The Canadian Scouts' Law: A Code Of Honour

what is the scout law in canada

The Scout Law is a set of codes in the Scout movement that was first published in 1908. Scouts around the world take a Scout Promise or oath to live up to the ideals of the movement and follow the Scout Law. The wording of the promise and law has varied over time and among Scouting organizations. Scouts Canada has a Code of Conduct that all Scouts under 18 must complete before participating in any activities. This Code of Conduct is in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all Scouts Canada members.

Characteristics Values
Safe Scouts must act and think safely, protecting themselves and others from bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
Trustworthy A Scout's honour is to be trusted.
Respectful Scouts must respectfully challenge behaviour or attitudes that are inconsistent with Scouting values and respect the personal information of others.
Clean Scouts must keep their body and mind fit and help keep their home and community clean.
Brave Scouts must face difficult situations even when afraid and do what they think is right.
Thrifty Scouts must work to pay their own way and not be wasteful.
Cheerful Scouts must look for the bright side of life and try to help others be happy.
Obedient Scouts must follow the rules of their family, school, and pack and obey the laws of their community and country.

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Scout Law's origins

The Scout Law is a set of codes in the Scout movement. The first Scout Law was published in 1908 in Baden-Powell's *Scouting for Boys*. The laws were inspired by the work of Ernest Thompson Seton, who founded the Woodcraft Indians in Canada and the U.S. in 1902 and later helped spread Scouting throughout North America. Baden-Powell drew inspiration from Seton's work when writing *Scouting for Boys*. Seton's 1907 Woodcraft guide, *The Birch-Bark Roll*, contained a list of practical injunctions, but these did not seem to be directly related to the Scout Law.

The Boy Scouts of America's 1910 version was virtually identical to the original nine British points of 1908. The BSA's 1911 *Handbook for Boys* used these nine points and was an admixture of *Scouting for Boys* and Seton's Woodcraft guides. Seton's 1912 *Book of Woodcraft* studied the qualities of Native American Indians using a list identical to the 12 points of the 1911 U.S. Scout Law, but in reverse order. This indicates the parallel development of the two manuscripts.

According to the original U.S. handbook, the founders drew inspiration for the Scout Law from the Bushido code of the Japanese Samurai (Baden-Powell and Seton), the laws of honour of the American Indians (Seton), the code of chivalry of European knights (Baden-Powell), and the Zulu fighters Baden-Powell had fought against. Baden-Powell himself edited the text numerous times over the years. Notably, in 1911, he added: "A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed."

The Scout Law has 12 points, and each is a goal for every Scout. Scouts strive to live up to the Law every day. The Scout Oath states: "On my honour 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."

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The Scout Promise

The concept of the Scout Law and Promise originated with the publication of "Scouting for Boys" in 1908 by Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts. The original Scout Law was influenced by various codes of conduct, including the Bushido code of Japanese Samurai, the laws of honor of American Indians, the code of chivalry of European knights, and the Zulu fighters Baden-Powell had encountered.

In Canada, Scouts Canada has a Code of Conduct that all youth Scouts under 18 must complete annually before participating in any Scouting activities. This Code of Conduct is based on the principles of the Scout Promise and Law, emphasizing safety, respect, and responsibility. Scouts Canada members pledge to ensure the safety and well-being of their peers, respect personal boundaries, and protect personal information. They are also expected to challenge behaviors inconsistent with Scouting values and report any concerns related to bullying, abuse, harassment, or discrimination to the appropriate authorities.

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Scout Law codes

The Scout Law is a set of codes that all Scouts and Guides around the world have vowed to uphold since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908. The wording of the Scout Law has evolved over time and varies among Scouting organisations. The Scout Law in Canada is underpinned by a Code of Conduct that all Scouts under the age of 18 must follow. This Code of Conduct is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all Scouts Canada members, both on and offline.

Scouts Canada members are expected to encourage people to speak up about any issues related to personal or group safety and to challenge any behaviour or attitudes that go against Scouting values. They must also protect the personal information of others, keeping it secure and using it only for Scouting purposes.

The Scout Law in Canada promotes certain values among its members. For example, Scouts are expected to be thrifty, saving money so that they do not become a burden to others and so that they have money to give to others in need. Scouts are also expected to be clean in thought, word and deed, looking down upon those who talk dirt and resisting the temptation to engage in such behaviour themselves.

