Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Adds an Additional Scholarship

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] 2005 scholarship program is being offered to high school Boy and Girl Scout seniors of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The scholarships are made possible by the EOCS Scholarship Endowment Fund and are not based on need. For the past twelve years the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting has offered two scholarships, one for $1,000 and the runner up for $500.

The eligibility requirements are:

Be a registered active member of a Boy or Girl Scout unit

Have earned the Eagle Scout Award for boys or the Gold Award for Girls

Be an active member of an Eastern Orthodox Church and must have earned the Alpha Omega Religious Scout Award

Have demonstrated practical citizenship in their church, school, Scouting unit, and community

Be enrolled in an accredited US high school and in their final year

Submit four letters of recommendation with the application one letter from leaders of each of the following groups: religious institution, school, community leader, and head of Scouting unit.

Starting this year, the Russian Children’s Welfare Society, Inc, has funded an additional scholarship for $1,000 for a Scout who is of Russian descent and meets the above eligibility requirements.

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Scholarship Committee will award the three national scholarships to the recipients who best meet the qualifications and not on a “need” basis.

The deadline for the 2005 scholarships is May 1, 2005. For information and applications for the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting Scholarships, contact EOCA Scholarship Chairman, George Boulukos, 862 Guy Lombardo Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520.

EOCS is responsible for creating, expanding, and enhancing the faith of Orthodox Christian boy and girl scouts. EOCS was organized in 1960 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA] and is responsible to them by providing religious activities for Orthodox scouts on a national level. EOCS’s beliefs accord with the Scout Law and Scout Oath, that religion is an integral part of a scout’s personal moral development.

For information on the EOCS and their events and programs, check out their website at www.eocs.org or contact them at: EOCS, 862 Guy Lombardo Ave., Freeport, NY 11520.