For over 100 years, Scouting programs have instilled in youth the values found in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Today, these values are just as relevant in helping youth grow to their full potential as they were in 1910. Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives.

Cub Scouts provides boys with programs and activities that allow them to

· Try new things

· Provide service to others

· Build self-confidence

· Reinforce ethical standards

While various activities and youth groups teach basic skills and promote teamwork, Scouting goes beyond that and encourages boys to achieve a deeper appreciation for service to others in their community.

Scouting provides youth with a sense that they are important as individuals. It is communicated to them that those in the Scouting family care about what happens to them, regardless of whether a game is won or lost.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Scouting promotes activities that lead to personal responsibility and high self-esteem. As a result, when hard decisions must be made, peer pressure can be resisted and the right choices can be selected.

Cub Scout Values

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. He does his best to live up to the Law every day. It is not always easy to do, but a Scout always tries.

A Scout is TRUSTWORTHY	A Scout tells the truth and keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
A Scout is LOYAL	A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.
A Scout is HELPFUL	A Scout volunteers to help others without expecting a reward.
A Scout is FRIENDLY	A Scout is a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from him.
A Scout is COURTEOUS	A Scout is polite to everyone and always uses good manners.
A Scout is KIND	A Scout treats others as he wants to be treated. He never harms or kills any living thing without good reason.
A Scout is OBEDIENT	A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and pack. He obeys the laws of his community and country.
A Scout is CHEERFUL	A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
A Scout is THRIFTY	A Scout works to pay his way. He uses time, property, and natural resources wisely.
A Scout is BRAVE	A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He stands for what is right even if others laugh at him.
A Scout is CLEAN	A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He helps keep his home and community clean.
A Scout is REVERENT	A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.