Two Men, One Mission: Honoring Lifetimes of Faithful Service Through Catholic Scouting- AD Today

For Kevin Damitz and Fred Flemming, Catholic Scouting has never been simply about merit badges, campfires, or learning to pitch a tent. It has been a ministry, a way to form young people in faith, character, and leadership while accompanying them on their journey toward adulthood.

This spring, the Diocese of Allentown recognized both men for their extraordinary service to Catholic youth through Scouting.

Damitz, Director of Religious Education at St. Thomas More, Allentown, received the Bishop’s Award, an adult recognition honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the spiritual development and support of Catholic youth in the Scouting program.

Flemming, a longtime parishioner of St. Ann, Emmaus, received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor the Minsi Trails Council of Scouting America can bestow on a volunteer leader for distinguished service to youth.

For both men, the recognition came as a surprise.

“I think it’s very humbling,” said Damitz. “There are so many Scout leaders who have been doing this longer than I have. It’s really just been a gift to be involved with so many great men and women who want our youth to be formed.”

“It’s one of those awards you don’t ask for. You don’t campaign for it,” said Flemming. “I didn’t know I’d been nominated until the call came.”

While their paths into Scouting were different, both found in it a powerful tool for youth ministry.

Damitz has served as Director of Religious Education at St. Thomas More for 24 years and as chaplain of Troop 439 for the past 20 years. Although his father was an Eagle Scout, Damitz never participated in Scouting as a boy. Instead, his involvement began when his five sons joined the program.

“We really saw it as a youth ministry component in our church,” he said. “It was a great way for our sons to learn skills and become involved in the Church.”

As troop chaplain, Damitz helps ensure that faith remains integrated into the troop’s activities, including prayer before meetings and meals, finding opportunities for Scouts to attend Mass during outings, and encouraging young people to see faith as part of everyday life.

“It sends the message that you’re never on vacation from God,” he said. “No matter where you are, your relationship with God remains important.”

Flemming’s Scouting journey spans even longer. He joined Cub Scouts at age eight in rural New Jersey in 1959, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and eventually became a Scoutmaster. After moving to the Lehigh Valley in 1979 to work as a mechanical engineer at Air Products, he volunteered with a parish troop in 1981 and has continued his commitment to Scouting ever since.

Today, he serves as Chartered Organization Representative for the scouting units at St. Ann’s and has chaired the Allentown Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting since 2018.

“The mission is to use Scouting as a tool of youth ministry,” he said.

That mission comes alive through the committee’s Catholic religious emblem programs, which invite Scouts to deepen their relationship with Christ at every stage of development.

Damitz has seen faith formation bear fruit within his own family. All five of his sons earned Catholic religious emblems through Scouting, two became Eagle Scouts, and a third is pursuing the rank. This year, his youngest son received the Pope Pius XII Award, the highest Catholic religious emblem for Scouts.

Both men point to Scouting’s unique ability to shape young people beyond outdoor skills.

“Learning how to survive outdoors, use an axe safely, or build a fire are important,” said Damitz. “But there are also opportunities for leadership, public speaking, planning outings, and being responsible for others.”

Flemming agrees. Looking back over decades of service, he credits Scouting with influencing his leadership style and strengthening his faith.

“I always liked being directly involved with the young people,” he said. “I think I got more out of Scouting than I ever gave to it.”

As Catholic Scouting continues its mission across the Diocese of Allentown, Damitz and Flemming stand as reminders that faithful mentors can leave an enduring impact on generations of young people.

The following is a list of Scouting awards presented during the Diocese of Allentown’s Catholic Scouting Award Ceremony on May 17 at St. Christopher Catholic Newman Center on the campus of Kutztown University.