Duty to God is about your family's faith and how it connects to the Scout Law. You'll explore values, meet people who help others in hard times, and think about what faith means to you. It's personal, and it's yours to explore.
Why it's worth it
"Duty to God" is the first line of the Scout Oath, and this adventure gives you room to think about what it means to you and your family. You'll connect a value from your family's faith to the Scout Law, meet people whose faith moves them to help others in hard times, and put your own ideas into words. Your answers belong to you.
Start this week
- Ask a parent, grandparent, or faith leader to share one value your family's faith teaches.
- Read the twelve points of the Scout Law and circle the one that sounds most like that value.
- Ask your adult about faith-based groups nearby that help people, like food pantries, shelters, or disaster relief teams.
Requirements · 3
Every official requirement and part, numbered to match Scouting America, in plain language. Sign off against the official wording (opens in a new tab).
- Requirement 1
With a parent or legal guardian, talk about your family's faith traditions or one you choose; pick a belief or value from it that relates to the Scout Law and discuss how each family member shows it
Tip: Talk with a parent or guardian about a value from your family's faith, like kindness, and how it matches a point of the Scout Law.
For example: If your family's faith teaches caring for people in need, you might connect it to "helpful" and "kind" in the Scout Law. Then think of how your family lives that at home, like cooking for a neighbor who is sick.
- Requirement 2
Meet a representative of a local faith-based group that helps people in crisis no matter their faith; find out who they help and how
Tip: With an adult, visit a group like a food pantry or shelter run by a faith community. Ask who they help and how.
For example: Visit a food pantry or shelter run by a faith community with your adult. Ask: Who comes here for help? How do volunteers help? Why does your community do this work?
- Requirement 3
Talk with a parent, legal guardian, or adult leader about what Duty to God means to you; describe how you practice it each day
Tip: Talk with your family about what Duty to God means to you and the ways you show it.
For example: You might say: "For me, duty to God means being thankful, praying before bed, and treating people kindly even when it's hard." Your words can be short and honest.
Places to visit
Ask an adult to set it up, and go with your family, den, patrol, or crew.
A faith-based food pantry, shelter, or disaster relief group
You'll see how a community's faith turns into real help for people going through hard times.
How: Have your adult call ahead and ask if your family or patrol can visit, meet a volunteer, and maybe help for an hour.
Talk about it together
- Which value from your family's faith means the most to you?
- How does that value show up in the Scout Law?
- What did you learn from the people who help others in a crisis?
- What does duty to God mean to you right now?
- How might you live out your beliefs in a troop?
Helpful reads
- Cub Scouts: a guide for families, How Cub Scout ranks and adventures work from kindergarten through fifth grade, what an adult partner does, and how to keep it fun at meetings and at home., Families · Leaders · 4 min read
- From Arrow of Light to a troop, What changes when you join a Scouts BSA troop, how to visit and choose one, good questions to ask, and how to make your first year a great one., Youth · Families · 4 min read
For leaders & parents
- Respect each family's beliefs and let parents guide the faith conversations.
- Help arrange a visit to a faith-based service group open to the whole patrol.
People & places that can help
- Your family and faith leader — Can help you explore your faith's values.
- Local food pantry or shelter — Many are run by faith groups and welcome visitors.
- Religious Emblems for Scouts (opens in a new tab) — Faith-based emblems from many traditions your family can explore.
- P.R.A.Y. (opens in a new tab) — Religious emblem programs for many faiths.
Pairs well with
Counts toward
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Tips, examples, and questions are ideas from experienced leaders, not extra requirements. Your unit leader or counselor decides when a requirement is complete.