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Latter-day Saint Legacy Units
NEAR YOU
(Republished from November 2019)
Most of us know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be participating as a Chartered Organization in Scouting after 2019, but that does not mean that Church members are not welcome to continue on, or that the Church suddenly opposes Scouting. The Church has merely decided to take a different, global path for its Children and Youth Program going forward.
The Scouting program is largely consistent with Church principles, and could be used to make and achieve the goals that are at the heart of the new Church Program for Children and Youth. In fact, Scouting is one of the few well-known institution in the United States that addresses all of the four areas encompassed by that program: spiritual, social, physical and intellectual. Scouting has strong roots in all these areas, as well as in citizenship, preparedness, leadership, service, outdoor skills, resiliency and other hallmarks for which Scouting has long been associated.
Across San Diego county there are several Latter-day Saint Legacy Scout units that are in the process of being organized. The term "Legacy" honors the 107 year tradition of the Church in Scouting and recognizes that this legacy will continue in 2020 and beyond. These units are being created as an avenue for Latter-day Saint children and youth to continue in Scouting with friends, leaders and parental support that they already know. There are no geographical boundaries for these units and no restrictions on participation (non-Church members are welcome, as they have always been with the previously sponsored Church units).
Legacy units will strive to follow Church principles - Sabbath observance, Word of Wisdom, clean language and lifestyles - and will function like any other Scout unit, per BSA direction. Cub Dens will we organized by school grade, not age. The Webelos program will span two years. Cub Camping will be allowed (with parent participation). There will likely be Blue and Gold Banquets in February, a Pinewood Derby, and other fun Cub Scout events, and Popcorn sales to help supplement other fundraisers. It’s also possible a Pack will support the newer initiatives of the BSA - Tiger Cubs, Lions, girl dens, etc., depending on the support of the chartering organization, the committee, availability of leaders, and interest level of the participants and parents.
It’s likely that the Legacy Troops will be far larger in size than the standard Troops we saw in our Wards, and being composed of youth, leaders and parent who have chosen to be there. They will continue to participate in Camporees and Summer Camps and be able to take advantage of all the programs available in Scouting across the United States.
Above are the Latter-day Saint Legacy units that are furthest along in the creation process as listed by the Stake their leaders are primarily coming form - other units will follow in coming months. To contact the new unit leadership, please click on the button above to be directed to their email.
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