Youth and Young Adult Ministry

The United Church of Canada and Scouts Canada

Note: Scouts include Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers.

More than 500 United Church congregations across the country use programs of Scouts Canada. This reflects a long and mutually rewarding relationship between Scouts Canada and the United Church. We celebrate the contribution these programs continue to make to the growth and development of our youth.

We also recognize that there have been changes in Canadian society and the legal environment in which we deliver programs to children and youth. Both Scouts Canada and the United Church have been reviewing programs and services in light of the evolving responsibilities of voluntary organizations to exercise a duty of care. 

Extensive conversations with the national office of Scouts Canada over the past year have resulted in the General Council signing a Memorandum of Agreement [PDF 3pp / 17KB] in August 2004 with Scouts Canada that clarifies the respective roles of each organization in providing Scouts programs at the local level.

The signed agreement describes two potential roles for congregations in relation to Scouts Canada:

• The first is acting as a "host"-in effect renting or allowing space to be used in the congregation's facilities for a Scouts Canada group.
• The second potential role for a congregation in relation to Scouts Canada is to act as a "sponsor."

At the national level, The United Church of Canada will continue to support Scouts Canada programs by providing

• resources and encouragement for the "Religion in Life Emblem" and appropriate recognition of recipients of the emblem
• the UCC Scouting Award and pin in recognition of persons who have given noteworthy service in the United Church through the Scouting Movement.