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Scout Promise




Since the publication of '' Scouting For Boys '' in 1908, all Scouts and Guides around the world have taken a Scout (or Guide) promise or oath to live up to ideals of the movement, and subscribed to a Scout Law . The wording of the Scout Promise (or Oath) and Scout Law have varied slightly over time and from country to country. Some national organization promises are given below. Although most Scouting and Guiding organizations use the word 'promise', a few such as the Boy Scouts Of America tend to use 'oath' instead. Typically, Scouts and Guides will make the Three-fingered Scout Sign when reciting the promise.


ORIGINAL 1908 TEXT

In his original book on boy scouting, General Baden Powell introduced the scout promise, as follows 1 :




WORLD ORGANIZATION OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT REQUIREMENTS




In order to accommodate many different religions within Scouting, "God" may refer to a higher power, and is not specifically restricted to the God of the monotheistic religions. The WOSM Constitution explains "Duty to God" as "Adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom."


Alternative Promises


The Israeli Scouts though founded in 1919/1920 and joining WOSM in 1951 and WAGGGS in 1963 also have no 'duty to God' or apparent equivalent in their promise.


NON-WOSM SCOUTING



NATIONAL SCOUT/GUIDE ORGANIZATION PROMISES

Many of these are translations from the native languages of a particular organization and translations of the same words by different people can vary.


Australia


Scouts Australia

On my honour

I promise that I will do my best

To do my duty to my God, and

To (the Queen of) Australia

To help other people, and

To live by the Scout Law

  • The reference to the Queen can be omitted in some cases



Guides Australia

I promise that I will do my best:

to do my duty to God, to serve the Queen and my country;

to help other people; and

to keep the Guide Law.


Austria


Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs

I promise on my honour

To do my best

To serve God and my country

To help my fellow people

And to live according our Law.

''Ich verspreche bei meiner Ehre,''

''dass ich mein Bestens tun will,''

''Gott und meinem Vaterland zu dienen,''

''meinen Mitmenschen zu helfen''

''und nach unseren Gesetzen zu leben''


Bangladesh


Bangladesh Scouts

On my honour I promise that, I will do my best to do my duty

- To God and my country,

- To help other people at all times and

- To obey the Scout law.



Belgium


FOS Open Scouting

I promise, on my honour, to try:

To be loyal to a higher ideal, our group and democracy

To obey the guides/scouts law

To help where possible


Europascouts en Gidsen - België

I promise, on my word of honour,

With Gods mercy and to best capacity,

To serve God, Church, King, country and Europe,

To help my fellow man in all circumstances,

To obey the scouts law.


Brazil


União dos Escoteiros do Brasil

''Prometo pela minha honrar
''
''Fazer o melhor possivel para cumprir os meus deveres
''
''Para com Deus e minha Pátria
''
''Ajudar ao próximo em toda e qualquer ocasião
''
''E obedecer as leis escoteiras
''

I promise, on my honour

To make the best I can do my duty to

My God and my country,

Help the other in any opportunity,

And, live by the Scout Law.



Federação de Bandeirantes do Brasil

I promise, under my word of honour, to do my best to:

Be loyal to God and my country,

Help other at any occasion and

Obey the Guiding Law.



Canada


Scouts Canada

On my honour,

I promise that I will do my best,

To do my Duty to God and the Queen,

To help other people at all times,

And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law


Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada

I promise to do my best,

  • and Canada;

  • I will help others,

And accept the Guiding Law.

  • Choose either the word God or the word faith according to your personal convictions.



Chile


Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Chile

Por mi honor prometo

hacer todo cuanto de mí dependa

para cumplir mis deberes con dios y la patria,

ayudar al prójimo en toda circunstancia

y vivir fielmente la ley scout.

I promise on my honour

To do all that I can to do my duty to God and my country,

To help others at all times

And to obey the Scout Law


Colombia


Asociación de Guías Scouts de Colombia

Con las gracias de Dios, yo ... prometo por mi honor, hacer todo cuanto de mi dependa para cumplir mis deberes para con Dios, mi Patria y mi Familia, ser útil al prójimo en todas las circunstancias y obedecer la Ley Guía.


Costa Rica


Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica

Por mi honor y con la ayuda de Dios,

prometo hacer todo lo posible por cumplir mis deberes para con Dios y la patria,

ayudar al projimo en toda circunstancia,

y cumplir fielmente la Ley Guía y Scout.


By my honour and with God's help,

I promise to do everything possible to obey all my obligations with God and my nation,

help my neighbour in all circumstances,

and loyally obey the Law of Scouts and Guides.


