The Meaning of the Scout Law

The World Crest flag of the Boy Scouts of America.

For members of the Boy Scouts of America, the Scout Law is the defining principle that binds the organization together. A definition of all that a Scout should strive to be, the Scout Law is simple, direct and yet compelling. Twelve points form the law and provide a fertile groundwork upon which to build a strong character.

A Scout Is

The Boy Scouts of America has several different divisions, each of which has its own oath or promise. Starting with Cub Scouts, who can be as young as 6, Scouts across the country promise to abide by the laws established by the scouting organization. Some divisions of scouting include girls and boys, stretching out into their early 20s. Regardless of what kind of Scouts they are or what kind of uniform they wear, the Scout Law describes exactly what all Scouts should strive to be.

The 12 Points

The Scout Law is a mission statement of sorts for all scouters, young and old. According to the law, a Scout is:

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

As each day presents the Scout with a clean slate, each Scout is charged with doing a good turn and upholding and embodying this law daily.

Understanding the Scout Law

The key to actually following any law is understanding it, and the Scout Law is no exception. In order for any Scout to succeed in living up to this ideal, he must first know what each point of the law means in relation to himself.

The Scout law can be broken into several components: what kind of person a Scout should be, how a Scout should act and the kind of life he should lead.

What Kind of Person a Scout Should Be

The first four points of the Scout Law paint a fairly specific picture of the kind of person that every scout should be; trustworthy, loyal, helpful and friendly.

A trustworthy person is one upon whom you can rely. He is true to his word and can be counted on to follow through on any commitments he makes.

Someone who is loyal will never betray that which he believes in. A loyal person will have your back at all times.

When someone is helpful, he does his best to make life easier for others and to ensure the world they live in is the best possible version of itself.

Friendly people make others feel comfortable and welcome in any situation.

How A Scout Should Act

The next four points of the Scout Law provide a simple guide on how you should act in your day-to-day life; courteous, kind, obedient and cheerful.

Courteous people always mind their manners. They show respect for others and put others ahead of themselves.

If a person is kind to others, he displays a caring attitude and always goes out of his way to be nice to his fellow man.

Obedience is the act of following the rules--all of the rules, all of the time.

Cheerful people know smiling makes you feel better and makes those around you feel better as well. Going about your day and your life in a positive manner leads to positive things.

How A Scout Should Live

The last four points of the Scout Law summarize succinctly how a Scout should lead his life--with thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness and reverence.

A thrifty person knows the value of a dollar and does his best to save rather than spend. This attitude disallows wastefulness and encourages responsible stewardship of the Earth.

Bravery can be demonstrated in more situations than you might first guess. Typically associated with unusually courageous acts on the battlefield, bravery can also be demonstrated by sticking to the straight and narrow when those around you wish to lead you astray.

Cleanliness has long been held as a key virtue--keeping yourself clean mans you are caring for your health and honoring your body and mind.

Reverence is the basis upon which all of the other points of the Scout law rests. A reverent person trusts in his higher power and respects the religious beliefs of others. He is mindful to always perform his religious obligations.

References

• Boy Scouts of America
• Inquiry: History of Scout Law
• U.S. Scouting Service Project: Boy Scout Law