Spark Summit 2026

The Catholic Scouting Leaders' "Spark" Summit focused on the integration of faith into scouting programs, featuring leadership introductions and a keynote testimony from a Life Scout regarding the St. George Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.

Leadership & Committee Introductions

The session opened with introductions from committee members and troop leaders, highlighting a deep-rooted community at Church of the Ascension and surrounding parishes.

• David Gast: Organizing scouting religious awards, specifically focusing on the BSA (VSA) to ensure resources are accessible for those teaching classes.

• Tanya Gast: Recognized as a primary organizer and "powerhouse" for the committee's initiatives.

• Brian Yanez: Former Charter Organization Representative (COR) for Ascension; detailed the leadership transition from himself to Jeff Smith and others.

• Stephanie: Troop coordinator for American Heritage Girls (AHG), emphasized the group's growth since 2017 and the importance of shared faith.

Keynote: The St. George Trek Experience

Clark Kelly, a 17-year-old Life Scout and recipient of multiple religious emblems (Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII, Pillars of Faith), shared insights from his 12-day discernment trek at Philmont Scout Ranch.

Core Reflections:

• Faith Integration: The trek emphasized that Catholic scouting is not about adding complex layers, but applying a "Catholic twist" to existing scouting values—such as starting hikes with prayer and daily Mass.

• Simplicity & Humility: Clark noted the spiritual impact of "God’s creation" in the backcountry and the practical humility required to hike as a cohesive unit, where the group is only as fast as its slowest member.

• Gratefulness for Local Support: He credited mentors like Janine Myers for facilitating the religious emblem programs that served as his favorite scouting memories and kept him engaged through high school.

Strategic Directives for Leaders

The discussion following the testimony centered on how adult leaders can better mentor youth in their faith journey.

• Availability over Rigidity: Leaders should provide tools and opportunities but allow scouts to make their own decisions and "steps" in their faith.

• Intentionality in Routine: While troops currently practice "proxy" faith (meeting at churches, praying before meals), there is a committee goal to move toward more specific, faith-focused meetings once a month.

• Advisor Recruitment: There is an active need for more priests, seminarians, and laypeople to serve as advisors for high-adventure treks like St. George.

The discussion focused on the role of leaders and parents in fostering faith within Catholic scouting units, specifically American Heritage Girls and Scouts BSA. The session emphasized that leaders must first model their own faith to effectively mentor youth and accompany them in their spiritual development.

Core Objectives

• Witnessing Faith: Leaders are called to be witnesses, accompanying and advising youth while respecting their freedom.

• Safe Communities: Building inclusive, hospitable environments that support youth leadership and service.

• Mentorship: The ultimate goal is to mentor scouts to become active agents for the Church.

Key Discussion Themes

Supporting Parents as Primary Educators

• Achievable Goals: Focus on small, "doable" habits rather than lofty, overwhelming targets. Examples include praying before meals or making the Sign of the Cross when passing an adoration chapel.

• Consistency: Parents must remain consistent in their expectations, such as attending Sunday Mass, even when faced with resistance from teenagers.

• Third-Party Influence: Scouts often listen to leaders more readily than their own parents during the teenage years. Leaders should leverage this to reinforce parental values.

Healthy Virtue-Driven Culture

• Alignment of Models: The scouting model (duty to God, care for society) naturally aligns with Christian faith. A healthy troop culture is welcoming, encouraging, and environmentally conscious.

• Intentionality: Integration of faith should be intentional but not forced. Simple acts, like inviting non-Catholic scouts to Mass during campouts, can open doors for spiritual engagement.

Engaging Disengaged Youth

• Relational Presence: Maintaining a consistent presence and reaching out via text or personal invitation to scouts who have drifted away.

• Safe Social Spaces: Providing a community where scouts feel they belong, especially those who may feel like outsiders in other social or school circles.

• The "Campfire" Transition: Recognizing that between ages 17 and 25, faith often transitions from something "handed down" by parents to a personal conviction, often sparked by peer conversations in settings like campfires.

Strategic Insights

• Demographic Awareness: Leaders should be mindful of the diverse backgrounds of scouts (public school vs. homeschool) to ensure the troop remains an inclusive community rather than a "bubble."

• The "Anxious Generation": Reference was made to the need for a different approach with modern youth; they require explanations of "why" we do things rather than just orders.

• Community as a Safety Net: Strengthening the social community of the troop helps both scouts and parents feel supported in their faith journey.

The Catholic Committee on Scouting is navigating a significant transition following restructuring within the Archdiocese. With the dissolution of the Office of Youth Ministry, the committee is moving toward an independent model, focusing on digital modernization and financial autonomy.

