Duty To God &
Religious Emblems
This website is the most comprehensive for religious workbooks and information on Scouting religious awards.
Click here for the latest list.
Virtual Programs – P.R.A.Y.
Beginning October 5th
Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church, P.R.A.Y., and the national committees and associations of Protestant faiths are excited to announce that national virtual programs are returning for 2025. These programs will be beneficial in making the religious emblems available to all youth, especially those who are having difficulty finding an in-person class or congregational support near them.
These classes are open to any Protestant, Non-Denominational, or Independent Christian youth in any organization, grades Kindergarten through 12th, interested in fortifying their experience through their faith. Classes in each of the five program levels are offered and will be presented over Zoom.
Registration is free and open until September 30th. For more information, please visit Virtual Programs – P.R.A.Y.
U.S. National Day of Prayer
Participate in National Day of Prayer on May 1, 2025 – and that week
This is second annual event focusing on Scouts Read Sacred Texts. Last year was a worldwide event and registered participation is already larger for 2025. Please join in on May 1st, or any time that week. Open to all Youth and Youth Organizations.
This is much more than reading. Each youth that participates will have engaged in a discussion with their Scout leader, Faith Leader, family or friend about their Faith’s Sacred Texts. For some, it may be the first time they have read their Sacred texts. We are encouraging this on-going practice that continues to change lives and is part of Scouting’s and other’s core values.
Scouts can Participate in One of Three Ways
- Read from home with your family your faith’s Sacred Texts.
- Ask your Faith leader to read at their faith location. Faith leaders may suggest the readings, promote, or broadcast this to the public.
- Invite a Scout friend to participate in this event at their home or Faith location.
Participating in this event could help satisfy the Duty to God requirement necessary for advancement.
All youth service organizations and Faith youth groups are invited to participate. Two different patches are available – Scouts and Youth as pictured here.
Registration is for participation counting purposes. Please join in and register to be counted. Follow the links to learn more.
Resources
A Scout is Reverent
One of the basic tenants of Scouting is Duty-to-God. The first point of the Scout Oath is the promise “To do my Duty to God” and the last point of the Scout Law is Reverent, as in a “Scout is Reverent”. There are many ways you as an adult Scout leader can build faith into your unit’s Scout program, whether you are in a pack, troop or crew. An important concept to keep in mind is that we need to be respectful of other faiths and not promote one faith over another. However, it is ok to concentrate on one faith if everyone in the unit is of that faith (e.g. Jewish units, some Catholic, Protestant and Muslim units).
With that said, in multi-faith units it is ok to have Scouts do something that’s in their personal faith tradition that is appropriate for the timing and to share it with the unit. For example, in the Jewish tradition on Friday night before dinner, a Jewish Scout may give a special blessing over grape juice and challah bread. A Troop may wish to expose all their Scouts to this tradition and ask everyone to watch. Opportunities like this where people realize that they are not necessarily being asked to participate, but rather to observe are great occasions to educate those in other faiths. The difficult part is that it mostly works for groups in the minority. Also, non-denominational services are an excellent way to show our Duty to God in a respectful way.
Council Duty to God Award
The Council Duty to God Award was created to recognize those registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of Scouting America. The deadline to submit nominations is January 31 of each year. Nominations can be sent to info@dmvc.org.
The Scout Oath begins with “On my honor, I will do my best to do my Duty to God” and the Scout Law ends with “A Scout is Reverent”. Between these two mighty pillars, the rest of Scouting happens.
Across the nation and in the Del-Mar-Va Council are individuals who go above and beyond in their Duty to God. They, like those recognized with the National Duty to God Award for their national impact, are people impacting Scouts in their Duty to God in our council.
The Council Duty to God Award was created to recognize those registered Scouters who have demonstrated an exemplary history of transformational leadership in supporting and promoting the spiritual foundation of Scouting at the local Council level. It acknowledges the unswerving dedication to faith, fellowship, and service of those whose character embodies the moral principles and shared ideals of Scouting America.
There are no restrictions on the number of nominations that may be submitted to Del-Mar-Va Council. Even so, a maximum of two Council Duty to God Awards per year may be awarded by Del-Mar-Va Council. Nominations are open now and must be submitted by January 31 of each year. The nomination form is available by clicking here.
The award medal is the same as the National Duty to God Award medal but is suspended from a blue and white ribbon. A beautiful certificate is also available through National Supply.
The Council Duty to God Award presentation should be conducted with the highest level of honor at a council event (such as the council’s Silver Beaver recognition) or a religious emblem ceremony for the recipient’s faith. Each recipient should receive recognition worthy of the service rendered on Scouting’s behalf.
Unit Leader & Committee Chair Resources
Click on the image above for resources for unit leaders.
Chaplain Aide
Resources
Click on the image above for resources for youth leaders.
Additional Online Resources:
