Catholic Scouting

There was Scouting in this country before there was a Boy Scouts of America. Many religious groups were using the scouting program as a part of their ministry to the youth and families in their neighborhoods. Scouting developed as a movement and became a part of religious groups’ youth ministry. Approximately 20% of the packs and troops in the United States are chartered to Catholic organizations. As of December 31, 1998 there were 9,842 packs, troops, etc. chartered to Catholic parishes, schools, Knights of Columbus councils, etc. With 121,766 adult leaders, these serve 371,930 youths in the almost 200 dioceses.

The Boys Scouts of America encourages a Scout to recognize an obligation or duty to God, but does not define what a belief in God is or specify a religious organization. We welcome all boys, Catholic and non-Catholic. Pack 903 provides a traditional Scouting program while emphasizing our Catholic faith in all we do.  Some of the ways we incorporate our faith is by encouraging the Scouts to participate in the Religious Emblems programs, working towards earning the Pope Paul VI Unit Award, starting our year with a Mass, having a priest talk to the boys on vocations, participating in service projects and incorporating prayer at all of our gatherings.

National Catholic Committee on Scouting

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is a Church committee of concerned Catholic lay and clergy which is advisory to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and relates to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops through its Bishop Advisor.

The purpose of the Catholic Committee on Scouting is to utilize and ensure the constructive use of the program of the BSA as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic youth of our nation. The CCS seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between BSA and the Catholic Church and to work cooperatively with the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and various other groups involved with youth ministry in the United States.

Each diocese in the United States has approved of a local diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting.

There is a National Catholic Committee on Scouting to support and coordinate these local diocesan committees, and the chairman and chaplain of each Diocesan CCS are automatically members of the National CCS.

The "Official"  National Catholic Committe on Scouting home page

NCCS Chair Bob Oldowski's Catholic Committee Site  

Another page about the National Catholic Committee

Information about the  Catholic Scouter Development program of the NCCS

Scout Sunday

The Boy Scouts of America was first chartered on February 8, 1910. Each year the Sunday that falls before February 8th is designated as Scout Sunday. Scout Sunday is a day to honor those who are involved in scouting programs and to recognize the shaping role scouting has on children and youth.