A Scout is brave. A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.

Since 1910 when Scouting came to America, thousands of Honor Medals have been awarded to Scouts who saved lives at the risk of their own. They proved themselves ready when emergencies arose. They might have been frightened, but each one of them went to the aid of someone in serious trouble.

Saving lives is not the only test of bravery. You are brave every time you do what is right in spite of what others might say. You are brave when you speak the truth and when you admit a mistake and apologize for it. And you show true courage when you defend the rights of others.

A Scout is clean. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.

You can't avoid getting dirty when you work and play hard. But when the game is over or the job is done, that kind of dirt washes off with soap and water.

There's another kind of dirt, though, that can't be scrubbed away. It is the kind that shows up in foul language and harmful thoughts and actions.

Swearwords and dirty stories are often used as weapons to ridicule other people and hurt their feelings. The same is true of racial slurs and jokes that make fun of ethnic groups or people with physical or mental limitations A Scout knows there is no kindness or honor in such tasteless behavior. He avoids it in his own words and deeds. A Scout avoids pornography of all kinds and runs with a clean crowd.