Religious Networks

The Council of Protestants in Guiding and Scouting (CPGS) is a link of confessional Protestant Guide and Scout associations and of Pastoral Protestant committees. CPGS’ understanding of Protestantism is based on the definition of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

CPGS regards Scouting and Guiding as an important contributor to the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of youth. Furthermore, CPGS believes that all of the above mentioned dimensions of Scouting should be equally emphasized.

The mission of CPGS is:

• To strengthen the members awareness of their Christian-Protestant background and the spiritual dimension in Scouting in general.
• A place to share practical ideas on how to make activities for Guides and Scouts, with emphasis on the spiritual dimension in Scouting.
• To motivate cooperation among members of CPGS.
• Establish Scouting wherever Protestant churches exist.

Within the United States, each denomination has its own national committee or office for Scouting, but programs are coordinated through Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.)

The International Union of Muslim Scouts (IUMS) is an autonomous body having scouts bodies and associations representing Muslim Scouts all over the world. Its objectives are: 

• To develop an education curriculum that should contribute to structure and build the spiritual dimension in the personalities of Young Muslims.
• To motivate and promote Islamic scouting on global basis.
• To extend coordination and cooperation among IUMS members.
• To promote and coordinate social, humanitarian and relief activities within the Union or in cooperation with non-scout organization of similar nature.
• To introduce Islamic scouting in such states where Muslims are residing.
• To develop and promote the spirit of brotherhood and understanding among Muslim Scouts.

The message of the International Federation of Muslim Scouts is to contribute to the education of Muslim youth in ideal ways based on what our true Islamic religion, promise and law contain in the scout movement of ideals and higher principles in order to help young people build a better world, where humanity is looking for it to meet its necessary personal needs, and the message of the union also contributes To play a constructive role in society and to find developed, complete and ideal solutions that make members of society a responsible and reliable citizen in this world.

Within the United States, Muslim Scouts are served by the National Association of Muslim Americans on Scouting. 

The International Link of Orthodox Christian Scouts “DESMOS” is an autonomous body of Scouts of the Orthodox Christian faith, who belong to National Member Organizations of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. the main objective of DESMOS will be in parallel to the promotion of the principals of brotherhood and understanding among Scouts, to  promote also the spiritual dimension of the Orthodox Christian Faith among its Orthodox Christian members and to establish and promote co-operation on this matter, with the Orthodox Christian Churches.

DESMOS strongly encourages inter-religious dialogue and contact. ‘Tolerance, understanding and cooperation’ is our vision for today’s world and the message we seek to convey to believers of all religions.

The objectives are:

• To develop and promote the spirit of brotherhood and understanding among Scouts of the Orthodox Christian Faith.
• To promote warm relations and co-operation between Scouting and the official local Orthodox Churches
• To develop an educational curriculum that should enhance the spiritual dimension in the personalities of young Orthodox in accordance with the purpose, principles and method of the Scout Movement.
• To introduce Scouting in such states or areas where Orthodox Church is established.
• To co-ordinate the activities of ” DESMOS ” with non-Scout Organisations having the same objectives.
• To motivate co-operation among “DESMOS” members. To motivate and promote Scouting to Orthodox boys and girls on global basis.

Within the United States, Orthodox Christian Scouts are served by the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting.

The World Buddhist Scout Council (WSBC) formerly the World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood until 2009 is an autonomous, international body committed to promoting and supporting Buddhism within Scouting. The WBSB began as a means to facilitate religious activities among Buddhist Scouts. The WBSC was declared active with the election of its chairman on July 21, 2004, and received consultative status with the World Scout Committee at the WSC meeting on March 9, 2009.

The official objectives of WBSC are:

• To develop and promote the spirit of community and understanding among Scouts of the Buddhist faith.
• To develop an education curriculum that should enhance the spiritual dimension in the personalities of young Buddhists in accordance with the purpose, principles and method of the Scout Movement.
• To promote relations between Scouting and local Buddhists.
• To introduce Scouting in such states or areas where Buddhism is established.
• To co-ordinate the activities of WBSC with non-Scout Organizations having parallel objectives.
• To motivate co-operation among WBSC members.
• To motivate and promote Scouting among Buddhist boys and girls on a global basis.
• To promote contacts, exchanges and interactions with the Scouts of other faiths.
• To foster inter-religious peace dialogue.

Within the United States, Buddhist Scouts are served by the National Buddhist Committee on Scouting.

In 1931, Jewish scouts from across Europe came to France (Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy) to participate in the first international Jewish scout camp. At the end of the event, the young participants decide to establish a “World Union of Jewish Scouting”. This organization was unable to develop due to the tragic events that unfolded in Europe, beginning in 1933 and culminating in the Shoah.

On 2 November 2006, the International Forum of Jewish Scouts (IFJS) was inaugurated in Jerusalem, Israel. Since July 2009, it has been confirmed as holding consultative status with the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

Objectives:

1. To establish ties between all the existing associations, committees, branches, or groups of Jewish scouts in order to:
– engage in dialogue among participants and exchange ideas on the main issues of concern to the Jewish people today
– strengthen and improve Jewish Scouting around the world
– initiate joint activities, such as a Jamboree of Jewish scouts
– exchange and edition of educational and training material
– publicize Jewish Scout activities within the Jewish world
– seek funding for the development and strengthening of Jewish Scouts groups

2. To establish new local groups of Jewish scouts in Jewish communities around the world:
– to establish a non-formal Jewish education structure in communities in which there is presently no youth movement
– to develop local community leadership through leadership in the Scout movement

3. To represent Jewish scouts in contacts with the Scout movement and with other religions within the movement:
– to participate in international activities and present the Jewish voice
– to strengthen the Jewish identity of Jewish scouts attending international gatherings and meetings
– to establish and/or participate in various interfaith encounters initiated by the World Organization of the Scout Movement.

Within the United States, Jewish Scouts are served by the National Jewish Scouting Committee.

On January 1, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discontinued its role as a chartered organization with all Scouting programs around the world, including the Boy Scouts of America. The Church has for over 100 years been a great supporter of Scouting in many countries and many have benefited greatly because of this. President George Albert Smith once said, “I feel grateful to the Lord that Sir Robert Baden-Powell was impressed—may I say, inspired—to give Scouting to the world” (Improvement Era, Sept. 1948, 558).

Recognizing that the Church has concluded its formal relationships with Scouting, many felt a strong prompting to organize an International Scouting Association for members and friends of the Church. This association will provide a way to connect with those who recognize what Scouting has done and will continue to do around the world.

Realizing that many Latter-day Saints desire to continue their Scouting experience, the Church has encouraged them to join community Scouting units. Therefore, as with other denominations participating in Scouting, Latter-day Saints continuing their Scouting involvement desire an independent organization to support their efforts in Scouting, domestically and internationally. Hence the creation of Vanguard International Scouting Association.