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We teach the girls the Motto - Be Prepared but what does it really mean. Many girls think of it as ready for an emergency but that is only one aspect to it. Sheryl B
OUR MOTTO - Be Prepared Baden-Powell on "Be Prepared" In English, this motto is most commonly Be Prepared, (in other languages it translates as Always Prepared) and it is no coincidence that this motto can be shortened to B. P. and Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the movement, used to shorten his surname into B.-P. In the third part of Scouting for Boys Robert Baden-Powell explains the meaning of the phrase: “Be Prepared...the meaning of the motto is that a scout must prepare himself by previous thinking out and practising how to act on any accident or emergency so that he is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.” BE PREPARED which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY. - Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.
- Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.
"To do the right thing at the right moment" can be extreme: "BE PREPARED to die for your country if need be, so that when the moment arrives you may charge home with confidence, not caring whether you are going to be killed or not" In the first handbook for Girl Guides, How Girls Can Help to Build Up the Empire by Agnes and Robert Baden-Powell, similarly explains: The motto of the Girl Guides is "Be Prepared". Why is this? It is because, like the other Guides, you have to be prepared at any moment to face difficulties and even dangers by knowing what to do and how to do it. (The "other Guides" of this quote are the Khyber Guide Regiment .) “Be Prepared” is still our motto. This means always to be prepared to help in as many ways as possible. By learning and practicing new skills you will always “Be Prepared”, not only for any emergencies, but for everyday things as well. Skills you learn at Guides will help you to be prepared wherever you are. Below is how Hilary Saint George Saunders' book The Left Handshake: The Boy Scout Movement during the War, 1939-1945 described the motto. Find out what each of these words mean & think about how they relate to our Motto.
Bravery
Enterprise
Purpose
Resolution
Endurance
Partnership
Assurance
Reformation
Enthusiasm
Devotion.
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