Policy, Organisation and Rules

1.1 Our purpose is to actively engage and support young people in their personal development, empowering them to make a positive contribution to society.  

1.2 As Scouts, we’re 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.
• Co-operation: We make a positive difference; we co-operate with others and make friends.

1.3 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.

1. A Scout is to be trusted.
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout is friendly and considerate.
4. A Scout belongs to the world-wide family of Scouts.
5. A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
6. A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
7. 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.

Cub Scouts always do their best,
think of others before themselves
and do a good turn every day.

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love God.

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.

I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love God.

There is no formal Squirrel Scout Law. The concepts expressed in the Scout Law are to be presented to Squirrel Scouts through games, storytelling and other informal activities.

1.12.1.1 Scouting 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 some other form of wording is required for a member of a particular faith or religion advice should be sought from UK Headquarters.

1.12.1.8 Similarly it is accepted that persons resident in countries other than the United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and Gibraltar who may become members of The Scout Association owe allegiance to their own country.

To meet these circumstances the phrase 'duty to The King' should be replaced by the phrase 'duty to the country in which I am now living'.

1.12.1.9 In the case of young people the decision as to which permitted form of wording should be used rests with them, however in the younger sections parents should be aware of the Promise chosen before the investiture ceremony.

1.12.1.10 In the case of adults the decision as to which permitted form of wording should be used rests entirely with the adult concerned.