Cecily Zamora
The Scout Law was first published in 1908 in Baden-Powell's *Scouting for Boys*. It is a set of principles to guide Scouts in their daily lives and help them become better individuals and responsible members of society. The original Scout Law has 9 principles, but the Boy Scouts of America version has 12 points, including being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trustworthy | Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you. |
| Loyal | Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, and country. |
| Helpful | Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward. |
| Friendly | Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you. |
| Courteous | Show good manners and treat others with respect. |
| Kind | Treat others as you want to be treated. Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason. |
| Obedient | Follow the rules of your family, school, and community. |
| Cheerful | Look on the bright side of life and try to help others be happy. |
| Thrifty | Save money so you can support yourself and help others. |
| Brave | N/A |
| Clean | Keep yourself and your surroundings clean and hygienic. |
| Reverent | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Trustworthy
In the context of Scouting, a Scout's honour is to be trusted. If a Scout says, "On my honour, it is so", it is as if they have taken a solemn oath. Similarly, if a Scout leader says to a Scout, "I trust you on your honour to do this", the Scout is bound to carry out the order to the best of their ability, without any interference.
For example, if a Scout promises to help an elderly neighbour with their shopping, they are expected to keep that promise and not let the neighbour down. If a Scout is entrusted with a task, such as taking a message to someone, they are expected to deliver the message without altering it or failing to do so.
Trustworthiness is a key value in the Scout Law because it forms the basis for strong relationships, both within the Scouting community and beyond. It is also a fundamental aspect of good character and responsible citizenship, which Baden-Powell believed were essential outcomes of the Scouting program.
By encouraging Scouts to be trustworthy, the Scout Law promotes honesty, reliability, and integrity, which are important values in any community.
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Loyal
The Scout Law, first published in 1908, is a code of conduct that guides Scouts in their daily lives and helps them become better individuals and responsible members of society. One of the core tenets of this code is "loyalty".
Over time, the specific wording of the Scout Law has been modified to suit different contexts and countries. For example, the phrase "loyal to the King" has been replaced with alternative text that is more appropriate for each nation where Scouting is practised.
In the modern Scouting America version of the Scout Law, loyalty is one of twelve points. It is interpreted as showing care for one's family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country. This interpretation emphasises the importance of personal relationships and community in the expression of loyalty.
The broader principle of loyalty remains a fundamental part of the Scouting movement worldwide. Scouts are expected to be dependable and honourable in their dealings with others, and loyalty is a key aspect of this. By encouraging loyalty, the Scout Law aims to foster strong character and responsible citizenship among its members.
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Clean
The Scout Law promotes cleanliness in thought, word, and deed. This means that Scouts are expected to uphold high standards of morality and avoid engaging in or spreading gossip or rumours. They are expected to be honest, upright, and virtuous in their conduct and interactions with others.
In addition to mental and verbal cleanliness, Scouts are also expected to maintain bodily cleanliness. This includes basic hygiene practices such as bathing regularly, brushing teeth, and wearing clean clothes. It also extends to maintaining a neat and tidy appearance, including well-groomed hair and trimmed nails.
Furthermore, Scouts are expected to keep their surroundings clean. This involves simple acts such as picking up litter, recycling, and disposing of waste properly. Scouts are also encouraged to take care of their environment, including local parks, forests, and natural spaces, by participating in community clean-up initiatives and conservation efforts.
By emphasising cleanliness, the Scout Law aims to instil a sense of discipline, self-care, and respect for the environment in its members. It encourages Scouts to take pride in their personal hygiene, their surroundings, and the world around them. This aspect of the Scout Law helps to shape responsible, considerate, and environmentally conscious individuals.
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Helpful
The Scout Law was first published in 1908 in Baden-Powell's "Scouting for Boys". It has since become a fundamental part of Scouting worldwide. The law has 12 points, each one a goal for Scouts to strive towards in their daily lives.
The third point in the Scout Law is 'Helpful'. This means volunteering to help others without expecting a reward. Scouts are helpful when they volunteer to assist others without any thought of what they might get in return. Being helpful is a key part of being a Scout, and it is one of the most important values that Scouts can embody.
Scouts are always willing to lend a hand, whether it's helping an older person carry their groceries or volunteering for a local charity. They don't do it for recognition or praise but because it's the right thing to do. This value of selflessness is at the core of the Scout movement and is one of the reasons why Scouts are respected worldwide.
Being helpful also ties into other aspects of the Scout Law, such as being friendly and courteous. When Scouts volunteer, they often make new friends and build stronger connections with their community. They learn to treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or beliefs.
By embodying the value of helpfulness, Scouts not only make a positive impact on those around them but also on themselves. They develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These skills will benefit them throughout their lives and contribute to their growth as responsible and caring individuals.
In conclusion, 'Helpful' is an integral part of the Scout Law, encouraging Scouts to selflessly assist others without expecting anything in return. This value fosters a sense of community, friendship, and respect, while also helping Scouts develop valuable skills that will serve them beyond their time in Scouting.
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Friendly
Being friendly is the fourth point of the Scout Law. It encourages Scouts to be friendly to everyone, even people who are very different from them. This includes being a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.
The idea of being friendly is closely linked to the principles of kindness, respect, and inclusion. Scouts are expected to treat others with kindness and respect, regardless of their age, background, or beliefs. This means using polite language, saying "please" and "thank you," and holding doors open for others. These small actions can create a more positive and caring community.
Being friendly also means seeking to include others and build bridges, rather than excluding or alienating those who may be different. This is an important aspect of creating a harmonious community and fostering mutual understanding.
In addition, being friendly is about approaching new people and situations with an open mind and a positive attitude. It's about being willing to engage with others, listen to their perspectives, and find common ground. This attitude of friendliness can help Scouts develop social skills, empathy, and a broader worldview.
Finally, being friendly is not just about interpersonal relationships, but also about how Scouts interact with the world around them. This includes being friendly to nature and all living creatures, as well as respecting and caring for their environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Scout Law is "A Scout's honour is to be trusted". This means that a Scout must always tell the truth and keep their promises.
The other Scout Laws include:
- "A Scout is loyal"
- "A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed"
- "A Scout is courteous"
- "A Scout is thrifty"
The original Scout Law was developed by Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, and was first published in 1908 in his book "Scouting for Boys".
