1. Welcome. Thank you for coming today
Welcome! Thank you for coming today. My name is __________________ [continue with a brief introduction of yourself and other presenters].
We have one objective for you today: To understand how God and Country can support your congregation’s ministry in the areas of Christian Education and Outreach.
Let’s begin.

2. Duty to God To Serve God Worship God
Boy Scouts profess a “Duty to God”. Girl Scouts promise “To Serve God”. And the Camp Fire law states “Worship God”. We’re here today to learn how the God and Country program is one way to help young people express their faith in God.

3. God & Country = Religious Emblems & Awards Program (REAP)
A. Created by the national church bodies through Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) headquartered in St. Louis, MO –
For more info, go to praypub.org
B. Includes emblems/awards which are approved for wear on the official uniforms of:
Boy Scouts – since 1945 (over 63 years)
Girl Scouts – since 1976
God and Country is a religious emblems program. This means that:
A. It is created by the national church bodies cooperating with P.R.A.Y. In other words, God and Country is a CHURCH program, not a scouting program.
B. God and Country includes emblems/awards which are approved for wear on the official Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and Camp Fire uniforms. That is why most people associate God and Country with being a scouting award, but it is a church award that is approved by the youth agencies.

4. God and Country = More than just an award
Christian education
Family involvement
Getting to know the Pastor
Service projects
Community outreach
Real results / changed lives
Now that you know that God and Country is a religious awards program, we want to tell you that God and Country is much, much more than just an award.
We want to show you how God and Country means
Christian education
Family involvement
Getting to know the Pastor
Service projects
Community outreach,
Real results / changed lives

5. Eligibility requirements
A. For members of all churches.
B. Boys and girls, grades 1-12.
C. Resources are specific to each type of Religious Group.
D. Students are required to present their work to the Religious Leader for final approval.
First, let’s review the eligibility requirements.
A. God and Country is for members of Protestant and Independent Christian churches, which includes Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Episcopal, UCC, Disciples of Christ, and other denominations. If you have a child who wants to take your class, be sure that God and Country is the appropriate program for them.
B. God and Country is for boys and girls in grades one through twelve. All church youth (whether or not they belong to a scouting group) are eligible to participate in the God and Country program. Children should start at their appropriate grade level.
C. God and Country is an interdenominational resource, which means that all denominations use the standard curriculum. The curriculum allows each church to introduce the unique characteristics of their denomination.
D. Students are required to present their work to the pastor for final approval. God and Country classes must be taught under the auspices of the church. It is the pastor who does the final review with the student. This does not mean that the pastor is the only one who can serve as counselor or teach a class. The pastor may appoint a parent, Sunday school teacher, or other lay leader in the church to serve as God and Country counselor. But it is the pastor who approves the work in the end.

6. Four levels: 1. God and Me – grades 1-3 2. God and Family – grades 4-5
This presentation today is on:
3. God and Church – grades 6-8 (GC)
4. God and Life – grades 9-12 (GL)
Our Troop is leading GC & GL programs Now.
Sign ups & program starts are NOW.
Awards on Scout Sunday
God and Country has four different programs based on grade level.
These grade levels roughly correspond to the different ranks in the scouting programs, but since God and Country is a program of the church, it goes strictly by grade level (not by rank).

7. Resources: www.praypub.org
Curriculum booklets
A. Student Workbook
B. Counselor Manual
(for Religious Leader or Counselor approved by Religious Leader)
C. Adult Mentor Workbook
Resources:
There are three books at each level.
A. Student Workbook: Each child is required to have a student workbook. It contains all the Bible lessons and requirements that the child must complete. It also contains the application form to order the award upon completion of the program.
B. The Counselor Manual is the “teacher’s edition.” It provides handouts, answers to all questions, and lesson plans. It also provides suggestions for starting a program, whether you plan to offer classes or set up independent programs where the students work at home and then report to a counselor.
C. The Adult Mentor Workbook is an optional program for parents. Parents may participate in the program alongside their children by serving as mentors. Mentors have lessons to complete in the Mentor Workbook to prepare them to work side-by-side with their children as they share and grow in faith together.
We’ve been talking in general terms about the God and Country series. Now let’s take a deeper look at each specific program level.

