Men and women who meet weekly with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other civic youth-serving organizations are seldom acknowledged or honored. And young people who have provided extraordinary service to the church and community are frequently taken for granted.

As your church sets plans for 2010, you might want to speak with your pastor about Scout Sunday to be observed on February 14th (the second Sunday in February). What a great opportunity to honor young people and their leaders.

If actions are taken now, Scout Sunday can become a memorable occasion for these young people and volunteers.

The General Commission on United Methodist Men offers a number of awards that can be presented to these persons on Scout Sunday.

The Cross and Flame may be given to adults with three years of service. The church may apply for the Shepherd Church Charter for its sponsorship of any one of the youth programs mentioned.

Also, the Scout leader or youth director may nominate Scouts or United Methodist youth for the Good Samaritan Award. This includes anyone who demonstrates the attributes of the Good Samaritan described in Luke 10:25–37.

Pastors who have been working with the spiritual development of young people may present P.R.A.Y. awards (formerly God and Country).

Visit the "Awards and Leader’s Resource" section of "Scouting Ministries" on this website for information and application forms.

Here are 15 other ideas for Scout Sunday:

1. Ask Scouts to wear uniforms and sit together.
2. Have Scouts serve as ushers.
3. Ask Scouts to participate in the worship service.
4. Have a display in the hallway about scouting or other youth-serving programs.
5. Provide an opportunity for young people to sign up for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venturing Crews, 4-H, or Camp Fire USA.
6. Have a Saturday Night lock-in at the church, perhaps arrange a model campsite.
7. Present awards to young people and leaders.
8. Present the church with a Shepherd Church Charter Recognition
9. Ask members of the congregation who were in scouting to stand.
10. Present P.R.A.Y. awards.
11. Present the Bishop’s Award of Excellence to a troop.
12. Sponsor a food drive as part of a “Scouting for Food” effort.
13. If appropriate, have one of your scouts deliver a message or sermon during the service.
14. Construct and erect a sign on the church property noting that the church sponsors a youth-serving organization with meeting times.
15. Kick-off a Nothing But Nets (eradicate Malaria in Africa) campaign.