Boy Scout Promise

A central method of the scout movement is the commitment of each individual to the ideals of the movement. For this, every scout makes the scout promise. The original version was formulated by the founder of the Baden-Powell scouting movement .

Contents of the boy scout promise

Based on Baden-Powell's formulation, almost all scout associations have developed their own promise texts, which are mostly based on the three key points of the original text:

• Commitment to God,
• Commitment to fellow human beings,
• Commitment to yourself.

In non-religiously oriented associations, the obligation to God is often left out - contrary to the original intention of Baden-Powell.

Promise celebration

Promise celebration with a federal banner

After joining a scout group, there is usually a period of getting to know each other before the new member is allowed to make his scout promise. This almost always happens in a promise ceremony, also called a reception . The whole scout tribe takes part in it, less often only the group of the member. During this celebration, texts from the boy scout movement (for example Baden-Powell's farewell letter) and the boy scout law are read out and songs are sung. Then the new member makes his promise and is accepted by the group leader into the worldwide community of scouts. As a sign of this, the scarf is put on him .

The traditions of inclusion are often tribe-to-tribe specific. Often attempts are made to make them solemn in order to strengthen the meaning and appreciation of the promise and the associated symbol, the scarf. Therefore, the admission for the group is often the ceremonial highlight of a boy scout camp or even a boy scout year (“Boy Scout Christmas”).

In some associations, the boy scout lily or the scout clover leaf may only be worn as a sign of promise on the scout attire after the boy scout has been admitted. Less often, the boy scout salute may also only be used after the promise has been made .

In addition to this first boy scout promise, many scout associations know other promises when changing to another age group. Often these promises are viewed as a renewal of the original promise, but some associations also expand the content (and scope) of the promise. This method is called level or standing work.

The original promise from Robert Baden-Powell

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

• To do my duty to God and the King (or to God and my Country)
• To help other people at all times
• To obey the Scout Law.

literal translation into German:

On my honor I promise to do my best -

• To do my duty to God and the King (or to God and my country)
• To help other people at any time
• Comply with the Boy Scout Act.

Scout promises from various associations

German Scouting Association Sankt Georg (DPSG)

There are various promise texts in the DPSG . Most of the time, those to be admitted think about their promise text in conversation with their leaders.

As an example of a tribe with a firm promise:

I ... promise on my honor and to the best of my ability:

• To fulfill my duty to God and the Church,
• To help my fellow human beings at all times,
• To obey the Boy Scout Law.

Association of Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

The promise of the Boy Scouts is:

Trusting in God's help, I want to live with you according to the rules of the Boy Scouts.

The promise can also be made without a religious formula. Usually the promise formula is followed by a separate addition.

Scouts of Austria (PPÖ)

In the PPÖ , at the age of seven or eight or during the elf and wolfling period, a small promise is made to the elves and wolves as an introduction to the community. At this ceremony, the children are given the scarf.

I promise as best I can

to be a good pixie / a good wolf

and live by our law

and ask God to help me.

After a few months with the guides and scouts (aged 10 to 11), the real boy scout promise is made.

I promise on my honor

that I want to do my best

To serve God and my country

to help my fellow human beings

and live by our law.

Austrian Scouts Guild (PGÖ)

In the spirit of global scouting that unites peoples, we promise to work for the fulfillment of these laws at all times.

Scout Movement Switzerland

I promise to do my best to

• to deal with the law of the scouts over and over again,
• to search for the meaning and purpose of my life,
• to engage in every community I live in.

Trusting in God (and / or) together with all of you, I try to live by this promise.

Association of Christian Boy Scouts

After a period of getting to know each other, the individual makes a promise. The promise could be:

"Trusting in God's help I want to be a Christian scout and living with you according to our rules." ("Trusting in God's help" can be omitted.)

Since this formulation is only a suggestion, the subordinate structures (mostly the tribes) themselves decide on the promises in the VCP. Accordingly, there are different formulations.

German Boy Scout Association

In the DPB you make several promises (6 in total) in your scout life, adapted to the maturity of the person.

