The Scout Oath
Before you can agree to live by the Scout Oath, you must know what it means.
The 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.
On my honor… Honor is the core of who you are- your honesty, your integrity, your reputation, the ways you treat others, and how you act when no one is looking. By giving your word at the outset of the Scout Oath, you are promising to be guided by its ideals.
I will do my best… Do all you can to live by the Scout Oath, even when you are faced with difficult challenges. Measure your achievements against your own high standards, and don’t be influenced by peer pressure or what other people do.
To do my duty… Duty is what others expect of you, but more importantly, it is what you expect of yourself.
to God… Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You can do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings and by defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
and my country… Help the United States continue to be a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen. When you do all you can for your family and community, you are serving your country. Making the most of your opportunities will help shape our nation’s future.
and to obey the Scout Law;…. In your thoughts, words and deeds, the 12 points of the Scout Law will lead you toward doing the right thing throughout your life. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
To help other people at all times;… Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out whenever you can, you are making the world better. “At all times” is a reminder to help even when it is difficult and even if you haven’t been asked.
To keep myself physically strong,… Taking care of your body prepares you for a lifetime of great adventures You can build your body’s strength and endurance by eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and being active. You should also avoid tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and anything else that might harm your health.
mentally awake,… Develop your mind both in and outside of the classroom. Be curious about everything around you, and never stop learning. Work hard to make the most of your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask questions, you can learn much about the world around you and your role in it.
and morally straight. Your relationships with others should be honest and open. Respect and defend the rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions and faithful in your religious duties. Values you practice as a Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.