The suggested RED Team presentation is written for adult leaders in a variety of settings (district/service unit meetings, training events, etc.). The presentation starts with an explanation of WHY leaders and youth members should be informed about the religious recognitions programs, outlines the steps that Camp Fire youth would take to participate in these programs, and concludes by emphasizing the leader’s role in passing this information on to every youth member in the club or group. It is not enough to explain the religious recognitions programs: RED Teams must distribute the Interfaith Quick Reference Chart and explain the importance of the leader’s role in providing this information to youth and their families.

RED Team Presentation - Full Script

Thank you for allowing us to speak at your meeting. Helping me is _____, and I am _____.

We represent the Religious Emblems Display Team for our council. We believe that every Camp Fire member should know about the religious recognition of his or her faith, and we are here to talk about these programs.

“Worship God” is part of the Camp Fire Law. One way Camp Fire members can “worship God” is to participate in the religious recognition program of their faith and to wear that recognition proudly on their uniform.

Our role today is to provide information for you to pass on to youth and their families so that they may decide whether or not to participate in the religious recognition program of their faith. We provide information, not religious instruction. Camp Fire recognizes that religious instruction is the responsibility of parents and religious leaders. But parents first have to know that these programs exist. And as Camp Fire program leaders, you are critical in getting information about the religious recognitions to youth members and their families. 

What exactly are “religious recognitions programs?” They are programs that have been created by the national religious organizations/committees, not by Camp Fire USA. These programs encourage youth to become more active members in their own religious groups, and they encourage spiritual development by providing specific religious instruction. These programs offer recognitions or pins that are approved for wear on the official Camp Fire uniform.

The Camp Fire Law includes “Worship God” and Camp Fire Corporate Documents for Chartered Councils states that “Camp Fire [USA] believes that spiritual development is essential to a healthy, wholesome personality and recognizes the importance of organized religion and of religious teaching in the lives of youth.” Besides providing a spiritual component, religious recognitions programs also promote many of the same values that are integral to Camp Fire and they help develop positive assets in youth.

Participating in the religious recognitions programs will involve four basic steps for Camp Fire youth and their families.

First, youth members must obtain the specific booklet for their religion. This booklet contains information on all the lessons and service projects that they will need to complete. Youth members need to have their own booklets to document progress. Some religions also offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.

Our Camp Fire store stocks several of these books. Call [phone number] to check on which books are available locally. 

[or]

Our Camp Fire store does not stock these books. [or] Our council does not have a store. Parents or guardians will have to purchase books directly from the religious organization. The “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” lists the addresses, phone numbers, and web addresses for the different religious organizations. We will provide you with enough charts to distribute to your families so that they will know whom to contact. We also can provide you with a form letter so that you can have your youth members write and request information for their appropriate program.

Second, parents must review the specific guidelines for their particular program. Some programs require that the youth be an official “member” of the local religious institution, other programs may not. Age/grade requirements also vary from program to program. In addition, each faith group sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to check the specific guidelines for their particular program.

Third, families should talk to their religious leaders and, if possible, show them the booklet before beginning a program. Many of the religious recognitions programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization, and many require the signature from the local religious leader. 

Fourth, youth members need to complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition (these pins are not available in the Camp Fire store). The recognition should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the youth’s religious institution, and can be presented at any time of the year. Remember: Camp Fire Sunday/Sabbath is in March. This would be a perfect time to recognize recipients of the religious recognitions. 

Before we go any further, are there any questions about the religious programs for youth members?

Adult recognitions are entirely different. Whereas the youth “earn” their recognition, adults are nominated to receive a recognition. Adult recognitions are honors that are given to adults for outstanding service to youth through both a religious institution and Camp Fire. Recipients of these awards are unaware they are being nominated. If you know of an adult Camp Fire leader who is also active in a religious institution, you could nominate that person for an adult award. Most awards require the completed application form, a resume of the candidate’s qualifications, and letters of recommendation from the religious leader and from the Camp Fire council. Many of these awards also require a minimum number of years of service before a person can be considered, so please check eligibility requirements for specific awards. Again, Camp Fire Sunday/Sabbath would be an appropriate time to present an adult recognition. Plan accordingly: these awards usually go through a review committee and require extra time for processing.

We believe that every Camp Fire member should know about the religious recognition of his or her faith. Our biggest roadblock is the lack of information about these programs. That is why you, as Camp Fire leaders, are so important. What can you do?

First, you can distribute the “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” to every youth member in your Camp Fire group. This brochure includes a chart of all the different religious recognitions, it lists their addresses, phone numbers, and if available, their web pages, and it answers some basic questions about the programs. We will provide whatever quantity you need in order to distribute one brochure to every youth member.