8. God and Church God and Church (grades 6-8)
God and Church is the third program in the God and Country series. It is for young people in grades 6 through 8.

9. God and Church Seven lessons, 3 Projects, 3 week Bible reading
b. Requires meetings with Adult Mentor/Student to complete.
The God and Church program has seven lessons. It generally requires meetings to complete.

10. God and Church Theme: “Journey to Meet Christ”
Activities include learning more about your church’s history, leadership, people, ministries, programs.
The God and Church program uses the theme of a journey: young people will embark on faith journeys to meet Jesus, worship God, and witness and minister for Christ. Participants will create videos or photo albums to share their faith journeys with others.

11. God and Church Recognitions:
Medal worn on uniform
This is the God and Church medallion and patch.
It is at this level, when students study their specific denominations, that denominational awards are available. The standard medal is pictured here, but there are other awards available: AME, Baptist, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and United Methodist.
Patch worn on uniform or green sash or vest.
Pin worn on uniform- also use as Mother’s pin on rank pin ribbon.

12. Mother’s or student’s necklace or bracelet charm
God and Church Recognitions:
Adult Mentor & Counselor Lapel Pin
Mother’s or student’s necklace or bracelet charm
Embroidered Neckerchief
Adult Mentor & Counselor patches

13. Frameable Certificates signed for Student & Adult Mentor

14. God and Life God and Life (grades 9-12)
The last program is called God and Life and it is for young people in high school.

15. God and Life a. Five Lessons, Five Projects, 90 days Bible reading
b. Requires 3-5 months to complete
c. Based on the life of Paul
The God and Life program has five lessons. It will require 3-5 months to complete. The theme of God and Life is based on the life of the Apostle Paul as recorded in Acts 9. Students will study what it means to live their lives for Christ, and will be challenged to integrate their faith into their daily lives.

16. God and Life Recognitions
Medal worn on uniform
Patch worn on uniform
or green sash or vest.
This is the God and Life medallion and patch.
Pin worn on uniform- also use as Mother’s
pin on rank pin ribbon.

17. Mother’s or student’s necklace or bracelet charm
God & Life Recognitions:
Mother’s or student’s necklace or bracelet charm
Adult Mentor & Counselor Lapel Pins
Adult Mentor & Counselor Patches

18. Frameable Certificates for Student & Adult Mentor

19. Religious knots are worn above the left pocket.
Scout
Scouter
You may earn more than 1 award and affix special pin on your previously earned knot.

20. Circle Ten Council REAP 19 Districts 70,000 scouts Religious Emblems & Awards earned each year 19 Church Denominations

21. How to get started? Step 1: Inform your Patrol Leader.
Participants must obtain the specific booklet for their religion. Available at Scoutfitter or order online at praypub.org.
Step 2: Parents must review the program guidelines.
Step 3: Families should talk to their religious leaders and show them the booklet before beginning any program.
Step 4: The Student, Adult Mentor, & Counselor start meeting together regularly and work through the booklets.

22. 3
By viewing this presentation, you have earned 2 of these 4 integral patches. Put your name on the Attendance List. Troop pays for patch. 4 1
Anchor patch-Available every year
For Scouts
& Scouters 2

24. Questions? Ask your Patrol Leader.
Contact your Council REAP Chairman
cell 24/7
Go to
[If possible, allow some time for participants to ask questions.]
Questions about the God and Country program may be directed to P.R.A.Y. The P.R.A.Y. web site is an excellent resource. Also, the P.R.A.Y. staff can answer any questions that you have. Be sure to write down P.R.A.Y.’s web address and toll free number.

25. Complete by end of January
Group Meeting dates if preferred to be announced.
Awards on Scout Sunday,
1st Sunday in February.

26. For more information on the REAP, go to our Troop 125 Website
Troop125.org

27. 1. Eagle rank =
Highest level in Scouting.
2. Religious Emblems & Awards =
Highest level in Religious Activities in Scouting.
3. Troop 125 is a Christ-centered Troop. 4. Should earning a religious emblem & award be a priority to each member of this Troop? What will you do?