National Association of Disciples Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and Camp Fire Leaders

The Association

The National Association of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Boy Scout, Girl Scout, and Camp Fire Leaders cooperates with both Disciples Home Missions and the national youth serving agencies (Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and Camp Fire Boys and Girls).

Objectives

• To encourage Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations to use the national youth agencies in their ministry with youth, thereby extending their programs of leadership training and community outreach;
• To promote the God and Country Program Series as a Christian Education Resource for youth;
• To recognize outstanding adult leadership through the God and Service Award;
• To provide the local church with trained youth leaders.

Rationale

The congregation's ministries with children, youth and families can be enhanced through partnerships with youth serving agencies. The agencies stress the development of positive moral values as well as social responsibility through a variety of activities including a strong emphasis on service.

Congregations should consider partnerships with youth serving agencies because research has shown that:

1. Youth who are involved in either church or youth agency activities report significantly lower involvement in at-risk behaviors, have more positive and life-affirming values, and assume more social responsibility by serving others.
2. Youth who are involved in both church and youth agency activities possess an even higher number of these positive assets.

This research done by the Search Institute (Minneapolis, Minn.) strongly suggests that partnerships between churches and youth serving agencies offer a powerful resource for youth in their faith and daily life.

Membership

Membership in the Association will provide a network of support for Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders in the national youth serving agencies.

Membership is open to adults who are eligible to be members of the Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, or the Girl Scouts of the USA, and who are active members in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The annual membership fee is $20. Upon receipt of the registration form and payment by check, you will receive a wallet certificate, the Association's emblem, and a subscription to a newsletter to keep you up to date with the latest youth ministry resources available to your church by the national youth serving agencies.

Membership form (81 Kb file)

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