Catholic Committee on Scouting announces openings for Emblem Awards, scholarships and St. George Trek Religious Emblem Awards programs

Last Spring a number of scouts earned the Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem Award. Medals were presented to the youth by Father Jim Walsh at Christian Brothers Academy in this undated photo. (Provided photo)

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is forming sessions for Scouts to earn the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII Religious Emblem Awards. The Ad Altare Dei Award program helps Scouts of the Roman Catholic Rite develop a fully Christian way of life. The sessions promote the seven sacraments which form a foundation of the Catholic faith. 

The Pope Pius XII Emblem program helps Scouts explore vocations (single, married, religious, ordained) and ministries in the Church as calls from God. It includes youth-led discussions on current issues facing the Church and society. 

Ad Altare Dei Instruction is available to any youth who is Roman Catholic and has completed sixth grade before starting the program. The Pope Pius program is designed for registered Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts of the Catholic faith who are 15 or 16 years old. More information is available at https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/. 

Programs are available for Cub Scouts as well. The committee provides connections with Scouts of other faiths to similar emblem programs and works with Girls Scouts and American Heritage Girls to foster the goal of Duty to God.

NCCS scholarship opportunities

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) awards 13 scholarships annually totaling $36,000. Applicants complete one form to be considered for any of the scholarships. NCCS scholarships are awarded to service-oriented high school seniors who are Catholic Scouts in a BSA Program, have achieved the rank of Eagle and plan to continue their education in college. Visit the NCCS college scholarships page (https://nccs-bsa.org/college-scholarships/) for more information. The new 2026 NCCS scholarship online application is now available at https://www.cognitoforms.com/NCCS4/NCCSScholarshipApplication2026.

Since 2005, NCCS has awarded a total of $272,000 in scholarships to 118 service-oriented Scouts nationwide. Applications are due by March 1, 2026.

2026 St. George Trek

St. George is the patron saint of Catholic Scouting and the inspiration for Catholic Scouting’s high-adventure leadership program and vocation retreat for Scouts who are 15-18 years old. Every two years, approximately 70 Scouts from dioceses and eparchies across the country are selected for this 11-day challenge known as the St. George Trek, which takes place at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico from July 1-16, 2026.

Led by selected priests, seminarians and religious advisors from around the country, St. George Trek participants experience spirituality, faith, Scripture and the sacraments in a spectacular setting. During the trek, Scouts make two commitments: to the ongoing discernment of their vocation and to engagement in their home parish and diocese. For more information, use this link: https://nccs-bsa.org/saint-george-trek/. The deadline to apply for the next trek is Dec. 1. 

Contact Committee Chair Mark Wilson via email ([email protected]) for additional information on Catholic Scout Religious Awards programs or NCCS Scholarship opportunities.