Thank you for your interest in Catholic Scouting

“Being a Boy Scout taught me many skills I still use. It taught me leadership and organizational skills. It taught me to respect those in authority and to preserve and renew God’s creation. It taught me to have a reverence for God and to see dignity in all people.

Scouting in a Catholic context provides a wonderful opportunity for families and young people. It is a ministry that provides youth with an understanding that we are all called to holiness and to serve one another. It is a time for families to evangelize others and bring them closer to Christ by the values that Scouts are taught.

I support Catholic Scouting and invite parents to consider the Scouting program for their sons and daughters.”

Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta 

OUR VISION
To prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by having Catholic ladies and gentlemen leading young people in scouting ministries throughout parishes in our diocese.

OUR MISSION
Assist all Catholic youth and institutions to make effective use of Scouting Programs for spiritual development and youth ministry.

  1. To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
  2. To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community.
  3. To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
  4. To cultivate in young people the growth in moral strength and character, preparation for responsible citizenship, and the development of physical and mental fitness.

Scouting as Youth Ministry
The Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic Committee on Scouting (AACCOS) is a committee affiliated with the Archdiocese of Atlanta Youth Ministry serving eight Boy Scouts of America Councils, two Girl Scouts USA Councils, American Heritage Girls and other scouting and character development organizations serving Catholic youth. The Committee is dedicated to promoting “Duty to God” at each level of Scouting. We are affiliated with the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS), an advisory to the Boy Scouts of America, National Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, and Region 14 of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS) and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM).

The Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic Committee on Scouting provides support to parishes to help Catholic youth participate in Boy Scout, Girl Scout, American Heritage Girls, Federation of North-American Explorers, and Trail Life USA  as a Youth Ministry. The AACCOS also offers programs, religious medals and awards for Catholic scouts to grow in their Catholic faith and the ideals of scouting. Each year the AACCOS holds several events to promote Catholic Scouting. These events include a Boy Scout Religious Encounter, Scouter Development, Religious Emblems Counselor Training, and the Annual Bishop’s Scout Mass and Awards Ceremony. We are able to accomplish these events, because of the many dedicated leaders that donate their time and energy to providing a quality program.

Click on each group for further information and available programs and resources.

American Heritage Girls

Boy Scouts of America

Federation of North-American Explorers

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta

Trail Life USA

The AACCOS also coordinates with boy scout programs in the region to provide Sunday masses during Summer camps.

Boy’s and Girl’s Bishop Trophy Contests
Each year, the Archdiocese of Atlanta awards traveling trophies to the scouting units, one each for boy and girl units, that have excelled in nurturing and supporting Catholic scouting for their unit. Applications to be considered for this award are due several weeks before the annual Archbishop’s Scout mass and awards ceremony. The application, containing submission instructions, should be completed and signed by the appropriate persons in unit’s administrative committee. 

Application for Boy’s Bishop’s Trophy contest, March 1, 2024

AACCOS scouts BSA bishop awards application form

Email to: aaccos.bsa.awards@gmail.com

BSA Catholic Unit Excellence Award, March 1, 2024

Online application for this award can be found at: Pope Saint Paul Award

Application Girl’s Bishop’s trophy contest, March 1, 2024

AACCOS girl bishop awards application form

Email to: girl.scout.awards@aaccos.org

NCYC grants. Deadline. October 1, 2024

Email to : girl.scout.awards@aaccos.org or aaccos.bsa.awards@gmail.com

Saint George Trek grants. December 1, 2023

Email to: Vickie.Voll@gmail.com

Adult Awards. Deadline March 1, 2024

The Pelican and St George Awards

Email to: chaplain@aaccos.org  and aaccos.bsa.chair@gmail.com

The Chaplain’s Cup. March 1, 2024

This award is given at the discretion of the the Chaplain of the AACCOS and seeks to acknowledge units who excel in promoting the Catholic faith to the youth they serve.