Scouting 502 - Boy Scout Troop Leadership

A Scout Is Reverent

Troop 502 is strongly committed to supporting one of the fundamental principles of Scouting: A Scout is Reverent. We encourage our boys to seek to learn more about their respective faiths by pursuing the religious emblem sponsored by each faith. There is much information available for anyone interested and the Troop Chaplain will assist each Scout as required to find the appropriate materials, contact the sponsoring religious group or institution and provide assistance as needed to complete the requirements for him to earn his religious emblem.

Take some time to visit the PRAY - Religious Emblems web site to find out more about religious emblems. P.R.A.Y.'s mission is to encourage the spiritual growth of young people.

For further information contact the Troop Chaplain.

Troop Chaplain - Neal Carey - 781-935.2320

Duties of a Troop Chaplain

Provide a spiritual tone for troop meetings and activities.

Give guidance to the chaplain aide.

Promote regular participation of each member in the activities of the religious organization of his choice.

Visit homes of Scouts in time of sickness or need.

Give spiritual counseling service when needed or requested.

Encourage Boy Scouts to earn their appropriate religious emblems.

Report to the troop committee at each meeting.

Duties of a Chaplain's Aide

Assists in troop religious services.

Promotes religious emblems programs.

Ad Altare Dei - Religious Emblem Program

The "Ad Altare Dei" (AAD) is a program developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for Boy Scouts of the Catholic faith. Its purpose is to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person by encouraging him to actively live out his Catholic Christian faith. This gives the boy the opportunity to develop his spiritual side according to the beliefs of his own religion, to be "morally straight".

The AAD program is designed to be used with adolescent boys from the ages of 12 to 14 years old. Other older Scouts may work with the program. Before beginning this program, you must be Catholic and a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, active in your troop for 6 months, and have completed the sixth grade. You must complete the program before your 18th birthday to receive the recognition. For Scouts who are mentally or physically handicapped, the program may be made more flexible.

The program itself consists of eight sections. These parallel the seven Sacraments. The Scout is encouraged to work with other Scouts on this program, under the guidance of a certified Religious Emblems Counselor. If you have questions, check with your local Catholic Committee on Scouting to learn who can serve in this capacity for you. Your local Boy Scout service center can put you in touch with the Catholic Committee if needed.

The AAD program consists of discussions, activities and projects which help you learn more about your religion and deepen your faith. These are best done with a group of other Scouts. The length of time for completion of the program is about 6 months.

There is an AAD Scout manual #33095 (IBSN-7-30176-33094-5) available from the Scout Store and the cost is $2.25. There is also an AAD Counselor Guide, #33077 (IBSN-7-30176-33072-3) and the cost is $2.75. In addition there is a new NCCS "Religious Emblems Reference Manual" intended for those who carry out the religious emblems programs in their diocese. This number is 16-443 and is available at a cost of $3.75.

Upon completion, the Scout is presented with the Ad Altare Dei emblem. This is a bronze cross suspended under a bar and ribbon of the Papal colors. The BSA has authorized the wearing of this emblem on the Scout uniform. The appropriate Scout knot can be worn on the uniform to indicate the emblem was earned.