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Religious Recognitions
Through Girl Scouting, each girl is encouraged to become
a stronger member of her own religious group, and every Girl
Scout group recognizes that religious instruction is the
responsibility of the parents and religious leaders. Religious
recognitions programs are always developed and administered
by the religious groups themselves. If they wish to provide
a pin, the recipient may wear it on her uniform, either on
her badge sash below the membership stars, or on the right
side of her uniform, level with her membership pin. Because
the Girl Scout organization recognizes that it has no authority
to decide whether or not a girl has reached a certain level
of spiritual development, the Girl Scout organization does
not grant permission to use the Girl Scout insignia and name
on a religious recognition provided by a religious group.
How to Get Started
1. Girl must obtain the specific booklet for her religion.
Contact P.R.A.Y. for
further information. If you are working on any Religious
Recognition, please contact Sarah
Jackson, ext. 229.
2. Parents should review the guidelines.
3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and if
possible show them the booklet before starting the program.
4. Girls must complete the requirements, obtain the proper
signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition
or pin.
Benefits of Working with the Religious Community
The Girl Scout Promise
and Law reflect that we are a spiritually based organization.
We are non-denominational though the values we endorse are
universal. In working with her faith group, a Girl Scout reinforces
her commitment to it. At the same time, religious groups strengthen
their connections to girls, their families, and youth in their
communities. Some of the win-win benefits are as follows:
Girl Scouting: Helps to fulfill the Girl Scout goal of
reaching "Every Girl Everywhere."
Girl Scouting: Girl Scouting enhances awareness of other
faith groups, enabling Girl Scouts to work more effectively communities.
Girl Scouting:
- Resources from faith groups will deepen
our understanding of their personal and religious values and
traditions.
- Girl Scouts can share successful outreach
practices and models with councils, drawn from both denominational
and interfaith groups with councils.
- Partnering with religious organizations provides
opportunities for membership growth and retention in this age
range. Also, retention for adult volunteers is greater since volunteers
from faith based groups tend to make longer-term commitments.
- Community cultivation is enhanced when Girl
Scouts include representatives from faith groups and organizations
in their national council sessions, conventions and other venues.
- Being inclusive of different faith groups
helps Girl Scouts to model for girls the many dimensions of diversity.
Religious Groups:
- The international dimensions of the Girl Scout
movement supports the efforts of faith-based groups to serve all
people.
- Supports efforts to better reach and
serve youth in their communities.
- Faith groups can use Girl Scout tools and
resources to extend outreach efforts to girls and their families.
- GSUSA's expertise in working with girls and
young adults can reinforce and complement the work of faith groups
with their children and young adults.
- The leadership training and skills that members
receive through Girl Scouting can easily be utilized on other
communities and service organizations within the faith group.
- Girl Scouts can provide speakers, expertise,
and program support for national meetings and events sponsored
by faith groups and organizations.
Learning more about Girl Scout initiatives that promote character
education, tolerance, civics, and ethics, can broaden ways that
faith groups teach values to their youth
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New Religious Recognitions Resources
P.R.A.Y.
was pleased to be able to offer two new resources to Girl Scout
councils. Both resources were made available at no charge to Girl
Scout councils that were interested in promoting religious awards. Religious
Awards Presentation Kit – This kit contained sample
presentations for Service Units/Neighborhoods as well as for council-wide
trainings and Troop presentations. It also came with a poster
and a complete set of To Serve God puzzle patches.Religious
Awards Kit for Girl Scout Stores – This kit was designed
for store personnel to help understand the “who what where” of
religious awards from the store’s perspective. The complete
kit included a PowerPoint presentation, poster, several brochures,
and a set of To Serve God puzzle patches. More
information may be found at online at www.praypub.org. Sign
up for PRAY's Girl Scout E-Mail List.
NEW
BROCHURE AVAILABLE FROM PRAY
P.R.A.Y. has revised the “To Serve God” brochure
to include information about the new puzzle patch. The new
brochure now has four pages and includes the following features
and information:
Full
color photos of all the religious awards available to girls
and adultsFull color photo of the To Serve God puzzle patchContact
information on the national religious organizations and committees
Basic
information about religious awards: what are they, how do
you get started, why promote them, and how to make a presentation
Girl
Scout councils are encouraged to order these brochures to distribute
one per Troop plus extra for staff, training events, the resource
center, etc. To order brochures or to find out if your council
has already ordered a supply, please contact Jennifer at jenniferh@praypub.org. Click
here to view this brochure on the P.R.A.Y. web site.
