A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed May 1 by Scouting America and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, solidifying their long-standing commitment to the holistic development and spiritual growth of young people. This agreement reaffirms their shared values and outlines collaborative efforts to provide enriching and character-building opportunities for Catholic youth through Scouting.
“This Memorandum of Understanding represents a powerful recommitment to working hand-in-hand with Catholic Scouting to provide young people with exceptional opportunities for personal growth, leadership development and a deeper understanding of their faith,” said Roger Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America. “It also underscores the dedication of both organizations to fostering leadership skills, promoting ethical decision-making and instilling a sense of service within young individuals.”
In 1910, Scouting America was founded; that same year, one of the earliest known Catholic-chartered troops was established in St. Paul. Today there are more than 3,270 Catholic-sponsored Scouting units across the nation, providing life-enriching experiences for more than 68,000 youth.
Bob Rueter has served the St. Cloud Diocesan Committee on Scouting for the past 10 years and currently chairs the committee.
Rueter said, “A Scout is reverent (the 12th point of the Scout Law) and our committee — in partnership with the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and Scouting America — strives to make opportunities for Catholic Scouts of all ages to earn their religious emblems in Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA and grow in their faith in the process. We have been fortunate to bring some Catholic Scouts back to the Church through this program. At a Bishop’s Recognition Mass on Feb. 16, Bishop Patrick Neary blessed the Scouts and their emblems.”
As the father of two Eagle Scout sons who earned their Catholic emblems while in Scouting, Rueter emphasized ways Catholic Scouts can strengthen their faith.
“The memorandum is important to me,” he said, “because I believe strongly in our Catholic faith and I want the Scouting youth to strive for the same passion and build lives and relationships around the Catholic Church. With the membership losses in our Catholic Church, it is more important than ever to bring people back to the excitement being offered through faith engagement and study of saints, sacraments and the Eucharist at this time.”
Both organizations look forward to a future of continued partnership, empowering the next generation of leaders grounded in faith and strong moral principles.
“Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Scouting America and the NCCS reaffirms a longstanding partnership built on shared values of faith, service and leadership,” said Bill Guglielmi, chair-elect of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. “Together, we celebrate over 100 years of collaboration in shaping young people of character guided by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, especially the principles of duty to God and reverence. Our actions today reaffirm our mutual commitment to continuing this important mission for generations to come.”
To learn more
Scouting America is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.” To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.org.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting is a Church committee of concerned Catholic laity and clergy, which is an advisory to the Boy Scouts of America and relates to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops through its episcopal liaison. NCCS-sponsored Catholic Scouting is the only Scouting program sanctioned by both the USCCB and BSA. For more information about NCCS, visit https://nccs-bsa.org/ and for more information about Catholic Scouting visit https://catholicscouting.com/.