OYYAM Home Page

The Goals of Catholic Scouting Ministry

Personal and Spiritual Growth - Youth ministry works to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
Full Participation in the Faith Community - Youth ministry seeks to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community.
Empowerment & Discipleship - Youth ministry empowers young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

When Scouting understands itself as part of a parish's ministry with young people, these are some anticipated outcomes:

A Youth Ministry Identity: Adult Scout leaders understand themselves to be youth ministers as well as Scout leaders; they are trained in youth ministry as well as Scouting. They bring to their Scouting the explicit intention of impacting the faith of young people.	Faith-Sharing: Faith is shared and celebrated on a regular basic. Unit leaders are comfortable and well-prepared to share their faith. The Scouts know they are in a place of faith not only because of where they may meet, but by the way the adult leaders talk and behave.
Prayer: Prayer is a strong, consistent part of the life of the Scouting unit. Meetings begin and end with prayer. Creative, developmentally appropriate prayer activities are a normal part of the unit's affairs	The Eucharist: The Eucharist is a normal part of the life of the Scouting unit. This is especially true on Scout Sunday, but also true on campouts and other trips and excursions. Unit leaders make it a point to make it to Sunday liturgy.
Personal Faith and Spirituality: Unit leaders are themselves growing in their own faith, availing themselves of retreats, workshops, Scouter Development, the Catholic Scouter Institute, etc. to further develop their own faith and ministry.	Religious Emblems: The religious emblems programs are held in high regard by the unit leaders, and it is a priority to assist young people in achieving the emblems. Unit leaders not only encourage Catholic Scouts to achieve the Catholic emblems, but also encourage Scouts of other faiths to achieve their respective emblems.
Parish Participation: The Scouting unit is clearly a part of the parish community, visibly present at parish events and activities, accountable to the pastor and/or parish staff. Unit leaders make efforts to build bridges of cooperation and collaboration with other parish ministries, and work hard to help their Scouts become fully contributing members of the faith community . Unit leaders establish a healthy, mutually supportive working relationship with the pastor and parish staff. They are active members of their faith community, effectively modeling the kind of faith and participation they are trying to develop in their Scouts.

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a wealth of resources for adult leaders in support of their youth and young adult ministry:

training programs like Scouter Development and the Catholic Scouter Institute
religious emblems programs including training adults to administer these programs
Fr. Jim Willig Memorial Retreat
parish advisors to assist parish and unit leaders
summer camp chaplains
adult recognition awards for outstanding service in Scouting youth ministry.