Other values that are part of the Scout Law in Canada include obedience, cheerfulness, bravery, and reverence. Scouts are expected to follow the rules of their family, school, and community and to obey the laws of their country. They are also expected to look on the bright side of life and help others be happy. Scouts should face their fears and do what they think is right, regardless of what others might be doing or saying. Finally, Scouts are expected to respect the beliefs of others and be faithful in their religious duties.

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Scout Law in Canada today

The Scout Law in Canada today is a set of codes that all Scouts and Guides in the country are expected to follow. The laws are based on the original Scout Law published in Baden-Powell's "Scouting for Boys" in 1908, which outlined the ideals and principles that Scouts should strive to live up to. Over time, the wording of the Scout Law has evolved to suit the cultural context of different countries and organisations.

In Canada, the Scouts Canada organisation has developed a Code of Conduct that aligns with the principles of the Scout Law. This code aims to ensure the safety and well-being of all Scouts Canada members, both on and offline. The code emphasises the importance of thinking and acting safely, respecting the influence and power one has over others, and adhering to activity rules such as the Two-Scouter Rule and Scouter-to-Youth ratios.

Scouts Canada members are expected to protect the personal information of their peers, using it only for Scouting purposes. They are encouraged to speak up about any issues related to personal or group safety and to challenge behaviour or attitudes inconsistent with Scouting values. The Code of Conduct also addresses the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination, with clear guidelines for reporting any such incidents to local authorities and Scouts Canada.

Additionally, the Scout Law in Canada promotes values such as thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness, and reverence. For example, being thrifty involves working to pay one's way and using time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely. Bravery encourages Scouts to face difficult situations despite their fears and stand up for what is right. Cleanliness pertains not only to physical hygiene but also to having a clean mind and being respectful in one's speech and actions. Reverence is about being faithful to one's religious duties and respectful of the beliefs of others.

Overall, the Scout Law in Canada today serves as a moral compass for Scouts, guiding them to become responsible, respectful, and courageous individuals who contribute positively to their communities.

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Scout Law's evolution

The Scout Law in Canada has evolved over the years, with the first Scout groups in the country founded in 1908, just as Scouting for Boys was published in the UK. The Canadian General Council of The Boy Scouts Association was incorporated by an Act of the Canadian Parliament on 12 June 1914. The Boy Scouts Association was formed in the United Kingdom in 1910 and incorporated in 1912.

The original Scout Law, published in 1908, stated that "A Scout's Honour Is To Be Trusted". This meant that if a scout said, "On my honour it is so", it was as if they had taken a solemn oath. Baden-Powell and Seton, the founders, drew inspiration from the Bushido code of the Japanese Samurai, the laws of honour of the American Indians, the code of chivalry of European knights, and the Zulu fighters Baden-Powell had fought against.

The Scout Law has since been modified and adapted by various Scouting organizations around the world. For example, the point about being "loyal to the King" would be replaced by alternative text appropriate for each country. Baden-Powell himself edited the text numerous times, including in 1911 when he added that "A Scout is Clean in Thought, Word and Deed".

In 1972, Scouts Canada began accepting female participants as part of its Rover Section, with co-ed Scouting becoming an option for all program sections in 1998. Scouts Canada follows the Scouting Method, which includes elements such as the Scout Law and Promise, learning by doing, the team system, a symbolic framework, nature, personal progression, adult support, and community involvement.

Frequently asked questions

Scout Law is a set of codes in the Scout movement. Scouts take a Scout Promise or oath to live up to the ideals of the movement and follow the Scout Law. The first list resembling the current form appeared in Baden-Powell's 1908 *Scouting for Boys*. The wording of the promise and law has varied over time and among Scouting organizations.

The Scout Laws include being thrifty, pure, and clean-minded. Scouts are also obedient, cheerful, brave, and reverent.

The Scouts Canada Code of Conduct is a set of rules that must be completed before participating in any activities. The Code of Conduct applies to all Scouters under and over the age of 18, with slight variations. It includes ensuring the safety and well-being of members, encouraging people to speak up about personal or group safety issues, and reporting any breaches of the code to Scouts Canada.

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