By Berdj Djamdjian
Two members from the National Armenian Committee on Scouting (NACS)–Berdj Djamdjian and Taleen Hindoyan representing Homenetmen’s Scouting Council–participated in the Boy Scouts of America National Committee meetings held in Grapevine–Texas–May 25-27.
As the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training–the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) encourages all religions and cultures to participate and flourish. As members of BSA’s Religious Relationship Sub-Committee–a variety of topics were reviewed and discussed at the meetings including Literature Review–Philmont Training Center–High Adventure–Jamboree Services–Conferences/Seminars/Special Events–and Awards/Emblems.
The NACS members discussed problem areas in management of Scouting activities–where ideas were exchanged. The members also visited the National Scouting Museum in Irving–Texas where they met Mr. Joseph Csatari–the artist–illustrator–and art director of Boys’ Life magazine who followed his predecessor Norman Rockwell–the famous Saturday Evening Post illustrator.
One of Homenetmen’s (Western US) religious programs which teaches the religious faith and experience of the Armenian Apostolic Church is the St. Mesrob Emblem program. Approved in 1988 by the Boy Scouts of America–and in conjunction with the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church–it is among the official badges a Boy or Girl Scout of America can earn after fulfilling the program requiremen’s. The program is managed by the National Armenian Committee on Scouting for Armenian boy and girl scouts that want to learn about the Armenian Apostolic Church history and faith. The sponsors of this program–the Armenian Apostolic Church of America Western Prelacy–Homenetmen Scouting of Western Region–and Boy Scouts of America–all believe in spiritual growth–Duty to God and Country.
Homenetmen is an athletic and scouting organization with regions and chapters thought the world that provide athletic activities for youth to reach their highest goals–as well as a place to meet and express their faith–cultural and experience adventures in scouting.