Our purpose is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
As Scouts, we are guided by these values:
- Integrity – We act with integrity; we are honest, trustworthy and loyal.
- Respect – We have self-respect and respect for others.
- Care – We support others and take care of the world in which we live.
- Belief – We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
- Cooperation – We make a positive difference; we cooperate with others and make friends.
Our development of young people takes place when the young people, in partnership with adults, work together based on the values of Scouting and:
- enjoy what they are doing and have fun
- take part in activities indoors and outdoors
- learn by doing
- share in spiritual reflection
- take responsibility and make choices
- undertake new and challenging activities
- make and live by their Promise.
(for Scouts, Explorer Scouts, the Scout Network and adults)
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
(for Scouts, Explorers, Scout Network and adults)
- A Scout is to be trusted.
- A Scout is loyal.
- A Scout is friendly and considerate.
- A Scout belongs to the world-wide 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.
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
There is no formal Beaver Scout Law. The concepts expressed in the Scout Law are presented to Beaver Scouts through games, storytelling and other informal activities.
1.12.1.1
Scouts is open to people of all faiths and of none and must therefore take account of the different religious obligations of its members while upholding the essential spirit of the Promise.
1.12.1.2
Alternative wordings of the Promise that young people and adults may wish to use to best reflect their own beliefs are included below, reflecting the diversity of our UK Scout community
1.12.1.3
The Scout Promise
(for Scouts, Explorer Scouts, the Scout Network and adults)
The Scout Promise for members who are atheist or of no faith background
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to seek refuge in the Triple Gem, to do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Christian
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Hindu
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to follow my dharma and do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Humanist
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Jewish
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Muslim
In the name of Allah, the most beneficent and the most merciful,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Allah and then to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Scout Promise for members who are Sikh
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Waheguru and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
1.12.1.4
The Cub Scout Promise
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are atheist or of no faith background
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist
I promise that I will do my best
to seek refuge in the Triple Gem, to do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Christian
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Hindu
I promise that I will do my best
to follow my dharma and do my duty to The King,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Humanist
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Jewish
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Muslim
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Allah and then to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise for members who are Sikh
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Waheguru and to The King,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
1.12.1.5
The Beaver Scout Promise
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are atheist or of no faith background
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love our world.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to act with love towards everyone.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Christian
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Hindu
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love the world.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Humanist
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love our world.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Jewish
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God.
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Muslim
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love Allah
The Beaver Scout Promise for members who are Sikh
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love Waheguru.
1.12.1.6
The Squirrel Scout Promise
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are atheist or of no faith background
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love our world.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Buddhist
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to act with love towards everyone.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Christian
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Hindu
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love the world.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Humanist
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love our world.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Jewish
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love God.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Muslim
I promise to do my best to be kind and helpful and to love Allah.
The Squirrel Scout Promise for members who are Sikh
I promise to do my best and to be kind and helpful and to love Waheguru.
1.12.1.7
Where a form of wording is required for a member of a particular faith or religion not included in the current edition of Chapter 1, advice must be sought from UK Headquarters.
1.12.1.8
It is acknowledged that a person resident in a country outside the United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey, who may become a member of The Scout Association may also owe allegiance to their own country. This particularly applies in countries in British Scouting Overseas and the Overseas Territories. In such cases, the phrase ‘duty to The King’ may be replaced by the phrase ‘duty to the country in which I am now living’.
1.12.1.9
For young people, the decision regarding which permitted form of wording to use rests with them. However, in the Squirrel, Beaver and Cub sections, parents must be aware of the chosen Promise before the investiture ceremony. In the Scout and Explorer sections it is good practice for parents to be aware of their young person’s choice.
1.12.1.10
For adults, the decision regarding which permitted form of wording to use rests entirely with the individual adult.