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Celebrating 87 Years of Scouting in the City of Passaic

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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.

Do you know what the Scout Oath really means? Do you want to learn more? Read all about it here.

THE MEANING OF THE SCOUT OATH OR PROMISE

When you pledge yourself to an oath or a promise you must know the meaning of it. So read carefully the paragraphs that follow. They will help you understand.

On my honor....The men who founded our country more than 200 years ago had great faith. They believed that every human being had the God-given rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." They fought to gain those rights for all of us. They pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their "sacred honor." To them, their "sacred honor" was their loyalty to the high ideals they had set for themselves.

As a Scout and a good American, you must hold your honor sacred. When you pledge yourself to do something on your honor it means that you will do your utmost to live up to the high standards you set for yourself.

...I will do my best... Scouting does not expect you to become the perfect boy. It does expect you to strive toward the highest goals you can achieve. Not every boy has the ability to get high marks in school or to become a star athlete. But every boy has within him the power to do his best. That is what Scouting asks of you.

...To do my duty to God.... Your parents and religious leaders teach you about God, and the ways in which you can serve. By following these teachings in your daily life, you do your duty to God as a Scout.

....and my country.... As you look back into our country's history, you learn about men and women who toiled to make America great. Many of them gave their lives for it. They built it into what it is today. It is your duty to carry their work forward by working for our country's best interests. You can do this by obeying its laws. You can do this by working to solve some of its vast challenges.

....and to obey the Scout Law;....The 12 points of the Scout Law are not only rules for the game of Scouting, they are also rules that apply to your whole life. The Scout Law sets forth ideals for ways to act. In obeying the Scout Law you will find yourself growing into a gentleman and a respected citizen.

....To help other people at all times;....There are many people who need you. Your young shoulders can help them carry their burdens. A cheery smile and a helpful hand may be all that is necessary. It will serve to make life easier for someone, old or young, who needs help. By helping whenever help is needed and by doing a Good Turn daily, you prove yourself a Scout. In that way you do your part to make this a happier world.

....To keep myself physically strong.... You owe it to yourself to take care of your body. Protect it and develop it so that it will serve you well throughout your life. That does not mean building bulging muscles. It means building strength and endurance. Scouting will help you develop and keep a strong body.

....mentally awake.... You also owe it to yourself to develop your mind. Strive to increase your knowledge. Make the best possible use of your abilities. By being mentally awake you will live more completely in one day than a dull boy does in a month. With an alert attitude, you will get more out of life.

....and morally straight.... And you owe it to yourself to aim to become a man of strong character. Be thoughtful of the rights of others. Be clean in speech and actions. Be faithful in your religious beliefs. Your life as a Scout will take along the trail that leads to strong, self-reliant manhood.

There is only one oath out of the past that ranks with the Scout Oath. That was the Athenian Oath taken by the young man of Athens when became 17.

THE OATH OF THE YOUNG MAN OF ATHENS

"We will never bring disgrace on this our City, by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.

We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the City both alone and with many.

We will revere and obey the City's laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them to naught.

We will strive to increasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty.

Thus in all these ways we will transmit this City, not only not less, but greater, and more beautiful that it was transmitted to us."

Source. The Official Boy Scout Handbook. Ninth Edition. 1985. Pg. 29.

A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.

A Scout is true to his family, Scout leaders, friends, school, and nation.

A Scout is concerned about other people. He does willingly for others without pay or rewards.

A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He seeks to understand others. He respects those with ideas and customs and other than his own.

A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows good manners make it easier for people to get along together.

A Scout understands there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. He does not hurt or kill harmless things without reason.

A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobey them.

A Scout looks for the bright side of things. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.

A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for unforseen needs. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.

A Scout can face danger even if he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at or threaten him.

A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.