Scout Resources & Fun Facts

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.

Scouting Websites

Scout Law

The Scout Law has 12 points. Each is a goal for every Scout. A Scout tries to live up to the Law every day. It is not always easy to do, but a Scout always tries.

A Scout is:

TRUSTWORTHY. Tell the truth and keep promises. People can depend on you.

LOYAL. Show that you care about your family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and country.

HELPFUL. Volunteer to help others without expecting a reward.

FRIENDLY. Be a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you.

COURTEOUS. Be polite to everyone and always use good manners.

KIND. Treat others as you want to be treated . Never harm or kill any living thing without good reason.

OBEDIENT. Follow the rules of your family, school, and pack. Obey the laws of your community and country.

CHEERFUL. Look for the bright side of life. Cheerfully do tasks that come your way. Try to help others be happy.

THRIFTY. Work to pay your own way. Try not to be wasteful. Use time, food, supplies, and natural resources wisely.

BRAVE. Face difficult situations even when you feel afraid. Do what you think is right despite what others might be doing or saying.

CLEAN. Keep your body and mind fit . Help keep your home and community clean.

REVERENT. Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the beliefs of others.

One Hundred Scouts

Of any one hundred boys who become Scouts, usually, thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this could be regarded as a failure, but in later life, all of these will remember that they had been Scouts and will speak well of the program.

Of the one hundred, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge. Twelve of the one hundred will be from families that belong to no church. Through Scouting, these twelve and many of their families will be brought into contact with a church and will continue to be active all their lives. Six of the one hundred will become pastors.

Each of the one hundred will learn something from Scouting. Almost all will develop hobbies that will add interest throughout the rest of their lives. Approximately one-half will serve in the military, and in varying degrees, profit from their Scout training. At least one will use it to save another person’s life and many will credit it with saving their own.

Four of the one hundred will reach Eagle rank, and at least one will later say that he valued his Eagle above his college degree. Many will find their future vocation through merit badge work and Scouting contacts. Seventeen of the one hundred boys will later become Scout leaders and will give leadership to thousands of additional boys.

Only one in four boys in America will become a Scout, but it is interesting to know that of the leaders in this nation in business, religion, and politics, three out of four were Scouts.

Scout Statistics

Scouting’s alumni record is impressive. A recent nation-wide survey of high schools revealed the following information:

85% of student council presidents were Scouts
89% of senior class presidents were Scouts
80% of junior class presidents were Scouts
75% of school publication editors were Scouts
71% of football captains were Scouts

Scouts also account for:

85% of FBI agents
72% of Rhodes Scholars
70% of Annapolis graduates
68% of West Point graduates
64% of Air Force Academy graduates
26 of 29

26 of the first 29 astronauts

Other interesting Statistics:

  • 104 million The number of members since 1910.
  • 1,209,077 The number of adults providing the Scouting program to America’s youth.
  • 124,660 The number of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews.
  • 40,029 The number of Eagle Scout badges earned.
  • 240 The number of individuals who earned a heroism award.
  • 1,363,795 The number of subscribers who learned to read or improved their reading skills with Boys’ Life magazine.
  • 136 The number of chartered organizations the BSA worked with during the year.
  • 75,000+ The number of religious emblems earned.