Fundamentals of Scouting
Check out this short video and explore the rest of the page to learn about the Fundamentals that underpin everything we do as Scouts.
The Purpose of Scouting
Scouting exists to actively engage and support young people in their personal development; empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.
The Scout Method
Scouting takes place when 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.
The Values of Scouting
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.
Co-operation
We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.
Outdoor & Adventure
Skills
World
Balanced Programme
We aim to offer a balanced programme to our young people, not just by looking at the activities available to them, but equally importantly, how they are delivered. The programme is regularly refreshed and kept up to date to ensure that it remains relevant in today’s society.
The Scout programme is designed to offer adventure and challenge to young people in a way that is appropriate to their age and ability. For this reason the programme is flexible and able to be adjusted to meet the needs of individuals where required.
Programme Objectives
Physical: physical health and fitness, including the impact of diet, illness and exercise.
Intellectual: development of knowledge, skills, talents and the use of creative expression.
Emotional: identity, emotional awareness and emotional expression.
Social: living and working with others,relationships, community, culture and diversity.
Spritual: faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
The Scout Law
- 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.
The Cub Scout Law
Cub Scouts always do their best, think of others before themselves, and do a good turn every day.
The Beaver Scout Law
There is no formal Beaver Scout Law. The concepts expressed in the Scout Law are to be presented to Beaver Scouts through games, storytelling and other informal activities.
The Scout Promise
All young people and adults are invited to make their Scout Promise when becoming a member of the Scouting family. The Promise is a simple way to help everyone think about and remember the fundamentals of Scouting, and to celebrate our shared Scout values.
It is important that every member has the chance to think about their Promise, and chat through its meaning, before they make their Promise for the first time during a special ceremony we call an Investiture.
There are three versions of the Promise appropriate to different age groups. One for Beavers, one for Cubs and one for the Scouts, Explorers Scouts, the Scout Network, and adults.
Scouts is open to people of all faiths and of none. There are variations of the Promise available to help each member best reflect their own beliefs while upholding the essential spirit of the Promise.
It is up to the person making the Promise which version they say. They should be able to look at all of the options and consider their choice carefully. Depending on the age of the young person, they may want to chat to their parents or carers as they make their decision.
Versions and Variations
The Scout Promise
Reflecting the diversity of our UK Scout community, please see below the variations of the Scout Promise that Scouts, Explorer Scouts, the Scout Network and adults can choose to say. Where some other form of wording is required for a member of a particular faith or religion we will seek advice from Scout Association Headquarters.
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 Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
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 Queen,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Scout Law.
Christian:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
Hindu:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to follow my dharma and do my duty to The Queen,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Scout Law.
Humanist:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
Jewish:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
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 Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
Sikh:
On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Waheguru and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Scout Law.
The Cub Scout Promise
Reflecting the diversity of our UK Scout community, please see below the variations of the Cub Scout Promise that Cub Scouts can choose to say. Where some other form of wording is required for a member of a particular faith or religion we will seek advice from Scout Association Headquarters.
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 Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Buddhist:
I promise that I will do my best
to seek refuge in the Triple Gem, to do my duty to The Queen,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Christian:
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Hindu:
I promise that I will do my best
to follow my dharma and do my duty to The Queen,
to act with compassion towards all life
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Humanist:
I promise that I will do my best
to uphold our Scout values, to do my duty to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Jewish:
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Muslim:
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Allah and then to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
Sikh:
I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to Waheguru and to The Queen,
to help other people
and to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The Beaver Scout Promise
Reflecting the diversity of our UK Scout community, please see below the variations of the Beaver Scout Promise that Beaver Scouts can choose to say. Where some other form of wording is required for a member of a particular faith or religion we will seek advice from Scout Association Headquarters.
Atheist or of no faith background:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love our world.
Buddhist:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to act with love towards everyone.
Christian:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love God.
Hindu:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love the world.
Humanist:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love our world.
Jewish:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love God.
Muslim:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love Allah.
Sikh:
I promise to do my best,
to be kind and helpful,
and to love Waheguru.
The First Scout Promise
In his 1908 book Scouting for Boys, Baden-Powell introduced the Scout Promise, as follows:
“Before [a person] becomes a scout, [they] must take the scout’s oath, thus –
‘On my honour I promise that—
I will do my duty to God and the King.
I will do my best to help others, whatever it costs me.
I know the scout law, and will obey it.'”
— Lieut. Gen. Baden Powell C.B., Scouting for Boys (1908)
The Scout Sign
Baden-Powell continued the above passage (from Scouting for Boys) with a description of the Scout Sign, which we still use today.
“While taking this oath the scout will stand, holding [their] right hand raised level with [their] shoulder, palm to the front, thumb resting on the nail of the little finger and the other three fingers upright, pointing upwards:—
This is the scout’s salute and secret sign.”
— Lieut. Gen. Baden Powell C.B., Scouting for Boys (1908)
The three fingers represent the three main parts of the Promise, and the circle between the thumb and little finger represents the worldwide family of Scouts.
Using the Salute and Sign
Today’s Scouts use the three fingered ‘half-salute’ when making or reaffirming their Promise, and as a sign of greeting when meeting members of our worldwide Scouting family. When greeting others Scouts also shake hands with their left hands while making the Scout Sign with their right.
We also use a raised Scout Sign to get the attention of young people and adults alike, particularly useful in noisy environments. If you see this it means Stop, Be Quiet, and Listen.
The Scout Sign held to the forehead becomes the Scout Salute which is made only by members in uniform on formal Scout occasions as a mark of respect at the hoisting of National flags, at the playing of National Anthems, to uncased Colours, Scout flags and to funerals.
The Scout Motto
The Scout Motto in the UK and in my other countries and languages around the world is ‘Be Prepared’. Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scout Movement, said this about the Motto.
“The scouts’ motto is founded on my initials, it is: BE PREPARED, which means, you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY;
Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.
Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.
— Lieut. Gen. Baden Powell C.B., Scouting for Boys (1908)