The Twelve Points of the Scout Law


It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Scouts repeat the Scout Law regularly at meetings, camping trips, and at ceremonies of all kinds. There are 12 points in the Scout Law. The Scout Law is:

A Scout is...

    Trustworthy
    Loyal
    Helpful
    Friendly
    Courteous
    Kind
    Obedient
    Cheerful
    Thrifty
    Brave
    Clean
    and Reverent

When saying the Scout Law, scouts are to stand at attention and make the scout sign.



The Full Scout Law


The Scout Law is usually memorized by Scouts and adults alike as the twelve words above. However, the 1943 handbook has this advice, and I agree with it: a scout or scouter who claims to know the Scout Law should memorize not just the twelve points, but the description provided as well. The full Law follows:

  • 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.


Living the Law


For the Tenderfoot badge, a scout is required to know the law. In my view, that means he shall be able to recite the above text word for word in front of a crowd under pressure he knows it so well. He shall be able to watch a TV show and give examples of behavior from the show that fits with or contravenes the Scout Law.

All adult leaders should be able to recite the twelve points of the Scout Law as well as the boys can if not better.

I also believe that a scout or scouter is served well by writing down the twelve points and highlighting the three which are his greatest challenges. If he focuses on improving his behavior and thinking in these areas, he can only become a better person. Some of us are brave but talk about others behind their backs. Others are clean but are not thrifty. No human being lives all of these points in their daily life to perfection. All of us can become better people. To live the law is to not merely memorize it and say it. To live by the law is to hold yourself accountable to it.

A true scout knows when he breaks a point of the Scout Law, and he works to change himself to become a better man.



The Original Scout Law


Baden-Powell's original Scout Law presented in his 1908 book Scouting for Boys contained not twelve but nine points. Eventually Baden Powell added a tenth point. Scouting organizations around the world learn different versions of the law, ranging from seven points to the twelve of BSA. Many use the original ten points presented below.

    A Scout's honor is to be trusted.
    A Scout is loyal.
    A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others.
    A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other scout, no matter to what social class the other belongs.
    A Scout is courteous.
    A Scout is a friend to animals.
    A Scout obeys orders.
    A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.
    A Scout is thrifty.
    A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed.

BSA's Scout Law has two extra points added in 1911: BRAVE and REVERENT. Baden Powell used to tell Scouts that the two five pointed stars on the Scout Badge had ten points total, and that each of these points represented a point in the Scout Law. BSA's Scout Badge still has the two five-pointed stars.



Cultural Change Through History


The 1943 handbook has a different description for each of the points of the Scout Law above. For the first, it warns that if a Scout is found to be untrustworthy, he can be asked to hand in his scout badge.



More about the Scout Law


Scout Law - Wikipedia Article
History of the Scout Law - Traditional Independent Scouts