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Service and Scouting Recently, I had an opportunity to learn more about current state of service in Hong Kong Scouting in the last few years. While many Groups and Districts had reported that they had organized community service projects for members of all ages, sometimes including their Cub Scouts and even their Grasshoppers, significant number had reported that they did not organize any service project at all. This article briefly reviews the service tradition in Scouting from several angles. Rover Scouting has always been closely associated with the ideal of service. Up until late 1960s, our new Rover Scouts would be presented with charge certificates or enrollment cards which called upon them to "enter into life as into a joyous adventure, facing difficulty with a smile and lending a hand in helpful Service unto others" (Figure 1). From early 1970s to 1980s, the Scout Association of Hong Kong had a Community Service Organization and Service Scout Units for older youth which were very actively involved in community service projects. Many members love to collect Scout badges. Here are a few old Hong Kong Service Scout badges which demonstrate the great community service tradition of Hong Kong Scouting (Figure 2). Likewise, the highest award in Scouting has also been closely linked to service. Since 1947, the King's or the Queen's Scout award would come with a certificate which said that "as a King's/Queen's Scout you have prepared yourself for service to God and your fellow men...i wish you God-speed in your journey through life..." (Figure 3). In fact, therefore, being a King's/Queen's Scout is an honor not because one has arrived at a destination or achieved great things, but because one is committed to begin a life time's journey of service! Since 1978, after the Scout Association of Hong Kong became independent, this certificate was bi-lingual, but the wording in English was still exactly the same. Service is still emphasized in the post-1997 SAR Scout award. Unfortunately, the related certificate no longer contains any specific reference to service. Nor was service a commitment limited to older Rover Scouts or Senior/Venture Scouts. Much has changed in Scouting over the years, but the Scout Promise stays essentially the same from the start. In the earlier editions of Scouting for Boys, the Promise already emphasized duty to God, the King, and helping others (Figure 4). Each one of these three elements would clearly imply service. Today, our Scout and even Cub Scout Promise still commit all of us to serve our God/religion, our country and our community. The question is how faithful we have been to these commitments in our daily lives? c 2009 Paul KUA, all rights reserved