INTRO

We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united (by a belief in God and) by acceptance of the Girl Scout Promise and Law...do dedicate ourselves to the purpose of inspiring girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens. We believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one. We affirm that the Girl Scout Movement shall ever be open to all girls and adults who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law. 

- Excerpt from Preamble, Constitution of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

These are the words that express the most fundamental beliefs of Girl Scouting, and that are affirmed by 3.5 million Girl Scout members in the United States when they make the Girl Scout Promise:

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law embodies the core values of Girl Scouting, our “motivating force” described by the Constitution as “spiritual”—and it is consistent with the values of many, diverse religions. It asks us to do our best to be honest and fair, to be considerate and caring, to be sisters to every Girl Scout, to respect authority, to make the world a better place, and to respect ourselves and others. Many religious leaders have praised the “rules for living” embodied in the Girl Scout Promise and Law that are so compatible with the values they bring to young people through religious education programs.

National Relations
July 1999

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