leader, or a unit committee member must petition the National Advancement Program Team for authority to hold the board of review this late. The request must explain the reason for the delay, and it must be processed through the local council and sent to the National Advancement Program Team with a copy of the application. A position statement from the Scout executive, designee, or council advancement committee must be included.

What about an adult who finished his Eagle requirements as a youth but never earned Eagle?

Scouting Wire has covered this topic in the past.

It is possible for those who completed the requirements for the Eagle Scout rank in their youth, but never received it, to obtain credentials necessary for acquiring it. If a board of review was not held, and the individual met the BSA membership eligibility rules in effect at the time, then a board of review may be requested.

In any case, a candidate must have completed all requirements before age 18.

The steps:

1. Fill out the Belated Eagle Scout Application, No. 512-076 (Page 88 of the Guide to Advancement).
2. Gather evidence, such as an Eagle Scout Rank Application signed at the time work was finished, blue cards, advancement reports or troop records. (The BSA will not normally accept actual merit badges or sashes as evidence, mainly because you can buy them on eBay.)
3. Submit evidence of completion to your local council, which will pass along the records to the National Advancement Program  Team.
4. Once documentation is verified as complete and compelling, credentials can be released or permission granted for a board of review.

What about time extensions for unforeseen circumstances?

These are extremely rare but are granted. Look at Section 9.0.4.0 of the Guide to Advancement for details.

If a youth foresees that, due to no fault or choice of his own, he will be unable to complete the Eagle Scout rank requirements before age 18, he may apply for a limited time extension.

To do this, use the form called “Request for Extension of Time to Earn Eagle Scout Rank,” (No. 512-077), available in the back of the Guide to Advancement or online at this link.

Some examples of unforeseen circumstances:

• A health-related incident requiring a hospital stay
• A disabling injury
• A significant employment conflict
• A family relocation
• A family emergency
• A natural disaster
• Severe, unexpected or unseasonable weather
• Unforeseen actions of others affecting the youth’s ability to complete the requirements

The list above helps volunteers understand how the BSA evaluates requests for time extensions. They are not precise tests, and each case is considered individually.

https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/04/17/can-a-scout-complete-his-eagle-board-of-review-after-18/

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Bryan Wendell in Advancement, Ask the Expert // 

Some troops take a break between summer camp and the resumption of school. 

That’s fine, but what about those Scouts who are serving in a position of responsibility when this summer break occurs? Does their time still count even if their troop isn’t meeting? 

The answer, contrary to the well-meaning policy of some Scout units, is yes. 

I addressed this back in 2014 when Mike Lo Vecchio, a BSA expert on the matter, weighed in: 

A Scout who is currently registered and has not been removed from his unit because of disciplinary reasons should not be penalized because his unit is inactive during the summer months.

Two years later, the same answer applies. I checked back with Lo Vecchio, and he writes:

Regardless of the unit’s expectations or their policy, they must count the time served even though the unit is not meeting.

How might this play out in a troop? Here’s an example, sent in an email to me from a district commissioner in Tennessee:

It is not unusual for troops in our council to take a five- or six-week break during the summer after summer camp in mid-June and before school resumes the first week of August.

In this case, a Star Scout working towards Life Scout filled a patrol leader position for five months before the troop began its summer break. The troop is contending that he only completed five of the six months of leadership required to be advanced and that he needs to have one more month in a leadership role to be eligible for advancement.

His father contends, based on your article, it is not the son’s fault that the troop takes a short summer break and that his son should be eligible for advancement.

The father is correct. And you can consider this blog to be the official source. Once more, here’s Lo Vecchio:

Simply, the Scout cannot be penalized because the unit is not active during the summer months.

Further reading

See the Guide to Advancement for more guidance.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2016/09/21/yes-summer-months-count-toward-advancement/

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Bryan Wendell in Ask the Expert, Boy Scouting, Cub Scouting, Scouting Tips, Varsity, Venturing 

The Boy Scouts of America might be the most patriotic organization in the U.S. 

But we don’t endorse any one political party. You could say that rather than being pro-left or pro-right, the Boy Scouts of America is pro-America. 

The same applies to your pack, troop, team, post, ship or crew. You and your Scouts should Do Your Duty to Country but not by endorsing any one candidate. 

During election years, the line between patriotism and political favoritism becomes thin, making it important to remind you of the BSA’s official policy on Scout participation in political rallies. 

Fact is, Scout units like the one pictured above are permitted to provide a color guard flag ceremony, in uniform, at political events. Troop 605 from Rocky River, Ohio, provided that service Wednesday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Nice job, Nick S., Tristan A., Grayson N. and Erik H.!)

The troop served as color guard and then immediately left the stage and the premises. They provided a patriotic service and departed before things got political.

What about the other side of the aisle? A pack or troop in the Philadelphia area could, conceivably, provide the same service for next week’s Democratic National Convention if convention planners and a Scout unit were interested.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and the BSA’s official answers:

Q: Could a pack, troop, team or crew provide a color guard flag ceremony for a candidate’s public speaking event or rally?

A: Yes. But, BSA Policy requires our adult and youth members in uniform to leave immediately after the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. Should they want to stay they must do so as individuals, not Scouting representatives. That means they would have to change out of their uniforms.

