This story is attributed to The Friends Committee on Scouting
The Religious Society of Friends sponsors awards that Scouting America, (used to be named Boy Scouts), Girl Scouts, Girl Guides and Campfire members may earn. These awards are intended as a means for the young boy or girl to learn about their faith and be recognized for their accomplishment. They have also been used as curriculum for First Day classes. The awards are not “official” SA/BSA or GSUSA awards, but are approved to wear on the uniform. They were created by Friends for our young Scouts.
The “That of God” award is intended for grades 2 thru 5. It encourages the young girl or boy to explore their spiritual journey in sections titled ‘Me’, ‘My Family’ and ‘My Meeting’.
The “Spirit of Truth” award is intended for grades 6 thru 12, and Venture, Rover and Senior Scouts up to age 21, and focuses on ‘Word’, ‘Worship’ and ‘Witness’ . Quaker belief, personages, history, process, and service to the Meeting are explored.
These awards are earned by the youth, under the tutelage of a member of their home meeting or church. There are workbooks and guide books available thru the Friends Committee on Scouting website: www.quakerscouting.org . Canadian Friends may earn the “Religion in Life” award, with similar requirements. For comparison, religious awards for many other faiths may be viewed at www.praypub.org and https://www.scouting.org/awards/religious-awards/
There is also an adult “Friends Emblem” award that may be awarded to adults to recognize their work with Scout Youth. This is awarded on nomination and documentation by Friends that know the nominee.
The Friends Committee on Scouting, an affiliate group of the Friends World Committee for Consultation, (FWCC) Section of the Americas, administers the awards in the USA and Canada, and is the official liaison to the various Scout and Campfire organizations. The committee has members in all areas of the USA and Canada. The FCoS invites all interested Friends involved in Scouting or Campfire to join our work, or just donate to our activities.
Contact the FCoS: www.quakerscouting.org, and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/quakerscouting/
In 2013, the FCoS sponsored a display at the National Boy Scout Jamboree. There, visitors to our display contributed to a “Scouting For Peace “ Scroll, 63 feet long.
This may be viewed on YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/uh4k8WamJtU?si=ura7z6WXNRVO9ezx
The FCoS sponsors Scout Chaplains to serve in their local Scout organizations and at various Jamborees and Camporees and Moots.
FCoS members James Lehman (301.774.7561) of Sandy Spring Meeting, MD. and Tim Mullady (410.353.6594) of Annapolis Meeting, MD. have served as Scout Chaplains, representing the Society of Friends at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in past years. The 2017 Jamboree was held at The Bechtel Summit, Mount Hope, West Virginia.
The World Jamboree was hosted at The Bechtel Summit in 2019. The FCoS was present at that World Jamboree.
Need an Eagle Service Project? Or a Gold Award Project? Your Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting or Friend’s Camp may have a project in mind your Friend Scout might consider.
Would that appeal to you?
See you on the trail!