CATCH
THE SPIRIT, A GSUSA RESOURCE- A “Catch the Spirit:
Pluralism in Practice” CD-ROM was released by GSUSA in
January 2006. It is designed “to promote the innovative,
pluralistic and recent program activities that Girl Scout councils
and their faith and culture community partners are engaged in.
Faith and culture communities are portals of diversity and many
Girl Scout councils are successfully collaborating with their
neighbors toward pluralism and inclusion.” The CD-ROM
includes PSAs, sample letters and recruitment flyers, and badge
and try-it activity curricula. Copies were sent directly to
local councils. For more information, contact GSUSA.
RELIGIOUS
AWARDS UPDATES
Good Samaritan Award for Youth
http://www.naums.org/INFO/Awards.htm#GoodSamaritan
The
purpose of the award is to provide United Methodist Churches
a means to recognize an individual youth who demonstrates the
attributes of the Good Samaritan described in Luke 10:25-37.
This award recognizes ministry to others through outreach,
humanitarian assistance, or advocacy.
The Good Samaritan Award recognizes girls and boys (ages
12 through 20) for outstanding outreach service. The award is
administered by the United Methodist Church, but the recipients
do not need to be members of a UMC congregation.
 PURCHASE
A NEW PIECE OF THE PUZZLE!
The
FISH is the newest piece of the GSUSA puzzle patch.
It just became available August 1st, 2007.The
puzzle patches are designed to promote the religious awards programs. Both
youth and adults may earn these patches by learning about religious awards
and making a commitment.
Click
here for resources to make a presentation for GSUSA.
Click
here to order your GSUSA patches online.
RELIGIOUS AWARDS UPDATE
- GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD - The Good Samaritan Award
recognizes girls and boys (ages 12 through 20) for outstanding
outreach service. The award is administered by the United
Methodist Church, but the recipients do not need to be
members of a UMC congregation. Click
here for more information and an application form.
- RAMADHAN PATCHES - The Islamic Committee on Girl
Scouting has Ramadhan Patches for the Brownie, Junior,
Cadette and Senior levels. Girl Scouts of the Islamic Faith
may contact the Committee for information or visit http://www.nicgs.com/NICGS/gs_ramadhan.htm
- FRIENDS / QUAKER - The Friends Committee on Scouting
has posted the That of God and Spirit of Truth programs
on their website. Here's the link to get the PDF files: http://scouting.quaker.org/page3.html
 Frequently
Asked Questions
1. What if my religious institution doesn't know about this
program?
Although the religious recognitions have been created by the religious
bodies at the national level, the local institutions may not be
aware of them. It may be helpful to obtain more information or even
obtain a copy of the curriculum to give to your religious leader.
2. If the program for my faith has more than one level (for
the different grade levels), may a girl earn all of these recognitions?
Yes. Girls and young women can earn all levels of their religious
recognitions program. However, they must be in the appropriate age/grade
level according to the program guidelines when they start, and complete
each level before moving on. They may not go backwards or earn younger
programs.
3. Do the participants have to belong to a religious institution?
It depends on the religion. Please check the eligibility requirements
for that particular program.
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4. Do girls and boys participate in the same program?
It depends on the religion. Some have created programs that are
used by both. Others have created separate programs for members
of separate youth agencies (i.e. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire
Boys and Girls). Please check the eligibility requirements for each
program.
5. Who may serve as a counselor?
Once again, it depends on the program. Some require as member of
the clergy serve as a counselor, others allow parents or family
members.
6. How long does it take to complete the program?
Some may be completed in 3 to 4 months; others may take longer.
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7. How are the awards presented?
They should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably at
the girl's religious institution. Some awards come with a sample
ceremony.
8. How do I order the recognition items?
Each religious program has its own award. Follow the instructions
in your guidelines; awards come from different places and require
the submission of different information. The awards are NOT available
at the council store.
9. Where is the recognition worn on the uniform?
On the badge sash below the membership stars, or on the right side
of the uniform level with the membership pin.
10. What are adult recognitions?
They are earned by nomination only; they are honors given to worthy
adults for their outstanding service to youth through both their
religious institution and Girl Scouting. Recipients of these awards
are unaware that they are being nominated: an outside party must
nominate them to receive an award by submitting the required application,
letters of recommendation, and resume. Please check eligibility
requirements for specific awards.
