Thank you to participants, sponsors and staff
of the 2025 Retreat!
To Donate or Volunteer, Click Here
BSA Religious Awards Programs
Available to Cub Scouts / Scouting America / Exploring / Venturing / Sea Scouts
Religious groups developed emblems programs specific to their faith to encourage Scouts of all ages to grow stronger in their Duty to God. For more information on religious emblems programs, contact the following Scouters below, whose contact information is listed at left:
- Mark Wilson, Roman Catholic Religious Emblems
- Ron Tremper, Jewish Religious Emblems
- Dr. Bill Levering, Protestant Religious Emblems
Please click on the following links for more information on the BSA's Duty to God program.
- BSA's Religious Emblems Program
- Duty to God Booklet
- Frequently Asked Questions about the BSA's Religious Emblems Program
- View the Chart of Religious Emblems available to Scouts
Roman Catholic Religious Emblem Information
Contact Mark Wilson work on your Cub Emblems:
- Light of Christ - Tiger and Wolf ranks, or
- Parvuli Dei - Bear, Webelos or AOL ranks
Or Scouting Emblems:
- Ad Altare Dei - 12 - 15 y/o (recommended ages)
- Pope Pius XII - 16 - 20 y/o
Classes for the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius Emblems will be formed in October. Reach out to Mark if you have any questions or would like to register for either of these sessions.
The Committee works with the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York to promote related programs (linked below):
2026 Scholarship Opportunities
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awards 13 scholarships annually totaling $36,000. Applicants complete one form to be considered for any of the scholarship awards. NCCS Scholarships are awarded to service-oriented high school seniors who are Catholic Scouts in a Scouting America Program, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout and plan to further their education in college.
Click here to visit the NCCS College Scholarships page for more information.
Click here for the 2026 NCCS Scholarship online application
Since 2005, NCCS has awarded a total of $272,000 in scholarships to 118 service-oriented Scouts nationwide. Applications are due by March 1st, 2026.
2026 St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch
St. George is the patron saint of Catholic Scouting and the inspiration for Catholic Scouting’s high adventure leadership program and vocation retreat for Scouts who are 15 to 18 years old. Every two years, approximately 70 Scouts from dioceses and eparchies across the country are selected for this 11-day challenge known as the St. George Trek, which takes place at Philmont Scout Ranch July 1 – 16, 2026.
Led by selected priests, seminarian and Religious advisors from around the country, St. George Trek participants experience spirituality, faith, scripture and the sacraments in a spectacular setting. During the Trek, Scouts make two commitments: to the ongoing discernment of their vocation and to engagement in their home parish and diocese.
Click here for additional program and application information.
The deadline to apply for the next Trek is December 1, 2025.
Contact Mark Wilson for additional information on Catholic Scout Religious Awards programs or NCCS Scholarship opportunities.
Mission Statement
The RCDA Catholic Committee on Scouting works to engage scouting youth of all faiths in developing a deeper understanding of their relationship with God, through the Committee’s programs and emblem awards programs to fulfill the 12th point of the Scout Law, "A Scout is Reverent."
The Committee partners with other religious organizations as well as with the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scout and Camp Fire, which oversees religious recognition programs and training opportunities for diocesean and parish leadership and for Catholic leaders in Girl Scouting and Camp Fire — as belief in God and acknowledgment of one's responsibility to God are values inherent in both the Girl Scout Promise and the Camp Fire Oath.
Scouting is Youth Ministry.
Along with physical and mental fitness and character development Scouting promotes "Duty to God" and plays an important part of youth faith development. Duty to God enables Scouts to learn more about their religious creeds and “creds,” and the importance these tenets have in their daily lives. Through various activities and religious emblem awards programs sponsored by the Committee, Scouts can deepen their faith, strengthen their ties to family and community and show to the world their Duty to God.
Interested in joining the Committee? New members are always welcome! Contact us at Scouting@rcda.org.
Award programs for Catholic Girl Scouts, registered leaders, and troops
- Family of God, ages 7-9
- I Live My Faith, ages 9-11
- Marian Medal, ages 12-15
- Spirit Alive, Senior Scouts
- International Catholic Neighbor, all ages
- Saint Anne Medal, a National Adult Recognition Award
- Letters of congratulations and certificates for Gold Award
- More information can be found here.
Award programs for Catholic Cub and Boy Scouts, registered leaders, and troops
- Light of Christ, grades 1-2
- Parvuli Dei, grades 3- 5
- Ad Altare Dei, grades 7-12
- Pope Pius XII, grades 9 to college
- Light is Life (Eastern Rite), ages 12 - 13
- International Awareness Activity, all ages
- Pope Paul VI National Catholic Unit Excellence Award
- Bronze Pelican Medal, diocesan adult award
- St. George Medal, national recognition for adults
- Letters of congratulations and certificates of achievement for Eagle Scouts
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany Awards for Girl Scouts
- Child Jesus, grade 3
- Kateri Tekakwitha, grades 5-6
- Christian Heritage, grades 5-6
- Christian Heritage, grades 7-10
- Annual Bishop’s Award, diocesan award for outstanding troops
- Saint Elizabeth Seton Medal, a diocesan adult award
