[Editors Note: There are many ways to conduct an effective religious emblems camp or retreat.

. This four-page resource contains examples of how

these events are being done in a variety of locations and for various target groups. These examples are offered simply as idea starters for your use and
adaptation.]

Conducting a Religious Emblems Retreat

Yes, YOU can help increase the number of youth who receive the appropriate religious emblem of their faith! After all, the four greatest hindrances
to completion are easily removed. They are:
1. Youth are not aware of the religious emblems programs and/or the study materials are not readily available.
2. Youth have not actually seen the emblems they would receive upon completion of the study/action plan.
3. Youth do not see their peers working on and completing religious emblems.
4. Youth do not have access to ministers and other leaders who understand the programs and are willing to serve as counselors.

Heres how religious emblems camps and retreats address the aforementioned hindrances
1. All participants receive the correct, current study materials upon arrival at the retreat site.
2. Samples of the various religious emblems are on display, both at the retreat and in pre-retreat promotional activities.
3. Youth are able to work alongside their friends and work together.
4. Staff members are knowledgeable, dedicated counselors who are committed to helping participants reach their goals.

Since each retreat is designed to meet the needs and interests of youth in a particular locale and resources vary by community, there are many
variables. However, here are some thought-starters to help begin the process:

WHO IS INCLUDED?

The answer to this question is related to the retreats sponsor. One approach is for the event to be a part of the annual program of a youth serving
agency such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Camp Fire, etc. For instance, if the religious relationships committee of a local
Boy Scout council provides the retreat, the target groups would likely be Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and/or Venturers. However, due to developments
like the memorandum of understanding between the Boy Scouts of America and American Heritage Girls, some retreats may actually be multi-
agency in scope.

The choice of which religious emblems are to be offered is also tied to the retreats sponsor. It is important that a list of available religious emblems
courses be made known prior to the event.

WHERE IS IT TO BE HELD?

Church and youth agency camps are obvious choices for overnight and day camps, but there may be other options, too. For instance, one religious
emblems retreat was held for a number of years at a nearby national guard camp. The facility offered ample classroom space, good food service,
ample indoor housing, and quality recreation opportunities. One key site selection consideration is adequate insurance coverage. Oftentimes such
coverage exists through the youth serving agencies, but certain criteria must first be met such as permits, permission forms, and so on.

WHO WILL BE THE LEADERS?

One of the side benefits of having a religious emblems retreat is discovering adults in the community who are committed to the religious development of youth. Of course, all
leaders are to be in conformity with the youth protection guidelines of the youth agencies and congregations. Among the possible sources of leadership are:
1. Clergy, especially those who are former or current leaders within the youth serving agencies.
2. Church youth and childrens ministry leaders, both clergy and laity.
3. Youth agency volunteers who have an interest in the spiritual development of youth. These individuals may be serving on the unit, district, or
council levels. Local religious relationships committee members are a good source, too.
4. Past recipients of youth and adult religious recognitions.

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES?

Obviously, each participant at the religious emblems retreat or camp should have his or her own copy of the study booklet for the appropriate religious emblem. Using a
preregistration procedure helps assure having adequate study materials for all students. Scripture portions related to the study should also be on hand, even if participating
youth are encouraged to bring their own copies. After all, some will forget and others may not have their own copies. In addition, some faith groups may want to provide
copies of the Bible or New Testament which have been prepared by some of the Scouter associations.

If there are to be other group activities at the retreat such as worship services, campfires, etc., any materials needed by participants should be brought by the retreats leader-
ship team. Keep in mind the human resources available in the area as well. A number of persons may be willing to come to the retreat site for special presentations in the
classroom as well as in assemblies.
continued on next page


WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE?

