Scout Terms

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Terms and Definitions!

Achievement - the name given to a major requirement in the Cub Scout program. There are 5 Achievements for the Tiger rank, 12 Achievements for the Wolf rank, and 24 Achievements for the Bear rank.

Activity Badge - One of 20 specialized recognitions earned by Webelos Scouts.

Advancement - The process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition.

Akela - A title of respect used in Cub Scouting; any good leader is Akela. The name comes from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.

Arrow of Light Award - Highest rank in Cub Scouting. The only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

Arrow Point - An award given to a Cub Scout who has completed 10 elective projects for either the Wolf or Bear rank. A gold Arrow Point is given for the first 10 elective projects. A silver Arrow Point is given for each additional 10 elective projects completed. A Cub Scut amy earn any number of silver Arrow Points for his rank.

Assistant Cubmaster - A registered leader, 18 years or older, who assists the Cubmaster.

Assistant Den Leader - A registered leader who assists the Cub Scout den leader.

Assistant District Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who helps the District Commissioneer. S/He is in charge of all unit commissioneers in an assigned area of the district.

Baden-Powell, Robert Stephensen Smyth - Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement. Born in London, Feb. 22, 1857. He is referred to as Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Chief Scout of the World. Died Jan. 8, 1941.

BALOO Training - Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. One leader in each pack must have completed BALOO training for any Cub Scouts in the pack to go camping. It covers BSA policies.

Basic Training - A one-time, formal introduction to the program, purpose, ideals and procedures of the Cub Scout program necessary for a volunteer to function with the ease and cofidence that comes with knowledge. Basic Training is required to earn the adult recognition knot for a leader's position, and is recommended for all leaders wishing to provide a quality Cub Scout program.

Bear Rank - Awarded to the third grade Cub Scout for completing 12 of the 24 achievements in the Bear rank.

Blue & Gold Banquet - A birthday dinner for Scouting held by Cub Scout Packs in February or March.

Bobcat - The first rank earned by all Cub Scouts, regardless of age when they join Cub Scouting.

Boy's Life - The magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America to help boys broaden their horizons in Scouting.

Buddy System - A part of Safe Swim Defense. Swimmers of like ability are paired, checked in and out of the water together, and stay within 10 feet of each other during the swim. The buddy system is also used for safety reasons in other activities such as hiking and field trips.

Camporee - A council or district event where Boy Scout Troops come together for one or two nights of joint camping. Usually involves competition between troops in Scoutcraft skills. Cub Scouts (especially Webelos) are sometimes invited to attend.

Charter - Formal permission from the Boy Scouts of America allowing a pack to organize.

Chartered Organization - The sponsoring organization of the pack. This organization may be a religious, civic, fraternal, educational or other community-based group. Monthly pack meetings are usually held in a building owned by that organization.

Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who works with packs and/or troops to help units succeed.

Committee Chairperson - A registered leader, 21 years of age or older. The chair is the executive officer of the Pack Committee.

Compass Point Emblem - Award earned by Webelos Scouts as they advance in the Webelos program. This cloth patch is hung by a loop from the button on the right shirt pocket. Metal pins are attached to the patch at compass points (east, south, and west) as the boy advances by earning activity badges.

Council Headquarters - The local office for Scouting in a specific geographic area. The country is divided into more than 400 local councils.

Cubmaster - A registered leader, 21 years of age or older, who holds this commission in a Cub Scout pack. S/He is the Pack's leader and Akela, and serves as Master of Ceremonies during monthly Pack meetings.

Cubmaster Award - A blue square knot on a gold field awarded to Cubmasters who have completed training and performance and served for 2 years in that position.

Cub Scout - A boy who is registered with a Cub Scout pack. Also, the reason why we're all here!!!!!

Cub Scout Award - A blue and gold square knot on a blue field awarded to Cub Scouters who have completed training and performance and served for 2 years at the pack level and/or in a district or council Cub Scout position.

Cub Scout Handshake - Used by Cub Scouts and Scouters with the right hand. It is given like an ordinary handshake except the index and middle fingers are extended toward the other person, touching their wrist.

Cub Scout Motto - "Do Your Best"

Cub Scout Promise -

"I,(name), promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack."