Czech Republic


Junák - svaz skautů a skautek ČR

Slibuji na svou čest, jak dovedu nejlépe:

sloužit nejvyšší Pravdě a Lásce věrně v každé době,

plnit povinnosti vlastní a zachovávat zákony skautské,

duší i tělem být připraven pomáhat vlastni i bližním.

(K tomu mi dopomáhej Bůh!)


On my honor I promise that I will do my best:

to serve the highest Truth and Love faithfully at all times,

to fulfill my own duties and to observe the Scout/Guide laws,

to be prepared to help my country and my neighbors with all my soul and body.

(May God help me so!)


  • The reference to God is optional in the Czech Republic. See introduction above for explanation. {Link without Title}



Finland


Suomen Partiolaiset

I will love my God and my neighbour,

my native country and mankind

by fulfilling the Guide and Scout ideals in my life.


Germany

Due to the huge number of different Scout associations in Germany, there is no common Scout Promise in Germany. For details on the individual promises, see also Scouting In Germany .


Greece


Scouts of Greece

On my honour, I promise

To do my duty to God and the country,

To help every person in every circumstance,

And, to obey the Scout Law.


Hong Kong


The Scout Association of Hong Kong

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best

to do my duty to God and to my Country

to help other people

and to keep the Scout Law


Hong Kong Girl Guides Association

I promise to do my best

  • , and my country,

  • to help others, and

to keep the Guide Law

  • choose either the word God or the word faith according to her personal convictions



Hungary


Magyar Cserkészszövetség

I, … promise that I’ll do my duties

to God, my Country and my fellow people loyally.

I’ll do my best to help others.

I know the Scout Law and keep it always.


Iceland


Bandalag íslenskra skáta

On my honour I will do my best:

To do my duty to god and my country

To help others, and

To obey the Scout Law.


India


The Bharat Scouts and Guides

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best

  • and my country,

  • to help other people and to obey the Scout/Guide Law


  • The word " Dharma " may be substituted for the word "God" if so desired.



Indonesia


Gerakan Pramuka

On My Honour , I promise to
  • Fulfill my obligation to the God , to the Republic of Indonesia, and to obey Pancasila

  • Help Other people and get involved in build the community

  • Obey The Scout Law.



Ireland


Gasóga Na HÉireann/Scouting Ireland

(The promise can be taken through English or Irish , the Irish version is not a direct transaltion, for reasons of flow.)

Scouts (11 to 15 years) & Sea Scouts (11 to 17 years)
:On my honour I promise that I will do my best,

  • ,

  • ---,

  • :To help other people and to live by the Scout Law.


Beaver Scouts (6 to 8 years) have a much simplified version of the promise:
:I promise to do my best;

:To be a good Beaver Scout,

:To love God, and to love one another.

Cub Scouts/Macaoimh (8 to 10 years) do not as yet have an official variation.

Venture Scouts (16 to 21 years):
:On my honour I promise that I will do my best,

  • ,

  • :To develop my talents,

  • ---,

  • :To help other people and to live by the Scout Law.


Scouters
:On my honour I promise that I will do my best,

  • ,

  • ---,

  • :To help other people and to live by the Scout Law,

:And by thought, word and deed, to be a positive influence to young people in Scouting.

  • The reference to God, in the S.I promises, can be replaced by

  • :To further my understanding and acceptance of a Spiritual Reality,




Israel


Hitachdut Hatsofim Ve Hatsofot Be Israel

I promise to do my best
to fulfill my duties to my people,
my country
and my land,
to help others at all times
and to obey the Scout
Law.


Italy


Associazione Guide e Scout Cattolici Italiani

Con l’aiuto di Dio, prometto sul mio onore di fare del mio meglio:

- per compiere il mio dovere verso Dio e verso il mio Paese,

- per aiutare gli altri in ogni circostanza,

- per osservare la Legge scout.



With God's help, I promise on my honour to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country

To help others in every circumstance

And to observe the Scout Law.


Corpo Nazionale Giovani Esploratori Italiani

Prometto sul mio onore di fare del mio meglio per:

- compiere il mio dovere verso Dio, la Patria, la famiglia;

- agire sempre con disinteresse e lealtà;

- osservare la Legge scout.



I promise on my honour to do my best

To do my duty to God, country and family

To always act with unselfishness and loyalty

And to observe the Scout Law.


Japan


Scout Association of Japan

I swear on my honor to uphold the following three practices:

1. To act in good faith towards God (Buddha) and my country, and uphold the {Link without Title} law.

2. To always help other people.

3. To strengthen my body, to make sound my mind, and to cultivate virtue.


Girl Scouts of Japan

I promise to:



  • Be responsible for my community,

My country and the world;

Try to be helpful to other people;

and

Live by the Girl Scout Law.

