Information for New Scouts

Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Demonstrate and Understand the Following:

	Sign -The Scout sign shows you are a Scout. Give it each time you recite the Scout Oath and Law. When a Scout or Scouter raises the Scout sign, all Scouts should make the sign, too, and come to silent attention. To give the Scout sign, cover the nail of the little finger of your right hand with your right thumb, then raise your right arm bent in a 90-degree angle, and hold the three middle fingers of your hand upward. Those fingers stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath. Your thumb and little finger touch to represent the bond that unites Scouts throughout the world.
	Salute -The Scout salute shows respect. Use it to salute the flag of the United States of America. You may also salute a Scout leader or another Scout. Give the Scout salute by forming the Scout sign with your right hand and then bringing that hand upward until your forefinger touches the brim of your hat or the arch of your right eyebrow. The palm of your hand should not show.
	Handshake -The Scout handshake is made with the hand nearest the heart and is offered as a token of friendship. Extend your left hand to another Scout and firmly grasp his left hand. The fingers do not interlock.

Show how to tie a square knot

Hold one rope end in each hand. Tie an overhand knot by putting the right end over and under the left rope. Tie a second overhand knot, but this time put the left end over and under the right rope. “Right over left and under, left over right and under.”

Understand and agree to live by the:

• 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.
   
• Scout Motto - Be Prepared
   
• Scout Slogan - Do a good turn daily.
   
• Outdoor Code - As an American, I will do my best to: Be clean in my outdoor manners. Be careful with fire. Be considerate in the outdoors.  Be conservation minded.

	The three points of the trefoil stand for the three parts of the Scout Oath.
There are two stars on the badge. They symbolize truth and knowledge. The shape of the Scout Badge means that a Scout can point the right way in life as truly as does a compass in the field.		The eagle and shield stand for freedom and a Scout’s readiness to defend that freedom.    The scroll bearing the Scout motto is Scout is turned up at the ends as a reminder that a Scout smiles as he does his duty.
	The knot at the bottom of the scroll represents the Scout slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily.”