Cub Scout Salute - A hand salute made by Cub Scouts and Scouters with the fingers of the right hand held in position as for the Cub Scout Sign, except that the index and middle fingers are held together. The tips of the fingers touch the right eyebrow or the Cub Scout hat.

Cub Scout Sign - A sign made by raising the right hand straight up high over the head with the palm forward. The first 2 fingers are wide apart and pointing up as in a V. The thumb covers the nails of the ring and little fingers. This sign symbolizes the ears of Akela, and when held up, the group should become silent.

Day Camp - Summertime fun for all registered Cub Scouts. This daytime program allows boys to interact with boys from other packs and keeps boys and adults active in the Cub Scout movement.

Den - Small group of Cub Scouts who meet once a week with their Den Leader to work on projects, learn games, songs, tricks, and skits to be presented at monthly Pack meetings.

Den Chief - A Boy Scout who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Cub Scout Den.

Den Doodle - A visual display of the advancement of each boy in a Den. Uses beads, spools, or markers hung on string, lacing or yarn by each boy to represent his advancement. It is displayed at monthly Pack meetings.

Den Leader Award - A gold square knot on a blue field awarded to Den Leaders who have completed training and performance and served for 1 year as leader.

Denner - Cub Scout who helps the Den leader with Den and Pack meetings. This is generally a rotating position so each Cub Scout may serve and learn a little about helping and leadership.

District - Level of the Cub Scout organization directly under the Council. Each Cub Scout belongs to a Den, each Den belongs to a Pack, each Pack belongs to a District, each District belongs to a Council, each Council belongs to a Region, and all Regions belong to the national organization of the Boy Scouts of America.

District Award of Merit - A silver knot on a dark blue field awarded for outstanding service by a volunteer on the district level.

District Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who is in charge of all commissioners within a district.

District Committee - A group of registered adult Scouters responsible for carrying out the Council program within their District.

District Executive - A professional paid Scouter who works with the volunteers under the direction of the Scout Executive.

"Do Your Best" - The Cub Scout Motto.

Elective - A part of the Cub Scout advancement program. There are electives in the Tiger, Wolf and Bear books. For every 10 electives completed, a Tiger earns a bead and a Cub Scout earns an arrow point.

Fast Start - Supplemental training program for new leaders designed to help them until they can attend Basic Training.

Friends of Scouting - An annual campaign in which Scouters, and other interested people in the community, can provide financial support to the local Council to assist in meeting its objectives.

Good Turn - A distinctive feature of Scouting is its emphasis upon service to others. The Good Turn habit is one that all Scouts endeavor to aquire.

Instant Recognition Patch/Progress Towards Ranks Patch - Daimond shaped patch to which a plastic thong and beads are attached for instant recognition of achievements. Each time a boy completes 3 achievements he will recieve one bead. Wolf earn yellow beads, and Bear earns red beads. The Tiger earns different colored beads for each part of each achievement he completes.

National BSA - Headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America, located in Irving, Texas, where the Cub Scout program and literature are developed.

National Summertime Award - An award earned by the Pack for conducting a summer program for the Cub Scouts.

Outdoor Code - A pledge for proper outdoor conduct which should be followed by all Cub Scouts and leaders.

OWL training - Outdoor Webelos Leader training. An overnight supplemental training for leaders working with Webelos. This program starts teaching ourdoor skills to the leaders.

Outdoor Program - The total scope of outdoor programs offered by the BSA, including unit outings, camporees, Cub Scout day camps, long-term Scout camps, council and national jamborees.

Pack - The unit that conducts Cub Scouting for the chartered organization. Usually consists of 2 or more dens and conducts monthly meetings.

Pack Trainer - At least one leader from the pack should be trained to provide training assistance to other leaders in the pack. This new position takes the place of den coaches.

Pack Committee - A committee of concerned parents and leaders, approved by the Chartered Organization, to administer the affairs of the Pack.

Pack Meeting - Monthly meeting os Cub Scouts, adult leaders, committee members and parents, where Cub Scouts and adults receive recognition for their advancement in rank or service to Scouting. Skits, songs and other entertainment should be performed by dens.

Patches/Badges - Worn on the uniform to designate rank or training awards. Refer to the Wolf, Bear, or Webelos Books, den leader book, or Insignia Control Guide for specific placement information.