A variety of factors influence program and scheduling, such as age range of participants, features offered by the retreat facility, priorities of the
sponsoring entity, time of year, etc. As an example, here is how one Boy Scout council's religious relationships committee structured its retreat:

First Day
1:00-3:00 p.m. - Registration Early arrivers participated in a scavenger hunt based on items identified in scripture passages which must
be looked up by the patrols (or groups) prior to beginning the actual search. Every participant was placed
in a patrol composed of youth from his own Scout unit, regardless of his denominational affiliation.)
3:30-4:00 - Assembly (Introduction/Orientation)
4:00-4:20 - Patrol Leaders' Meeting
4:30-6:00 - Instructional Period 1 (1.5 hrs.) [Each Scout meets with the group pursuing the religious emblem of his or her faith. Study
groups for this particular retreat are listed below.]
Catholic "Ad Altare Dei" Jewish Ner Tamid Protestant "God & Church"
Catholic "Pope Pius XII" Jewish Etz Chaim Protestant "God & Life"
6:15-6:30 - Flag Ceremony/Retreat/Evening Prayer
6:30-7:20 - Supper
7:30-9:00 - Scripture Study/Making Patrol Flags/Leaders' Meeting [Participants created patrol flags based on a biblical story or concept
of their choice. These flags were used throughout the retreat and the
best noted noted at the closing ceremony.]
9:00-9:30 - Movie [The movie chosen for each retreat has a positive, uplifting theme.]
9:30-10:30 - Free Time [A trading post and refreshment center were operated at all breaks.)
10:30 - Taps

Second Day
6:00 a.m. - Reveille
6:30-6:45 - Flag Raising/Morning Prayer
6:45-7:45 - Breakfast
8:00-10:30 - Instructional Period 2 (2.5 hrs.)
10:30-NOON - Recreation Break
NOON-12:50 - Lunch
1:00-3:00 - Instructional Period 3 (2-0 hrs.)
3:15-5:15 - Swimming/Team Sports
5:45-5:55 - Flag Ceremony/Retreat/Evening Prayer
6:00-6:45 - Supper
7:00-8:00 - Patrol Flag/Scripture Study Interpretations by Patrols
8:00-9:20 - Anti-Drug Presentation [This presentation was made by prisoners in the drug rehabilitation program
at a nearby correction facility.]
9:30-10:00 - Cracker Barrel/Fellowship
10:30 - Taps

Third Day
6:00 a.m. - Reveille
6:30-6:45 - Flag Raising/Morning Prayer
6:45-7:45 - Breakfast
8:00-10:30 - Instructional Period 4 (2.5 Hrs.) [This period included signing-off of requirements by counselors, assignment of additional
work to youth and arrangement for contacts with participants ministers by retreat leaders for
follow-up and completion after the retreat.]
10:45-11:15 - Pack/Break Camp
11:30-NOON - Recognitions/Award Presentations [Every participant received a personalized certificate; every counselor received an
appreciation plaque; and patrols were given awards for best patrol flags.]
NOON-12:50 - Lunch
1:00 p.m. - Dismissal/Checkout




HOW DO YOU PROMOTE THE RETREAT?

For a youth agency event, use all available agency publications and websites, provide displays and sign-up sheets at all council events, visit each
local unit to issue personal invitations to the youth and send letters of introduction/invitation to all area congregations and clergy. If the retreat is
provided by congregations, contact should be made with every youth on the congregations rolls. Where a congregation has a relationship with
youth agency units, do not forget to invite youth from families not affiliated with any local family of faith.
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Heres an example of a religious emblems weekend event by Circle 10 Boy
Scouts Council in Dallas which focused on Scouts and Venturers pursing the
God and Church and God and Life levels of the PRAY Program. Congratula-
tions to Rev. Richard Carlisle and his group of volunteers.








CALLING ALL SCOUTS SEEKING
GOD & CHURCH OR GOD & LIFE AWARDS:

COME FLY
ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES!!!
Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles. Isaiah 40: 31

Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers across Circle Ten Council are invited to a God
and Country religious awards retreat, ON THE WINGS OF EAGLES, to be held at Camp
Wisdom, on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday: February 25-27. This retreat is open
to Scouts and Venturers of all denominations. Adult unit leaders and interested parents are
cordially invited to participate in this retreat.

