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Youth Awards (for Boy Scouts)
See Forms page for appropriate order form link.
Work on religious awards can begin any time of the year. Plan on six months to complete all the requirements. For older scouts, the Indianapolis Board of Review is held on the first Sunday in January. December 1st is the target date of completion to be included in the following presentation ceremony at SS. Peter and Paul in Indianapolis. Those completing their requirements after this date will be recognized at the following year's ceremony.
We encourage all scouts to have their medals blessed and presented during a mass at their home parish.
Light of Christ
Designed for a registered 6 to 7 year old Cub Scout (Tiger or Wolf) of Catholic Faith.
The purpose is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents' active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend.
Parvuli Dei
Designed for a registered 8 to 10 year old (Bear or Webelos) of Catholic Faith.
The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community.
Ad Altare Dei
Designed for a registered Catholic youth 13-14 years old (older youth may use this program). They must be an active member of a troop or crew for 6 months and have completed 6th grade before starting the program.
The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei ( to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Youth of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.
Pope Pius XII
Designed for age 15-16 year old, but all registered Catholic Venturers (male or female before their 21st birthday) and all registered Catholic Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18th birthday) are eligible.
Pope Pius XII is Catholic Scouting's church-related ministries and vocation program.
The program deals with different life choices (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations and ministries in the church as calls from God.
It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pius XII retreat or day of recollection.
Light is Life
Designed for registered boy scouts, of the Eastern Catholic Church, ages 12 to 13 years old (older or younger scouts may use this program). Must be completed by the youth's 18th birthday.
The "Light is Life" is a program developed for scouts of the Eastern-rite Catholic Churches. Light is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various Eastern Catholic Churches. The overall goal of the Light is Life religious emblem program is to bring about in the Scout, through his Eastern Catholic Scouting experience, a deeper awareness of his share in faith-life. Then going forth, he will witness this life through maturity in communal worship and in Christian formation of his world. This program is to be used by the Eastern Catholic Scouts rather than the Ad Altare Dei program. It is not appropriate to work on both programs.
There is currently only one Eastern Catholic Church parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (St. Athanasius Byzantine Church on Indianapolis' near southwest side).
Emblem Books
Emblem books may be obtained most economically and quickly from your local BSA Council Service Center Scout Shops. Alternatively, they can be obtained directly from BSA Supply at http://www.scoutstuff.org.
Ordering of Emblems
Each diocese has one or two indivduals who are designated to purchase religious emblems. Only these NCCS authorized submitters are allowed to order emblems for their diocese. Use the Awards Order form located on our FORMS page. Please consult with the Indianapolis Catholic Committee on Scouting to determine when and where the next Award Ceremony will be held.
Upon completion of the workbook, prior to the December 1st deadine, the CCS Awards Chairperson should be notified by the religious emblems coordinator or counselor. The completed application and $15.00 per medal shall be sent to the Awards Chairperson. Boy Scouts can tender their payment at the required Board of Review.
Presentation of Emblems
Cub Scout awards are sent to the parish for presentation at the Scout's home parish.
Boy Scout awards are presented at a ceremony held at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on a
Sunday on or near Scout Sunday. The specific date is determined by the Archdiocese as it
works around the Church liturgical calendar. Cub Scouts receive certificates at the
recognition ceremony, which also includes religious emblems for the Girl Scouts.