Job Description

Diocesan Chaplain

Selection:

The bishop of the diocese, by virtue of his office and through the use of whatever means is adopted in the diocese for making assignments, has the responsibility for appointing the diocesan Scout chaplain and associate diocesan Scout chaplains as needed, usually with input from the current diocesan chaplain and chairman.

The recommended term of office is two years and should be renewable.

Qualifications:

• Interest and experience in ministry to youth.
• Responsible for spiritual leadership and guidance.
• Scouting experience is useful but not necessary

Responsibilities:

It is recommended that the diocesan Scout chaplain:

1. Work to provide the best possible climate for Scouting in his diocese.
2. Appoint (with recommendations from the diocesan sub-committees for council service, clergy and council Scout executive) chaplains to diocesan sub-committees for council service who are also associate chaplains for the diocesan committee.
3. Assist selection of candidates to serve as chairmen of diocesan sub-committees for council service.
4. Encourage training and use of troop chaplain aides.
5. Encourage diocesan sub-committees for council service to help provide opportunities for church services during group outings in accordance with NCCS and BSA policies.
6. Collaborate with the diocesan director of youth ministry to assure the recognition of Scouting as a vital program of youth ministry within the diocese.
7. Represent the diocese at NCCS biennial conferences and at NCCS regional meetings as a voting member.
8. Represent the bishop at all meetings of the diocesan Catholic committee on Scouting and supervise the spiritual welfare of Catholics in Scouting in the diocese.
9. Collaborate and communicate with the diocesan chairman in the fulfillment of the duties of the office as needed.

References:

• Chaplain's Guide in Scout Camps, No. 12038
• Religious Emblems for Catholics, No. 16-436
• The Scout Chaplain's Orientation Workshop, No. 16-154
• Vocational Promotion Through Scouting Youth Ministry, No. 16-149
• Staff Guide to Scouter Development, No. 16-164
• Publications Listing, No. 16-101

The Chaplain at Camp

Serving as camp chaplain in summer camp is a unique opportunity in one's priesthood. It will be your privilege to enrich the lives of many youths and adult leaders during their days at summer camp. You will share with them the joys of worshipping God in the natural setting of his own creation. The field Masses, interfaith services, stories and night prayers around the campfires, and counseling sessions with young men who are making some of the most critical decisions of their lives will be experiences that both you and the Scouts will long remember. The opportunity to promote and encourage religious vocations abounds. Whenever you discern in a youth the spark of a religious vocation, you have the opportunity to help bring it to a flame of commitment to God.

Your exclusive purpose at camp is to be a real priest - a chaplain to youths and adults of all faiths. You are not to be a scoutmaster, camp or program director, merit badge counselor, medic, commissioner, or an administrative or maintenance man. Be cautious of getting too involved in the camp program.

Use your skills, abilities, hobbies, special interest, or previous Scouting background to get to know the youths, leaders, and staff. If you accept regular non-religious responsibilities, however, you will endanger your real reason for being in camp and will neglect your responsibilities of the spiritual welfare of those at camp.

To be completely successful, the camp chaplain should be one who can communicate with, relate to and become deeply involved with the youths, the leaders, and the staff. This total involvement with people at camp is essential for success.