Catholic youth ministry, Girl Scouts of the USA, and Camp Fire USA have collaborated in various ways for more than twenty years. The Catholic Religious Recognition Programs administered by the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, under the auspices of the NFCYM, allow young people to explore and become more involved in their Catholic faith.

Girl Scouts of the USA and Camp Fire USA: Partners in Youth Ministry

Today, when youth ministers and Girl Scout or Camp Fire leaders get together, they share resources and learn from one another. This positive, cooperative relationship enables these adults to effectively serve Catholic young people. Partnerships include work on service projects, retreats, program activities, and camping to name a few.

Girl Scouts of the USA

Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to helping today's girls become tomorrow's leaders. For more than 90 years, the Girl Scout program has delivered quality experiences for girls age 5 to 17, locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Girl Scout program is “girl-driven,” reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests of its participants. The program encourages increased skill building and responsibility, and promotes the development of strong leadership and decision-making skills. All activities are age-appropriate and based on the Four Program Goals, as well as the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Camp Fire USA

Camp Fire USA is a youth development organization serving 735,000 children and youth annually in hundreds of communities across the United States. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire USA's coeducational, outcome-based programs include youth leadership, self-reliance, after school groups, camping and environmental education, and child care. Serving youth from birth to 21, Camp Fire USA helps boys and girls learn and play—side by side—in comfortable, informal settings.

Position Statements

Read the Position Statements between the NFCYM and Girl Scouts of the USA [PDF] and NFCYM and Camp Fire USA [PDF].

The National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF), a constitutive member of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, promotes Catholic Church teachings on human sexuality and recommends all Catholic-sponsored troops or clubs to use resources that uphold those teachings.

NCCGSCF affirms the rights of parents of youth in Girl Scouts or Camp Fire programs to withhold their child from participating in activities that utilize resources contrary to Catholic Church teachings. NCCGSCF is dedicated to the promotion and development of positive, Catholic, age-appropriate resources for human sexuality.