When most people think of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, they rarely think of a religious component, but scouting handbooks include many references to God.
Many people are also unaware that the Albany Diocese has been involved with scouting for the past 50 years.
"I've been connected with scouting in the Albany Diocese for 25 years now," said Rev. Joseph Schuck, the diocesan director of scouting, who lives in Unadilla. "Before coming to Albany, I was involved in scouting in my parishes in Brooklyn."
Father Schuck admits that the scouting organization has always been non-sectarian, but said it has included many references to God in its mottoes and codes.
In 1931, "the Catholic Church was the first denomination to present a religious award to the Boy Scouts," said Father Schuck. Today, approximately five percent of the Boy Scouts in America have completed a religious program with a faith-based group and may wear the corresponding religious emblem on their uniforms. The emblems are supplied by the denomination, and 12 different religions participate.
"Throughout the country there are 137 chaplains serving over 140,000 Catholic Boy Scouts," said Father Schuck, "and just about every diocese in America has an office for scouting."
The intent of the offices is to work with the scouts who are attempting to achieve their emblems.
"The diocese is not involved in actual troop meetings," said Father Schuck, "but we receive applications from the scouts who are attempting to get a religious emblem. We work with the boys and girls, and it's taken very seriously by the Church, the adults who work with us and the scouts themselves."
Boys and girls can achieve at least eight different emblems. Some involve knowledge of the sacraments and history of the Catholic Church; others, lessons about professions and careers.
"Sometimes the scout's parish priest works with the child," said Father Schuck, "and most of these emblems involve work between the parent and the child. They usually involve a subject that's suitable for their own age group."
Every September, the Boy Scouts from the Diocese have a retreat at the National Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville.
"This year's retreat will be the 50th for the Diocese," said Father Schuck. "The Bishop will be there on Saturday to meet the boys and help present the emblems. Some of the awards are from the Diocese and some are national awards. Service awards are also given to some of the troop leaders."
Last year, more than 350 Boy Scouts and leaders attended the retreat. "The girls have a different program when they work on their religious emblems," said Father Schuck, "and they meet every May at the Cathedral for their ceremony and Mass. Last year, 137 girls received a religious emblem out of the 300 girls who attended. Although their program is a bit different than the boys', they both stress the need to do works of service, and the Girl Scouts also stress an understanding and knowledge of the Church."
Father Schuck believes working with the scouts is a valuable way to stay in close contact with the young people of the Albany Diocese.
"The philosophy of scouting is very similar to our own religious philosophy," he said.
(This year's Boy Scout retreat will be held Sept. 14-16 at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville. For information on scouting, contact the diocesan Scouting Office at 607-369-2317.)