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SCOUT EXECUTIVE'S MINUTE Dear Fellow Scouters: I have just returned from my first meeting as a new member of the National Executive Board of PRAY in St. Louis, MO. PRAY stands for “Programs of Religious Activities for Youth.” It is the national organization that handles the religious emblems (booklets, patches, and medals) for most Protestant churches, along with the Quakers, Eastern Orthodox as well as those of the Jewish faith. The organization’s governing board includes church pastors, and executives from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire representatives.Current statistics show that 5% of all BSA youth members earn the Catholic religious emblems. Approximately 2% of all BSA youth members earn one of the religious emblems affiliated with PRAY. Girl Scout figures are about half of BSA figures, but the BSA trend line is flat while Girl Scout participation is growing. Religious emblems are also available from PRAY for adult leaders of various faiths. Part of my duty as Scout Executive is to point out various under-utilized elements of the Scouting program, draw their attention to key volunteers, and then to promote their inclusion into the overall program. “Duty to God” is at the forefront of the Scout Oath and rightfully so. By the statistics I have just learned it definitely appears that the religious emblems program is far under-utilized nationwide. We can make a positive impact by providing this experience to our Scouts while helping them learn and grow in their own faith. Regardless of your house of worship I would encourage you to fully utilize the religious emblems program as part of an overall comprehensive Scouting program for your Scouts, your fellow leaders, and your families. Detailed information can be found at www.praypub.org or by calling 1-800-933-7729. Call and talk with the “Religious Emblems People” today! Best regards, Stephen J. Taylor, CFRE Scout Executive Northwest Suburban Council |