Welcome!

The Diocesan Faith Formation Office oversees all aspects of Catholic Scouting for both girls and boys across Southeast Iowa. Our primary function is to facilitate preparation for Catholic Religious Emblem programs. We serve as a resource to leaders needing materials or guidance in preparing youth, and also serve as the source for emblems and pins once a scout has completed requirements. We are eager to provide other spiritual opportunities for scouts, given the interest and collaboration of their leaders.

We realize that situations vary around our diocese. Some scouts belong to units chartered by a parish or Catholic organization, often preparing in larger groups to receive a Catholic Scouting emblem. Another scout might be the only Catholic in his/her unit, and might journey alone in preparing. We hope to serve all Catholic scouts and the leaders who guide them.

Catholic Scouting Emblem Programs

The information most scouts and leaders are looking for are found on these pages:

Boy scout programs

Girl scout programs

Note to Leaders

All leaders working with scouts on religious emblem programs must be compliant with diocesan safe environment policy, which includes the completion of a criminal background check and Virtus training. If you are not compliant, please contact your local pastor or parish faith formation leader for information about Virtus sessions and to initiate a background check.

Here to Help You:

finan@davenportdiocese.org / (563) 888-4242

Contact Pat about the emblem programs, guidance on adult training, and any other questions about preparation. Pat is chaplain of a Boy Scout troop and earned Catholic Scouting emblems as a youth.

butterworthb@davenportdiocese.org / (563) 888-4240

Barb is your go-to person for the booklets you’ll need to prepare scouts in these programs. She also processes the applications for medals and ships these to you. Please note, requests run higher earlier in the year, prior to Scout Sunday celebrations. If you are preparing scouts to receive emblems, it’s a good idea to e-mail Barb with the number of emblems you hope to need so she can update our inventory.

hodgesr@diodav.org / (641) 628-3078

Fr. Ron is the parochial vicar of St. Mary’s in Pella and St. Mary’s in Oskaloosa. He grew up as a scout in Indianola and rose to the rank of Eagle. He also was awarded the Bronze Pelican award for Catholic scouters while serving as a priest in Indiana. Fr. Ron serves as spiritual adviser to our Catholic Scouting efforts. Contact him if you’re interested in organizing a special event or activity for your Catholic Scouts, or if you have a question or concern that your local pastor can’t answer.

Potential Opportunities to Enhance Your Catholic Scouting Experience

Training of Leaders

We are eager to provide training opportunities for adults guiding youth in preparation for religious emblems. Please contact Pat Finan at finan@davenportdiocese.org or (563) 888-4242 if you’re interested in training. Some leaders are trained and willing to work with youth from other units in their area; contact Pat Finan if you’d like to connect your scouts with these leaders. The lack of trained leaders should not be an impediment to a scout willing to pursue an emblem program. For guidance, contact Pat Finan.

Diocesan Committee on Catholic Scouting

A diocesan committee is being reconstituted. If you would like to serve on this committee or know of a scout leader who would be an asset to it, please contact Pat Finan at (563) 888-4242 or finan@davenportdiocese.org

Diocesan Scout Sunday Celebrations

If adult leaders are interested and willing to collaborate in planning, we would like to offer a diocesan Scout Sunday celebration (or regional celebrations) every year, including Mass with our bishop and/or our diocesan Catholic Scouting chaplain.

Preparation Programs, Retreats and Camping Experiences for Catholic Scouts

There is a great value in bringing scouts from deaneries (regions) or around the diocese together, whether to prepare for emblems or simply to pray out in nature in a retreat or campout. Please contact us if you’re interested in helping coordinate such an experience.