The Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure is an important part of the Cub Scout program. It helps AOL Scouts explore their beliefs and understand how their faith fits with the values of Scouting. By focusing on this adventure, Scouts learn about respect, kindness, and how to be a good community member.
This adventure encourages Scouts to talk about their faith and values with their families. It’s a chance for them to see how their family’s beliefs connect to the Scout Law. This helps Scouts build a strong foundation of faith and values that they carry with them every day.
Scouts also get to meet with leaders from local faith-based organizations. This meeting teaches them about the services these groups provide to help people in crisis. It’s a valuable lesson in community service and helping others, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Overall, the Duty to God Adventure helps Scouts grow in their understanding of reverence. They learn to appreciate and respect the religious traditions of their own family and others. This adventure is not just about discussing faith, but living it in a way that honors themselves, their family, and their community.
Requirements for the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure
Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure Requirements
This Adventure may be earned by completing the requirements below OR by completing a Religious Emblem of the Cub Scouts family’s choosing.
- Discuss with your parent or legal guardian about your family’s faith traditions or one of your choosing. Choose a value of that faith tradition that is related to the Scout Law. Discuss with your family how each family member demonstrates this value.
- Meet with a representative of a faith based organization in your local community that provides a service that assists people in crisis regardless of their faith. Identify who they help and how.
- Discuss with our parent, legal guardian, or adult leader what “Duty to God” means to you. Tell how you practice your Duty to God in your daily life.
Printable requirements for the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure
Checkoff sheet to keep track of your den’s progress on the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure
Resources for the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure
Family Faith and Scout Values
Discuss with your parent or legal guardian your family’s faith traditions or one of your choosing. Choose a view or value of that faith tradition that is related to the Scout Law. Discuss with your family how each family member demonstrates this value.
The first requirement of the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure invites Scouts to connect their family’s faith traditions with the principles of the Scout Law. This discussion helps Scouts see how the values they learn at home and in their faith communities are similar to those in Scouting. By talking about these values with their family, Scouts deepen their understanding of both their faith and the Scout Law.
- Trustworthy: Many faiths teach honesty and integrity. Discussing this can help Scouts see the importance of being reliable and truthful.
- Reverent: Being reverent not only involves respecting all religions but also practicing one’s own faith with sincerity.
- Helpful: Most faith traditions emphasize helping those in need. This aligns with the Scout’s duty to be of service to others.
- Kind: Kindness is a universal value in many religions, reflecting the Scout’s commitment to treat others as they wish to be treated.
Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure requirement 1:
- Family Traditions & Scout Values Discussion
- Cub Scouts discuss their family’s faith traditions and values and how they relate to the Scout Law with their parents or legal guardians.
- Supplies: none
- indoor, very low energy, minimal prep
These discussions can make the values more meaningful and show Scouts how to live them out in everyday life.
Connecting with Community Helpers
Meet with a representative of a faith-based organization in your local community who provides a service that assists people in crisis regardless of their faith. Identify who they help and how.
The second requirement of the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure involves meeting with a representative from a faith-based organization in the local community. This requirement helps AOL Scouts learn about the practical ways faith groups support those in need, regardless of their religious beliefs. It’s an opportunity for Scouts to see how organizations put values like compassion and service into action.
When preparing for this meeting, den leaders can help Scouts think of questions to ask about the organization’s work, such as who they help, what kinds of services they provide, and how they support people in crisis. This could include food banks, shelters, or counseling services. Encourage Scouts to listen carefully and think about how these services demonstrate the principles of their own faith and the Scout Law, especially being helpful and kind.
Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure requirement 2:
- Faith-based Guest Speaker
- Invite a leader of a faith-based organization to learn how they provide service to those in crisis.
- Supplies: none
- indoor, low energy, one week prep
This requirement not only broadens a Scout’s understanding of community service but also shows them the impact of cooperation and kindness in real-world situations. It’s a powerful way for Scouts to connect their Duty to God with their duty to their community.
Living Your Duty to God Every Day
Discuss with your parent, legal guardian, or an adult leader what “Duty to God” means to you. Tell how you practice your Duty to God in your daily life.
The third requirement of the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure encourages AOL Scouts to reflect on what “Duty to God” means to them personally and how they practice this duty in their everyday lives. This discussion is a chance for Scouts to express their thoughts and feelings about their faith and to identify ways they can live out their beliefs through their actions.
For example, a Scout might explain that their Duty to God involves being kind and helpful to others, as these actions reflect their faith’s teachings about compassion and service. Another Scout might focus on participating in their religious community’s activities or taking time each day for prayer or meditation. Some might talk about standing up for what is right and being honest, showing respect to the beliefs of others, or taking care of the environment as part of respecting the creation.
Here is an option for fulfilling Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure requirement 3:
- Reverence Discussion
- Cub Scouts discuss with their parent or legal guardian what “Duty to God” means to their family and how they practice that in their daily life.
- Supplies: none
- indoor, very low energy, minimal prep
These conversations can help Scouts make a personal connection between their faith and the Scout Law, and they provide a foundation for Scouts to develop a lifelong commitment to living their beliefs. This requirement not only deepens their spiritual understanding but also enhances their moral growth.
Faith Requirements for Atheists and Agnostics: Scouters weigh in on how to complete the faith related requirements with Cub Scouts who are raised in agnostic or atheist homes. See their comments and add your own.
Should Duty To God Requirements Be Completed at Home or at a Meeting? Leaders discuss if it is better to do these requirements at a den meeting or to instruct parents to do them at home.
How the Scout Law Relates to the Ten Commandments: A Scout is Reverent. One interesting exercise is to compare the twelve points of the Scout Law to the Ten Commandments. See some discussion ideas.
Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure
What is the Duty to God Adventure?
It’s an activity where AOL Scouts explore their beliefs and how these connect with the Scout Law. They discuss their faith, meet community helpers from faith organizations, and think about how they live their faith every day.
Why do we need to talk about our faith for this adventure?
Talking about your faith helps you understand how it relates to the values in the Scout Law, like being kind and helpful. It’s a chance to see how your beliefs guide your actions.
What should we do if we don’t belong to a faith community?
You can focus on values that are important to your family or explore other faith traditions. The goal is to learn about values that guide good behavior.
Who should we meet from a faith-based organization?
Try to meet someone who works in an organization that helps people in need, like a food bank or a shelter. They should provide services to everyone, no matter their faith.
How can I show I practice my Duty to God every day?
Think about things you do that show kindness, honesty, or respect. This could be helping at home, standing up for a friend, or taking part in community service.
Scouting for Faith
The Arrow of Light Duty to God Adventure is a key part of the Cub Scout program for AOL Scouts. This adventure encourages Scouts to explore how their personal beliefs align with the values of Scouting. Scouts discuss their family’s faith traditions and how these traditions demonstrate values found in the Scout Law, such as being reverent, helpful, and kind.
During the adventure, Scouts meet with representatives from local faith-based organizations. This meeting helps them learn about the services these organizations provide to the community, especially to those in crisis. It’s a great way for Scouts to see faith in action, helping people regardless of their beliefs.
The adventure also involves discussing what “Duty to God” means on a personal level. Scouts reflect on how they practice their faith daily, whether through acts of kindness, participation in religious activities, or by living out the values taught by their faith and Scouting.
This experience not only helps Scouts understand their own faith better but also teaches them respect and appreciation for the beliefs of others. It’s about putting faith into practice, contributing to moral growth and character development.
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