Chaplin's Aide Duties

Chaplain's aides encourage Boy Scout's spiritual growth. man at beach image by Mike & Valerie Miller from Fotolia.com

A chaplain's aide is a volunteer leadership position with the Boy Scouts of America, whose goal is to encourage the spiritual growth of each troop member and to assist the troop chaplain. "A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion," according to the Boy Scouts of America. To encourage scouts to grow in their faith, a wide range of religious emblems are available for the scout to pursue.

Assist the Troop Chaplain

The chaplain's aide assists the troop chaplain, who is usually a member of the clergy, to coordinate interfaith religious activities during troop outings. He or she makes arrangements for the chaplain to visit the sites of camps in order to interact with troop members at meals and to conduct a worship service. Troops are free to conduct their own religious services and the chaplain should be invited to attend and participate. Troops may also visit a nearby church, mosque, temple, or other religious institution. Aides also help the chaplain to plan and implement an annual interfaith religious activity.

Encourage Troop Member's Faith

Chaplain's aides encourage troop members to grow in their personal relationships with God through prayer, study and by taking part in religious activities which are traditional in their faith. He or she should employ modeling, mentoring and facilitating faith-based experiences to encourage troop members.

Manage Religious Emblems Program

The chaplain's aide makes a presentation on the religious emblems program at least once a year. Troop members contact their own religious instructor for guidance in what they should study. The chaplain's aide also maintains the religious emblems progress chart and arranges for recognition of troop members who complete the program.

Troop Prayer

The chaplain's aide, working with the chaplain, composes a troop prayer for mealtime. In doing this, chaplains and aides must be sensitive to the fact that many different faiths may be represented in their troops.

References

• Boy Scouts of America: Religious Emblems Program

Resources

• U.S. Scouting Service Project: Chaplain and Chaplain-Aides