Promises and ceremonies
As well as enjoying plenty of adventures, being a Beaver is about exploring who you are and what you stand for. These are big ideas, and when you join the Colony, you’ll start thinking about them by making a promise. A promise is a set of words that mean something to you, which you try to follow everyday.
Making the promise is a big celebration within the Colony. Every time a new Beaver decides to join, they chat through their promise with their leader before saying it out loud in front of their fellow Beavers. Family and friends might come along to see this, too. Doing this is called being ‘invested’ into Beavers, and it usually takes place once you’ve had a few weeks to settle in.
Everyone is unique but there are some things all Beavers agree on – such as treating everyone with kindness and promising to do their best. Depending on their own beliefs, they might also promise to live by their faith.
Beavers choose the promise that best suits them.
For Muslims
Further information about the Promise in Scouting can be found here.
For humanists, atheists and those with no defined faith
I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love our world.
For Hindus and Buddhists
I promise to do my best
to be kind and helpful
and to love my Dharma.
For Christians, Jews and Sikhs
I promise to do my best
To be kind and helpful
And to love God.
The Beaver Scout Law
There is no formal Beaver Scout Law. The concepts expressed in the Scout Law are to be presented to Beaver Scouts through games, storytelling and other informal activities.
The Beaver Scout Motto
Be prepared
Why is the Promise important?
The Promise is a simple way to help young people and adults keep the Fundamentals of Scouting in mind. The Promise is the commitment made by all Members as they join Scouting, promising to share the values of Scouting. It is therefore vital that every Member considers the Promise, and discusses its meaning before making the Promise and being invested into Scouting.
There are a number of variations of the Promise to reflect the range of faiths, beliefs and attitudes; and nationalities in the UK within Scouting. Each version is written to be appropriate to the broad level of understanding of each of the age groups within the Movement. We believe that this approach is inclusive. Celebrating and understanding difference, including difference in faiths and beliefs, is an important aspect of the educational and developmental side of Scouting.
Incorporating multiple versions at Promise renewals
It has been good practice for many years to invite Members to renew their Promise ‘in their own words’ and it is important that this is always incorporated into Promise events. The different versions of the Promise can be said together in unison.
Who makes the decision about which Promise to take?
The adult, or young person should be provided with all the Promise wording options and given time to consider their choice carefully.
Depending upon the age of the young person, discussions about the choice of Promise may include parents or carers. Ultimately, the chose of Promise is the individuals.