Scouts to Complete ‘Duty to God’ Requirement in 2016

Beginning Jan. 1, 2016, Scouts will fulfill the “duty to God” requirement to advance to any rank, from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout.

When a Scout is ready to move to the next rank he will be asked to reflect on his personal beliefs and tell his Scout leader how he is fulfilling his own duty to God.

Bryan on Scouting recently shared an article clarifying just what the requirement entails and what sharing your duty to God does and does not mean. Bryan explains, “This is a monologue by the Scout. Not a dialogue between a Scout and his leader.”

Scouts will not be measured by a specific belief standard. The Scout leader’s role is to listen to the Scout, independently of any personal beliefs or convictions.

A Scout’s “duty to God” has been addressed by the BSA since the first Handbook for Boys was published in 1911 and continues to be an important aspect of Scouting today.

Be sure to read Bryan’s article to get all the details for this update, as well as a helpful list of FAQs!