  • God (Buddha) in Japanese is Kami (Hotoke)



Malaysia


Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia

Bahawa dengan sesungguhnya saya berjanji dan bersetia, yang saya dengan seberapa daya upaya, akan:
#taat kepada Tuhan, Raja dan Negara
#menolong orang pada setiap masa
#menurut undang-undang pengakap

(translated from Malay):

On my honour I promise that I will do my best,
#to do my duty to God, King and country
#to help others at all times
#to obey the scout laws


Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia

(translated from Malay):

On my honour I promise that I will do my best

#to God, King, and my Country Malaysia

#to help people at all times

#and to obey the guide laws.


The Netherlands


Scouting Nederland

I promise to do my best (with the help of God) to be a good Scout,

to help everybody whenever I can

and to follow the Scout Law.

You can count on me.

  • The reference to God is optional in The Netherlands. See introduction above for explanation. {Link without Title}



New Zealand


Scouting New Zealand

On my honour,

I promise to do my best,

To do my duty to my God,

To the Queen and my Country,

To help other people,

And to live by the Scout Law.


Guides New Zealand

I promise, with the help of my God,

to be true to myself,

to do my best to help my country,

and to live by the Guide Law


Norway


Norges Speiderforbund

Jeg lover etter beste evne å være åpen for Gud,

hjelpe andre og leve etter speiderloven.

English Translation: I promise to do my best to be open for God,

help others and live according to the Scout Law.

Aleternatively:

Jeg lover etter beste evne å tjene Gud,

hjelpe andre og leve etter speiderloven.

English Translation: I promise to do my best to serve God,

help others and live according to the Scout Law.


Portugal


Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal

On my honor I promise to do my best

to fulfill my duties to my faith and my country,

to help my fellow man in all circumstances,

and to live according to the Scout Law.


Poland


Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego

I promise that I will do my best

to to serve God and Poland

to help other people

be faithful to the Scouts Law.


Singapore


Singapore Scout Association

On My honour, I promise that I will do my best;

To do my duty to God, and to the Republic of Singapore,

To help other people;

And to keep the Scout Law.


Girl Guides Singapore

I promise to do my best,

To do my duty to God,

To serve my country

and help other people,

and to keep the Guide Law


South Africa


South African Scout Association

On my honour, I promise that I will do my best -

To do my duty to God, and my Country;

To help other people at all times;

To obey the Scout Law.


Girl Guide Association of South Africa

I promise to do my best

To do my duty to my God

And to my country

To help other people

And to keep the Guide Law


Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka Scout Association

On my honour, I promise to do my best,

to do my duty to my religion and country,

to help other people at all times

and to obey the Scout Law.


Switzerland


Swiss Guide and Scout Movement

With your help and happily I Promise to do my best:

or

With the help of God, with your help and happily I promise to do my best:

  • To study in detail the values of our Scout Law

  • To search for the meaning of my life

  • To be involved in the community where I live



Taiwan (Republic of China)


Scouts of China

I wish to join Boy Scouts of China, and on my honor,

I promise that I will obey the Scout Law,

and all my life I will do my best.

To do my duty to God, be friendly to the people and

become a righteous Chinese citizen.

To help others and serve the public at all times.

To strive to make myself rich in knowledge, perfect

in character, and healthy in physical constitution.


Thailand


The National Scout Organization of Thailand

On my honour I promise

that I will be loyal to the Nation,

the Religion and the King;

help other people at all times;

and obey the Scout Law.


Turkey


Türkiye İzcilik Federasyonu

On my honour, I will promise,

To do duties to God and my country,

To help others at all time

To obey the scouting laws,

To be physically strong, mentally awake and morally strong.


Uganda


The Uganda Scouts Association

On My honour, I promise that I will do my best;

To do my duty to God, and my Country,

To help other people at all times;

To obey the Scout Law.


United Kingdom


The Scout Association

The promise as made by all members of The Scout Association over the age of 10 years is as follows:
: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.

Beaver Scouts (6 to 8 years) have a much simplified version of the promise:
:I promise to do my best,

:To be kind and helpful,

:and to love God.

Cub Scouts (8 to 10 years) use a version which is quite close to the standard:
: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.

  • Variations to the wording are allowed to take into account the different religious obligations of its Members according to Rule 1.1: {Link without Title}



United States of America


Boy Scouts of America

On my honor, I will do my best

To do my duty
To God and my country

And to obey the Scout Law ;

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.


Girl Scouts of the USA

On my honor, I will try:

  • and my country,

  • To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.


Cub Scouts

I promise

to DO MY BEST

To do my DUTY to GOD

And my Country

To HELP other people, and

To OBEY the LAW of the Pack.

  • The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.



SEE ALSO





REFERENCES