Newcomer promise (approx. 7 years):

I promise to keep good companionship, learn and obey the law.

Wölflings promise (approx. 8 years):

I promise to do my best to do my best and do a good deed each day.

Young pathfinder / young wolf (approx. 11 years):

I promise to do my best as a Boy Scout,

to obey the Boy Scout laws

and to help my fellow human beings at any time.

Guild girl / squire promise (approx. 14 years):

I promise on my honor

to fulfill my duty to God and my country,

to follow the Boy Scout Law,

and to help my fellow human beings at any time.

The knight's vow is taken from the Meissner formula .

I vow to lead my life out of my own determination, before my own responsibility and with inner truthfulness.

German Boy Scout Association Mosaic

In the DPB Mosaic 2 promises are given. The first in the pack at the age of approx. 9, the so-called Wöfling promise:

I promise to do my best, trusting in God ,

to be a good friend (optionally a good friend)

and to live with you according to the Wölflings rules .

After a reasonable period of belonging to the clan , the boy scout promise is made:

I promise to do my best, trusting in God

to help all people at any time

and live by the Boy Scout rules.

The promises can be made with or without a religious formula.

Royal Rangers

At the Royal Rangers , the promise is made together at the end of each regular meeting. It is said:

With God's help I want to do my best to serve God, my community and my fellow human beings, to keep the Royal Ranger Rules and to make the Golden Rule my daily motto!

Since this is the joint conclusion and an important element of a regular meeting, every ranger has to recite the Royal Ranger promise by heart during his entrance exam, which he takes personally with the chief executive.

AP scouts

On my honor I promise:

• to fulfill my duty to God and the fatherland,
• to serve my fellow men
• and obey the AP Scout Law .

Association of German Scouts

The Wölflings promise used to be:

I promise,

to do my best to God and my parents,

to obey the wolfling law

and to make someone happy every day.

The Boy Scout Promise used to be:

I promise on my honor

that I want to do my best

To serve God and the country,

to help all people at any time,

to obey the Boy Scout Law.

From the Federal Order of the Federation of German Scouts, decided on the Federal Thing in 1952 at Ludwigstein Castle .

Boy Scout Association Globetrotters

In the Boy Scout Association Globetrotters, a promise is made at each level that the scarf will be awarded. The first at the age of approx. 4 years, then at around 7 years of age, the Wölfling promise. Boy Scout and Rover promises follow later. An employee, i.e. an adult, makes the same promise as a step leader, but wears a blue / white scarf.

The beaver promise:

I want to be a good beaver and respect our laws.

The Wölflings Promise:

I want to be a good wolf and respect our laws.

The boy scout promise at PbW is:

I promise on my honor

To serve God and my country,

to obey the Boy Scout Laws

and doing a good deed every day.

The rover promise:

I promise on my honor

to live my scouting ideals

to serve society and our covenant

and do my best.

The team / leader promise:

I renew with trust in God

my promise and vow

on my honor as a boy scout

not to put our community at risk,

to dutifully fulfill my tasks,

responsibility for all my comrades

and to carry comrades along,

to protect nature

and to ensure the continued existence of our covenant.

I ask all girl and boy scouts

me in fulfilling my duties

to assist with the best of my ability.

Web links

Commons : Boy Scout Promise  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ DPSG St. Mariae Rosenkranz ( Memento of the original from February 18, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed on January 28th 
2. ↑ Federal regulations of the Federation of Scouts and Boy Scouts  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed January 28, 2007  
3. ↑ ^{a b} Association Regulations of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Austria
4. ↑ Step profiles ( Memento of the original from September 27, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed on January 28th 
5. ↑ Federal regulations of the Association of Christian Scouts and Boy Scouts ( Memento of the original from August 25, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed on January 28th 
6. ^ ^{A b} Federal Constitution of the German Scout Association Mosaic, Part 3, Federal Regulation
7. ↑ Federal regulations of the Scout Association Globetrotters: Archived copy ( memento of the original from October 7, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 

Web links

• The Boy Scout Promise