Q: So Scouts and Scouters can’t stand on the platform for the remainder of the speech or presentation?

A: No, they should not remain on the speakers’ platform or in a conspicuous location where media could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support.

Q: Why is this the rule?

A: The policy is meant to prevent someone from using our brand to convey support of a candidate or ideology. This prevents Scouts from being used by any party in campaign advertisements or materials.

Q: So then why is it OK to even present the colors or lead the Pledge of Allegiance at all?

A: Those are displays of loyalty to the nation, something the BSA has always endorsed. Regardless of the outcome of the political race, the candidate and supporters pledge allegiance to the U.S. Because of this, it is always acceptable and deemed to be a part of the civic process. Also, this “service” is offered to any party, regardless of political affiliation.

Q: Can Scouts and Scouters pose for photos with political candidates at these events?

A: Yes. But photos of candidates or Scouts in uniform or BSA marks and logos are not allowed in political campaign materials of any kind.

Q: Can adult leaders or Venturers who are 18 or older vote in elections?

A: Not only can they — they should! This policy isn’t meant to limit the freedom of thought or action of any official or member acting as an individual. Scouters and Venturers shouldn’t wear their uniform to the polling place, but they should vote for whichever candidate they prefer. That’s all part of being a good citizen — something the BSA has taught for more than a century.

Q: What can Scout leaders do to support this policy?

A: Volunteers (and professionals) must be alert to situations that would imply that the BSA favors one candidate or party over another. Strict observance of our long-standing policy against the active participation of uniformed Scouts and leaders in political events is mandatory.

Q: Does Scouting still teach patriotism and citizenship?

A: Yes! The Boy Scouts of America teaches the ideals of patriotism and good citizenship as required to fulfill its purpose.

http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2016/07/22/can-packs-troops-teams-or-crews-participate-in-political-rallies/

It’s convenient, but anyone who follows the news knows it’s not exactly secure.

That’s why there’s one thing for sure that doesn’t belong in the cloud: Scout medical records.

The rule is clear: Boy Scout Annual Health and Medical Records are not to be digitized, scanned, sent by email or stored electronically by unit leaders.

For more on the subject of digitizing medical records, let’s Ask the Expert.

The original question

Here’s the email I received from John, an assistant Scoutmaster:

This is a question for your “Ask the Expert” crew. In the past I have heard of people who take unit medical forms and scan them to a USB drive to carry. We have also done this in our troop. I was at a training over the weekend and one of the Scouters was adamant that the BSA “does not allow” saving documents to electronic media. Is this really the case? If so can you explain the thought behind this?

The expert’s response

From Richard Bourlon, the BSA’s authority on health and safety:

Thanks for the question. First, please click here to review the FAQs at our one-stop place for all things related to medical records.

Under the “Have Questions? Get Answers Here” button you’ll find this:

Q. Can I keep a record of my Annual Health and Medical Record somewhere at my council’s office or online?

A. No. Please don’t digitize! Districts and councils are discouraged from keeping any medical records, whether digital or paper, unless required by local or state ordinances. However, the electronic version of the Annual Health and Medical Record is intended to be filled out and saved by individual Scouts and Scouters. The electronic version of the Annual Health and Medical Record should not be transmitted via email or stored electronically by units, districts or councils. Units are encouraged to keep paper copies of their participants’ Annual Health and Medical Records in a confidential medical file for quick access in an emergency and to be prepared for all adventures.

There’s also this:

Q. What do leaders do with the Annual Health and Medical Records they collect?

A. In all cases, the information gathered is for use in conducting a safe Scouting program. Information gathered in the AHMR must be maintained and shared in a confidential and discreet manner. Some conditions may require communication to ensure the safety of participants. This information should only be shared on a “need-to-know” basis.

Following are some of the best practices for using and storing the records:

• The Annual Health and Medical Record is secured to maintain the confidentiality of the information, yet at the same time, the forms should be accessible by adult leaders in an emergency. The following guidance will assist leaders in achieving this goal:
• Leaders are encouraged to maintain the original AHMR forms in a safe location in a binder or file that protects the documents entrusted to the unit leader.
• The AHMR should be taken on all activities.
• Designate a leader to keep the files containing the AHMR up to date.  This may include reminding participants to update the AHMR annually or as needed.
• Designate a leader as the point of contact with event or camp health officers.  If needed, the leader should arrange to have the AHMR returned to him or her at the end of the event, if allowed by the state.
• The unit leader (or his or her designee) is responsible for destroying or returning to the participant (or parent and/or guardian) the AHMR documents when the participant leaves the unit or when the documents become outdated.
• Records are NOT to be digitized, scanned, sent by email, or stored electronically by unit leaders.
• To streamline a summer or winter camp check-in, records of all participants are reviewed to make sure they are up to date, completed, and signed before leaving for camp. Be sure to check with the camp for any additional information that may be needed. For example, specific immunization records may be required in some states.

Finally, you asked for the reason behind this rule. We have evaluated the risks associated with digitizing and have made a conscious effort not to do it. What you may think seems like such a good idea has many implications on privacy, data transmission, loss, etc., that we are not ready to address. So as an organization have chosen to avoid the risk. Please don’t digitize.