History of Scouting in the Lutheran Church
The NLAS has a long and rich history of promoting scouting for Lutheran youth.
Timeline
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Our History
Lutheran scouting roots run deep; Troop 2, chartered to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in College Point, NY, remains one of the fifteen oldest troops in the nation. The movement flourished in 1943 when eight Lutheran bodies formed the Lutheran Committee of Scouting, publishing the first “Scouting in the Lutheran Church” manual and establishing the Pro Deo et Patria religious emblem.
Throughout the mid-20th century, various joint committees facilitated the relationship between the Church and scouting agencies. In 1980, the National Lutheran Association of Scouters was formed to support these efforts, helping develop milestones like the Living Faith recognition (succeeded today by the God and Life emblem).
Following several denominational mergers and organizational shifts in the 1980s and 90s, the NLAS was officially established in 2005. Today, our board includes members from the ELCA and LCMS, continuing our legacy of service to youth in Scouting America, Girl Scouts USA, Camp Fire, and 4-H.
Source: “Historical Outline of Scouting in Lutheran Congregations”, edited by Ronald L. Adolphi, Ph.D. (08-04-2012)