SCOUTS OWN
SERVICES


Scout's Own is a Scout-led worship service held while camping. Be sure you know your participants' religious requirements in advance, so you can accommodate them. Your adult chaplain could coach the chaplain aide or another youth leader in leading a special interfaith service. If any Scouts' faith requires it, arrange for them to attend formal services in town.


SAMPLE SCOUT'S OWN SERVICE


Call to Worship:

I tried, to find Him on the Christian cross, but her was not there. I went to the Temple of the Hindus and the old pagodas, but I could not find a trace of Him anywhere.

I searched on the mountains and in the valley, but neither in the heights nor in the depths was I able to find Him. I went to the Caaba in Mecca, but He was not there either.

I questioned the scholars and philosphers, but He was beyond their understanding.

I then looked into my heart and it was there where He dwelled that I saw him; He was nowhere else to be found.


Song: Morning Has Broken

Morning has broken like the first morning,
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for the springing fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning!
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning.
God's recreation of the new day.


Why a Scouter's Own? Religious Principles of the BSA

"The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God."
--Article II, Section 2, Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.

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The Boy Scouts of America expects a member to accept the religious principles stated in the Charter and Bylaws, in the Boy Scout Oath and Law, and on the membership application.

These commitments are involved:

1. Belief in God
2. Reverence toward God
3. Fulfillment of religious duties
4. Respect for belief of others

The Boy Scouts of America does not define what constitutes belief in God or practice of religion. Religious instruction is a function of parents or the religious institution to which a member may belong.

The Boy Scouts of America is not a religious movement and is non-sectarian in nature. It does maintain a close working relationship with authorities of all religious bodies on a national level. Although Scouting is non-sectarian, it strongly encourages religious loyalty on the part of its members. The Boy Scouts of America looks to each religious body to provide for the spiritual training of its members. Recognition of the spiritual aspect of a boy's life is of great importance as he participates in the Scouting program. This is done through opportunities to worship at summer camps, camporees, jamborees and Scout meetings.

Boys are encouraged to observe religious practices in Scout activities whieh they have been taught at home.

One of the purposed of Scouting is to bring the boy closer to the ideals of his faith and the ideals of his country.


The Twelfth Point of the Scout Law

A Scout is Reverent

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Reverence toward God is a whole lot more than going to church. It is shown in the way you act every day. you take care of your body. You live by the moral code and worship God in the way taught by your own religion.

There are many different religious beliefs in the world. Some are like your own. Others are very different. The men who founded the United States of America believed in the right of all men to worship God in their own way. This is a great heritage they have given us. Scouts can strengthen it by their actions.

A great teaching of most religions is known by us as the "Golden Rule". Its says that you should treat others the same way you would want them to treat you. This is so simple that you can use this rule to easily measure yourself in your daily actions.

People who worship God in a different way from you can be very religious. Their ways mean a great deal to them. To laugh at, or show disrespect for, the beliefs of others is to make a mockery of all religions, including your own.

Song: God Bless America

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her,
through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Responsive Reading:

Leader: (The response is:)
We join with the earth and with each other.
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air


Group: We join with the earth and with each other.


Leader: To renew the forests
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures


Group: We join with the earth and with each other.


Leader: To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars


Group: Group: We join with the earth and with each other.


Leader: To recreate the human community
To promote justice and peace
To remember our children


Group: We join with the earth an with each other


All: We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life.



Silent Prayer

Remember one path which you walked yesterday. Remember what you saw along the path and the people who walked that path with you. recall one discovery you made as you walked. Was it something that you learned about yourself? About another person? About God's creation? What might you thing if you walked along that path again?


Song: America, America

(Sing through twice, then hum one verse, and sing one final verse very softly.)

America, America
How can I tell you how I feel?
You have given me many treasures,
I love you so.

Closing:

Believing that it can be done is all that needs to be,
Because a thought becomes a feeling, then a dream, then reality.

--Michelle Lewis





CAMPER'S PRAYER

God of the mountains and hills, make me tall and strong;
Tall enough and strong enough to right some wrong.
God of the stars, make me steadfast and sure;
Godd of every lake and stream, flow through my life and make it clean;
Let me do nothing base or mean.

God of the trees and woods, keep me fresh and pure;
God of the rain, wash from my life all dirt and stain;
Pure and strong let me remain.

God of the seed and soil, plant in my heart Thy love;
God of the darkness and day, through shadows or light, be my stay.
Guide thou my way.

God of the radiant sun, light Thou my life;
God of the glorious dawn, make each day a fresh start.
God of the evening peach and quiet, keep me free from fear and strife.
God of the gay, fre birds, sing in my heart.

God of the surging waves and sea, wide horizons give to me;
Help me to see the world as Thou wouldst have it be;
God of the lovely rose, make me lovely too;
God of the morning dew, each day my faith renew;
God of all growing things, keep me growing too.

-- George Earl Owen





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