The National Catholic Committee on Scouting

The Roman Catholic Church has used the Scouting program since the early days of the Boy Scouts of America. It is one of the most extensive users of the BSA program. There are more than 330,000 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers in more than 9,600 packs, troops, and crews under Catholic auspices, and an equal number of youth members in other Scouting units. Scouting is used in about one-third of the parishes in the United States.

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting has had the responsibility for nearly 70 years to promote and guide cooperative contacts between the authorities of the Catholic Church and the Boy Scouts of America in the United States. 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, parent-teacher organizations, Holy Name Societies, and schools. The Knights of Columbus and other church-related organizations also operate units.

Each archdiocese and diocese has a Catholic committee on Scouting, and more than 300 BSA local councils have their own committees.

Every two years, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting holds a national conference for all members of the diocesan and local Catholic committees. At this conference, new programs are introduced, planned, and developed. Ultimate approval for the new programs comes from the vote of the membership. Thus, ideas, comments, and experience from every part of the country can be heard and shared.

In addition, the national committee sponsors a weeklong training course at the Philmont Training Center each year for those diocesan personnel entrusted with the responsibilities of operating the committee.
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting also promotes and coordinates Scouting in the Eastern Catholic Church, creating new programs or modifying current ones as needed.

Responsibilities

Through each level of organization, subcommittees carry out the responsibilities established in the Plan of Organization. These include: Membership. Training. Religious Activities. Communication.
For more information about the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, please call Gerardo Martinez at 830-703-6343 or visit their website at: www.nccs-bsa.org.