1. Chaplaincy in the OA

2. The BSA Declaration of Religious Principles
(Reprinted from the 1987 printing, 1976 copyright, of the Charters and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America. The "Declaration of Religious Principles" are found in Article IX, Section 1, of the BSA Bylaws.)
The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizenship without recognizing an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law." The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members. No matter what the religious faith of the members may be, this fundamental need of the members should be kept before them. The Boy Scouts of America, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and the organization with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.
ACTIVITIES.  The activities of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion, as required by the twelfth point of the Scout Law, reading, "Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others."
FREEDOM.  In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denomination or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that
organization or church.
LEADERS.  Only persons willing to subscribe to these declarations of principles
shall be entitle to certificates of leadership in carrying out the Scouting program.
Chaplaincy in the OA

3. BSA Religious Principles (cont.)
(Reprinted from the 1992 edition of BSA's Advancement Guidelines: Council and District Functions.)
The Boy Scouts of America has a definite position on religious principles. The following interpretative statement may help clarify this position. The Boy Scouts of America:
Does not define what constitutes belief in God or the practice of religion. 
Does not require membership in a religious organization or association for enrollment in the movement but does prefer, and strongly encourages, membership and participation in the religious programs and activities of a church, synagogue, or other religious association. 
Respects the convictions of those who exercise their constitutional freedom to practice religion as individuals without formal membership in organized religious organizations. In a few cases, there are those who, by conviction, do not feel it necessary to formally belong to an organized form of religion and seek to practice religion in accordance with their own personal convictions. Every effort should be made to counsel with the boy and his parents to determine the true story of the religious convictions and practices as related to advancement in Scouting. Religious organizations have commended the Boy Scouts of America for encouraging youth to participate in organized religious activities. However, these same organizations reject any form of compulsion to enforce conformity to establish religious practices. 
If a boy says he is a member of a religious body, the standards by which he should be evaluated are those of that group. This is why an advancement committee usually requests a reference from his religious leader to indicate whether he has lived up to their expectations.
Throughout life, Scouts are associated with people of different faiths. Scouts believe in religious freedom, respecting others whose religion may differ from theirs. Scouting believes in the right of all to worship God in their own way.
Chaplaincy in the OA

4. The Chaplain and chaplain’s aide
In the Troop, an adult volunteer who is often the religious leader of the chartering organization of the troop if that organization is a faith community, or a member of the local clergy if not.
At Summer Camp, an adult volunteer or paid staff member who will usually be a clergy person and have attended BSA National Camping School for Chaplaincy.
Chaplain’s Aide:
In the Troop, an approved youth leadership position.
Chaplaincy in the OA

5. Role of Chaplain and Chaplain’s Aide
The primary role of chaplains and chaplain’s aides is to be a friend to others and help contribute to their spiritual welfare and growth.
This may include: setting a positive example; leading worship services; offering prayer and encouraging others to lead prayer as well; promoting Religious Emblems programs; counseling if appropriate; relationship building; participation in leadership activities; assisting in emergencies as needed; being present and available for support during accidents, illnesses, and other problems.
Chaplaincy in the OA

6. Scout Joe - Homesickness
Role Play Information Card #1
Scout Joe (Homesickness): You are a 13 year old, ordeal member who is on his first function, the lodge fellowship, after your ordeal weekend about one month earlier. You did not really enjoy your ordeal, but you made it and your family was proud, especially your dad who is an Eagle scout and an assistant Scoutmaster in your troop. He was able to attend your ordeal weekend (which is probably why you survived it!), but he is not at the fellowship this time because of a business trip. You didn’t want to go to the lodge fellowship, but you were too afraid to tell your dad this because you didn’t want to let him down. Now that you are here you feel lonely – almost like you could cry – and you just want to go home. You have some friends here with you from your troop, but you don’t want to see them or do anything.
Chaplaincy in the OA

7. Tips for Dealing with Homesickness
Practice active/reflective listening
Try to understand feelings
Encourage active participation in activities and service
Encourage interaction with other scouts
Encourage other lodge members to include the scout
Avoid letting many people find out that the scout in feeling homesick
Don’t overemphasize unusual behaviors
Encourage the scout’s parents, if possible, to avoid promising him he can go home, unless the Lodge Advisor,
Staff Advisor, or Scoutmaster feel it is necessary
Chaplaincy in the OA

