State Scouting Program

1. State Scouting Program Darryl J. Barrios Chairman

2. The Louisiana State Scouting Program is concentrated on the programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America and has FIVE components: • Retention of Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units that are in danger of folding due to the loss of their chartered partner • The creation of new Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units to bring the Scouting Program to underserved areas • The promotion and sponsorship of the Catholic Religious Emblems program • The promotion of increased volunteerism in the Scouting program by our Brother Knights, at the unit, district and/or diocesan levels • Recognition of Brother Knights who have given years of service to the Boy Scouts of America through a state award, the Francis J. Parater Award

3. 1) Retention of Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units that are in danger of folding due to the loss of their chartered partner • Some units chartered by government agencies are under pressure to discontinue sponsorship of units due to the Dale decision in the SCOTUS • The Knights are the perfect organization to adopt these units to keep them operating • This has not been a huge issue in Louisiana…yet!

4. 2) The creation of new Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units to bring the Scouting Program to underserved areas • There are still large areas of the state that are not served by the Scouting program • The Knights are the perfect organization to charter units to fill these gaps, as we are already a visible part of our communities • This can be done either through a local council/assembly or through the local Catholic Church or school

5. 3) The promotion and sponsorship of the Catholic Religious Emblems program • The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has a vibrant emblems program that helps build upon the religious education that the Scouts are getting through their family and local church • The Knights should embrace this program by financially sponsoring the emblems program and by providing councilors to help facilitate the program

6. Catholic Religious Emblems • Guardian Angel – Adopted by some (arch)dioceses for Tiger Cubs • Light of Christ – Designed for 6-7 Year Old Cub Scouts • Parvuli Dei – Designed for 8-10 Year Old Cub Scouts • Ad Altare Dei – Designed for 13-14 Year Old Boy Scouts • Pope Pius XII – Designed for Boy Scouts 15 Years Old or Older and Venturers

7. 4) The promotion of increased volunteerism in the Scouting program by our Brother Knights, at the unit, district and/or diocesan levels • Scouting units nationwide have been struggling in recent years to secure volunteers to run a quality program • Brother Knights are a perfect fit to fill this need, especially retired Knights who have extra time. • Brother Knights can volunteer to help at the unit (pack, troop or crew) level, at the District or Council level within Scouting or at the Diocesan level with their local Catholic Committee on Scouting

8. 5) Recognition of Brother Knights who have given years of service to the Boy Scouts of America through a state award, the Francis J. Parater Award • This award is meant to fill a need to recognize Brother Knights who have given years of service to Scouting • The award is a patch and certificate. In the future we would like to add a medallion, similar to the BSA’s Silver Beaver Award • The patch is designed to be worn on the official Scouting uniform in the temporary insignia location

9. Francis J. Parater Award

10. Additional State Scouting Items Louisiana State Scouting Survey • For the last two years we have asked Councils and Assemblies to complete this form • The purpose of this form is to see the extent of CATHOLIC Scouting in the State of Louisiana by getting information on Scouting units that are chartered to councils, assemblies, Catholic Churches & Catholic Schools • We are seeking this information, not just on BSA units, but also Girl Scouts and American Heritage Girls • The response level to this survey has been extremely poor, with only about 10-15 surveys returned each year

13. Additional State Scouting Items Scouting & State Youth Activities Grading • Two years ago a change was made in the Scouting portion of the Youth Activities program booklet for scoring for the State Deputies Award • Instead of just checking a box stating that a council has supported Scouting, councils must now tell us what they are doing to support the Scouting program • We have provided Councils with a handout that gives them ideas on how to fulfill this item, although we are open to ideas that are not on the list

15. The Footsteps of American Saints • This is a program presented by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting • The program is a series of religious activities that encourages youth to learn about several individuals who have shaped the landscape of Catholicism in America. • The goal is to share the lives of several Blessed and Saints so that the youth might relate to what these people have done and maybe look to these individuals as role models.

16. The newest emblem available in the program….

17. Requirements Where and when was he born and how long did he live? Together with your family say the Fr. McGivney prayer. Fr. McGivney has often been described as a “humble parish priest”.  Visit with a parish priest and discuss with him what he most enjoys about being a parish priest and what he finds most difficult. What is Father McGivney known for (major accomplishment)? Learn about the Knights of Columbus at www.kofc.org. Invite an officer of a local K of C Council to speak to your group.  Alternatively attend an event sponsored by the K of C with your unit. Activities Draw the logo of the Knights of Columbus and color it in.  Explain what Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism mean. Fr. McGivney worked closely with young people, holding catechism class. Meet with the Catechism organizer in your parish and assist in one or more Catechism classes. Fr. McGivney founded a total abstinence society to fight alcoholism. Find out more about his abstinence society and discuss it with your parents and unit members. Then write and take an abstinence pledge wherein you promise not to consume any alcohol before the age of 21. Discuss with your family what Christian charity is. Pick one way in which your family can do one good deed of generous service to your neighbors and do it with your family. Organize your group to do a charitable activity through your parish or Knights of Columbus Council. 1st - 5th Grades - Complete 3 requirements and 2 activities6th - 12th Grades - Complete 4 requirements and 3 activities

18. Requirements for Adults • Assist the youth with this Footsteps of American Saints activity • Share your thoughts with the youth about this Saint. • Review the youth requirements after they have completed the activity. • Fill out the application for this activity and send it along with the fee to the NCCS

19. Documents Available for Download from the State Websitehttp://www.louisianakc.org/programs/scouting/ • State Scouting Brochure (Detailed information and contacts) • Biography of Francis J. Parater • Francis J. Parater Prayer Card (Coming Soon!) • Parater Award Nomination Form • “How Your Council Can Support Scouting” • State Scouting Survey (Coming Soon!)

20. Important Catholic Scouting Links • National Catholic Committee on Scouting http://www.nccs-bsa.org/ • International Catholic Conference on Scouting http://www.cics.org/ • National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire http://www.nccgscf.org/ • Francis Parater, Servant of God http://www2.richmonddiocese.org/parater/ • Stephen Kaszap, Servant of God http://www.nccs-bsa.org/information/stephenKaszap.php

21. BSA Councils in Louisiana • Southeast Louisiana Council www.bsa-selacouncil.org • Louisiana Purchase Council www.louisianapurchasecouncil.org • Istrouma Area Council www.iac-bsa.org • Evangeline Area Council www.eacbsa.org • Calcasieu Area Council www.calcasieubsa.org • Norwela Area Council www.norwela.org