Second, you can read the “Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Recognitions Programs.” This brochure will help you answer some of the basic questions that parents might ask you about these programs. 

Third, you can keep a record of all youth members who have completed a religious recognition and notify the council of these recipients by filling out the form “Council Notification of Religious Recognition Earned.”

Fourth, you can nominate other Camp Fire leaders who are active in their faith communities to receive an Adult Religious Recognition.

Fifth, you can invite the RED Team to speak at Camp Fire events that include parents. We would be happy to speak to your group. Here are the names and address of the RED Team members. 

Are there any questions? Before we close, we would like to leave you with two key thoughts: First, religious recognitions can have a positive impact on Camp Fire youth; and second, as Camp Fire leaders, YOU are the key people in getting information about these programs to your youth and families. Thank you for allowing us to speak to you today. 

RED Team Presentation Outline

Introduction of the RED Team and its objectives:

• Promote religious recognitions programs 
• Provide information, not religious instruction 
• Serve as a resource to Camp Fire leaders 
• Encourage Camp Fire leaders to inform youth of religious recognitions programs 

What are “religious recognitions programs?”

• Created by the national religious organizations/committees
• Recognized by Camp Fire USA
• Include recognitions or pins that are approved for wear on the official Camp Fire uniform
• Encourage youth members to become more active members in their own religious groups, and they encourage spiritual development by providing specific religious instruction

Why promote Religious Recognitions Programs?

• The Camp Fire Law includes “Worship God”
• Camp Fire Corporate Documents for Chartered Councils states that “Camp Fire [USA] believes that spiritual development is essential to a healthy, wholesome personality and recognizes the importance of organized religion and of religious teaching in the lives of youth.”
• Religious recognitions programs can help provide a spiritual component to the Camp Fire program
• Religious recognitions programs promote many of the same values that are integral to Camp Fire
• Religious recognitions programs help develop positive assets in youth members 

Participating in the religious recognitions programs involve four basic steps:

1. Youth members must obtain the specific booklet for their religion.

• Youth members need their own booklet to document progress.
• Some religions offer adult manuals for counselors and mentors.
• Our council stocks several of these religious booklets. Call [phone number] to check on which books are available locally.

[OR]

• Booklets may be obtained from each religious organization/committee. Their addresses and phone numbers are listed on the Interfaith Quick Reference Chart. 

2. Parents should review the program guidelines.

• Some programs require that the youth be an official “member” of the religious institution.
• Age/grade requirements vary from program to program.
• Each faith group sets its own guidelines as to who may serve as counselor. Some programs require clergy to serve as counselors, other programs allow parents or other family members to serve as counselors.

3. Families should talk to their religious leaders and if possible show them the booklet before beginning any program.

• Most programs require that they be completed under the auspices of that religious organization.
• Many programs require the signature from the local religious leader.

4. Youth members must complete the requirements, obtain the proper signatures, and follow the instructions to order the recognition or pin.

• These recognitions are not available in the Camp Fire store.
• The recognition should be presented in a meaningful ceremony, preferably in the youth’s religious institution.
• The recognition can be presented at anytime of the year. Camp Fire Sunday/Sabbath in March is a perfect time to recognize recipients. 

Are there any questions about the religious programs for youth?

Adult Religious Recognitions are entirely different from the youth programs:

• Adult recognitions are by nomination only: they are honors given to adults for outstanding service to youth through both a religious institution and Camp Fire. 
• Recipients are unaware of their nomination.
• These recognitions are usually submitted to a review committee; extra time is needed for processing.
• Many recognitions require a minimum number of years of service; check eligibility requirements for specific awards.
• Most recognitions require the following:
• Completed application form
• Resume of the candidate’s activities
• Letter of recommendation from the Camp Fire council
• Letter of recommendation from the religious institution

The role of the Camp Fire leader:

• Distribute the “Interfaith Quick Reference Chart” to every youth in your program.
• Use the “FAQ” brochure as a resource to answer parents’ questions.
• Keep a record of all youth members who have completed a religious recognition.
• Notify the council of all recipients.
• Nominate other Camp Fire leaders who are active in their faith communities to receive an Adult Religious Recognition.
• Invite the RED Team to speak at Camp Fire program events that include parents.

Closing

• Questions?
• RED Team members’ names and phone numbers
• We would like to leave you with two key thoughts:
• Religious recognitions can have a positive impact on Camp Fire youth.
• As Camp Fire leaders, YOU are the key people in getting information about these programs to your youth and families.

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