Religious Emblems Counselors & Presentors

SPECIAL COUNSELOR TRAINING SESSION TO BE HELD AT UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING
We will be holding a special training session on March 11th at the Minsi Trails Council Univeristy of Scouting.
We will be covering an Overview of the Religious Emblems Programs, Counselor Training for the Ad Altare Dei Award, and Facilitator Training for the Pope Pius XII Award.
This session is open to all Catholic adults and Scouters who are interested in learning more about any of the above topics and becoming a awards counselor.
To register for this class and others, please visit the Univeristy of Scouting website at https://www.minsitrails.org/event/2960364 or contact Fred Flemming at fcflemming@gmail.comwith any questions.

Cub Scout Religious Emblems Coordinator/Presentor
Every adult that wishes to involve their Cub Scouts with the religious emblems program needs to take this training. You will come away with vital information on how to start the program in your unit, what is required to complete it, and what Catholic opportunities are available to your Scouts.

Boy Scout Religious Emblems Counselor
Every Boy Scout should have the opportunity to earn his religious emblems for his faith. For Catholic Boy Scouts, they can earn two awards, the Ad Altare Dei and the Pope Pius XII. Training is provided by the committee to give you the foundation needed to become a counselor for each of these awards. You will come away with vital information on how to start the program in your unit, what is required to complete it, and what Catholic opportunities are available to your Scouts.

WHO CAN BE A COUNSELOR?
Anyone who hears a call to serve in Scouting as youth ministry may become a Religious Emblems Counselor with the approval of his or her parish pastor. Some of these persons may be a parent of a new Scout, a religious education instructor, a vowed religious or an interested adult who can be trained to be an Emblems Counselor. If they are able to positively affect youth directly or indirectly, they can have the opportunity to see if they are up to the task. Due to many changes in the state laws of Pennsylvania regarding the protection of youth, it has become mandatory that several clearances and guidelines be completed and approved before ANY contact with youth in an activity. Please see the certification procedures required below.

Want to be a Catholic Emblems Counselor?
The Allentown Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting is looking for more Religious Emblems Counselors for the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XXII Boy Scout awards and Cub Scout Religious Emblems Coordinators. We hold counselor training on an as needed basis. There is no cost, except for some of your time, but we would appreciate your registering with us for training so we can plan on your attendance. Please contact Fred Flemming at fcflemming@gmail.com with any questions.

COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION
Developing certification procedures for Counselors is essential for each diocese. The development of a certification program can assist your Diocese in their youth protection efforts. Due to many changes in the state laws of Pennsylvania regarding the protection of youth, it has become mandatory that several clearances and guidelines be completed and approved before ANY contact with youth in an activity. The certification procedures include the following:

  • The applicant MUST receive and agree to follow the Diocesan Youth Protection Policies* as presented below.
  • It is recommended that each applicant register with the BSA and attend the BSA’s Youth Protection Training Program.
  • Those who are to be Counselors for the Ad Altare Dei or the Light of Life and those who are to be Facilitators for the Pope Pius XII must attend a Religious Emblems Counselor Training Course.
  • Each applicant should attend a Diocesan Annual Counselor Meeting. This is to update them on any changes in the national religious emblems programs and/or diocesan guidelines. This should allow the Counselors an opportunity to give input into the Diocesan Religious Emblems Program.
  • The applicant is to complete a Diocesan Counselor’s Application Form contained in the Counselor's handbook and submit a copy to the Office for Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministry and the Diocesan Committee Chair.
  • An endorsement from the applicant’s pastor is to be secured.

Diocesan Youth Protection Policies*

If you already have any of these clearances (possibly required by your employer, or another group), please provide the ORIGINAL for approval and prior to any participation in an event that involves youth. Keep in mind that all clearances (except those nothed) must be less than 5 years old.

  • Complete the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (PATCH). Required by the State of PA
    • Free, good for 5 years.
    • This background checks is required and is required to be repeated every five (5) years, per the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Act 153 of 2014 and amended under Act 2015-15.
    • Complete online at https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home
    • You must print the "Response for Criminal Recod Check" at the end, and submit it to your LSEC or Parish Rep
    • OR Complete the paper form and return the form to your group leader
  • Complete the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certificate Required by the State of PA
    • Free, good for 5 years.
    • This background checks is required and is required to be repeated every five (5) years, per the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Act 153 of 2014 and amended under Act 2015-15.
    • Complete online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
    • You must print the "PA Child Abuse History Clearance" certificate at the end, and submit it to your LSEC or Parish Rep
    • OR Complete the paper form and return the form to your group leader
  • Complete the FBI Criminal Background Fingerprint Check (18+ years old)
    • Free, because the Diocese pays for it, good for 5 years.
    • This background checks is required and is required to be repeated every five (5) years, per the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Act 153 of 2014 and amended under Act 2015-15.
    • Complete the FORM and return it to your LSEC or Parish Rep
    • The Parish Safe Environment Coordinator and Diocese of Allentown must register you in the system
    • You will then be given a registration number via email, or in person through your LSEC or Parish Rep.
    • With this registration number, you must contact one of the sites for fingerprinting, or check the following website for additional/updated locations; https://www.identogo.com/
  • Read and sign the "Sexual Abuse Policy" Acknowledgment Form (May 2014) - Required by the Diocese of Allentown
    • The full policy and Acknowledgment Form is available online at: http://www.allentowndiocese.org/youth-protection/sexual-abuse-policy
    • Download and read the "Sexual Abuse Policy"
    • Download and complete the "Sexual Abuse Policy" Acknowledgment Form and return it it to your LSEC or Parish Rep
    • OR you may ask your LSEC or Parish Rep for copies to review
  • Read and sign the "Code of Conduct" Acknowledgement Form (May 2014) - Required by the Diocese of Allentown
  • "Protecting God's Children" Attendance Certificate - Required by the Diocese of Allentown
  • Complete the Mandatory Reporting Training - Required by the State of PA
    • Free, good for 5 years.
    • Complete online only, at http://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu
    • You must print the "Certificate of Completion" at the end, and submit it to your LSEC or Parish Rep

Learn More About the Emblems