| The honor system in Boyscouts is one of the most important aspects taught to the boys from Webelos on up to Eagle Scouts. The mission of the Boy Scouts along with the Scout Oath and Scout law are fundamental to these teachings. All three are as follows:
"The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law."
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.
Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
As you can see, the first three words of the Scout Oath are, "On my honor...", and any member of the scouting organization should know what that means and do his best to live by those words.
It is said that only five percent of Scouts ever even make it to the rank of Eagle Scout. At least five percent is the number that the honor system in Boyscouts recognizes every year. This is the highest rank a Boy Scout may achieve.
To become an Eagle Scout, the young man must meet a number of certain criteria, including living by the honor system in Boyscouts, and then the review board will go over his accomplishments and if he has completed everything satisfactorily by the age of 18, he will be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.
The first Boy Scout ever awarded the rank of Eagle Scout was a young man named Arthur Eldred and he achieved this recognition on August 12, 1912.
Scouting's National Honor Society is The Order of the Arrow, begun in 1915, and "the purpose of the Order of the Arrow is to recognize those who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives and promote camping and responsible outdoor adventure, leadership development, and cheerful service to others."
"National awards for lifesaving and meritorious action are made by the National Court of Honor only for outstanding and unusual acts by any Scout that demonstrate unusual heroism, skill, or bravery and reflect Scouting ideals, based on the following criteria:
1. Honor Medal With Crossed Palms. Has demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at extreme risk to self. 2. Honor Medal. Has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self. 3. Heroism Award. Has demonstrated heroism and skill in averting serious injury or saving or attempting to save life at minimum risk to self. 4. Medal of Merit. Has performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. 5. National Certificate of Merit. Has performed a significant act of service that is deserving of special national recognition."
The above information regarding the National Court of Honor system in Boyscouts was taken directly from the website. |