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Module Five: Religious Emblems & Award Steps
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WorkbooksEach religious award program has an associated workbook that is used to guide and document the scout's accomplishments. The Boy Scout and Girl Scout workbooks are normally available through our local scout shops. There are also several online sources. Counselors, Facilitators, scout leaders, and our committee members are also resources for materials.
Family-Based MedalsIf the award is family-based, as described earlier for Family of God, Light of Christ, or God is Love, the parents will work with the scout as described in the workbook for that religious emblem. A religious emblems coordinator may assist the parents with the process.- Follow the guidance and complete the requirements. Some workbooks have a form that should be sent to the TDCCS when starting work on the requirements. Please send all forms as pdfs to: [email protected]
- Most of the manuals require a review by a parish priest, deacon, or other parish minister such as the Religious Education Coordinator. We encourage the review be with a priest because this gives the scout an opportunity to interact with his or her pastor or other priest.
- The workbooks have a form to be completed and countersigned by the Parish reviewer. The form and the workbook are then delivered to the Committee.
Medals Requiring a Counselor or Facilitator
As described earlier, a counselor works with scouts who wish to earn awards such as I Live My Faith, Marian Medal, and Ad Altare Dei Medal. A facilitator works with scouts working on the Spirit Alive and Pope Pius XII emblems.- Follow the guidance and complete the requirements. Some workbooks have a form that should be sent to the TDCCS when starting work on the requirements. Please send all forms in pdf format via email to [email protected]
- The appropriate reviews are important. A review by a Board of Review or Panel of Assurance is needed for most of the awards. The purpose of the interview with the review panel is to assure that the scout completed the requirements as specified for the emblem and to allow the scout to share his or her thoughts on the emblem and the process. The interview is not a test, but a discussion. The scout is encouraged to bring his or her emblem workbook or notes.
- The workbooks have a form to be completed after the review. The form is then sent to the Committee.
Should families be unable to pay for the workbooks or medals, please contact us using the form on the left, or email us at [email protected]. Scholarship resources are available.
Completion of AwardsAll steps or requirements specified in the scout workbook must be completed satisfactorily. If a scout cannot complete a step or requirement as stated because of a special situation, a proposed modification should be submitted to the Committee for approval. We can provide advice on modifications if requested.A Board of Review (sometimes referred to as a Panel of Assurance), is generally put together by the award counselors or facilitators, The board can be made up of cognizant individuals such as Religious Emblem Counselors, scout leaders, older scouts who have already earned the awards, priests, deacons, or Committee members.The main purpose of a Board of Review is to give the scouts an opportunity to show what they have learned in a relaxed format that promotes discussion among all the participants. It is NOT meant to be a test like an oral exam or a grilling where the scouts are peppered with questions. Those on the Board should therefore attempt to ask questions on the main topics covered in the various chapters in the book in a way that promotes a lively dialogue.
After the award application is received by the Committee, the scouts will receive a letter with information on the award presentation date and location.
Presentation of AwardsThe Diocese of Tulsa presents our awards at an annual awards Mass with Bishop Konderla. Our Awards Mass is normally scheduled near the end of Ordinary Time in November.Award presentations in a scout's Parish are also an option. A presentation in front of the local community and the scout's Parish family is often very meaningful. Members of the Committee are honored to recognize our Diocesan scouts. Contact us to discuss this option if it is desired. -
Acknowledgements
The Diocese of Tulsa Catholic Committee on Scouting gives thanks for the dozens of dedicated volunteers who have invested in this activity since Bishop Ganter first asked John Knecht to form the committee in 1975. We offer a special thanks to our Chaplain, Father Leo Ahanotu, and all the faithful clergy who have served in that role.
The Catholic Scouts and Scouters of our Diocese have been blessed with a series of pious and thoughtful Bishops that understand the value and support Catholic Scouting. That continues today with Bishop David Konderla.
Thank you.