Chaplain Aide
Chaplain aides assist the troop chaplain (usually an adult from the troop committee or the chartered organization) in serving the religious needs of the troop. They lead the troop in opening or closing prayer and mealtime blessings. Chaplain aides ensure that religious holidays are considered during the troop’s program planning process and promotes the Scouting America’s religious emblems program.
Scouting is open to scouts of every faith, and the Chaplain Aide serves all of them. Your job is never to promote one religion over another, or to ask anyone to take part in something they aren’t comfortable with. It’s to make sure every member of the troop has the opportunity to practice their own faith while they’re with us.
Responsibilities
Section titled “Responsibilities”- Present an overview of the various religious emblems programs to the troop at least annually, instructing members to contact their own clergyperson or religious counselor to guide them in the appropriate study programs.
- Present an overview of the religious emblems programs to Cub Scout dens and packs on request.
- Serve as the youth coordinator for the observance of the annual Scout Sabbath or Sunday in February.
- Work with the troop chaplain to plan appropriate religious services for all members during weekend troop campouts. Personally plan and lead at least one “Scout’s Own” ceremony, held during a troop campout, every 3 months.
- Lead an opening and closing prayer at each Court of Honor, and at other events by request from the PLC.
- Invite the troop chaplain to visit a campout, eat with the troop, and conduct a worship service.
- Assist the troop chaplain, or other appropriate adult, to plan and conduct a religious emblem recognition ceremony. Presentation of a religious emblem is the responsibility of the local religious institution in which it is earned, though it is appropriate for the troop to recognize scouts who have received religious emblems at courts of honor.
- Encourage troop members to strengthen their own relationship with God through personal prayer and devotions and participation in religious activities.
- Set a good example.
- Wear the Scout uniform correctly.
- Live by the Scout Oath and Law.
- Show Scout spirit.
Reports To
Section titled “Reports To”Assistant Senior Patrol Leader
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- Be appointed by the Senior Patrol Leader, with approval of the Scoutmaster
The “Scouts’ Own” Ceremony
Section titled “The “Scouts’ Own” Ceremony”A Scouts’ Own is a short, non-denominational gathering held on a campout, usually on Sunday morning or on the last evening of the trip. It isn’t a church service, and it doesn’t belong to any one faith. It’s a quiet time for the whole troop to reflect together on the outdoors, on the Scout Oath and Law, and on the trip you’ve just shared.
Plan for about 15–20 minutes. Keep it simple; a short ceremony that everyone takes part in is far better than a long one that people sit through.
Planning One
Section titled “Planning One”- Pick a theme. Something drawn from the trip works best: the beauty of the place you’re camping, teamwork on a hard hike, a point of the Scout Law, gratitude, service.
- Choose a spot. Somewhere away from the bustle of camp, facing a view if you have one. Make sure everyone can hear you and has somewhere to sit.
- Build the outline (see below) and pick your readings.
- Delegate. Ask several scouts ahead of time to read, lead a song, or share a thought. A Scouts’ Own that involves ten people is much stronger than a monologue.
- Tell the ASPL so it gets onto the trip schedule, and let the Scoutmaster review your plan.
A Simple Outline
Section titled “A Simple Outline”- Opening: a moment of silence, or a song
- A reading, poem, or short story
- Reflection on the theme — this can be you speaking, or better, a question you ask the group to answer
- A scout or two shares a thought about the trip
- Recitation of the Scout Oath and Law
- Closing thought or moment of silence
- Speak to the whole troop. Use language that includes everyone, no matter their faith or lack of one.
- Attendance is encouraged but never required, and no one should be singled out for not taking part.
- Silence is a useful tool. Don’t be afraid to leave a long pause after a question.
- Write your plan down and keep a copy. Over time you’ll build a file of ceremonies that future Chaplain Aides can use.
Religious Emblems
Section titled “Religious Emblems”Every major faith offers its own religious emblem program for youth members, earned through study with a scout’s own clergyperson or religious counselor — not through the troop. Scouts who earn one may wear the knot on their uniform.
Your role is to make sure the troop knows these programs exist. Present an overview at a troop meeting at least once a year, and point scouts to their own religious leader to get started. Then tell the Scoutmaster and the Advancement Coordinator when a scout earns one, so they can be recognized at the next Court of Honor.
Religious Emblems Programs (Scouting America)
Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday
Section titled “Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday”Scout Sabbath and Scout Sunday fall in February, around the anniversary of Scouting’s founding. Scouts attend services at their own place of worship in uniform, and troops often help lead the service at the chartered organization or a local congregation.
As Chaplain Aide, you’re the youth coordinator for this. Start planning in December or January: work with the troop chaplain to find out what the host congregation would like the troop to do, then recruit scouts, arrange who does what, and get the date onto the troop calendar through the Scribe.
Prayers and Mealtime Blessings
Section titled “Prayers and Mealtime Blessings”You’ll be asked to open or close troop Courts of Honor, and sometimes other events or meals, with a prayer. Keep these brief and inclusive — a few sentences is plenty.
Prepare a troop prayer that can be used at any occasion, and keep a small collection of graces and Scout-related prayers written down in a pocket notebook or on your phone so you’re never caught unprepared. On campouts, it’s good practice to hand this duty off to a different scout or patrol at each meal.
The Philmont Grace is a good, well-known one to start with:
For food, for raiment, for life, for opportunity, for friendship and fellowship, we thank thee, O Lord. — the Philmont Grace
Resources
Section titled “Resources”Chart of Religious Emblems by faith