8. Scout jim – Grief counseling
Role Play Information Card #2
Scout Jim (Grief Counseling): You are a 17 year old, Vigil member and Eagle Scout who is a lodge vice chief. Your maternal grandmother died 10 days ago and her funeral was just 3 days before the lodge’s spring ordeal. You were very close to your Grandma Gertrude and her death felt sudden to you, even though she was 84 and had heart problems. You live with your mom, who is divorced from your dad, and your Grandma had lived with you for the last 5 years. Your dad lives about 10 hours away and you only see him a few times a year. He called to talk to you after your Grandma died, but couldn’t come to the funeral. Your mom encouraged you to go to the lodge event to stay busy and you agreed because you have some leadership obligations for the function and also because there is a LEC meeting. On the first night of the function you start feeling very sad and lonely and even angry. It’s like your grandmother’s death is hitting you for the first time. You’ve been strong for your mom over the last few days,
but now that she isn’t around you begin feeling overwhelmed.
Chaplaincy in the OA

9. Tips for grief counseling
Practice active/reflective listening
Try to understand feelings
Be patient and don’t expect a miracle recovery
Encourage the scout to let his feelings out
Provide a non-judgmental presence, even if the feelings expressed seem overly negative or extreme
Don’t try to interpret the experience for the scout by saying things like, “It must be God’s plan,” or “It’ll work out for the best”
Don’t assume you know what the scout is experiencing or feeling by saying things like, “I know what you are going through,” even if you’ve experienced a similar loss
Let the scout know he is heard and express your condolences – it’s always ok to say, “I’m sorry for your loss”
Chaplaincy in the OA

10. Scout jeff – spiritual care
Role Play Information Card #3
Scout Jeff (Spiritual Care): You are a fifteen year old, brotherhood member serving as an Elangomat at the lodge fall ordeal. You were baptized Roman Catholic, but your family never went to church much. Your parents are going through a divorce, in part because your father is an alcoholic who was never physically abusive to you or your family, but was never there for you. You took your Brotherhood at Summer Camp and realized you feel at home when you are with OA friends. Two of your best friends in your troop are pretty religious. One is Southern Baptist and is always doing church stuff with his family and the other is Muslim who often wears a Kufi (a traditional Muslim hat worn by men) and who will take time out at campouts to pray the obligatory Muslim prayers. You are good friends with both, both they don’t really seem to like each other and you sense it has to do with their faith traditions. You know that a Scout is Reverent and want to have a deeper faith, but you are confused about what
might be best for you.
Chaplaincy in the OA

11. Tips for providing spiritual care
Practice active/reflective listening
Try to understand feelings
Restate in your own words what the scout is saying
Ask leading questions, but do not provide answers
Help the scout find his own inner resources
Help the scout discover his own answers
Be careful not to impose your own faith on the scout
Offer to help provide additional information/resources or connect the scout with someone from his own tradition
Chaplaincy in the OA

12. Scout john – suicide prevention
Role Play Information Card #4
Scout John (Suicide Prevention): You are a 19 year old, Brotherhood member and Eagle Scout who was Chapter Chief a few years ago. You are home from college, which you attend on the other side of the country, for Christmas break and you attend your lodge’s winter banquet. You are just finishing your freshman year and you feel completely isolated from everyone and everything that seems familiar to you. Your girlfriend since 10th grade just broke up with you the day you got home because she said you were too far away. Your mom died from cancer 4 years ago. You just met your dad’s new girlfriend for the first time, you don’t really like her and you’ve felt that your dad hasn’t been paying you much attention since they started dating. To top it off you haven’t had a good semester and think you probably failed chemistry and will have to take it over again. You’ve just been feeling down and maybe depressed and have thought some that you would be better off dead. In the last few days you have thought about killing
yourself, but you haven’t thought about how or made a plan.
Chaplaincy in the OA

13. Tips for dealing with suicidal scouts
If someone speaks about or hints at suicide, take it seriously
Don’t leave a suicidal person alone
Inform the Lodge Staff Advisor or other professional BSA representative as soon as possible
Do not inform others
Remember you are not a professional counselor and the scout should be referred for professional help
Offer supportive and listening presence
If others have been involved, you may want to help them process the experience and encourage them not to inform others
Be a friend
Chaplaincy in the OA