Resources Available from the National Jewish Girl Scout Committee
The
National Jewish Girl Scout Committee has several updates to their
web page including a ten-year calendar of Jewish Holidays and Festivals,
Guidelines for camping with Observant Girl Scouts, and a section
on Blessings, Graces and Prayers. Visit www.njgsc.org.
| Craft Ideas for Jewish Holidays,
$3.00 |
Includes many craft projects
for Jewish Holidays throughout the year. It also contains
clear explanations of the various holidays. |
| More Ideas for Jewish Holidays,
$3.00 |
Has additional crafts, and
includes songs, games and recipes. |
| Kit: About Jewish Girls in
Girl Scouts, $1.00 |
Contains: history of NJGSC
and the awards; fact sheets on Jewish faith and beliefs,
observing the Sabbath, Holy Days and Festivals; information
and sample letters to Girl Scout councils and Jewish institutions;
all items listed below with an *. |
| Suggestions for Jewish Girl
Scout Services and Award Ceremonies, $.50 |
 |
| Girl Scouting and the Jewish
Girl, $3.00 for 50 brochures |
A recruitment brochure which
summarizes the NJGSC Awards and talks of the value of
Girl Scouting to the Jewish Girl. |
| Program Cover, $5.00 for
100. |
Suitable
for a Girl Scout Sabbath or Awards Ceremony or Heritage
Day Program, these color printed covers come unfolded,
8.5" x 11".
When folded, the artwork has the Girl Scout Promise surrounded
by six Jewish symbols, done in tasteful pastels, on the
front. |
Free Publications
Note: Items listed with an * are included in the Kit About Jewish Girls
in Girl Scouts. |
- Nomination form for Adult Ora Award
- Jewish Holiday and Festival 10-Year
Calendar *
This calendar is now available here as a download in PDF format.
- Brochure: Israel Scouts: Tsofim Friendship
Caravan
- Sample copy (one only) of Brochure: "Girl
Scouting and the Jewish Girl." *
- Sample copy (one only) of Program Cover
*
- Guidelines for Camping with the Observant
Jewish Girl Scout *
- Procedures for Organizing a Council
Jewish Girl Scout Committee *
- Order forms for Religious Award Books
for Jewish Girl Scouts *
- Order forms for all NJGSC materials
*
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To order any of these, fill out and print the form at http://www.njgsc.org/order.html and
send a check in the correct amount to the address given.
The
National Buddhist Committee on Scouting has a new email address viwamura@sbcglobal.net.
Their website www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org is
being redesigned but you can access information at this address: http://geocities.com/bcascout/.
Padma Award- This program offers an opportunity for all
interested Girl Scouts to learn and better understand the Buddhist
Way.
The Award and What it Means
The Padma Award is a four part program for Girl Scouts.
- The Brownie will receive a certificate on completion.
- The Junior will receive a Padma pendant in
bronze.
- The Cadette will receive a Padma pendant in
silver.
- The Senior will receive a certificate on completion.
The Padma
Award is a medal consisting of a pendant, ribbon, and a bar.
The pendant is the Lotus Blossom. It is a symbol which represents
equality and purity of all things. The ribbon is wisteria color
and is attached to a crossbar in which is inscribed the Sanskrit
word "Padma".
The Girl Scouts of the United States of America has authorized
the Padma Award to be worn on the official Girl Scout uniform.
The Award is presented by the temple to a Buddhist Girl Scout
in recognition of her spiritual growth as shown by her fulfilling
the Award Requirements.
The Purpose
The purpose of the Padma Award is to give Girl Scouts of the
Buddhist Faith practical guidance in achieving the spiritual
aspiration made in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, thereby developing
a girl whose views and actions in life will stem from the highest
of the Buddhist thoughts.
The Padma Award program aims to do this by leading the girls
to 1) attain understanding and faith in the Buddha, 2) learn
the Teachings, and 3) practice the harmonious Buddhist way of
life, in the spirit of universal brotherhood of all living things.
These are the dynamic aspects of the girls who are of the complete
acceptance of the Three Treasures--Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
The Award program recognizes the Girl Scout Promise and Law
and gives the Girl Scout a solid basis for fuller understanding
and greater appreciation of all phases of the Girl Scout program.
Who is Eligible?
Although the Padma Award program is primarily meant for Girl
Scout members of the Buddhist faith, a non-Buddhist may participate
in the program provided permission is granted by their parents.
