I am the principal of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Miami. A long-standing tradition in our family and at our school and parish is Catholic Scouting. Parallel to my educational journey, my late husband and I embarked on a 17-year adventure with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing, all chartered to St. Michael. My commitment to Scouting extended beyond our Pack, Troop and Crew as I took on the role of Chartered Organization representative and as a member of the Archdiocese of Miami Catholic Committee on Scouting, where I have been the chair and currently serve as treasurer.
Most of our Scouting families at St. Michael have children who attend the school or are members of the parish. This fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. Our Scouting families have cultivated close friendships and continue to be involved in each other’s lives, even after their children graduate from St. Michael.
Catholic Scouting creates community by helping connect young people with fellow students and by helping school families build relationships with fellow school families. This is so important especially now to help rebuild relationships that may have been put on pause during the pandemic. It helps young people develop their social-emotional skills and it helps parents connect with other parents, as well as school and parish leaders. Catholic Scouting offers that time-tested structure of relationship building and community that so many young people and families are seeking today. I know this not only from my own experience but from the experience of fellow Catholic school leaders around the country.
“Social engagement and related social skills development took a hit during the pandemic and many kids are still catching up in socio-emotional development,” said Claire Hatch, principal at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Belleville, IL. “Scouting provides the structure to help kids re-engage with one another. The projects they work on together really help them develop social skills like communication, cooperation and leadership. It also builds community by bringing school families together for fun, fellowship and faith.”
Tim Tolzda, senior principal at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, reinforces how Scouting builds community at his school, “friendships and comradery have developed across grade levels with our Scouts. Our Scouts celebrate their achievements and learn together. At a recent Pack campout, some of our older Scouts rode down the zipline with younger Scouts who were nervous and helped them overcome their fears. These younger Scouts then see these older Scouts they bonded with in the halls at school.”
Catholic Scouting offers activities and programming for boys and girls starting as early as kindergarten. Kids are drawn to Catholic Scouting because of the fun and friendships, but Catholic Scouting offers so much more! It features whole family activities for younger Scouts, opportunities to grow in responsibility as Scouts grow older and recognition for all Scouts who engage in age-appropriate activities and programs to learn about their faith and serve others. For generations, Catholic Scouting has helped young people grow in their faith and learn how to become good citizens—and it’s the only Scouting program recognized by both the Boy Scouts of America and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Catholic Scouting encourages faith-focused service in school, parish and community in multiple ways. Catholic Scouts earn badges, emblems and awards for engaging in service projects that benefit their school, parish and the larger community. Scouts quickly learn that the real reward of serving others is knowing they are making a positive difference in the lives of others. Service in pursuit of the greater good is a central tenet of Scouting—and has been from its inception more than 100 years ago.
Scouts at St. Michael participate in Scout Masses and Stations of the Cross, collaborate with our St. Vincent de Paul Society for food and toy drives, help at parish food festivals and make sandwiches to be distributed at local food banks. Eagle Scout service projects have made a positive difference in our school and community. Recently, one Scout’s project refurbished our kindergarten play area, adding more space for our young students to play. Eagle Scouts from our school have built bat houses, created signage, cleaned up trash and planted native plants at local community parks, among many other service projects. These projects make the Scouts aware of the importance of service to the community and giving to those in need.
“Catholic Scouting fosters an environment for Scouts where service to others is a part of each day. They learn the importance of this over time as they recite the Scout Law, participate in activities and then explore similar messages in our Catholic faith,” said Principal Tolzda. “Part of our school’s charism is to inspire a caring heart through Christ. This is put into action through Scouting. Some recent examples of living out this commitment to service in our community include our Tiger Cub Scouts making blankets for Laura’s House, which provides shelter and support services for women who are victims of domestic violence, and our Boy Scouts assisting at a parish food pantry and visiting residents at the local senior center.”
“Service to others is an important part of learning at our school and Catholic Scouting fosters a true commitment to service,” said Principal Hatch. “I can definitely tell which students are involved in Catholic Scouting. They are willing to step up. They are leaders in their classrooms. Scouts are always there to help. Catholic Scouting helps connect service to our Catholic faith.”
I urge fellow Catholic school principals and teachers to consider encouraging your school families and students to join Catholic Scouting. There is so much to be gained by becoming a Scout: a strong sense of community that leads to lasting friendships; a commitment to service of parish, school and the broader community—and a deepening of faith. Want to explore what Catholic Scouting can bring to your school? Visit CatholicScouting.com.
Lisette Reina-Naranjo is principal of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School, a PreK- 8 school in Miami, FL. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s in diagnostic teaching.
Lisette Reina-NaranjoLNaranjo@stmacs.org