Catholic Committee Awards and Information
For anyone looking to become a “Ad Altare Dei” and/or “Pope Pius” Counselor both BSA & Catholic Youth Protection Training programs are required along with Catholic Committee On Scouting-Position Training prior to running a Course.
Catholic Chartered Units
All Catholic Chartered Unit Leaders (Pack, Troop, Crew, & Ship), the Archdiocese of Philadelphia currently requires all volunteers (of all faiths) working with Catholic Chartered Scouting Youth (<18) on a regular basis to attend the “Office for Child & Youth Protection” training offered by Virtus (see the link below) and to have a criminal background check (see the Parish Office for Forms).
The Catholic Youth Protection program is very similar to the BSA Youth Protection program BUT the Catholic Church will NOT accept the BSA version to satisfy their volunteer training requirements.
To register for this training, click here
To read more about this training, click here
Jewish Committee Awards and Information
Shofar Award
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting established the Shofar Award to recognize outstanding service by adults in the promotion of Scouting among Jewish youth. Just as the Shofar (Ram’s Horn) calls people to the service of God, so the Shofar Award is a recognition of the individual who has answered the call to serve Jewish youth in Scouting. Self and spouse nominations will not be accepted.
For more information and to download the application form, click here
Religious Awards
The JCOS will provide reimbursement to cover the cost of the Maccabee, Aleph, Ner Tamid, and Etz Chaim religious awards.
(Note: regular shipping- we do not cover the cost of expedited shipping. These are restricted to those living in Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.)
Send a copy of the paid receipt to:
Phil Hittner
2541 Candytuft Drive
Jamison, PA 18929
e-mail: philhittner@att.net
Campership Information
Since 2005, we have been able to offer camperships to Jewish Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA to go to BSA district Cub Day Camp and to Scouts BSA summer camps. This year, we are extending this program to Sea Scouts, Venturers and Explorers. This is a reimbursement to help you send your child to camp this summer. These funds are provided by the Sidney Goldberg Endowment Fund, handled by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The recipient will also be invited to attend our Kinnus (Retreat) at no charge.
The Scout must be of the Jewish faith and be a registered Scout living in Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Philadelphia or Harrisburg.
• *new* – Second week Camperships: We are extending this program, now offering partial reimbursement to help send your child to camp for a second week – at a Cradle of Liberty BSA Cub Day Camp and Scouts BSA summer camp. (Notes: maximum $100; Second week Camperships restricted to those living in Delaware Co., Montgomery Co., and Philadelphia -AND – one or both weeks must be at a COL BSA camp or day camp.)
Camperships: to receive a campership, send a letter or e-mail by September 9th, 2020 to:
Len Brownstein
1045 Alpena Road
Phila, PA 19115
or e-mail: lenbrownstein@gmail.com
The letter must contain, the Scout camp attended, the Scout’s name, address, troop or pack number, parents email address, along the with the following information:
Scout Council receipt showing funds paid to that Scout council and a parents/guardian’s name to be on the Campership reimbursement check.
All data requested must be provided in order to process the request. A Scout Council receipt must be provided along with the request, not a Troop receipt or copy of cancelled check.
(Note: Second week Camperships restricted to those living in Delaware Co., Montgomery Co., and Philadelphia -AND – one or both weeks must be at a COL BSA camp or day camp.)
Kinnus (Retreat)
Kinnus (Retreat)for each boy who receives a campership, the JCOS also covers about half the cost of the Kinnus for other attendees.
This year our Kinnus (Retreat) will be held October 23-25, 2020 at Camp Galil. Please mark your calendars for that date.
Registration material for the Kinnus will be available later this year.
Scholarships and Eagle Scout Grants
Eagle Scout Proiect Grants
The JCOS will now make grants ($50 to $250) to Jewish Scouts for approved Eagle Scout Projects, or equivalent Venture, Explorer or Sea Scout projects.
Eagle Candidate should submit a request letter including a brief description of the project ( or a copy of Project Proposal page C) and the project budget ( or a copy of Project Proposal page D) along with contract information for the unit leader, unit treasurer, or Life-to-Eagle Coach.
(Note: these are restricted to those living in Delaware County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia; application must be made after the project is approved, and prior to its completion.)
The request letter should be sent to:
Barry Kauffmann
1806 Gait Circle
Warrington PA 18976
e-mail: gande99@prodigy.net
Post High School Scholarships
The JCOS will now grant scholarships ( each $250) up to four graduating high school seniors who are active in their home unit, to assist with their post-high school education. The recipients will be chosen randomly from all applicants whose application is received by May 31, 2020.
Open to all registered and active BSA members (Scouts, Venturers, Explorers, Sea Scouts) who will graduate high school in 2020 – and who live in Delaware County, Montgomery County or Philadelphia.
Application form , click here, needs to be submitted by May 30th 2020
Dr. David Sirken
1131 Gantt Drive
Huntingdon Valley PA, 19006
e-mail: dhsirken@earthlink.net
New Unit Support
The JCOS will support Jewish organizations in starting new units with a grant to help cover the cost of training materials.
The new unit leader should contact Len Brownstein before purchasing any materials, as the JCOS can arrange to directly purchase these materials.
Len Brownstein
1045 Alpena Road
Phila, PA 19115
e-mail: lenbrownstein@gmail.com