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A Scout is Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. A Scout is faithful in his/her religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom, beliefs and/or religion. The BSA Statement of Religious Principle “maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.” This adventure provides each Scout an opportunity to learn about and practice his religious faith.

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From Tigers to Webelos, scouts begin to obtain and develop a consistent understanding & awareness of what Duty to God means for them, their families, and in Scouting.  Scouts will explore ways they can practice their family’s beliefs, have opportunities in scouting adventures to be good neighbors, reaching out in fellowship to people in their communities and learn about others' beliefs. Scouts will experience the universal principle, common to many beliefs and religions, that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. 

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Scouting tries to inoculate a strong moral value system within its members, including the most important element – a belief in God and a sense of duty and reverence towards Him. While requiring that its members acknowledge a fundamental belief in a supreme God, the BSA organization does not define the specifics of any particular religion except to say that God must be the center of it. The BSA encourages its members to actively practice their own religious faith in worship of Him. Scouting is a nondenominational religious and educational institution and all faiths are welcome.

Tiger

My Family's Duty to God (Tiger Handbook, page __)

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Complete Requirement 1 plus at least two others.

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  1. Discuss with your parent, guardian, den leader, or other caring adult what it means to do your duty to God. Tell how you do your duty to God in your daily life.

  2. With a family member, attend a religious service or other activity that shows how your family expresses reverence for God.

  3. Earn the religious emblem of your faith that is appropriate for your age or grade.

  4. Help with a local service project and talk with your den or family about how helping others is part of our duty to God.

  5. With the approval of your parent/guardian, den leader, or other caring adult, think of and then carry out an act of kindness or respect that you think shows duty to God.

Arrow of Light

Duty to God in Action

(Webelos Handbook, pg 130)

  • Complete Requirement 1 or 2 plus at least two others.

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  • 1. Discuss with your parent, guardian, den leader, or other caring adult what it means to do your duty to God. Tell how you do your duty to God in your daily life.

  • 2. Under the direction of your parent, guardian, or religious or spiritual leader, do an act of service for someone in your family, neighborhood, or community. Talk about your service with your family. Tell your family how it related to doing your duty to God.

  • 3. Earn the religious emblem of your faith that is appropriate for your age, if you have not done so already.

  • 4. With your parent, guardian, or religious or spiritual leader, discuss and make a plan to do two things you think will help you better do your duty to God. Do these things for a month.

  • 5. Discuss with your family how the Scout Oath and Scout Law relate to your beliefs about duty to God.

  • 6. For at least a month, pray or reverently meditate each day as taught by your family or faith community.

Wolf

Duty to God Footsteps

(Wolf Handbook, page __)

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Complete Requirement 1 or 2 plus at least two others.

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  1. Discuss with your parent, guardian, den leader, or other caring adult what it means to do your duty to God. Tell how you do your duty to God in your daily life.

  2. Earn the religious emblem of your faith that is appropriate for your age, if you have not already done so.

  3. Offer a prayer, meditation, or reflection with your family, den, or pack.

  4. Read a story about people or groups of people who came to America to enjoy religious freedom.

  5. Learn and sing a song that could be sung in reverence before or after meals or one that gives encouragement, reminds you how to show reverence, or demonstrates your duty to God.

  6. Visit a religious monument or site where people might show reverence. Create a visual display of your visit with your den or your family, and show how it made you feel reverent or helped you better understand your duty to God.

Religious Emblem Award

The BSA highly encourages Scouts and Scouters to earn the Religious Emblem Award.  For scouts, it is the only other award (aside from Arrow of Light award) that can be worn in the uniform as a Boy Scout. 

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Learn more here.

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Opportunities for service and participation in events to help satisfy these requirements are abundant.  We post area events as they become available, please check our Facebook events page often. 

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If your family requires additional help in satisfying this requirement, please contact your den leader or Cubmaster. 

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If you are interested in becoming a Religious Emblem Coordinator or Counselor, please discuss with your den leader. Pack 964 will be delighted to have an in-house coordinator.

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Bear

Fellowship & Duty to God 

(Bear Handbook, page __)

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Complete Requirement 1 plus at least two others.
 

  1. Discuss with your parent, guardian, den leader, or other caring adult what it means to do your duty to God. Tell how you do your duty to God in your daily life.

  2. Complete at least one of the following:

    1. Identify a person whose faith you admire, and discuss this person with your family.

    2. With a family member, provide service to a place of worship or a spiritual community, school, or community organization that puts into practice your ideals of duty to God and strengthens your fellowship with others.

  3. Complete at least one of the following:

    1. Earn the religious emblem of your faith that is appropriate for your age, if you have not already done so.

    2. Make a list of things you can do to practice your duty to God as you are taught in your home or place of worship or spiritual community. Select two of the items and practice them for two weeks.

Duty to God 

or other adventure requirement met by participating in a service activity:

Duty to God (Rank Required) requirement met through a Service Project.

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Service Activity Example: Scouting for Food or participating in Wreaths Across America

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Duty to God –  Tiger: Req. 4: Help with a local service project and talk with your den or family about how helping others is part of our duty to God.

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Duty to God – Wolf: NA

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Duty to God – Bear: Req. 2b: With a family member, provide service to a place of worship or a spiritual community, school, or community organization that puts into practice your ideals of duty to God and strengthens your fellowship with others.

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Duty to God – Arrow of Light (Webelos):  Req. 2: Under the direction of your parent, guardian, or religious or spiritual leader, do an act of service for someone in your family, neighborhood, or community. Talk about your service with your family. Tell your family how it related to doing your duty to God.

 

Other adventure requirements covered by a service activity: 

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Team Tiger (Elective) – Req. 4: With your den or family, participate as a team in a service project that helps our country or your community.

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Tiger Good Knights (Elective) – Req. 6: Show your understanding of knights' service to others by participating in a service project in your community.

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Wolf (Required) Council Fire – Req. 2: Participate in a community service project with your pack, den, or family.

Webelos

Duty to God  and You

(Webelos Handbook, pg. 42)

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Complete Requirement 1 or 2 plus at least two others.

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  1. Discuss with your parent, guardian, den leader, or other caring adult what it means to do your duty to God. Tell how you do your duty to God in your daily life.

  2. Earn the religious emblem of your faith that is appropriate for your age, if you have not done so already.

  3. Discuss with your family, family's faith leader, or other trusted adult how planning and participating in a service of worship or reflection helps you live your duty to God.

  4. List one thing that will bring you closer to doing your duty to God, and practice it for one month. Write down what you will do each day to remind you.

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