Scouting Traditions

Promise & Law

“On my honour, I promise...”

Since the publication of Scouting for Boys in 1908, which was the start of the worldwide Scouting Movement, Scouts all over the world have taken an oath (or promise) to live up to the ideals of the movement and abide by the Scout Law. The wording of the Scout Promise and Scout Law has varied slightly over time, and from country to country. Below is the current Law and Promise applicable to Scouts Australia.

The Promise and Law vary from Section to Section, to take into account the age of the member and therefore their ability to comprehend the meaning of the Promis and Law.

Joey Scouts

The Joey Scout Law and Promise is fairly simple, due to the ages of the Joey members. It is intended to encourage a caring and sharing attitude towards others. The new Joey will make his/her promise to their Joey Scout Leader in the presence of the Joey's parents, who are also asked if they are prepared to help the new Joey live up to his/her promise.

PromiseLaw
I promise
That I will do my best
To love my god, and
Be helpful		 A Joey Scout Cares,
A Joey Scout Shares


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Cub Scouts

The Cub Scout Promise is almost the same as the Scout Promise, except for the addition of "Cub" when referring to the Law. It recognises that Cub members are old enough to understand the more detailed promise and what it means. The Cub Scout Law on the other hand is much simpler than the Scout Law, but more detailed than the Joey Law. It encourages obedience and loyalty. The new Cub will make his/her promise to the Cub Scout Leader, and whilst the members parents may be present they do not take an active part in the ceremony like the Joey ceremony.

PromiseLaw
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 Cub Scout Law		 Cub Scouts are loyal and obedient
Cub Scouts do not give in to themselves

* The promise can be made to the Queen of Australia, or just to Australia.



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Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders

Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders all take the same Promise and observe the same Scout Law. Again the Promise encourages the member to be helpful and respectful to others, to be loyal to our country, and to live by the ideals in the Scout Law. Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders make their promise to the relevant Leader, and usually with their left hand on the relevant Section flag, although this can vary from Group to Group.

PromiseLaw
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		 A Scout is trustworthy.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is helpful.
A Scout is friendly.
A Scout is cheerful.
A Scout is considerate.
A Scout is thrifty.
A Scout is courageous.
A Scout is respectful.
A Scout cares for the environment.

* The promise can be made to the Queen of Australia, or just to Australia.



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Left Handshake

The left handshake comes to us from the Ashanti warriors whom Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, knew almost 100 years ago in West Africa. He saluted them with his right hand, but the Ashanti chiefs offered their left hands and said, "In our land only the bravest of the brave shake hands with the left hand, because to do so we must drop our shields and our protection."

The Ashantis knew of Baden-Powell's bravery because they had fought against him and with him, and they were proud to offer the left hand of bravery. When you use the Scout salute and handshake, remember that they are signs of respect and courage.

The left hand is also closer to the heart...



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Scout Sign

To do the Scout sign, the middle three fingers of the right hand are raised and the thumb covering the little finger, with the upper arm held horizontally and the forearm vertically. In his book, "Scouting for Boys", Robert Baden-Powell chose the three-finger salute for Scouts to represent the three aspects of the Scout Promise:

  1. Duty to God and King (Queen);
  2. Help others;
  3. Obey the Scout Law.

The thumb over the little finger represents the strong protecting the weak. The Scout sign is used whenever pledging the Scout Promise.

Originally, Baden-Powell intended for Scouts to salute each other in greeting when they first saw each other for the first time using the "secret sign", or half-salute. This was regardless of whether the Scouts knew each other or not. Officers, such as Patrol Leaders, Scoutmasters, or members of the armed forces, were to be saluted with a full-salute.

Today the Scout Sign is only used when making the Promise.



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Scout Salute

The Scout salute is made by holding your right hand in the same position, but with your first finger pointing to your right eyebrow (and your elbow out). It is only used when in full uniform as a formal greeting or sign of respect e.g. when hoisting/breaking open the National flag.





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The various parts of the World Scout Emblem have a significance to every member of the Scouting Movement. They stand for:

  • The Encircling Rope - symbolises the unity and family of the World Scout Movement;
  • The Reef Knot - which can't be undone no matter how hard you pull, is symbollic of the strength of world Scouting's unity and family;
  • The Two Five-Pointed Stars - stand for truth and knowledge. The 10 points represent the 10 points of the original Scout Law:
    1. Honourable
    2. Loyal
    3. Helpful
    4. Friendly
    5. Courteous
    6. Kind
    7. Obedient
    8. Cheerful
    9. Thrifty
    10. Clean
  • The Three Tips (of the fluer de lys) - represent the three main parts of the Scout Promise:
    1. Duty to God and Country
    2. Help other people
    3. Keep the Scout Law

The World Scout Emblem is white on a royal purple background. In heraldry, white (or silver) represents purity, and royal purple denotes leadership and service.





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Abbreviations in Scouting

Like many other organisations, Scouting has a never ending list of abbreviations used everyday. Following is the most common abbreviations that you may encounter when dealing with a Scout Group.

Abbreviation Meaning
ACSL Assistant Cub Scout Leader
Act L (B, A or R) Activity Leader (Branch, Area or Region)
ADC Assistant District Commissioner
AGL Assistant Group Leader
AJSL Assistant Joey Scout Leader
APL Assistant Patrol Leader
ARC Assistant Region/Regional Commissioner
ASL Assistant Scout Leader
AVSL Assistant Venturer Scout Leader
BHQ Branch Headquarters
CrL Crew Leader
CSL Cub Scout Leader
DA District Association
DC District Commissioner
DCSL District Cub Scout Leader
DL District Leader
DRA District Rover Adviser
DSL District Scout Leader
DVSL District Venturer Scout Leader
GL Group Leader
GM Group Manager
JSL Joey Scout Leader
PL Patrol Leader
P&R Policy & Rules
PLA Personal Leader Adviser
RA Rover Adviser
RC Region/Regional Commissioner
SL Scout Leader
VSL Venturer Scout Leader


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