Archdiocese of Chicago, Catholic Committee on Scouting, Office of Catechesis at 1025 West Fry Street, Chicago, IL 60622 US - K of C supports Scouting!

In 1913, Knights of Columbus Council No. 1337 was chartered to operate Boy Scout Troop 1 in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1923, the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council formally commended Scouting as "a fruitful activity for the Order" and said that local councils had "molded young boys" through the Scouting program. For more than 90 years, the Knights of Columbus has worked with the Boy Scouts of America to serve youth. The Knights continue to shape lives by serving more than 42,000 young people in more than 1,400 Scouting units. As of 2005, the Knights of Columbus had more than 150 Scouting units that had 50 or more years' tenure and more than 800 Knights of Columbus councils were ensuring that young people receive a Scouting opportunity.

In 2006, the Knights of Columbus and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® are teaming up to start new Scouting units. Each Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and State and District Deputy in the United States will be getting a recruitment packet including information on the Scouting programs and a DVD with a message from Supreme Knight Carl Anderson with his support of the Boy Scouts of America programs. In addition, every Council Executive in the United States will be getting the same information. The cover and pamphlet materials use the pictures seen to the right showing brother Sir Knights congratulating a Scout for his achievements.

As you may know, BSA sent out letters last year asking all government agencies to find alternate charter partners so money will not be used in lawsuits that could be used for the Scouting programs. In the pilot for this new agreement with the Knights, one council decided to pick up the charters for 23 units in its area to keep these units functioning.

What can you do?

• If you are a Scouter and a Knight, volunteer to assist others in your (arch)diocese/ eparchy or state to organize new units. Fill out the form to let NCCS know you are available.
• If there is no unit at your parish, start one.
• If there is one that had a government agency as its charter partner, offer to charter and support the unit.
• Sponsor a Scout unit (or units)
• Sponsor (and host) a Scout Sunday observance in your parish or in your diocese
• Sponsor the unit (or diocese) Religious Emblem program
• Provide Religious Emblem counselors
• Recognize all Eagle Scouts
• Sponsor and host a Religious Emblem training program
• Sponsor the diocesan adult awards program
• Host a Spring (or Fall) Rosary prayer service for Scouts
• Sponsor a vocational retreat
• Sponsor a Scout for the St. George Trek
• Provide merit badge counselors
• Provide 4th Degree ceremony teams for Scouting events (e.g. Scout Sunday Mass, Retreats, Camporees)
• Provide members for boards of review for Religious Awards
• Provide meeting space for Cub Scout or Boy Scout units
• Provide monetary support for Catholic Committee programs and activities

Where can you get help?

• NCCS & the Supreme Council are putting together a list of names for you to contact.
• State Knights Coordinator for Boy Scouts
• (Arch)Diocesan/Eparchy Catholic Committee on Scouting
• Local Boy Scouts of America Council Executive or his/her representative

How are units started?

1. The Knights of Columbus council or assembly contacts the BSA local council service center for information about the Scouting program.
2. The Knights of Columbus council or assembly officially adopts Scouting and agrees to organize a unit or units.
3. The Grand Knight/Faithful Navigator appoints a chartered organization representative.
4. The chartered organization representative appoints an organizing committee of Knights and other interested adults.
5. The organizing committee identifies and recruits unit leaders and committee members.
6. Unit leaders, Knights and non-Knights, complete and submit the Knights of Columbus "Youth Leader" application for background checks and approval of the supreme advocate.
7. The leaders are trained in program planning (BSA Fast Start training).
8. The program is planned for at least the first six months.
9. An orientation session is held with prospective Scouts and their parents.
10. Youth are registered.
11. Unit meetings begin.
12. The unit is installed and the charter is formally presented at a meeting of the Knights of Columbus council or assembly.