How to memorize the Boy Scout Law

The Boy Scout Law has 12 points, which define the attitudes and behaviors that both youth and adult members of the worldwide Scouting movement must adopt. As with any task like this, you can learn the law by breaking it into sections and memorizing each section separately.

Turn to the Boy Scout Law in the handbook and read just the main points: "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent."

Read the entire law again, this time including the definition of each point. Of "Trustworthy," for instance, the handbook explains, "A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him."

Write four points of the law on each of the three index cards, with one word per line: "Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly" on one card; "Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful" on the second; and "Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent" on the third.

Read the first card to yourself five times, and then aloud five times. Wait 15 minutes and say the four points without looking at the card. Go back to the card if you need a refresher. Keep saying these four points, aloud and to yourself, every 15 minutes for the next hour. Ask someone to quiz you on the four points.

Do this step for the next four points, and again with the last four points.

Repeat Step 4, but this time, memorize the first eight points together. When you feel ready, add the last four points and put it all together. Have someone quiz you again.