The Scout Essentials
(or everything you need to know for the Scout Rank)
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
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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...
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
... I will do my best...
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. 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 to God...
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the
wisdom of those teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others to practice their own beliefs.
... and my country...
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning about our system of government and your responsibilities as a
citizen and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you work to improve your community and your home, you are
serving your country. Natural resources are another important part of America's heritage worthy of your efforts to understand,
protect, and use wisely. What you do can make a real difference.
... and to obey the Scout Law;...
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you toward wise choices. 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;...
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By
helping out whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
... To keep myself physically strong,...
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep,
and exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else
that can harm your health.
... mentally awake,...
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be curious about everything around you, and 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 exciting
world around you and your role in it.
... and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the
rights of all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a
Scout will help you shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
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A scout is trustworthy, loyal,
helpful, friendly, courteous, kind,
obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave,
clean, and reverent.
A Scout is Trustworthy.
A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
A Scout is Loyal.
A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
A Scout is Helpful.
A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
A Scout is Friendly.
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
A Scout is Courteous.
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A Scout is Kind.
A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
A Scout is Obedient.
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
A Scout is Cheerful.
A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A Scout is Thrifty.
A Scout works to pay his own way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
A Scout is Brave.
A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
A Scout is Clean.
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A Scout is Reverent.
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
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The badge is shaped like the north point on an old compass.
The design resembles an arrowhead or a trefoil -- a flower with three leaves.
It is also known by the french name fleur-de-lis, which means lily or iris flower.
It is the basic shape of the badges used by scout organizations in other countries, too.
There are two stars on the badge. They symbolize truth and knowledge.
The three points of the trefoil stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath.
The eagle and shield stand for freedom and a Scout's readiness to defend that freedom.
The shape of the Scout badge means that a Scout can point the right way in life as truly as does a compass
in the field.
The scroll bearing the Scout motto is turned up at the ends as a reminder that a Scout smiles as
he does his duty.
The knot at the bottom of the scroll represents the Scout slogan, Do a Good Turn Daily.
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Be Prepared.
Be Prepared in Mind by disciplining yourself to be obedient to
every order, and also by thinking out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur. Develop the habit of asking yourself
"What could possibly go wrong in this situation?" so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment.
Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, then do it.
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Do a good turn daily.
Good Turns are helpful acts of kindness done quietly, without boasting and without
expecting reward or pay. Doing at least one good turn every day is a normal part of a Scout's life.
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As an American, I will do my best to-
Be clean in my outdoor manners,
Be careful with fire,
Be considerate in the outdoors, and
Be conservation-minded.
As an American, I will do my best to -
Be clean in my outdoor manners...
I will treat the outdoors as a heritage.
I will take care of it for myself and others.
I will keep my trash and garbage out of lakes, steams, fields, woods, and roadways.
be careful with fire...
I will prevent wildfire.
I will build my fires only where they are appropriate.
When I have finished using a fire,
I will make sure it is cold out.
I will leave a clean fire ring, or
remove all evidence of my fire.
be considerate in the outdoors...
I will treat public and private property with respect.
I will use low-impact methods of hiking and camping.
and be conservation-minded.
I will learn how to practice good conservation of soil, water, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy.
I will urge others to do the same.
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Good Turns are helpful acts of kindness done quietly, without boasting and without
expecting reward or pay. Doing at least one good turn every day is a normal part of a Scout's life.
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Good Turns are helpful acts of kindness done quietly, without boasting and without
expecting reward or pay. Doing at least one good turn every day is a normal part of a Scout's life.
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Good Turns are helpful acts of kindness done quietly, without boasting and without
expecting reward or pay. Doing at least one good turn every day is a normal part of a Scout's life.
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BSA Troop 870
Beaverton, Oregon