Scouting Principles
An oath is a solemn, formal promise to fulfill a pledge, often invoking a divine witness. When making a promise or oath, be sure you know what you are promising.
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.
The Scout Oath has three main clauses which are good to remember and may help you understand that the oath is meant to cover all parts of your life:
- DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY
- The core of your being is your relationship with God. Your family and religious leaders teach you about knowing and serving God and you do your duty by following their teachings and being a good family member. Your duty to your country is being a good citizen, obeying the laws, working to make it a stronger nation, and defending it and its principals.
- DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE
- Doing your Good Turn each day, looking for people that could use a hand, and providing aid for community services are all ways to help others. We are obligated to help those that can not help themselves and helping with a cheerful spirit builds our own character.
- DUTY TO SELF
- Caring for yourself physically, mentally, and morally will result in a more rewarding life. Only you can control how you respond to challenges, hardships, and pleasures – and being strong in body, mind, and spirit will aid you in handling anything that comes your way.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
- TRUSTWORTHY
- Scouts tell the truth and keep their promises. Honesty is part of their code of conduct. People can depend on them.
- LOYAL
- Scouts are true to their family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.
- HELPFUL
- Scouts are concerned about other people. They do things willingly for others without pay or reward.
- FRIENDLY
- Scouts are a friend to all. They are a brother or sister to other Scouts. They seek to understand others. They respect those with ideas and customs other than their own.
- COURTEOUS
- Scouts are polite to everyone regardless of age or position. They know good manners make it easier for people to get along together.
- KIND
- Scouts understand there is strength in being gentle. They treat others as they want to be treated. They do not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.
- OBEDIENT
- Scouts follow the rules of their family, school, and troop. They obey the laws of their community and country. If they think these rules and laws are unfair, they try to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.
- CHEERFUL
- Scouts look for the bright side of things. They cheerfully do tasks that come their way. They try to make others happy.
- THRIFTY
- Scouts work to pay their way and to help others. They save for unforeseen needs. They protect and conserve natural resources. They carefully use time and property.
- BRAVE
- Scouts can face danger even if they are afraid. They have the courage to stand for what they think is right even if others laugh at or threaten them.
- CLEAN
- Scouts keep their body and mind fit and clean. They go around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. They help keep their home and community clean.
- REVERENT
- Scouts are reverent toward God. They are faithful in their religious duties. They respect the beliefs of others.
Note: The above explanations are courtesy of BoyScoutTrail.com.