Catholic Scouting complements Catholic school and parish faith formation efforts – and Catholic Scouting appeals to older children and teens who may not initially be interested in parish youth ministry programs.
But make no mistake: Catholic Scouting is youth ministry, leveraging all the time-honored, adventure-filled elements of the Boy Scouts of America, built on Catholic foundation. Catholic Scouting offers comprehensive programming that helps young people develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is doubling down on our commitment to utilizing Scouting as youth ministry, enhancing training opportunities for Catholic Scouting leaders, and increasing the visibility of its Religious Emblems and Religious Activities offered through Catholic Scouting. NCCS is also partnering with several Catholic organizations that support youth ministry.
Partnership with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NCCS has made a multiyear major financial commitment to the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). As a partner in mission with NFCYM, NCCS shares goals of engaging young Catholics in the Church and helping them grow in their faith as they grow into adulthood. Catholic Scouting’s programming aligns with the mission and vision of NFCYM.
The mission of NFCYM is to support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ. Likewise, the mission of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is to utilize and ensure the constructive use of the program of the BSA as a viable form of youth ministry with Catholic youth of our nation. Catholic Scouting exists to provide a Catholic foundation to Scouting programs that prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by helping them grow in the Catholic faith and instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The NCCS seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between the BSA and the Catholic Church and to work cooperatively with NFCYM and other groups involved in Catholic youth ministry in the United States.
As a partner with NFCYM, NCCS is engaged in achieving NFCYM’s strategic goal of empowering 15,000 ministers over the next five years in advocating for young people to be an integral voice within their local faith communities. We can achieve this goal together by encouraging that Catholic Scouting be incorporated as youth ministry in parishes where Catholic Scouting already exists, ensuring that Catholic Scouting leaders embrace the essential elements of comprehensive youth ministry and expanding our complementary programming at more parishes across the country. NCCS and NFCYM will continue to work together, finding opportunities for collaboration in our program development and accompanying young people as they grow in their faith.