The Boy Scout Oath

This morning I had a bit of a flashback to my youth. I recalled being a Boy Scout and reciting the Scout Oath at every meeting and event.
This thought callenged me to recall and recite the Oath; which, after 31 years since leaving Scouting, I still remembered.

As I recited the Oath to myself, I got to thinking of the meaning of each of the elements of the Oath. I have included the Oath below, broken down into it's elements with the explanation of each of those elements copied from the US Scouts (BSA) web site.

While their element descriptions aren't identical to mine, they depict the same essential meaning. I have included my additional thoughts on each item in red text.

You may be asking yourself "So? Who cares?"

The point of this post/thread is that I wondered how much better off we as a nation and a world would be if everyone lived by these values. What if we actually took responsibility for our actions and helped others as we used to do (so long ago)?

Just something to consider.


On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of the Scout Oath.
Your honor; your word; a verbal contract. Making a declaration and expecting to be held accountable to/for it.
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. . . 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.
You owe this much to yourself. To do anything less is to cheat yourself and those around you.
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. . . 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.
This reflects my beliefs but perhaps not yours so I won't press this topic.
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. . . 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.
Serve your country to give something back and improve on what you have. You can do this as either a law abiding citizen or as a public servant (servant - as in to serve the public, not lord over it).
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. . . 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.
I've included this below for your reference. These are all very good ideals, goals, and values we should all live by.
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. . . 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.
From the simple act of holding open a door for someone to serving at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen or collecting needed items for the less privledged each one of us can make a positive difference in the lives of others.
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. . . 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.
Okay, I fail miserably at this one, but don't we owe this to ourselves for improved health and longevity?
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. . . 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.
Too many of us walk through life in a numb trance while allowing others to do the thinking and decision-making for us.
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. . . 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.
I can't say it better than it's stated above.
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Scout Law
A Scout is:
•Trustworthy,
•Loyal,
•Helpful,
•Friendly,
•Courteous,
•Kind,
•Obedient,
•Cheerful,
•Thrifty,
•Brave,
•Clean,
•and Reverent.
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Discussion?

Right on Ginsue-I just kind of retired last year after 17 yrs.as a Scout Leader.
The Oath and Law have survived for 100 years and still hold true today. The BSA doesn't seem as popular today as it was when I was boy but I believe it's one of the best boy programs still today. The current Venture program is coed but it's funny a lot of the young ladies join because the GS don't offer the diverse programs the BSA does. (want some leadership fun ? do a coed camp out !!! )
I totally agree that the concepts of the Oath and Law could serve us all even as adults. Yeah it's funny too how if you were a Scout you never forget memorizing either one. My son was in for 10 years and I still see those basic beliefs in his everyday living. [Beer]

Been a bit over 18 years since I got my Eagle

And I still remember it all.

Not much else I can add to what you've said, since I agree with all of it LOL .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clublights

Been a bit over 18 years since I got my Eagle

And I still remember it all.

Not much else I can add to what you've said, since I agree with all of it LOL .

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Well done-once an Eagle always an Eagle ! [Beer]

I never got my eagle.

but I can still recite the oath and law!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elhuero

I never got my eagle.

but I can still recite the oath and law!

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It's not what it's all about just a bonus-my son never got his either [Beer]

after being an eagle scout and all these years i still remember it-and what it means
but ask this former staff sgt his general orders[Help]

Those are some great standrads to live by, and becuase one of them is To do my duty to God, Im sure no one here will argue these are also some more.

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'


If more of this country would stick to all these simple rules this would be a far better place.

Amen Jim [Alrigh]

Man that brought back memories. Started as a cup scout in 1st grade and went till I turned 18. Never got to Eagle :( only to Star. Pack 338 and Troop 554 FTW

Thanks for the memories.

Four Rivers District (Baltimore, MD). My first trip to Colorado was in 1978 when we flew from BWI to Stapleton and took the bus to Philmont. We camped at the USAF Academy, had lunch at the Flying W Ranch and visited the Kiva in La Junta. We then spent 10 days walking, camping and a bunch of other things in the mountains of NM that no city kid from the east coast ever thought possible.

Earned my Eagle in 1980.

Some of my personal ethics came from my parents. Some came from my scout leaders. The Law, Oath, and Motto often come to mind and remind me how simple doing the right thing can be.

But Ginsue, these are values, morals, things to guide a young man in life. They serve as a moral compass, as guidance for a young person dealing with some of the toughest changes of their life. They reinforce the good in people. They help to illustrate the difference between just doing things right, and doing the right thing.

Obviously, they are a threat to the elitist left. Anything that can be so thorough about encouraging selflessness, service to others, strength, moral fiber, conviction, and faith could encourage self sufficiency and for people to stand up for themselves (and others) and their beliefs.

I remember standing there and reciting them, and they are as relevant now as ever. Lots of young men these days could really use some of what we got out of that experience, I think.