We shall gather at Camp Wisdom the evening of Friday, the 25
th
, for check-in, camp set-
up, and opening activities. Saturday and Sunday will include rocketry, geocaching, and
other fun events, programs for God & Church and God & Life, and ending with worship
before departure at Noon on Sunday. Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers complete
general requirements towards the God and Church (Grades 7-9) or God and Life (Grades
10-12, and Venturers to age 21) at the retreat, and they complete their award program
under the direction of their respective home churches.

The cost for this weekend Adventure in Faith is $15.00 per person and includes sandwich
buffet Friday evening; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday; and breakfast on Sunday;
camping fees; all instructional materials; tee shirt, and a special ON THE WINGS OF
EAGLES patch. PLEASE NOTE: Scout Troops /Venture Crews registering 10 or more
youth and adults get a special rate of $10.00 per person.
SW Louisiana Cub Scouts / Boy Scouts / American Heritage Girls Begin Study
Fifty-two Scouts and American Heritage Girls from Southwest Louisiana met at Camp Edgewood in mid-April to begin work-
ing on their Religious Emblems. These students included Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Calcasieu Area Council, BSA,
as well as members from American Heritage Girl Troop 0045. These young people, along with parents, unit leaders, and

and staff totaled over 100 people at camp studying
Gods Word.

The 52 participants were able to start working on
one of seven Protestant and Catholic programs:
God & Me, God & Family, God & Church, God &
Life, Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, and Ad Altare Dei.
Weekend activities also included a night hike,
worship time, campfire, flag retirement ceremony,
and concluded with Mass on Sunday. Beautiful
weather, great food, and several chances to fish
were an added bonus.

[Information for this article was submitted by
Patrick Stanley, Religious Emblems Coordinator
for Cypress Knee District of the Calcasieu Area
Council, BSA and Cubmaster of Pack 84 char-
tered to the First Baptist Church of Maplewood,
LA.]
Religious Emblems Camps and Retreats are quite effective for
involving Scouts in the religious emblems of their faith. There are
many other creative ways to engage Scouts, leaders, and families
in faith-based experiences. Among them are Ten Commandment
Hikes and 12-Point Bike Rides. To learn more, click on the blue
links or enter the web address into your browser:
PowerPoint www.praypub.org/partnerships/
TenCommandmentHikes.ppt
Planning Summary www.praypub.org/pdf_docs/
TenCommandmentHikePlanningSummary.pdf
Planning Outline www.praypub.org/partnerships/
10commhike/SamplePlanningOutline.doc
12-Point Bike Ride www.scoutingmagazine.org/
issues/0609/a-ride.html



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[This guide is provided by PRAY Publishing for Religious
Emblems Coordinators, other Scout leaders, and parents.
For more resources, visit our website: www.praypub.org.]
Purpose-Driven Troop
Offers Religious Emblems
in Summer-Long Experience
Since The Purpose Driven Life by Dr.
Rick Warren became a fixture on the New
York Times Best Seller list, many have
become familiar with Saddleback Church in
Lake Forest, CA. Among their creative
ministries are Purpose-Driven Pack 918,
Purpose-Driven Troop 918, and Purpose-
Driven Venture Crew 918.
One of the ways the units
help achieve their purpose is
through usage of the reli-
gious emblems program. For
instance, Troop 918 offers
summer-long religious em-
blems classes for their Scouts and others in
the community. Both God and Church and
God and Life are offered Monday evenings
in June, July, and August. Parents are
invited to attend and participate. Between
classes, parents are asked to complete
their mentor workbooks and to discuss the
assignments and projects with their sons.
Complete information on Purpose-Driven
Troop 918s approach to religious emblems
studies (including the schedule, cost, fre-
quently asked questions, and information
on PRAY) may be found on their website:
www.troop918.com. Click on Religious
Emblems Class in the left column.
On his Scout blog, Webmaster Tyler de-
scribed service projects for the 2010: For
our service projects we served as ushers
and greeters at various venues at Saddle-
back Church. The first venue was the Wor-
ship Center. At the end of the service we
were given a tour of the Sound Room. It
was really cool. The next week we served
at Traditions where we welcomed all the
families, performed the Pledge of Alle-
giance, and enjoyed the Traditions potluck.
We had lots of tasty food. After Traditions
we served at Praise. Praise is the gospel
tent with lots of singing. It was really cool to
hear Pastor Rick talk about us ...
The following week we served at the Studio
Inn Motel Ministry. Each of us brought a
breakfast dish to share. Once we got there
we opened up their trailer and transformed
the parking lot into a place of worship. We
ate breakfast, we worshiped, we sang, and
we took Communion together. This was
really an amazing day. The last venue we
served was Overdrive where we worshiped
and rocked out with Jesus.
Click below to view some video clips from
Troop 918s 2010 religious emblems class
projects:
Video Clip 1
Video Clip 2
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Using A Day Camp Setting
For Religious Emblems Studies

