FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS/MINISTRIES

For more than 105 years, Scouting has helped build future leaders by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun and adventure in the outdoors. We care passionately about what is happening to kids and our communities – and are dedicated to supporting an exciting, quality program that builds better young people and our future leaders.

Acadiana has a rich Scouting tradition spanning nearly 105 years with the start of the first Boy Scout Troop in 1913 sponsored by the United Methodist Church in New Iberia. The community quickly embraced the Scouting program and within 11 years grew to a sizeable number requiring a Scout Council to more effectively serve and support the local volunteers. The Evangeline Area Council, BSA, was granted a charter by the Naitonal Council, Boy Scouts of America in April 1924

Today, the Evangeline Area Council continues to improve families and our community by serving more than 3,000 youth within the eight traditional parishes of Acadiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Lafayette, Iberia St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermillion.

The Evangeline Area Council is divided into 2 geographical areas called districts: The Kuna Nisha District comprising Lafayette South, St Martin, St. Mary, Iberia and Vermillion Parish's The Bon Temps District comprising Lafayette North, St. Landry, Evangeline, and Acadia Parish's. Each district is made up of local Scouting units called Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venturing Crews, and Exploring Posts that are chartered to a local school, religious organization, or community center. Scouting activities happen all year-long in your local neighborhood or at one of our beautiful scout camps.

The Evangeline Area Council serves 3,052 youth and thier families within 92 units. These youth consist of boys, ages 5 to 20, and girls ages 5 - 20. Supporting the youth are 1,011 volunteer leaders that teach the Scouts new skills, build their self esteem, and reinforce the values found in the Scout Oath and Law.

Mission

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Scout Oath

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law

A Scout is:
Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
Reverent

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest who ministered to African slaves. In 2006, a unit was established in San Andres Colombia, South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.

Our organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace. The Order is governed by a Board of Directors and is under the leadership of the Supreme Knight and Supreme Lady, KPCLA. The Order is operated under the direction of the Executive Director and his staff.

We are divided into six Districts and States across the country. Each district or state is represented by a Deputy and other conference officers. Districts, States and other Divisions are represented on the Board of Directors.

​Our Junior Division welcomes catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. They are organized using the same structure of the Senior Division. There is a Junior Supreme Knight, Junior Supreme Lady, along with Junior District or State Presidents and Officers. Interested youth mus have made their First Holy Communion.

Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members.

The Knights of Peter Claver, Inc. is the largest historically African-American Catholic lay organization in the United States. The Order is named for St. Peter Claver, the Spanish Priest wo ministered to African slaves. In 2006, a unit was established in San Andres Colombia, South America. The Order was founded in Mobile, Alabama and is presently headquartered in New Orleans.

Our organization consists of six Divisions: Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, Junior Knights, Junior Daughters, 4th Degree Knights and Ladies of Grace. The Order is governed by a Board of Directors and is under the leadership of the Supreme Knight and Supreme Lady, KPCLA. The Order is operated under the direction of the Executive Director and his staff.

We are divided into six Districts and States across the country. Each district or state is represented by a Deputy and other conference officers. Districts, States and other Divisions are represented on the Board of Directors.

​Our Junior Division welcomes catholic youth between the ages of 7-18. They are organized using the same structure of the Senior Division. There is a Junior Supreme Knight, Junior Supreme Lady, along with Junior District or State Presidents and Officers. Interested youth mus have made their First Holy Communion.

Our purpose is to render service to God and His Holy Church, render aid and assistance to the sick and disabled, and promote social and intellectual association among our members.