Scouting 101:
Scout Language
This page will help you AFTER you sign your son up for Scouts. So glance it over for now and remember it is here for you later...
If you are new to scouting you will be exposed to "Scoutspeak". (It’s kinda like when you go to a party and everyone there is a computer programmer except you.)
To help you decode “Scoutspeak”, here are a few handy-dandy definitions:
Achievements
Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts must complete Achievements in their Handbook. These Achievements cover these areas: God, Country, Family, and Self. You must complete the required number of achievements to earn the rank award.
Activity Badge
There are 20 Activity Badges a Webelos scout can earn. These are divided into 5 areas: Physical, Mental, Technology, Outdoor, and Community. A pin is presented for completion of each activity Badge.
Akela
The Leader of the Pack. Does not have to wear leather or ride a Harley, although sometimes it helps. Usually the Cubmaster, but Akela also means Den Leaders and YOU--the main leader your boy looks to for guidance!
Arrow of Light
This is the highest award a boy can earn in Cub Scouting. Also the only non-religious award from Cub Scouts which can be worn on a Boy Scout Uniform.
Arrow Points
Arrow Points are awarded to Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts fro completion of electives beyond the Achievements covered for earning the Wolf or Bear rank badge. A Gold Arrow Point is awarded fro the first 10 electives; A Silver Arrow Point is awarded for each successive 10 electives completed.
Assistant Cubmaster (CA)
A volunteer who helps the Cubmaster run the pack and fills in when the Cubmaster is unavailable.
Assistant Den Leader (DA)
A volunteer leader who helps the Den Leader with holding weekly den meeting and fills in when the Den Leader is unavailable.
Bear
Veteran Cub Scout, now in 3rd Grade. Been there, done that, and looking for action. Chooses his achievements, and looks forward to Webelos. Of 24 possible achievements they must complete the prescribed amount in each area, God, Country, Family, and Self, for a total of 12.
Blue and Gold Banquet
Generally held in February to celebrate the anniversary of Cub Scouting. This celebration can be an annual pot luck dinner, banquet or whatever the pack decides to make it.
Blue and Gold Colors
The Cub Scout Colors. Blue stands for truth and spirituality, loyalty, and the sky above. Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.
Bobcat
Every boy who joins Cub Scouts must first earn the Bobcat Badge. Doing this, he learns the seven basic tenets of Cub Scouting: the Promise, the Law of the Pack the sign, the handshake, the motto, the salute, and what Webelos means.
Boy’s Life
A Scouting magazine for boys to help broaden their horizons in Cubbing.
Boy Scout
A Boy Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. He advances through these ramks: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, then Eagle.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
The Boy Scouts of America is a nationally chartered organization that encompasses Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venture Crews
Buddy System
One part of the Safe Swim Defense. Swimmers of like ability are paired. Check in and out of the water together and stay within 10 feet of each other during the swim. It is also used on other Cub Scout activities for safety reasons.
Charter
Formal permission from the Boy Scouts of America allowing a pack to organize
Chartered Organization
An organization that sponsors the pack. Monthly meetings are usually held in a building owned by that organization.
Chartered Organization Representative
An adult representative of the group or organization that currently holds the BSA charters. Reports information to and from the chartered organization
Commissioner
A volunteer Scouter who works with packs, troops, and crews to help the unit succeed.
Committee
This is a group of adult volunteers who “run” the pack. Any interested adult is welcome to attend Committee meetings
Committee Chair
The adult leader of the pack committee. Provides the motivation and direction to the committee to get the pack program implemented.
Council
A geographical are, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs. We are part of the Daniel Beard Council.
Cub Scout
Any of a million or so boys between the ages of 6 and 11 who get together and have fun at Den and Pack meetings. Marked by curiosity, easy laughter, speed, and blue uniform. Likes to eat DingDongs and Bug Juice.
CSLBT
Cub Scout Leader Basic Training is 6 hour training session that covers all basic information needed to be pack leader.
Cubmaster
The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader. The Cubmaster runs the pack meetings and advices other leaders.
