Scout Oath, Law, motto, and slogan

The Scout Oath

The Oath is a promise, and "on my honor" means you're putting your good name behind it. It doesn't ask you to be perfect — it asks you to do your best. It has three parts, often called the three duties:

1. 1

   Duty to God and country

   Live by your beliefs and your family's faith traditions, respect other people's beliefs, and do your part as a citizen: follow the law, learn how your community works, and help make it better.

2. 2

   Duty to other people

   Help whenever you can, not just when it's convenient or someone is watching. Small things count: holding a door, including someone who's left out, pitching in at home.

3. 3

   Duty to yourself

   Take care of your body (physically strong), keep learning and stay curious (mentally awake), and choose what's right even when it's hard (morally straight).

The Scout Law

The Oath is the promise; the Law is twelve ways to keep it. Here's what each point looks like in everyday life.

1. 1

   Trustworthy

   People can count on you. You tell the truth, keep your promises, and do what you said you'd do — even when no one would know if you didn't.

2. 2

   Loyal

   You stand by your family, friends, patrol, and community, and you're true to your own values. Loyalty never means covering for something wrong.

3. 3

   Helpful

   You look for ways to pitch in without being asked, and you help because it's the right thing to do, not for a reward.

4. 4

   Friendly

   You're a friend to everyone, including people who are different from you. You welcome the new kid and make room at the table.

5. 5

   Courteous

   You're polite to everyone, whatever their age or position. Good manners make it easier for people to get along.

6. 6

   Kind

   You treat others the way you'd want to be treated, you stand up for people who are picked on, and you don't hurt animals or people for no reason.

7. 7

   Obedient

   You follow the rules of your family, school, troop, and community. If you think a rule is unfair, you work to change it the right way instead of ignoring it.

8. 8

   Cheerful

   You look for the bright side and keep a good attitude, especially when the hike is long or the tent is wet. A cheerful Scout makes hard jobs easier for everyone.

9. 9

   Thrifty

   You take care of money, gear, and the earth's resources. You save for what matters, avoid waste, and pay your own way when you can.

10. 10

    Brave

    You face danger, and fear, with a cool head. Brave also means doing what's right when others laugh or pressure you, and admitting your own mistakes.

11. 11

    Clean

    You keep your body, your gear, and your campsite clean, and you choose clean words and actions. You help keep your home and community clean too.

12. 12

    Reverent

    You're faithful in your own beliefs and duties, and you respect the beliefs of others, even when they're different from yours.

The Scout motto

Be ready for whatever comes: pack the rain gear, learn first aid before someone needs it, and think ahead about the right thing to do so you're ready when the moment arrives. Being prepared is about your mind and your character as much as your backpack.

The Scout slogan

A Good Turn is a helpful thing you do for someone without expecting anything back. It can be big, like a service project, or small, like carrying groceries for a neighbor. The goal is to make helping a daily habit.

Learning them by heart

• Learn the Law in four groups of three: trustworthy, loyal, helpful · friendly, courteous, kind · obedient, cheerful, thrifty · brave, clean, reverent.
• Say the Oath with your patrol or den at every meeting. Hearing it together makes it stick.
• Write each Scout Law point on a card. Draw one a day and look for a chance to live it.
• Teach the motto and slogan to a younger Scout or sibling.