Request information at http://www.eagnet.com/edipage/areaserv/nbcs/feedback.htm
The Meaning of Padma
Padma, a lotus-flower, is a central symbol of Buddha-truth, used by all schools
of Buddhism since its birth.
The nature of Buddha-truth is symbolized by the emergence of a pure and beautiful
lotus-flower from the depth of a muddy swamp. Although deep-rooted in mud,
the lotus-flower rises above the water to receive light and air.
It is hoped that the applicants of the Padma Award rise above the muddy waters
of worldly passions to blossom into the purity signified by the lotus-flower.
Another meaning of a louts-flower is that it is a symbol of equality of all
beings. the heart of a lotus-flower is made up of many equal-sized compartment;
and in each and every compartment, a seed is found.
Catholic Awards
For Young People
Family of God Project Book, Medal, and Patch
Family of God is the official religious recognition program of the Roman Catholic
Church for children ages 7-9 who are enrolled in the Girl Scouts, Camp Fire
Boys and Girls, and other Catholic youth organizations. Family of God is a
bilingual activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts
of the parish and families with children in the second and third grades. The
program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as
members of their family and parish.
The six chapters are titled:
- I Am Special to My Family
- I Am Special to God’s
Family
- I Belong to My Family
- I Belong to God’s
Family
- I Can Help My Family
- I Can Help God’s
Family
I Live My Faith Project Book, Medal, and Patch
The I Live My Faith program is designed to help Girl Scouts and Camp Fire members,
ages 9-11, appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy
in their daily life. The action-oriented activities focus on developing awareness
within the individual of his/her potential as a growing person, friend, family
member, citizen, and a participant in the community of faith. The program
is divided into three chapters, “Stretching,” “Seeking,” and “Finding,” each
of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service, and sacrament
into a unified whole. I Live My Faith complements and supports the more formal
religious education provided in Catholic schools and parish programs.
Mary, the First Disciple Project Book, Medal, and Patch
“My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit finds joy in God
my Savior ... ” (Luke 1:46-47)
The Marian Medal program is written for young Catholics, ages 12-15, to enable
them to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” This is accomplished
by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model
of openness and spirituality—a woman of the church. Through various projects,
discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants
are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities,
friends, parents, and the world around them.
The Spirit Alive Project Book, Medal, and Patch
This program is designed for Catholic youth in high school who are in the senior
level of Girl Scouts or Horizon Club members of Camp Fire Boys and Girls. It
assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling
them to greater participation in the church’s ministry.
The four chapters cover:
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Scripture
- The Holy Spirit Alive in the Catholic Church
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Prayer
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Your Life
Activities are an integral part of The Spirit Alive process. Because
different people have different learning styles, there are four
categories of activities to choose from for chapters 1-3: written,
artistic, interactive, and digital. The activity in Chapter 4 is
the service component of the process.
Adult Recognitions
Recognitions are not just for youth! Adults who work tirelessly and without
pay to mentor young people deserve special acknowledgment as well. Two medals
are specially designed with the adult religious recognition moderator in mind.
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal recognizes any adult who serves Catholic
youth through national organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA and Camp Fire
USA, the St. Anne Medal, is the highest recognition for adults. These recognitions
are not given based upon completion of a program, but are awarded by the diocese
to adults who model the highest ideals for young people. Suggested guidelines
for the awarding of the medals are available.
The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Medal
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recognition was inaugurated in 1980 to recognize
the meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl
Scouts and Camp Fire. This medal affirms the work of those who help youth develop
their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations. It will ordinarily
be received before the St. Anne Medal is earned, but is not a requirement for
receiving the St. Anne Medal.
The Saint Anne Medal
The St. Anne Medal is the highest national recognition for adults who serve
Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. The recognition was inaugurated
in 1957 and redesigned in 1980. The purposes of the St. Anne recognition are:
- to honor the outstanding services of adults who contribute to the
spiritual development of Catholic young people in these organizations
- to further Catholic adult leadership in youth
ministry through these national youth-serving organizations.
The religious recognition program books and adult guides may be
purchased by any individual via the NFCYM publications guide or
online store http://www.nfcym.org.
However, the religious recognition medals and patches may only be
purchased and conferred by the diocesan authorized administrators
upon verification of program completion and award application.
P.R.A.Y.
8520 Mackenzie Road, Suite 3
St. Louis, Missouri 63123-3413
1-800-933-7729
http://www.praypub.org
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