Religious Emblems Counselors
WHO CAN BE A COUNSELOR?
Anyone who hears a call to serve in Scouting as youth ministry may become a Religious Emblems Counselor with
the approval of his or her parish pastor. Some of these persons may be a parent of a new Scout, a religious
education instructor, a vowed religious or an interested adult who can be trained to be an Emblems Counselor. If
they are able to positively affect youth directly or indirectly, they can have the opportunity to see if they are up to the task.
Want to be a Catholic Emblems Counselor?
The Allentown Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting is looking for more Religious Emblems Counselors for the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XXII Boy Scout awards and Cub Scout Religious Emblems Coordinators. We are planning an adult retreat/workshop day in August where we will train adults and explore our faith. There is no cost, except for some of your time. The tentative date is Saturday, August 21st, or Sunday, August 22nd at Christopher House at Kutztown University. Please contact Bill Brodniak to register or if you have more questions at info@adccos.org.
COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION
Developing certification procedures for Counselors is essential for each diocese. The development of a certification program can assist your Diocese in their youth protection efforts. The certification procedures include the following:
- The applicant must receive and agree to follow the Diocesan Youth Protection Policies.
- Each applicant must attend the Diocesan's Protecting God's Children Workshop.
- Each applicant must register with the BSA and attend the BSA’s Youth Protection Training Program.
- Each applicant participates in a Scouter Development experience. Hopefully, the Counselor will experience Scouter Development on a frequent basis or participate in an annual spiritual retreat on their own or with Scouts.
- Those who are to be Coordinators for the Light of Christ and/or Parvuli Dei should attend a Pack Religious Emblems Coordinator Training Course.
- Those who are to be Counselors for the Ad Altare Dei or the Light of Life and those who are to be Facilitators for the Pope Pius XII must attend a Religious Emblems Counselor Training Course.
- Because of the varied presentation methods and subject material of the emblems programs, Counselors are to be certified to conduct one emblem program at a time.
- Each applicant should attend a Diocesan Annual Counselor Meeting. This is to update them on any changes in the national religious emblems programs and/or diocesan guidelines. This should allow the Counselors an opportunity to give input into the Diocesan Religious Emblems Program.
- The applicant is to complete a Diocesan Counselor’s Application Form.
- An endorsement from the applicant’s pastor is to be secured.