The P.R.A.Y. Program New Look … Same Great Program!

Please Note: Each religion creates its own religious emblems program Religious emblems are NOT created by BSA P.R.A.Y. creates the Protestant Christian program. The information in this presentation pertains only to the Protestant Christian series.

Same Great Program! The P.R.A.Y. Program has changed This presentation will explain what changed, what didn’t change, and the reason for the changes.

Same Great Program! What Stayed the Same: The curriculum stayed the same. The program requirements (i.e. the Bible lessons, service projects, GAMEBoxes, Pizza, etc.) did NOT change. It is the same GREAT program designed to help youth and families grow in faith together!

Same Great Program! What Changed? The “look” of the program changed. Both the books and the medals have a new “look.”

New Look: Books Books have new covers The new covers are printed in full color. The covers are appealing, but more importantly, they are more durable. (Don’t forget, the inside content of the books did not change.)

New Look: Medals Medals have New Bars The bars on the medals now say the actual program name, i.e. God and Me, God and Family, etc. This will eliminate the confusion that was caused by the old “God and Country” bars (people thought they had received the wrong medallion).

New Look: Medals Medals have new Pendants/Shields The pendant is still in the traditional shape of a shield, but the cross has changed. The cross has a new four-colored design.

New Look: Medals The new design continues the P.R.A.Y. tradition of using four colors to designate the different program levels. Red = God and Me Yellow = God and Family Blue = God and Church Green = God and Life

New Look: Medals The four colors also have traditional meanings: Red = Love, the blood of Christ Yellow = Sunlight, joy Blue = Truth, loyalty Green = Growth, new life

New Look: Medals The four-colored cross shows how the four programs come together to build a foundation of faith for young people. The “X” at the center symbolizes how Christ should be at the center of our lives. The new look is a visual reminder of our goal of bringing young people closer to Christ.

New Look: Denominational Medals The tradition of denominational awards at the God and Church level has continued. The new design incorporates a denominational pin that is worn in the ribbon of the medallion. This is only at the God and Church level for grades 6-8.

New Look: Denominational Medals All God and Church Recipients will receive the same medallion but have the option of “customizing” it by pinning a denominational pin into the ribbon.

New Look: Pins There is only one size pin available: the ¾” lapel pin There are pins for youth recipients, counselors, and mentors

Other Recognitions The patches are still the same: they did not change in design.

Rationale for these Changes “The P.R.A.Y. Program” replaces “God and Country” To reduce confusion over the medals To emphasize that it is a program created not by the BSA but by the national church bodies To create a blend of the traditional with the contemporary

Transition The new medals were launched in July God and Me and God and Family recipients automatically receive the new design. Our concern is for older Scouts who have already earned the first two awards

Transition Older youth who have completed God and Me and God and Family will have the opportunity to complete the series and receive matching awards, i.e. they can still receive the “old style” medals.

Transition The old style God and Church standard Protestant medal will be available for the next 3 years The old style God and Life standard Protestant medal will be available for the next 5 years Also available will be the old style Protestant ¾” pin, counselor pin, and mentor pin Visit for more informationwww.praypub.org

From P.R.A.Y. CEO P.R.A.Y. recognizes that these new changes do not come easy. As CEO Mark Hazlewood explains, “I earned my God and Country emblem as a Scout. I remember my father pinning the medal on my uniform. In one way I understand a sense of loss with the new medals. But then I considered my father.

From P.R.A.Y. CEO Some people know that my Dad was the first Executive Director of P.R.A.Y. and that he helped write the old curriculum. The curriculum has changed since then, and I know my father would be proud of it. I see his legacy to me as being twofold: upholding our values and beliefs but at the same time finding ways to honor and express them in new ways in the future. That’s how I see the new emblems.

From P.R.A.Y. CEO Thank you for your patience as we make the transition to the new design, and thank you for partnering with P.R.A.Y. as together we strive to Build Faith in Youth.” Mark Hazlewood

Thank you! Building Faith in Youth S. Towne Square, Ste. B, St. Louis, MO /