This virtual training program is designed for those who desire to serve as a counselor or facilitator for Catholic Religious Emblems in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

Religious Emblem Programs in Scouting can have a significant, positive influence in developing spirituality, citizenship, and character.  The most important ingredient in Catholic Scouting is the interaction that youth have with their adult leaders and with priests, deacons, and religious emblems counselors.  Volunteers in Scouting are role models and mentors, and have a lasting impact on the lives of the youth they serve.

The training will be online, beginning at 9 a.m. and conclude by noon if not sooner.  

Attendees should have the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei activity books for Cub Scouts or the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII participant and counselor/facilitator books for Scouts BSA and Venturers.  All are available at the Scout Shop except Pope Pius XII, which is downloadable online.  Here are the links for the downloads – https://www.nccs-bsa.org/store/product-category/workbooks/

Registration will close on May 14.  Registrants will receive the ZOOM link via email.  

Questions? Matt Maranto, maranto@aol.com, 720-980-9675 or Charlie Harbin, ctharbin@comcast.net.

Please join us in congratulating those receiving recognition for their contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.

Our 2020 honorees are:

The May 1 Saturday morning Brunch will be 9:30 – 11:00 under the outdoor pavilion at Sts. Simon and Jude Parish (The Woodlands).  COVID protocols will be in place with box brunch provided for the awards and recognition program.  Online registration for the event is now live and will end on Monday, April 26. Honorees and a guest of theirs may attend at no charge.  

The Annual Emblems and Awards Ceremony will be held at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (8900 Bellaire Boulevard) on Sunday, March 14, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Parsley Center.  Parking is in the student parking lot accessible by the Bellaire or Gessner entrances.  Here is the link to a map of the campus –  https://www.strakejesuit.org/about/our-campus. Scroll down to see it and the facility labels.   

Virus precautions will be in effect.  Everyone is to wear a mask for the event.  Assigned seating will be by family group with their Scout(s) in alphabetical order by parish of course instruction.

• Scouts and family members (parents and siblings only) must be present by 1:15 for seating and ceremony instructions.
• Scouts are to be in full field uniform (Scout shirt, Scout pants, Scout belt, and Scout socks).  A merit badge sash is fine.  The OA sash is not appropriate wear as this is not an OA event.  Bring a neckerchief slide for the neckerchief that will be provided ahead of the ceremony.
• A family picture will be taken as the award is presented to the Scout.  Parents and siblings should dress appropriately.  Parents who are Scouters may wear Scouter uniform if so desired.

We should conclude by 3:30, if not sooner.

Emblems Board of Review at St. Thomas High School
4500 Memorial Drive

• Registration – Beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Emblems course groups are to arrive 30 minutes ahead of the assigned Emblems course group BOR time slot.
• Board of Review – Group course arrival times are to be assigned, and communicated by John Osborn to lead counselors/facilitators, and staged until 11:30.

Emblems candidate fee is $35 (for the Emblem medal, certificate, neckerchief, family photo, and program costs).

Scouts are to be in field uniform (Scout shirt, pants, belt, and socks).  No MB or OA sashes.  Bring workbook (or folder if electronic Ad Altare Dei course used) complete with notes, articles, projects, and required signatures on application page.

Board of Review will be at the St. Thomas High School football stadium.  Dress appropriately for the weather with mask. COVID protocols will be followed.  In case of inclement weather (cold or rain), the venue will be moved to the Cemo Auditorium.  The change, if warranted, will be communicated the day beforehand to counselors and facilitators.

Counselors and facilitators, register your course group online as soon as possible and not later than January 21.

Please make one registration for your group and provide one check for payment.

• 01/23/2021 – 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

The annual Adult Recognition Brunch is deferred from Saturday, May 2, until we can safely gather together and reschedule.

In the meantime, please join us in congratulating those receiving recognition for their contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.

Our 2019 honorees are:

Scroll of Honor

Bronze Pelican

St. George

• Mat Burt