Our Scout Programs provide our Scouts opportunities to enhanced good character by using, as guidance, a Scout Promise, Scout Code, and Scout Spirit. We believe character counts and when combined with effort and a positive attitude, our Scouts are truly giving their best. We also believe this contributes to our Scouts living and leading their lives in a meaningful way. The Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA do not require our Scouts to swear an oath, but asks each to make a promise. North Star Scout Promise (11 to 18 year old Scouts) We are united in our common interests and by bond in our hopes and dreams. I am unique, responsible for my life physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. I will live a life of purpose and by the Scout Code. I value family, friends, community, and will honor my country. These are not just nice-sounding words. We chose these words after long contemplation about who our Scouts are and what inspires them. Our Scouts start out saying “we”, and then change to “I”. Our Scouts speak as a community united, and then each Scout takes ownership of their promise. We… Our Scout Promise begins with “We are united…” This allows our Scouts to develop a sense of belonging and appreciate they are a part of a team. Our Scouts are truly a part of something larger than themselves. They are individuals who want to achieve their goals while living by our Scout Code, Scout Promise, and Scout Spirit. Together, they are a force for good, recognizable everywhere, not only by their uniforms, but also by their enthusiasm. I… Our Scouts then switch to “I”. Such as, “I am unique…” This allows our Scouts to develop ownership in their words. Our Scouts are individuals and at the center of our programs is an appreciation of each of our Scout’s thoughts, feelings, goals, talents, and choices. We honor the choices of our Scouts. Our Scouts choose, organize, and lead their own meetings, programs, and activities. They decide which activities to participate in. They vote, each vote is counted, and then decide what to do via consensus, meaning they discuss the issue until all agree. We respect our Scouts as talented, intelligent, caring individuals. Because we trust them, they earn our trust everyday. We are united … We are united as a nation, as a Scout Movement, as Scout Programs, and as individuals. Our Scouts choose to come together to do something very special: they are individuals who choose to make their dreams come true while living lives of purpose dedicated to the greater good. They share their hopes and dreams and share an aspiration to achieve them through the Scout Movement. This is a very important promise and bond. Our Scouts could have chosen to take the path of least resistance and embrace the stereotype that cheaters get ahead. Instead, they inject their passion for and faith in a better world into all they do. They are united in a cause greater than themselves – that the world can be changed with the smallest action. In every action our Scouts take and in everything they do, they give to the best of their ability. Our Scouts are inspirations to both youth and adults everywhere. In our common interests… Our Scouts have much in common. They are youth who want to achieve their goals while adhering to the Scout Promise, Scout Code, Scout Motto, and Scout Spirit. From the first time they vote on activities, our Scouts discover they have much in common. Two Scouts who vote to play baseball may discover they both want to play professionally when they grow up. A Scout who votes to go to a Natural History Museum and a Scout who votes to go to the Planetarium will find they have plenty in common. Our Scouts develop friendships easily, and we even devote a portion of each meeting to games which help our Scouts develop friendships with each other. By bond in our hopes … We Scouts have hopes for their families, families, communities, and the larger world. Through projects of service to the greater community, our Scouts can make their hopes for a better world come true. Our Scouts are always recognized in the community – because of their uniforms, but also because of their enthusiasm. and dreams… Our Scouts have many dreams for their life. They want to become doctors, paleontologists, fire personnel, and astronauts. There is no limit to what our Scouts can do. As our Scouts grow, we provide opportunities for our Scouts to meet professionals in the field they want to pursue. We support our Scouts in their quest to discover their dreams and make them a reality. I am unique… While we are united, each is an individual who must speak for him or herself. We are like snowflakes; no two of us are alike. Our Scouts recognize they are each a unique individual with very special gifts. When our Scouts say, “I am unique…” they know there will never be another copy of them ever in the world. Whatever their individual gifts and imperfections, each is an irreplaceable piece of the puzzle. Each of our Scouts knows that without them, there would be a hole in their friendships, families, communities, and in our Scout Programs. Every one of our Scouts is uniquely amazing. Responsible physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually… Our Scouts see they are responsible for their own choices.. They can make choices with long-term positive affects on their physical, mental, and emotional development. When friends are ordering burgers and fries at the local fast food restaurant, it can be tough to order the salad. It can also be difficult to get to sleep on time when TV seems far more interesting. And it can seem downright embarrassing to seek out a parent or school counselor when feeling bad. But our Scouts know nothing worth doing ever came easy. They choose the more challenging path of taking care of themselves in the present so 20 years in the future, they can still be running along the path of life. Our Scouts are also responsible for themselves spiritually. We enable our Scouts to develop a spiritual approach to life. We encourage our Scouts to stop and smell the wildflowers and understand they are a part of a larger whole. We encourage our Scouts to make positive decisions to develop physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. I will live a life of purpose… Most people live life as it comes at them, with virtually no time to plan or think ahead. Our Scouts choose to live a life of purpose instead. A life of purpose takes planning and forethought. Our Scouts know where they want to go, and they get there by pursuing their passions while participating in activities of service to the greater community. We enable our Scouts to increase their knowledge of their faith or worldview, and also increase purpose in their lives by practicing their chosen faith or ethics. We encourage our Scouts to stop and smell the wildflowers! Though a spiritual approach to life can mean many different things to different people, we encourage all our Scouts to take time to reflect and appreciate their lives and the wonder of nature. Our Scouts realize helping others helps them. I value my family… Our Scouts value strong friendships and great relationships. We help develop promote strong families and strengthen family values by providing ways our North Star Scouts can participate with multiple generations of their family and extended family members. Whether they are building soapbox derby cars with Grandpa or creating a website with Mom, our Scouts value and appreciate time spent with family. Great lessons and love can be shared when multiple generations and extended family members can spend quality time interacting in activities that are FUN for all. Friends… Our Scouts value their friends, and our Scout Programs encourage the development of friendship between our Scouts. We also encourage the development of the skills of fostering friendship because throughout their life friends will be important. In fact, we devote a part of our meetings to games which help our Scouts develop friendships. Our North Star Scouts are at a time in their lives when their character as a friend may be tested. The desire to be a good friend and do the right thing, and the desire to get something easily for themselves could clash. We encourage our Scouts to be the best friend they can be. Community… Our North Star Scouts are a part of several different communities: their families, friendship groups, their neighborhood, city, nation, and as members of our Scout Programs. We help our Scouts recognize they are part of a whole by participating in activities in service to the greater community, such as helping the homeless. We encourage our North Star Scouts to step into their communities and begin forging ties and giving to others. Because of their uniforms, but most of all because of their enthusiasm, our Scouts are always recognized in the community as a force for good. And will honor my country… Our North Star Scouts honor their country by placing a high value on their contribution as citizens and as part of an extended community. The term "will" is included to impart a disposition to act with intention and determination. Our Scouts participate in the democratic process by voting to choose their own activities. We encourage our Scouts to value public service. Where appropriate, our Scouts volunteer at the polls. At the root of love of country are good will and free minds, and our Scouts use the values of democracy they develop to honor their country. Our Scouts truly can change the world. Our North Star Scouts give their best in everything they do, and they prove every word of the Scout Promise by the way they live and lead their lives. The Scout Promise gives them a code that will always be with them: a compass to a larger, more meaningful life.
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