OtherYouthPrograms

Other Youth Development Programs

There are other youth organizations and clubs that Catholic children or teens join.  For some of these, character development - or even faith development - is an integral aspect of the activity.  Some familiar groups are:

• Troops of St. George is a fraternal Catholic apostolate for men and boys - normally fathers and sons - looking for adventure coupled with virtue.
• Trail Life is Christian adventure, character, and leadership program for young men.
• Little Flowers Girls' Club is a Catholic club for girls that teaches virtues.

An organization associated with a parish or Catholic school is designated either as affiliated or non-affiliated.  An "affiliated organization" is a group sponsored by parishioners/school parents that is participating in the mission of the parish/school, uses the name of the parish/school for identification, and is not organized separate from the parish/school. Organizations that have their primary affiliation with another organization, even if they use the parish or school as a sponsor or for identification, are not considered affiliated organizations.

The Troops of St. George and Trail Life, when associated with a Catholic parish or school, are non-affiliated organizations, as are other Scouting organizations.

General Guidelines for Non-Affiliated Organizations

• Non-affiliated groups which use parish facilities must complete a Facility Use Agreement with the parish.
• Non-affiliated organizations do not receive insurance coverage or tax exempt status from the parish.  The organization must carry its own insurance, manage its own finances, and have its own tax exempt ID if exemption is desired.
• Any youth organization that uses parish facilities or is sponsored by the parish/school must fulfill safe environment requirements.  All adults working with minors must participate in archdiocesan safe environment education, submit to a criminal background check, and read/sign the archdiocesan Code of Ethical Standards.  
• If an orgnization requires that adults or youth subscribe to a statement of faith, the statement must be reviewed by the Archdiocese before the organization or activity is hosted or promoted by the parish.
• The Archdiocese of Milwaukee does not administer religious emblems, medals or awards for these youth organizations (unlike Scouts BSA, Girl Scouts, and American Heritage Girls).

A Little Flowers Girls' Club or similar Blue Knights Boys' Club established by a parish or school is considered an affiliated organization. There is no external organization in which leaders or participants hold membership.    Behold Publications produces resources and provides instruction for establishing a club.  However, each club is locally run and operated, and is not affiliated with a larger organization.  The club is covered by the parish/school insurance and tax exempt status.  All requirements that apply to parish groups apply to these clubs, including adult supervision, safe environment, financial safeguards, and so on.