Diocesan Liason - Robert Layer

2008 Scouting Retreat Flyer (acrobat pdf file...115 kb)

2008 Scouting Retreat Trifold (acrobat pdf file...150 kb)

Scout Medal & Workbook Prices (acrobat pdf file)

Religious Emblems for Boy Scout Programs

Religious Recognition for Girl Scout Programs

Counselor’s Guide for the Ad Altare Dei (AAD) Religious Emblem Program

Welcome to the website of the Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of Rochester NY. The DCCS was started by Bishop James E. Kearney in 1947 and has been an active committee seeking to advance the programs of Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Rochester. The National Council of Catholic Bishops [NCCB] charters two organizations which subscribe to the programs of Catholic Scouting. The National Catholic Committee on Scouting [NCCS] is an organization of the Catholic Church which subscribes to follow the programs of the Boy Scouts of America [BSA]; and the National Federation of Youth Ministry [NFCYM] which endorses the programs of the Girl Scouts USA [GS USA]. The NCCS maintains a liaison contact with the NFCYM. The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting [DCCS] is a Catholic Church organization of the Youth Ministry Department in the Diocese of Rochester NY. The DCCS consists of registered adult and youth representatives within the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs of the seven councils serving within the Diocese of Rochester. The DCCS meets about six times each year in Geneva NY.We hope that through this website the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting [DCCS] can help and assist you to find the data and information that will make your task easier and more fruitful. Programs sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting [DCCS] include:

Diocesan Scout Sunday - Each year, usually in late February, all Catholic Scouts who earned a Religious Emblem / Recognition in the previous year are invited with their parents and family to participate in a presentation service with the Bishop of the Diocese at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Applications for completed work must be approved and submitted to the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office by January 31 each year.

Diocesan Adult Recognition Dinner - This dinner is held in the spring of each year to honor those adult men and women, religious and clergy who have devoted a significant amount of their time and energy to assist in the development of Catholic youth of the diocese. Certificates of Merit, and the Bronze Pelican, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Anne, and St. George emblems are usually presented. Nominations for adult awards must be submitted by the sponsor to the DCCS sub-committee by January 15 each year.

Diocesan Scout Retreat - The Diocesan Catholic Scout Retreat for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts is held in the Fall of each year at one of the Council Scout Camps within the Diocese. The retreat is a Catholic spiritual experience of prayer, good fellowship, enlightenment and fun! Scouts of any faith are welcome to participate. The Retreat staff is made of adult scouters assisted by a team of teenage Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Religious Emblem / Recognition Counselor Training - Catholic adults who provide guidance for the Religious Emblem and Religious Recognition activities of the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs within the Diocese of Rochester are urged to take part in this training and become registered counselors.

Scouter Development : Lay Apostolate Formation for Scouting - This program is open to both men and women Catholic scout leaders. This revised program has been developed for scouters who seek to form and inform themselves as disciples of Christ. These scouters then share their formation and information with scouts and other scouters, not only by what they say, but also by what they do. Participation in this program, prepares scouters to better offer their talents and charisms in the service of the Church.

Religious Emblems for Boy Scout Programs

Light of Christ
The Light of Christ emblem [grades 1 - 2] encourages Tiger Cubs and Wolf Cub Scouts to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With active participation of the parent(s), the Scout comes to see Jesus as a real person and friend.

Parvuli Dei
The Parvuli Dei emblem [grades 3 - 5] is designed to help Bear and Webelos Cub Scouts become more aware of God’s presence in their daily lives, especially in their homes and communities. The program is performed with the assistance of the Scout’s parent(s). 

Ad Altare Dei
The Ad Altare Dei emblem [grades 7 - 8] assists Boy Scouts of the Latin Rite to develop a fully Christian way of life in their faith communities. The program is organized in steps based on the seven sacraments. Adherence to these sacraments is a primary means of developing spiritual growth. The Scout is assisted in the program by an approved religious emblem counselor. [See Religious Emblem Counselor Training Course; and the Counselor’s Guide for the Ad Altare Dei (AAD) Religious Emblem Program.]

Pope Pius XII
The Pope Pius XII emblem [grades 9 through college] is for both Boy Scouts, Ventures, and Explorers. The program deals with church related ministries and vocations - avenues through which baptized persons commit themselves to serve humanity in obedience to God’s call within our Catholic faith community. Boy Scouts, Ventures, and Explorers are assisted by an approved counselor or moderator.

Religious Recognition for Girl Scout Programs

Family of God
The Family of God program is designed for Girl Scouts [ages 7 - 9] to help them explore a wide range of activities which can lead to the discovery of the presence of God within their daily lives, their family, and their parish.

I Live My Faith
The I Live My Faith program is designed to help the younger girls [ages 9 - 11]. The program is divided into three chapters; "Stretching", "Seeking", and "Finding", each of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service, and sacrament into a unified whole. An important part of the I Live My Faith program is the involvement of the parent(s) in the process of faith sharing.

Marian
The Marian medal program is written for young catholic girls [ages 12 - 15] to enable them to proclaim the ‘Greatness of the Lord". Through all the activities of the program, the participants are asked to hold before them, Mary, as an example of the church serving our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Spirit Alive
The Spirit Alive medal is designed to assist senior high females [grades 9 - 12] in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves within and through their lives, calling them to greater participation in church ministry. Through exploration of scripture and the reading of church documents combined with the development of a stronger prayer life, this program helps young Catholic women better understand their own mission as a disciple of Jesus.

Counselor's Guide for the Ad Altare Dei (AAD) Religious Emblem Program

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