How to Celebrate Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah

Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah are special days for Scouting America to celebrate Scouts and Scouters. There are many ways to commemorate the day.

Three very special days for Scouting America are Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah. First observed in 1914, the days honor the contributions of youth and adults to Scouting.

Recently, the National Association of Muslim Americans on Scouting began celebrating Scout Jumuah which honors the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting within the Muslim community.

Celebrating Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah can help introduce the Scouting program to congregation members who may not know about it.  

Because most Scout units are chartered to faith-based organizations, Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah also give the Scouts an opportunity to give back by performing acts of service.

Whether with your pack or with your family, commemorating one of these important days will show your Scout spirit to your community.

When is Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath and Scout Jumuah in 2026?

Typically, Scout Sunday is the Sunday before Scouting America’s anniversary which is February 8th. This date is flexible to accommodate the congregation’s needs.

For example, the United Methodist Church always celebrates Scout Sunday on the second Sunday in February to avoid conflict with their commemoration of Transfiguration Sunday. An individual church also has the option of celebrating on a different Sunday.

Scout Sabbath is the Saturday following Scout Sunday. Congregations may also choose another Sabbath on which to celebrate Scout Sabbath.

The Scouting America guidelines suggest these Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah dates for 2026:

• Scout Sunday – February 8, 2026
• Scout Sabbath/Scout Shabbat – February 6 & 7, 2026
• Scout Jumuah – February 5 & 6, 2026

Ways to Commemorate Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, and Scout Jumuah

Below are just a few of the ways your pack can celebrate Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah.

• Wear your Scout uniform and sit together at the front of the church, synagogue, or mosque. If your unit is not sponsored by a faith-based organization, wear your uniform to your home church.
• Serve as ushers for the church and hand out church bulletins.
• Conduct a flag ceremony at the beginning of the service.
• Recite the Scout Oath and Law during the service.
• Lead a prayer.
• Serve as the liturgist.
• Collect the offering.
• Provide refreshments for the church members.
• Set up a Scouting display in the narthex or foyer.
• Ask members of the congregation who were Scouts to stand up. Then ask those who have served as a Scout leader to stand up.
• Formally present your unit’s charter to the church, synagogue, or mosque.
• Award any religious emblems that your Scouts have earned.
• Work on a service project for the church, synagogue, or mosque after the services have concluded.
• Hold your troop’s Court of Honor or your pack’s award ceremony immediately following the service.
• Hold a Scouting for Food food drive at the church, synagogue, or mosque.

How to Plan Your Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah Celebration

Many congregations charter more than one Scouting America unit. For example, we have a Cub Scout pack, a Scouts BSA troop, and a Venturing crew that are chartered to the same congregation.

As early as possible, contact the leaders of the other groups to make joint plans. Often, congregations will host Girl Scout meetings, so include their leaders too. You may want to designate one leader to contact the pastor, rabbi, or imam and report back to the rest of the group.

The first thing you’ll want to do when contacting the pastor, rabbi, or imam is to decide on a date for the celebration. If the designated Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah dates don’t work, choose a date that does.

Ask the pastor, rabbi, or imam how your Scouts may contribute that day. He or she may direct you to meet with someone else. We have met with our chartered organization’s worship committee to make our plans.

Offer some suggestions of things your Cub Scouts would like to do. When you have reached agreement on the activities, work with the other Scout groups to ensure that as many Scouts as possible are involved in the celebration.

What has been your favorite Scout Sunday, Scout Sabbath, or Scout Jumuah activity?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Another February tradition for Cub Scouts is the Blue and Gold banquet.  Click over to get ideas for your banquet.