Its one of the reasons why my son and I don't attend anymore.
Anyone else ever read the history of the founder of the Boy Scouts.
I'm just not cut out to be a nationalist.
I fly the Colorado Flag. Not the national one.

I remember my parents taking me to some kind of Scout recruiting deal. I just walked around a little, didn't talk to anyone and left. I really regret not doing scouts now.

Did the program. Eagle in '80. National Jambo staff in '81. Several years on summer camp staff. Sneaking into the Girl Scout camp...oh wait.

Probably the OA Vigil was my most humbling moment. Recognition from my peers means more than any achievement.

here is a pic of the front page of prints that i used to build the 100 jamboree ( scaff / rig / climber crew chief / foremen , i have the whole book still ,
http://i.imgur.com/DKY7H.jpg

I have 8 Tiger Cubs myself.
I stepped up after the last Leader got a new job that conflicted with the meeting schedules.

I personally like to keep Scouting fun but educational as well. A few of the boys dads are overseas right now and they need a male role model until dad gets home. I always make use of the hour a week to teach them something like Teamwork, Sportsmanship, safety and things to stay healthy. Things a boy should know. I have them recite the Pledge of Allegiance and The Scout Pledge etc. and incorporate community and patriotism along with doing good deeds for friends and family. The parents are all on the same plane with the beliefs I use since most if not 90% are Military families.
Wish I could focus on more outdoorsy stuff but with the limited daylight and cold weather I have to focus on things that they can do indoors.
Mainly fun activities kids like, then I spring the lesson learned on them after they do it and then there is the "Ohhhh I got it" moment when they realized they learned a value.
Im new to it but learning as I go along.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TEAMRICO

I have 8 Tiger Cubs myself.
I stepped up after the last Leader got a new job that conflicted with the meeting schedules.

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Thanks for stepping up. The impact you make will last forever.

Did they tell you the commitment was only an hour a week? [ROFL2]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cstone

Did they tell you the commitment was only an hour a week? [ROFL2]

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Classic Scout Leader joke [ROFL1]

I once agreed to take over as Scoutmaster temporarily because the previous SM had ragequit after a committee meeting. I only agreed to do it for continuity until we got a permanent SM. 2.5 years later I went to the committee and said, "I have orders to the East Coast. Seriously, you need to find someone else."

Lots of old Scouts. I think we have at least 4 former National Jamboree staffers (1989 here, MB Midway).

When I was a Scoutmaster, and I would have my talks with the boys, I would occasionally ask one to go through the points of the Scout Law and explain its relevance to THEIR life, one point at a time. I usually surprised them the first time, but they all settled down over time and understood it wasn't just words.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vim

Lots of old Scouts. I think we have at least 4 former National Jamboree staffers (1989 here, MB Midway).

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2001-Western Division Chief Range Safety Officer-Trap Range. Damn near killed me [ROFL1]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elhuero

I never got my eagle.

but I can still recite the oath and law!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Half Live

Man that brought back memories. Started as a cup scout in 1st grade and went till I turned 18. Never got to Eagle :( only to Star. Pack 338 and Troop 554 FTW

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I only made it to Star as well. I was 1 merit badge away from Life and then we moved out into the country - 12 miles from the nearest Scout troop. I made it to summer Scout Camp one last time and the fact that I didn't make it to Life kept me from becoming a "Brave" in th Heart of America Counsel "Tribe of Mic-O-Say" (I did get to Foxman though). Something I've always regretted.

Pack 110, Troop 110, founding member of Troop 336

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TEAMRICO

I have 8 Tiger Cubs myself.
I stepped up after the last Leader got a new job that conflicted with the meeting schedules.

I personally like to keep Scouting fun but educational as well. A few of the boys dads are overseas right now and they need a male role model until dad gets home. I always make use of the hour a week to teach them something like Teamwork, Sportsmanship, safety and things to stay healthy. Things a boy should know. I have them recite the Pledge of Allegiance and The Scout Pledge etc. and incorporate community and patriotism along with doing good deeds for friends and family. The parents are all on the same plane with the beliefs I use since most if not 90% are Military families.
Wish I could focus on more outdoorsy stuff but with the limited daylight and cold weather I have to focus on things that they can do indoors.
Mainly fun activities kids like, then I spring the lesson learned on them after they do it and then there is the "Ohhhh I got it" moment when they realized they learned a value.
Im new to it but learning as I go along.

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And I thank you for your efforts.

The difference you're making in these kids lives could be the one thing that keeps these keeps from becoming another AZ shooter type of individual.

I spent a fair bit of time in the scouts as a kid, a lot of good memories and lessons learned.

Thanks for stepping up, it makes a difference to the kids I am sure, it was of tremendous value to me. Still regret loosing my books and all my stuff, kept my first knife though, still carry that thing now and again.

I've also collected a lot of neat Scout memorabilia over the years,patches,hats,handbooks etc. The coolest thing I have is a 1923 Boy's Life-they were the size of a newspaper back then. [Beer]