Scouting Open House

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SALT LAKE CITY — On Saturday, March 14, the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting will honor Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in a new way.

Traditionally at this time of year the diocese hosts a special ceremony at the Cathedral of the Madeleine to present religious emblems to Scouts who have earned them. However, this year very few completed applications for those emblems have been received, according to Nancy Reading, chairperson of the Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting. As a result, instead of the presentation ceremony, the committee will host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. that day in the cathedral basement. All Catholic Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, their leaders and their families are invited to attend the free event, which will include displays, networking, light refreshments and remarks by Bishop Oscar A. Solis.

In his remarks, Bishop Solis will speak about what Scouting is to the Catholic Church and the state of Scouting, Reading said.

Also at the open house, a few awards will be presented, including the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei and a couple of St. George awards, she said, adding that the official Scout Saturday service is being rescheduled for the fall.

Committee members decided to use this opportunity “for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City to show their support of Scouting and to rally the Scouts in our units going forward,” Reading said.

“We are the largest contingent of Scouts in The Great Salt Lake Council-BSA right now,” she said. “Scouting in the Salt Lake Valley and in the diocese is alive and well. The Catholic Scouting units are among the largest part of the council contingent at this time. We will continue forward with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as it is a form of youth ministry.”

The diocese has 20 Catholic-chartered Boy Scout troops; a few more units will be added in the coming months, Reading said. A number of Catholic girls participate in Girl Scouts of Utah troops.

The Boy Scouts of America’s recently filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy “will not impact the Scouts in Utah; our holdings are separate. They cannot be attached to the bankruptcy,” she said. “The bankruptcy is really a reallocation of funds for the BSA for the victims’ reparation. … We are trying really hard right now to touch bases with all our units to reassure them.”

“The Great Salt Lake Council is currently solvent and we own all our own camps,” Reading said, addressing possible concerns about Scout camps. She encouraged Scouts to sign up for Scout camps on The Great Salt Lake Council’s website early because, with the withdrawal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from BSA, there is a reduction in the number of opportunities to attend those camps.

Two retreats are planned in the spring, one for Girl Scouts and one for Boy Scouts. More information will be forthcoming, Reading said.

The Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting is still active, she said.

WHAT: Catholic Scout Open House

WHEN: Saturday, March 14, noon – 2 p.m

WHERE: Cathedral of the Madeleine,309 E. South Temple, SLC

Free. RSVP to the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, 801-328-8641, ext. 313, so organizers may ensure they have enough refreshments.