Pinewood Derbt - A pack activity that involves making and racing model cars on a track.

Pow Wow - All-day learning experience for Cub Scoutleaders, covering a wide variety of subjects with some hands-on experiences.

Program Helps - An annual publication of the BSA to help den and pack leaders plan their meetings around the Cub Scouting's monthly themes.

Quality Unit Award - Recognition given each charter year to units that commit to and meet six of eight national standards (3 are required) pertaining to leadership training, service, advancement, camping and membership growth.

Region - One of 4 learge geographical administrative units of the BSA. The Sinnissippi Council is part of the Central Region.

Registration - The payment of an annual registraion fee. This is one of the requirements for membership of the BSA.

Religious Award - An award presented by individual faiths to Cub and Boy Scuts for completion of a set of requirements within their respective faiths. Adults may also receive a religious award for service to youth within their own faith.

Roundtable - A monthly District-level meeting where den and pack leaders learn new ideas on monthly themes, receive information on district and council acitivities, and have a general exchange of ideas.

School Night for Scouting - A one-night event in a neighborhood school where boys and parents gather to hear how Cub Scouting operates and how they can join.

Scout Benediction - "May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us until we meet again."

Scouter - A registered adult member of the BSA.

Scouters' Key - A recognition given to a unit leader or commissioner for completing training, tenure, and performance requirements.

Scout Executive - The professional staff leader of a council.

Scouting Magazine - The official magazine sent to all registered Scouters.

Service Center - Scout Headquarters - Contains the professionals' offices and the Scout shop (where you can buy uniforms and awards and fill all of your Scouting needs).

Service Star - Worn on the uniform above the left pocket to denote years of service in the Scouting program.

Silver Beaver - A recognition given by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the local council. The similar Regional award is the Silver Antelope, and the National award is the Silver Buffalo.

Tenure - A term used to describe the length of service and membership in Scouting.

Tiger Cub - A first grade boy registered with an adult partner in the Tiger Cub Program.

Tiger Den Leader Award - An orange knot given to Tiger Den Leaders who have completed training and performance and served for 1 year as a Tiger den leader.

Tour Permit - Permit approved by the council for any outing that is to be taken by a group of Cub Scouts if traveling is involved. Check with the Service Center.

Two-Deep Leadership - The concept of having at least 2 registered adult leaders at every Pack meeting or Den meeting/outing for the safety and welfare of the Cubs.

Uniform - The distinctive feature of Scouting that quickly identifies its members.

Uniform Inspection - A feature of a unit meeting when members of the registered unit are given an opportunity to demonstrate their uniformed appearance.

Unit - A term used to generally designate any of the following types of Scouting entities: Pack, Troop, Team, Post, or Ship.

Unit Commissioner - An experienced Scouter assigned to a Unit to lend support and help when needed. S/He can be the unit's best friend.

Volunteer - An individual who donates services, time, and/or funds to support the program of the BSA.

Volunteer Service - The work of a great body of men and women who make Scouting available to youth by leading Units.

Webelos Badge - A rank earned by a fourth or fifth grade boy. Part of the requirements for the Arrow of Light.

Webelos Den - A group of Webelos Scouts who meet weekly under the supervision of a Webelos Den Leader.

Webelos Den Chief - A Boy Scout who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Webelos Den.

Webelos Den Leader - The adult, on-the-scene supervisor of a Webelos Scout Den.

Webelos Den Leader Award - A square knot awarded to Webelos Den Leaders who have completed training and performance and served for 1 year as a Webelos den leader.

Webelos Scout - A Cub Scout who has completed the 3rd grade and belongs to a Webelos den. He works on activities in the Webelos book, which are suiuted to his age. He will be exposed to more challenging outdoor experiences including camping.

Webelos-to-Scout Transition - The preparation and graduation of a boy from Cub Scouting to Boy Scuting.

Wolf - A rank earned by a second grade Cub Scout when he complete 12 achievements in the Wolf book.

Wood Badge - Advanced training session (open by invitation only) for qualified Cub Scout trainers.

World Conservation Award - An award for Cub Scouts emphasizing the importance of our natural resources and our interdependence with other countries in fulfilling pur mutual needs.