Character development should extend into every aspect of a Scout's life. Character development should also extend into every aspect of Cub Scouting. Cub Scout leaders should strive to use the 12 points of the Scout Law throughout all elements of the program—service projects, ceremonies, games, skits, songs, crafts, and all the other activities enjoyed at den and pack meetings.
As a Cub Scout, you do your best and you help others. You learn the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. You also learn what they mean.
THE SCOUT OATH
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.
What the Scout Oath means:
Before Cub Scouts agree to the Scout Oath or Promise, they need to know what it means.
On my honor I will do my best … Saying “On my honor” is like saying “I promise.” It means that you will do your best to do what the Scout Oath says.
The Scout Oath has three promises. Let’s look at what they mean.
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law … A duty is something you are expected to do. At home, you might be expected to make up your bed or take out the trash. You also have duties to God and to your country. You do your duty to God by following the teachings of your family and religious leaders. You do your duty to your country by being a good citizen and obeying the law. You also promise to live by the 12 points of the Scout Law.
To help other people at all times … Many people need help. A friendly smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By helping other people, you are doing a Good Turn and making our world a better place.
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight … The last part of the Scout Oath is about taking care of yourself. You stay physically strong when you eat the right foods and get plenty of exercise. You stay mentally awake when you work hard in school, learn all you can, and ask questions. You stay morally straight when you do the right thing and live your life with honesty.
THE SCOUT LAW
A SCOUT IS: TRUSTWORTHY, LOYAL, HELPFUL, FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS, KIND, OBEDIENT, CHEERFUL, THRIFTY, BRAVE, CLEAN, AND REVERENT.
What the Scout Law means:
The Scout Law has 12 points. Each is a goal for every Scout to do their best to live up to the Law every day. It is not always easy to do, but a Scout always tries.
Trustworthy –
A Scout tells the truth and keeps their promises. People can depend on them.
Loyal –
A Scout is true to their family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
Helpful –
A Scout volunteers to help others without expecting a reward.
Friendly –
A Scout is a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from them.
Courteous –
A Scout is polite to everyone and always uses good manners.
Kind –
A Scout treats others as they want to be treated. They never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.
Obedient –
A Scout follows the rules of their family, school, and pack. They obey the laws of their community and country.
Cheerful –
A Scout looks for the bright side of life. They cheerfully does tasks that come their way. They try to make others happy.
Thrifty –
A Scout works to pay their way. They use time, property, and natural resources wisely.
Brave –
A Scout can face danger even
if they are afraid. They stands for what is right even if others laugh at them.
Clean –
A Scout keeps their body and mind fit. They helps keep their home and community
clean.
Reverent –
A Scout is reverent toward
God. They are faithful in their religious duties. They respect the beliefs of others.
CHARACTER COMPASS
Character can be defined
as the collection of core values by an individual that leads to moral
commitment and action.
Character development
should challenge Cub Scouts to experience core values in six general areas:
God, world, country, community, family, and self.
Character is "values
in action."
The goals of the Cub Scout
leader are:
◾to seek out and maximize the many opportunities to
incorporate character development.
◾to help the young Cub Scout understand that character
is important to the individual, to his family, community, country, world, and
God.
Character development
should not be viewed as something done occasionally as part of a separate
program, or as part of only one area of life. For in reality, character
development is a part of everything a Cub Scout does. Character development
lessons can be found in every aspect of the Cub Scouting experience.
As Cub Scouts work on the
adventures in their handbooks, they will notice the Character Compass symbol.
A compass is a tool that
guides a person from place to place. Character is how we act, and it guides our
entire lives. This compass will be a guide to one or more of the 12 points of
the Scout Law.
Every time Cub Scouts
check the compass, it will remind them of how the activities in each adventure
are related to the Scout Law. This may also help them think about how the points
of the Scout Law guide their way in Cub Scouting and in daily life. Those
points are all different, and each one is a treasure for Scouts to find.