Held at Philmont Training Center, near Cimarron, NM.
2024 Scouting in the Catholic Church – Join Us and Welcome the 2024 St. George Trek Crews Back to Base
Conference Goals
The goals of the conference are to help participants understand the mission of the NCCS and how Scouting is Catholic youth ministry, gain knowledge about Catholic Scouting resources, and use the information in the course to promote Catholic Scouting in their home dioceses and councils.
Participants will return home prepared to facilitate the National Catholic Leadership Development (NCLD) program. They will also have the opportunity to earn the Jerusalem Cross Award by carrying out and reporting on a project for their own parish or Diocesan/Eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting using information and insight just acquired.
Daily Components
The conference is structured around four daily components:
- First, each day begins with a dimension of lay apostolate formation (Leadership, Holiness, Conversion, and Worship) taken from the National Catholic Leadership Development training program. Bible readings, reflection, and small-group discussion provide participants with insight as to how and why Catholic Scouters serve the Church, and how to deliver a NCLD program.
- Second, we explore relevant sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
- Third, we present how best to deliver the mission and programs of the NCCS.
- Fourth, we consider how these programs, and our efforts support the concepts of youth ministry as explained in the USCCB document Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry.
Each day provides plenty of opportunities to share Catholic Scouting experiences and learn best practices from fellow participants.
Who Should Attend?
Designed for any adult interested in using Scouting to help support Catholic youth ministry, the conference is especially appropriate for Scout chaplains, clergy, diocesan or parish youth ministers, charter organization representatives, and council, diocesan, eparchial, regional, and national Catholic committee leadership and members.
Conference Presenters
Faculty members for the 2024 Scouting in the Catholic Church Conference will be announced soon.
Bring the Family
The Philmont Training Center (PTC) is also an excellent family vacation spot! The Silverados Program for Spouses and the Kids and Kin Program for youth are available for family members of conference attendees. In addition, Family Adventure Camp offers age-appropriate activities for everyone from young children to spouses. The PTC offers events and activities to keep you as busy as you like or allows you to just relax and enjoy the scenery. Participating in the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) is an opportunity open to eligible sons and daughters in Scouting.
Conference participants and their families may attend Mass each evening at the Philmont Catholic chapel with crews starting and ending their backcountry treks, Philmont staff, and local residents.
Please share this information with members of your (arch) diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, fellow Catholic Scouters, chaplains, priests, permanent deacons, and youth ministers. Encourage them to attend with you!
Summary Conference Information:
| What: | Scouting in the Catholic Church Conference |
| When: | July 14 – 20, 2024 |
| Where: | Philmont Training Center, Cimarron, NM |
| Why: | To deepen your faith and experience of Scouting as Catholic youth ministry |
| Who: | NCCS Regional Chaplains and Chairs, diocesan/eparchial and council chaplains and chairs, members of diocesan/eparchial Catholic committees, clergy and religious, religious emblems counselors, diocesan and parish youth ministers, activity chairpersons, charter organization representatives, BSA staff advisers. |
| Cost: | To be announced pending Philmont’s 2024 fee structure (Estimated $525) |
| Registration | www.philmontscoutranch.org/ptc/ptc-conferences/ |
| Covid-19: | Philmont Scout Ranch seeks to ensure the safety of its participants and staff by following its updated COVID-19 Mitigation Plan: www.philmontscoutranch.org/covid-19-mitigation/ |
| Information: | Contact Elizabeth Olivas, at the NCCS National office at 214-714-6950. |