The Promise and Law
The Promise and Law
The Promise and Law
The Promise and Law are the simple way in which we help young people and adults to remember and think about the fundamentals of Scouts. It’s therefore vital that every member considers the Promise and discusses its meaning before making the Promise and being invested into Scouts.
The Scout Promise
There are four versions of the Promise appropriate to different age groups. There’s one for Squirrels, one for Beavers, one for Cubs, and one Scouts, Explorers, Network and adults.
Each version is written to be appropriate to the broad level of understanding of each of the age groups within the movement.
There are various word choices in the Promise to reflect different faiths and those of no faith. Find variations to the wording of the Promise in POR.
I promise to do my best
Personal development: The Squirrel Scout is making the Promise for themselves. By taking responsibility for their actions, the Squirrel Scout is recognising the underlying principle that young people are responsible for what they become and what they do. It’s important a young person should recognise the importance of striving to do their best, rather than simply to reach a set standard. This requirement to ‘do my best’ applies to all parts of the Promise that follow and does not mean perfection.
to be kind and helpful
Make a positive contribution to society: This statement reflects the way in which the Squirrel Scout is expected to act towards others.
and to love Allah/God/Waheguru/my Dharma/love towards everyone/love our world.
Broader development: This indicates that the Squirrel Scout thinks and acts more widely than just about themselves to either their chosen faith or to the wider world and people and animals within it. It uses the word ‘love’ in a way that a young person might understand love for a parent, pet, friend or sibling.
I promise to do my best
Personal development: The Beaver Scout is making the Promise for themselves. By taking responsibility for their actions, the Beaver Scout is recognising the underlying principle that young people are responsible for what they become and what they do. It’s important a young person should recognise the importance of striving to do their best, rather than simply to reach a set standard. This requirement to ‘do my best’ applies to all parts of the Promise that follow and does not mean perfection.
to be kind and helpful
Make a positive contribution to society: This statement reflects the way in which the Beaver Scout is expected to act towards others.
and to love Allah/God/Waheguru/my Dharma/love towards everyone/love our world.
Broader development: This indicates that the Beaver Scout thinks and acts more widely than just about themselves to either their chosen faith or to the wider world and people and animals within it. It uses the word ‘love’ in a way that a young person might understand love for a parent, pet, friend or sibling.
I promise that I will do my best
Personal development: The Cub Scout is making the Promise for themselves. Cubs are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions; developing an increasing awareness and ownership for what they become and what they do. It’s important a young person should recognise the importance of striving to do their best, rather than simply to reach a set standard. This requirement to ‘do my best’ applies to all parts of the Promise that follow and does not mean perfection.
to follow my dharma/seek refuge in the Triple Gem/do my duty to Allah/do my duty to God/do my duty to Waheguru/uphold our Scout values
Broader development: This uses the concept of duty to indicate that the Cub Scout thinks and acts more widely than just about themselves, either through their faith or through their Scout values, depending on their chosen beliefs.
and to The King
Make a positive contribution to society: ‘The King’ is a reference to the United Kingdom’s constitutional monarchy, where the monarch reigns according to the laws of the nation. With this phrase, the Cub Scout is expected to respect the laws of the land and to set a good example. For people of other nationalities resident in this country, this phrase may be replaced with ‘the country in which I am now living’.
To help other people
Make a positive contribution to society: This refers to the Cub Scout’s responsibility to help others in various ways. For example, washing up after a meal or comforting someone who is upset.
And to keep the Cub Scout Law
Make a positive contribution to society: The Cub Scout Law focuses on helping others, including thinking about the needs of others and doing a good turn.
On my honour
Personal development: This separates this Promise from the Beaver and Cub Promise. It emphasises that keeping the Promise is a reflection of an individual’s character and therefore strengthens the words of the Promise that follow. Keeping the Promise is entirely up to the individual. Muslims can replace this wording with ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful’.
I promise that I will do my best
Personal development: The person is making the Promise for themselves. By taking responsibility for their actions the person is recognising that individuals are responsible for what they become and what they do. The Promise includes the requirement to ‘do my best’, not necessarily to be perfect. The person is expected to strive to reach their potential, rather than doing just enough to get by. This requirement to ‘do my best’ applies to all parts of the Promise that follow and does not mean perfection.
follow my dharma/seek refuge in the Triple Gem/do my duty to Allah/do my duty to God/do my duty to Waheguru/uphold our Scout values
Broader development: This uses the concept of duty to indicate that the person thinks and acts more widely than just about themselves, either through their faith or through their Scout values, depending on their chosen beliefs.
and to The King,
Make a positive contribution to society: ‘The King’ is a reference to the United Kingdom’s constitutional monarchy, where the monarch reigns according to the laws of the nation. With this phrase, the person is expected to respect the laws of the land and to set a good example. For people of other nationalities resident in this country, this phrase may be replaced with ‘the country in which I am now living’.
to help other people
Make a positive contribution to society: This refers to the person’s responsibility to help others in various ways, including working towards a fairer world for all. For example, washing up after a meal or comforting someone who is upset.
and to keep the Scout Law
Personal Development and make a positive contribution to society: The Scout Law focuses on helping others and personal guidance, including thinking about the needs of others and doing a good turn. The Scout Law can help people to understand how to really live out their Scout Promise and Scout Values.
The Scout Law
Adult and youth members show their Scouts' Values within the seven Scout laws:
- A Scout is to be trusted.
- A Scout is loyal.
- A Scout is friendly and considerate.
- A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
- A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
- A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
- A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.