Strategic Transition & Governance

The committee is currently operating outside the official diocesan structure, a model successfully used by other regions. 

• Archbishop’s Blessing: A formal proposal is being prepared for the Archbishop to secure an official blessing. The goal is to maintain a presence on the Archdiocese website that directs users to the committee’s new independent site.

• Financial Restructuring: Funds earmarked for scouting remain at the Archdiocese. Accessing these requires the committee to either obtain 501(c)(3) status or find a 501(c)(3) "umbrella" organization. A temporary solution involves requesting reimbursements for upcoming event costs.

• Inventory Management: The committee has secured thousands of dollars in medals and awards previously held by the Youth Office. These are currently stored by the Gast family and will be distributed via a new internal ordering and payment system managed by the treasurer, John Hewans.

Digital Infrastructure: The New Website

The new Google Sites platform serves as a centralized resource hub for scouts, parents, and leaders.

• Event Coordination: The site features dedicated pages for the Kickoff Mass (August 30), "Pitching for Priests," and the Spring Awards Mass (April 18).

• Religious Emblems: Comprehensive guides for BSA (Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII) and American Heritage Girls (CFA) are live. The committee emphasized that while younger scouts often work with families, older scouts require mentors.

• Resource Library: The site links to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting’s partnership with Formed, providing high-quality media resources for faith formation.

Program Revitalization

There is a strong push to bring back legacy events that were paused, specifically:

• Family Campouts: Historically held at Savior Pastoral Center and Prairie Star; seen as vital for community building.

• Kenosis Leadership Retreat: A faith-based leadership program at Prairie Star. The committee is discussing moving the eligibility down to 4th or 5th grade to improve retention, particularly for AHG members.

Operational Directives

• Class Registration: All leaders teaching religious emblem classes must register their sessions on the website to centralize contact information.

• Independent Study: The website will be updated to clarify that families in non-Catholic troops can still complete religious emblem programs independently and connect with the committee for awards.

• Feedback Loop: An anonymous feedback button ("Hey, I have something to say") has been added to the website to gather input on the Spark Summit and general committee operations.

This session provided a comprehensive training overview for religious emblem counselors and coordinators within the Archdiocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. The focus was on administrative compliance, youth protection, and the specific requirements for the Ad Altare Dei (AAD) and Pope Pius XII awards.

Operational Directives & Compliance

Safety and administrative integrity were established as the primary organizational priorities.

• Virtus Training: All counselors and assistants (18+) must be current with Virtus training.

• Youth Protection: Compliance with "Safeguarding Youth" or "Keys to Child Safety" is mandatory for all adult leaders.

• Two-Deep Leadership: A strict "never one adult with youth" policy must be maintained at all times.

• Administrative Confirmation: Counselors must complete the online training confirmation form (accessible via QR code or the "Resources and Links" section of the website) to acknowledge their commitment to these standards.

• Attendance Tracking: Written attendance must be taken at all events for contact tracing and safety records, though it does not need to be submitted unless requested.

Award-Specific Guidance

Ad Altare Dei (AAD)

• Target Audience: Designed for 13 to 14-year-olds; focuses on the seven sacraments.

• Structure: Recommended 12 sessions (approx. 2 hours each).

• Requirements: Includes a mandatory retreat or day of reflection. Counselors should contact the committee if they need assistance finding retreat resources.

• Documentation: Scouts must write in their manuals. This serves as the primary record for the Board of Review.

Pope Pius XII

• Target Audience: Ages 15 to 16; youth-led and conversation-based.

• Group Size: Ideal size is 8 scouts; groups should not exceed 12.

• Vocations Panel: The most logistically challenging requirement. Counselors must coordinate a panel representing four states of life: Single, Married, Religious, and Ordained. Early scheduling is critical.

Resources & Website Integration

The committee is centralizing resources on the ArchKCK Scouting webpage to support unit leaders.

• Class Resources: The website now includes session-by-session planning guides, agendas, and handouts for AAD.

• Regional Coordination: There is a proposal to list active classes on the website to help connect scouts from non-Catholic troops with available regional groups.

• Award Processing: All awards must be registered and obtained through the committee to ensure proper record-keeping and Board of Review scheduling.

Strategic Insights

• Mentorship over Policing: The Board of Review is intended to "pass kids, not fail them." Counselors are encouraged to use sound judgment and focus on the scout's growth rather than rigid adherence to "adding" requirements.

• Engagement Tactics: For younger scouts, flexibility and "being yourself" are more effective than strict classroom discipline. Using snacks or small incentives is encouraged to maintain engagement.

• Community Support: The "Communion of Saints" was cited as a spiritual foundation, reminding counselors they are part of a broader mission of faith propagation, supported by both the committee and the Archdiocese.