Duty to God Pilgrimage

Duty to God Pilgrimage

Scouts and Scouters of all Christian faiths are encouraged to participate in our 2024 Duty To God Pilgrimage program at the Philmont Training Center July 21 – July 26, 2024.   Since we will also have our Scouting Brothers from the Scouts of Japan visiting with us, all participants, both Scout and Scouter, will have the opportunity to earn 2-4 International Scouting Awards, Philmont Duty to God, etc. (see list below).   Registered Scouts 12 years (if 12, one parent needs also to attend) and older, young adults and Scouters are welcome to participate as long as they have attended one summer camp, achieved First Class Rank, are in good standing within their Troop and Church, wish to become closer to their Christian faith, Philmont Physical required, and follow the Philmont Scouting Code of Conduct.   

Program Opportunities:

• International ICCS Medal
• 2024 Duty To God Conference patch     
• International Spirit Award
• Philmont Duty to God                             
• Messenger of Peace  
• St Paul Miki (BSA and Scouts of Japan)

And a few Surprise Activity Patches…

Our Pilgrimage will begin at the Philmont Training Center on July 21 and then travel mid-week to Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit:

San Miguel Mission (oldest church in America) – You can see the 400 year old foundation and they’ll even let you ring the bell.

Loretto Chapel and the “miraculous staircase” – they build a chapel without a staircase, but their money had run out, they prayed for help and a stranger shows up to complete it … and leaves without being paid … but that’s not the end of the story. 

Church at Chimayo – a spiritual oasis with a quaint adobe chapel that pilgrims travel to from around the world to visit.

Bandolier National Monument Cliff Dwellings – discussion of the first American Indian Saint and a great illustration of Indian culture.

Our Pilgrimage program, which was awarded the 2008 National “Award of Excellence,” will be in its 7th iteration and has received a 92% Excellent/Good rating on Exit Surveys completed on the last day for each trip.   Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Non-Denominational and Catholic Scouts have already participated in this pilgrimage.   Southern Region Area 2 has requested our program be limited to the Christian religious medal and activity patches as there were concerns we would be overwhelmed taking on all potential faiths.   

Before departure, we will conduct a series of zoom meetings to maximize every participant Faith Journey experience.  These pre-pilgrimages zoom meetings will help participants complete a few pre-requisites so that everyone can finish what they need to earn the international medal and activity patches. 

Religious Awards of each Scouts Christian faith typically requires Religious Award Counselors from your church.   We will work in concert with your counselor but there will be requirements that Scouts will need to complete at their church.

Fee $429 includes meals and housing (Scout Scholarships are available).   Send a deposit of $50 to begin your program participation.  For more information, contact Pilgrimage Leader John Ryan by texting 817.939.5673 or email thetexaswebguy@yahoo.com.

Don’t take our word for how great this event is, check out these Testimonials from prior guests.

Information and Registration Packet

Conference Dates: July 21 – 26

Register for Duty to God Pilgrimage – 2024