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It is an exciting time to be in Scouting! With the move to serve the entire family — boys and girls alike — we have a chance to reach an entire new generation with our amazing programs. The Catholic Conference of Scouting provides an opportunity for its members to meet together as friends in the Catholic Church. The program consists of three levels grades 1st-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th.

The purpose of the Diocesan Committee is to promote the use of these national youth programs as Youth Ministry, a vehicle for Christian development, and as a service to the local community. The Scout programs provide a unique opportunity for young people to grow in Faith, Life, and Leadership.

The Committee is a lay committee organized within the Diocese of Reno as a regional affiliate of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting for members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire for members of the Girl Scouts of the USA or Camp Fire and American Heritage Girls. The Committee is responsible to locally administer the programs of these national organizations under the auspices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

We welcome everyone's participation!

Chairman
Thierry V. Barkley
775-786-2882

Vice Chairman
Marty Schwedhelm
775-250-9564

Scout Chaplain
Fr. Mark Hanifan
775-747-0722

Religious Emblem Program
Maureen O’Brien
775-851-3907

NAC (BSA) Liaison/Scoutreach
David Carbajal
775-787-1111

GSSN Liaison; Camping Director
Kelly Carman
775-322-0642

The Committee supports the Scouts in the following manner:
-Support Catholic nonprofit 501c3 Chartered units at parishes such as Ponderosa Charities
-Develop new units at parishes and Catholic Schools
-Administer Catholic religious emblem programs for all Catholic scouting youth at all parishes
-Conduct special events to further scouts’ commitment to live their Catholic faith
-Ensure adult training and Youth Protection programs for all participating adults
-Provide for chaplaincy at summer camps
-Encourage annual Scout Sunday participation at parishes (Sunday before February 9th for BSA and before March 12th for GSUSA)
-Coordinate the annual “Bishop’s Youth Rally” recognizing Catholic Scout achievements

The Boy Scouts of America annually celebrates its founding on February 8, 1910, based on the program started by Lord Baden Powell in England on August 1, 1907. Scout Sunday was added to the Scout celebration in the middle 1940s. Scout Sunday is always the Sunday preceding February 8th, unless the 8th is a Sunday, in which case the 8th would be Scout Sunday. The Saturday following February 8th is Scout Sabbath.

The Scout Sunday tradition created to make people in houses of worship aware of Scouting, and to allow Scouts to live out their "Duty to God" pledged each week.

The Scout Law says that a "Scout is Reverent" and the Scouts of all ages promise to do their "Duty to God". These values strengthen youth character in their family, community and faith.

The Diocese of Reno celebrates Scout Sunday participation at parishes (Sunday before February 9th for BSA and before March 12th for GSUSA)

The Roman Catholic Church has used the Boy Scout program since the early days of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the most extensive users of the BSA program. The Scouting program is recognized as an integral part of the total youth ministry at the diocesan level. As such, Scouting becomes part of the parish youth ministry as units are operated by the parishes and schools. The Knights of Columbus and other church-related organizations also charter and operate units.

During the Bishop’s Rally in March each year, Our Catholic Scouts achievements are recognized.

• National Committee on Catholic Scouting ®
• Diocesan Leaders Guidebook
• BSA Adult Leaders Training
• Cub Scouts Den Meeting Resources
• Cub Scouts Pack Committee Resources
• Scout Shop