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Faith community

Scouting & Buddhist Churches

What hosting a Scouting unit means for your congregation — what you provide, what your local council provides, and how to begin.

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“Duty to God” sits at the heart of the Scout Oath — and religious emblems are owned and taught by the faith, not by Scouting.
Why host a unit

A program that fits alongside what you already do

Chartering a Scouting unit means your congregation becomes the unit's home. You are not asked to run the program or train the leaders — your local council does that. What you provide is a place to meet, a point of contact, and a welcome to the families who come.

In return, young people in your community get adventure, friendship, leadership and service — and your congregation becomes the place where that happens.

Your congregation provides

  • A place to meet
  • A representative from your congregation
  • A welcome to local families

Your council provides

  • The full program, training and materials
  • Youth-protection standards and insurance framework
  • Recruiting and sign-up support
  • A local contact who helps you start
Getting started

Five steps from interest to first meeting

1
Talk with your local council
They will walk you through what chartering involves and answer questions specific to your congregation.
2
Name a point of contact
One person who acts as the link between your congregation and the unit.
3
Agree on a meeting place and time
Most units meet weekly. A hall, classroom or meeting room is enough.
4
Invite your families
Use the Co-Branding Studio to make a flyer with your name beside Scouting America's.
5
Hold your first meeting
Your council helps with recruiting, registration and leader training.
The toolkit

Download and share

Print-ready documents you can hand to a committee, put in a newsletter, or keep for reference.
Partner brief · 2 pages

Hosting Scouting at your congregation

The whole case on two pages: what you provide, what the council provides, the five steps, and answers to the questions people ask.

Download PDF ↓
Checklist · 1 page

Getting started checklist

Nine steps in order, from first conversation to first meeting, with a box to tick against each one.

Download PDF ↓
Talking points · 1 page

Making the case internally

Six points for presenting the idea to whoever decides — your board, committee or council — including what it costs.

Download PDF ↓
Copy · 1 page

Newsletter & bulletin copy

Three lengths of ready-to-use wording. Replace the bracketed details and publish.

Download PDF ↓
Tool

Co-Branding Studio

Build a flyer, event notice or join card with your own logo beside Scouting America's, in four languages.

Open the studio →
También en español
The same documents in Spanish, written in the formal usted register.
Informe para socios (PDF) Lista de verificación Puntos clave Texto para boletín
Frequently asked questions

Quick answers

Can our congregation charter a Scouting unit?
Yes — congregations and faith organizations are eligible chartered organizations and are among Scouting's most established partners.
Does Scouting teach our doctrine?
No. Religious-emblem programs are owned and taught by the faith's own counselor; Scouting only encourages youth in their Duty to God. Faith instruction always stays with the congregation.
What religious emblems are available?
The Metta and Sangha awards — typically administered by the National Buddhist Committee on Scouting. See the religious-awards chart for the current list.
How do we recognize adult volunteers?
Most faiths offer an adult Scouting recognition through their national committee, and Scouting America awards a universal religious-emblems adult knot. Ask your council's religious-emblems coordinator.
Who can help us get started?
Your local council's membership team and religious-emblems coordinator, plus the resources linked below.
Useful links

Where to find out more

Scouting religious awardswww.scouting.orgBuddhist emblems & committeeBeAScoutbeascout.scouting.orgJoin links & unit pins for your QRReligious Awards chartwww.scouting.orgAll approved emblems by faith

Ready to make something?

Build a flyer with your organization's name and logo beside Scouting America's — in English, Español, 中文 or Deutsch.

Open the Co-Branding Studio
Scouting America · Charter Partner Resource Center
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