By Jenny Prior
I have been evolving a day camp setting for the Cub Scout level emblems (God and
Me, God and Family) since I was introduced to this idea by Karen Heim-Baugh at
Philmont in 2003. First I tried a one-day retreat, but it was too tiring for the God
and Me kids, and not enough time for the God and Family group, the only ad-
vantage being that it was well attended and everyone covered the course work.

The following year I tried a three-morning day camp approach, Monday, Wednes-
day, Friday, (alternate days so they could complete family follow-up in between). It
worked quite well for God and Me, although four sessions had to be somehow split
into three mornings. Each morning class ran for 3 hours, but even this was not
enough to complete all the course work in God and Family, since we were covering 2
sessions each morning.

This last summer I offered a God and Me class as a four-morning day camp, from
9:30 to noon each day, Tuesday to Friday, during the first complete week of summer
vacation in late June. I really like this time of year, because most sports and Scout
meetings are taking a temporary rest, and summer school has not yet started, so the
kids have more time to fit in a new program. Also, most families seem to wait a week
or two after school gets out before heading off on vacation. This was the most suc-
cessful format regarding covering the material. With school just being out for sum-
mer the kids were still somewhat in "school" mode, so they were very receptive to
indoor class time, and with two and a half hours for each session they had plenty of
time to try out the games that they made. We were able to cover one section of the
workbook each morning, so the time fitted the material very well.

As a bonus (here in the Seattle area at least) the weather was nice enough to allow
outdoor play time to break up the class work. And all the kids were able to commit
to attend every session, and thus finished the program.
If I had offered God and Family at the same time I would have started that on the
Monday and given it five sessions (the last two sections can be compacted into one). I
believe that would have solved the question of enough time, but I was unable to find
a second counselor for that week to run the session for the 4th and 5th graders, so I
have yet to put this one to the test.

I do recommend running God and Me along with a God and Family session, as we
have had bigger classes when we offered both. (Siblings are more likely to partici-
pate, and those who have previously completed God and Me are more likely to sign
up for the next level). Also, parent participation is better when all the kids in the
family are participating!
[[Jenny Prior, Lake Washington United Methodist Church, Kirkland, WA.]
Creating A Year-round Climate for Religious Emblems


Organizations which generate the largest number of emblems completions cultivate a year-round
climate for them. For instance, a recent visit with Mary Elizabeth Castles, a volunteer with the National
Capitol Area Council, BSA, yielded a lengthy list of ongoing efforts, such as:
Scout Sunday Recognition Service for all who earned religious emblems over the past year
Duty to God / Religious Emblems Course taught annually at the University of Scouting
Religious Emblems Counselors Training offered each March for church leaders, Scout
leaders, and parents
Cubs for Jesus joint day for Catholic and Protestant Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, American
Heritage Girls, and Cub-age siblings
Joint Protestant/Catholic Religious Emblems Retreat for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts