Scout Unit Information

Each year, local diocesan Catholic committees plan and execute programs, retreats, activities, songs and crafts that reach out to thousands of Catholic youth across the nation. The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS) established the "Award for Excellence" to recognize these outstanding efforts.

This award is presented to units that demonstrate that they are providing a quality program in the following area (adult training and leadership, service by the unit, religious emblems, religious activities, vocation awareness, relationships and membership).

This is not an award, but rather a recognition, and as such there are no set "requirements" to complete. It is to be used to recognize those for their contribution and support to Catholic Scouting as a Youth Ministry.

Do you know someone in your unit or church community that should be recognized?

The Gold Medallion award program was established to identify and recognize the outstanding Catholic Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, and Venturing Crew in each of the fifteen Episcopal Regions of the United States.

The NCCS Good Turn Service Project was instituted by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® Religious Activities standing committee to recognize Catholic-chartered units for their service to the charter organization.

Priesthood Sunday is a special day to honor Priesthood in the United States. It is a call for parishioners to honor Christ as Priest and the men who were called to be his priests on earth. It is also a day to honor all religious and to focus on the importance of vocations. Catholic Scout Packs, Troops and Venture Crews are encouraged to make a special effort to involve the youth in programs of making appreciation cards to be presented after Mass on the last Sunday in October or at an event planned in your parish.

The Boy Scouts of America annually celebrates its founding on February 8, 1910, based on the program started by Lord Baden Powell in England on August 1, 1907. Scout Sunday was added to the Scout celebration in the middle 1940s. Scout Sunday is always the Sunday preceding February 8th, unless the 8th is a Sunday, in which case the 8th would be Scout Sunday. The Saturday following February 8th is Scout Sabbath.

The fastest growing area for traditional BSA programs is Venturing. The newest Catholic Venturing programs will be formed for students in Catholic high schools through Serra Clubs under the auspices of the USA Council of Serra International.

The U.S. Catholic Bishop's have declared the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time as World Youth Day in the United States (not to be confused with the International Celebration of WYD, which is held every 2-3 years). The National Catholic Committee on Scouting encourages Scout Leaders to join parishes across the nation in acknowledging the many gifts of our youth during Sunday liturgies on that weekend.