Mission, Aims & Principles

Mission:

To contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities through the application of our Principles and Practices.

Aims:

Scouting works toward three aims. One is growth in moral strength and character. Character can be defined as the collection of core values by an individual that leads to moral commitment and action, and encompasses a youth’s personal qualities, values, and outlook.

A second aim is participating citizenship. Used broadly, citizenship means the youth’s relationship to others. He comes to learn of his obligations to other people, to the society he lives in, and to the government that presides over that society.

A third aim of Scouting is development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Fitness includes the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

Principles:

Scouting is based on three broad principles which represent its fundamental beliefs.

Duty to God: This is defined as: “adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expressesthem and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom.”

Duty to Others: This is defined as: “Loyalty to one’s country in harmony with the promotion of local, national and international peace, understanding and cooperation”, and “Participation in the development of society, with recognition and respect for the dignity of one’s fellow-being and for the integrity of the natural world.”

Duty to Self: This is defined as: “Responsibility for the development of oneself.” This is in harmony with the educational purpose of the Scout Movement whose aim is to assist young people in the full development of their potentials.

Practices and Methods:

A system of progressive self-education which includes:

  • Commitment to the values in a Promise and a Law.
  • Learning by doing.
  • Membership in small groups.
  • Progressive and stimulating contemporary programs.
  • Commitment to the values of doing one’s best, contributing to the community, respecting and caring for others, contributing as a family member.
  • Use of outdoor activities as a key learning resource.

Promise and Law:

The Scout Promise
I promise that I will do my Best,
To do my duty to God,
And to my country,
To help other people,
And to keep the Scout Law

The Scout Law
A Scout is to be Trusted
A Scout is Loyal
A Scout is Friendly and Considerate
A Scout is a Brother to all Scouts
A Scout has Courage in all difficulties
A Scout makes good use of his time and is careful of possessions and property
A Scout has Respect for himself and others