National Catholic Committee for Girls Scouts and Camp Fire
The Catholic religious recognition programs administered by the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF), under the auspices of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), allow young people to explore and become more involved in their Catholic faith.
All programs are designed to support and complement the catechetical efforts of Catholic parishes and schools. In particular, the Family of God is an excellent supplement for children preparing for the reception of their first Eucharist. The Spirit Alive provides substantial and creative activities to augment preparation for the sacrament of confirmation.
God is Love (Grades K-1)
The God Is Love program is designed for use with students who are in kindergarten or first grade. The program helps students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all. A companion to the God Is Love program, the prayer card invites children to embrace God’s love for them and the world, and to share that love with others.
Students earn this medal and/or patch by completing the God Is Love Catholic religious recognition program. The leader's guide is contained within the youth workbook and is designed to be worked on by a parent and their child.
The Family of God (Grades 2-3)
Family of God is the official religious recognition program of the Roman Catholic Church for children in grades 2-3 who are enrolled in the Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, and other Catholic youth organizations.
Family of God is a bilingual activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts of the parish and families with children in the second and third grades. Revised and transliterated into Spanish in July 2004, the program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. The six chapters cover:
- I am special to my family
- I am special to God’s family
- I belong to my family
- I belong to God’s family
- I can help my family
- I can help God’s family
I Live My Faith (Grades 4-6)
The I Live My Faith program is designed to help Girl Scouts and Camp Fire members, grades 4-6, appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily lives. The action-oriented activities focus on developing awareness within the individual of his/her potential as a growing person, friend, family member, citizen, and a participant in the community of faith.
The program is divided into three chapters and includes an Introduction and Conclusion. The chapters are:
- Belief
- Sacraments
- Catholic Christian Living
Mary, The First Disciple (Grades 7-10)
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The Marian Medal program is written for young Catholics, grades 7-10, to enable them to “proclaim the greatness of the Lord.” This is accomplished by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality—a woman of the church.
Through various projects, discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them.
The Spirit Alive (High School)
This program is designed for Catholic youth in high school who are in the senior level of Girl Scouts or Horizon Club members of Camp Fire. It assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church’s ministry. The four chapters cover:
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Scripture
- The Holy Spirit Alive in the Catholic Church
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Prayer
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Your Life
Activities are an integral part of The Spirit Alive process. Because different people have different learning styles, there are four categories of activities to choose from for chapters 1-3:
- written
- artistic
- interactive
- digital
Missio (11-12 grade)
The program invites young people to explore discipleship and their own religious identity. Missio was jointly created by the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States and the NFCYM. This program is designed to be worked on by an adviser and the youth participant(s).