Skip to Main Content

Scouts Read Sacred Texts the Week of May 1

Posted: April 28 2025 at 08:57 PM
Author: Jim Loeppert, NIC scouting coordinator


Scouts Read Sacred Texts—proposed by Scouting America’s National Religious Relationships Committee—encourages Scouts to commit time each week to reading a sacred text from their tradition. The activity is held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer (May 1, 2025).

Scoutsreadsacredtextslogo

This year, the Northern Illinois Conference scouting ministry invites Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and youth in other organizations and from all religions to join them in supporting faith. They will read their texts on May 1 or another convenient day that week.

It started with Scouting America's proposal to support one of the Boy Scout oaths, “to do my duty to God.” Eventually, members of Girl Scouts of the USA (which has a similar vow), youth groups, and others joined the Boy Scouts in this activity. 

Last May, 3,673 Scout participants made history by taking time to read and log their participation on May 2, 2024. This greatly exceeded everyone’s expectations. Scouts spent over 800 hours reading sacred texts.

Most Scouts read at home with their families. In addition to the United States, Scouts from Kenya, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Belgium, Bangladesh, Chile, Singapore, Okinawa, and the Philippines participated.

Here are the components of this activity in the NIC:

  • We ask all Scouts and participating youth to read on the evening of May 1 (National Day of Prayer) or another convenient time that week.
  • We suggest that youth and their families or faith leaders decide which texts to read.
  • We invite all young people from other youth-serving organizations and all faith groups to participate.

To learn more about Scouts Read Sacred Texts, watch this video.

To learn more about how the NIC relates to Scouting, contact Jim Loeppert ( [847] 721-5578), NIC scouting coordinator.

News & Announcements

Janeeesleyjuly2025

Chicago Muslims and United Methodists Call for Justice in Gaza

The Northern Illinois–Wisconsin Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago spoke at a July 30 press…

Genevatricitiesfamily Services

Geneva UMC’s Rummage/Bake Sale Serves Creation and Community

The United Methodist Church of Geneva’s rummage sale not only raises funds but supports creation care. The church directs the proceeds to charities and finds new u…

Empathy Hands Image

From our Bishop: Love Each Other Like Members of Your Family

Bishop Schwerin calls on United Methodists to reclaim the deep Christian call to love our neighbors—especially those who are suffering. He urges faithful action—thr…

Uvc Awards Group 1

Nominations open for 2025 UVC Annual Child Advocate Awards

United Voices for Children (UVC) is inviting nominations for its three annual awards. These UVC Awards honor extraordinary volunteer service or advocacy efforts on beh…

Print