Den
A group of 6-8 boys who meet at regular intervals.
Denner
A Cub Scout or Webelo scout elected by his peers to help the den chief and den leader.
Den Chief
A Boy Scout who helps direct the activities of a den
Den Leader
Amazing adult, enjoys doing all kinds of stuff with boys, even if it involves large quantities of patience. Easily smiles, asks others for help, and uses all kinds of resources to keep smiling--like Roundtables.
District
Each council is divided into a number of districts.
District Executive
A professional Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the district.
Elective
After the Achievements in the Wolf and Bear book. Can be done any time by a boy, and count toward Arrow Points after the Wolf or Bear badge have been earned. Can be repeated, if boy does his best every time.
Fast Start
Program for new leaders to help them until they can attend CSLBT
Fleur de lis
International Boy Scout Emblem. Also used by New Orleans football team. Some Scouters even have boxer shorts with this on them.
FOS
Friends of Scouting. Donations to support the camps, materials, special events, and the professional coordinators who help make Scouting possible.
Grown-up
Largish post-Cub Scout person, good for helping boys with tools, fire, and holding things while boy plays. Good candidate for leader.
Howl
A form of cheer, along with Growls, Whoops, and the Disco Mosquito cheer; all done to show appreciation of Cub Scout skits and stunts in place of mundane old “PTA applause”. Also, sound made when Wolf tries out hammer.
I
Word used with great pride by boy in Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”
Joy
What happens when boy says “I did it!” after trying very hard.
Kid
Young male goat, or some one else’s progeny. Good candidate for Cubs.
Leader
Person who gives an hour each week (or more) to help boys grow to be young men of character. Sets example by giving back to the community.
Meeting
Semi-chaotic gathering of boys where much fun and some learning happens, usually helped along by Den Leaders and Grown-ups. For Tigers, each Tiger Cub and his partner get to host a meeting in turn.
New
Everything for a Tiger Cub! Learning about others, working with his partner, and finding out about the world around him. New things are things to Search--Discover--and Share for the whole Tiger Cub Den.
OA
Order of the Arrow. An honor group of Boy Scouts who give cheerful service helping others learn to enjoy the outdoors. Arrowmen also present dramatic and exciting ceremonies at campfires and special awards meetings.
Pack
The whole group – all or our dens and families together is called a Pack. The pack usually meets once a month.
Pinewood Derby
A pack racing competition, where Cubs and their parents work together to make model pinewood derby cars and compete for prizes.
Promise
What leaders try to deliver. To do their Best, to help others, and to help boys learn to Do Their Duty to God, Country, Family, and self.
Quiet
Unknown concept.
Scouter
Someone who may or may not have boys in Scouting, but just really loves the program and gets satisfaction from helping boys grow to men.
Tiger Cub Partner
A parent, big brother or sister, uncle or grandparent, or anyone who joins with a Tiger Cub to help him Search, Discover and Share the world as he plays and does things with other Tigers and their partners.
Tiger Coach
Adult liaison between Tiger Cub parents and the Pack. Our Tiger Coach is Don Capps.
Training
Available in many varieties to help everyone Do Their Best to be a good leader. Fast Start, Basic, and Youth Protection are common types
Useful
Most anything you’d never think of. Juice can lids and tissue tubes, bits of string, wood, packing peanuts, wheels, marbles, frosting containers, and whole bunches of stuff tha make great craft supplies!
Victory
What a boy wins every time he does something he really had to try at, even if he doesn’t go the fastest or highest or whatever.
Webelos
We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. Also, boys in 4th and 5th grade. Sometimes wear the khaki Boy Scout uniform (means he outgrew the blue one). Works on Activity Pins, camps, goes on hikes, prepares to be a Boy Scout. Old hand at this Cub Scout business--can build a Pinewood Derby car blindfolded.
Wolf
Cub Scout in 2nd grade. Incredibly cute in blue uniform and new yellow neckerchief. Full of life and enthusiasm, eager to learn all about Cubs.
X,Y, and Z
Symbols for the unknown. Not even Akela knows all the answers!
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