Scouting

:For professional sport scouts, see Scout (sport).

Scout Promise (or Oath), Law, Motto, and Slogan

Scout Promise (United Kingdom)

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best,

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To do my duty to God and to the Queen,

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To help other people,

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And to keep the Scout Law.

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Scout Promise/Oath (United States)

On my honor I will do my best

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To do my duty to God and my country

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and to obey the Scout Law;

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To help other people at all times;

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To keep myself physically strong,

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mentally awake, and morally straight.

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The Outlander Promise

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best,

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To render service to my country;

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To help other people,

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And to keep the Scout Law.

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Baden-Powell wrote this alternative oath called the “Outlander Promise” for Scouts who could not, for reasons of conscience, recognize a duty to a King, for individuals or members of religions that do not worship a deity, and for members of orthodox religions that do not use the name of God in secular settings.

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Scout Law (United Kingdom)

The original Scout Law, together with BP's commentary extracted from Young Knights of the Empire

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• A SCOUT'S HONOUR IS TO BE TRUSTED. If a Scout says "On my honour it is so," that means it is so, just as if he had taken a most solemn oath. Similarly if a Scout officer says to a Scout, "I trust you on your honour to do this," the Scout is bound to carry out the order to the very best of his ability, and to let nothing interfere with his doing so. If a Scout were to break his honour by telling a lie, or by not carrying out an order exactly when trusted on his honour to do so, he may be directed to hand over his Scout badge and never wear it again. He may also be directed to cease to be a Scout.
• A SCOUT IS LOYAL to the King, and to his officers, and to his parents, his Country, his employers, and to those under his orders. He must stick to them through thick and thin against anyone who is their enemy or who even talks badly of them.
• A SCOUT'S DUTY IS TO BE USEFUL AND TO HELP OTHERS. And he is to do his duty before anything else, even though he gives up his own pleasure or comfort or safety to do it. When in difficulty to know which of two things to do, he must ask himself, "Which is my duty?" that is, "Which is best for other people?"--and do that one. He must Be Prepared at any time to save life or to help injured persons. And must try his best to do a good turn to somebody every day.
• A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ALL and a Brother to every other Scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs. If a Scout meets another Scout, even though a stranger to him, he must speak to him and help him in any way that he can, either to carry out the duty he is then doing, or by giving him food, or, so far as possible, anything that he may be in want of. A Scout must never be a snob. A snob is one who looks down upon another because he's poorer, or who is poor and resents another because he is rich. A Scout accepts the other man as he finds him and makes the best of him -- "Kim," the boy scout, was called by the Indians "Little friend of all the world," and that is the name which every Scout should earn for himself.
• A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS. A Scout should be polite to all--but especially to women and children, old people and invalids, cripples, etc. And he must not take any reward for being helpful or courteous.
• A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ANIMALS. He should save them, so far as possible, from pain, and should not kill any animal unnecessarily, even if it is only a fly, for it is one of God's creatures. Killing an animal for food, or an animal which is harmful, is allowable.
• A SCOUT OBEYS ORDERS of his parents, Patrol-leader, or Scoutmaster without question. Even if he gets an order which he does not like, a Scout must do AS soldiers AND SAILORS DO, or AS he would do if he got it FROM his CAPTAIN in a football match--he must carry it out all the same, because it is his duty; after he has done it he can come and state any reasons against it: but he must carry out the order at once. That is discipline.
• A SCOUT SMILES AND WHISTLES UNDER ALL DIFFICULTIES. When he gets an order, he should obey it cheerily and readily, not in a slow, hang-dog sort of way.
• A SCOUT IS THRIFTY. It is expected that a Scout will save every penny he can, and put it in the bank, so that he may have money to keep himself when out of work, and thus not make himself a burden to others; or that he may have money to give away to others when they need it.
• A SCOUT IS CLEAN IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED. Decent Scouts look down upon silly youths who talk dirt, and they do not let themselves give way to temptation, either to talk it or to do anything dirty. A Scout is pure, and clean-minded, and manly.

The Current UK Scout Law:

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A Scout is to be trusted.

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A Scout is loyal.

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A Scout is friendly and considerate.

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A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.

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A Scout has courage in all difficulties.

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A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.

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A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.

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The Current UK Cub Scout Law is:

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Cub Scouts always do their best

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Think of others before themselves

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And do a good turn every day.

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Scout Law (United States)

• A Scout is Trustworthy.
• *A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
• A Scout is Loyal.
• *A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
• A Scout is Helpful.
• *A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
• A Scout is Friendly.
• *A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
• A Scout is Courteous.
• *A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
• A Scout is Kind.
• *A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
• A Scout is Obedient.
• *A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
• A Scout is Cheerful.
• *A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
• A Scout is Thrifty.
• *A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
• A Scout is Brave.
• *A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
• A Scout is Clean.
• *A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
• A Scout is Reverent.
• *A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Scout Motto

Boy Scout: Be Prepared.

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Senior scout: Look wide

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Scout Slogan

Do a good turn daily.

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Once a scout, always a scout.

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