Scout Terms
When you join Cub Scouts, you quickly realize it has a language all its own. If you are not familiar with it, below are definitions of many terms you will encounter as you get more and more involved in the program.
As always feel free to ask questions. We are always happy to help.
A
Achievements
To earn the rank badge, Scouts must complete Achievements found in their Handbook.
Adult Partner
Tigers and their adult partners are just that, partners. They attend meetings together, go on adventures like field trips together, and complete requirements together.
Advancements
The process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition.
Akela
A title of respect used in Cub Scouting for a leader. Leaders can include the following: den leaders, Cubmasters, teachers, parents, and any other adult the Cub Scout looks up to.
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.
Assistant Cubmaster
An assistant Cubmaster is an adult (18 years or older) who assists the Cubmaster with the pack program. You may have several assistant Cubmasters. One of them might be the next Cubmaster.
Assistant Den Leader
An assistant den leader is an adult (18 years or older) who assists the den leader with the den meetings.
B
BALOO
A six-hour training course that an adult member of the pack must complete before the pack can participate in a pack overnighter.
Blue & Gold
A birthday celebration of Scouting held by packs.
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.
Boys Life
A magazine for boys. To subscribe, ask a den or pack leader for the special rate for registered scouts.
Buddy System
When ever a scout needs to go somewhere at camp, hiking, meetings, etc. it is always done in groups of at least two. A scout always takes a "buddy" scout with him.
C
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. Our chartered organization is Monroe Nazarene Church.
Charter Renewal
Charter renewal is the annual process during which the charter issued by BSA to your chartered organization is renewed. The pack committee must help by verifying the list of boys and adults registered in the pack. All leader trainer must be completed before this date.
Class A
The official Cub Scout uniform consisting of blue or tan shirt and pants/shorts (depending on rank), neckerchief, slide, belt and cap. The uniform is worn at all Scout meetings and activities; unless specifically told to wear something else.
Class B
The Pack t-shirt that boys wear to campouts and less formal events.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct helps your meetings run smoothly without disruption by getting the Cub or Webelos Scouts' agreement on what behavior is acceptable.
C (continued)
Committee
This is the group of adult volunteers who "run" the Pack. Any interested adult is welcome to attend Committee meetings (third Monday of everyone Month).
Charter Organization Rep
A person assigned by the Charter Organization to be the liaison between the troop and the charter organization.
Council
The Council is an organization of professional Scouters that oversees all Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops and other units in an area. Pack 54 is part of the Dan Beard Council.
Crossover
A ceremony where scouts cross over to the next rank. Pack 54's Arrow of Light will Crossover at the Blue & Gold Banquet. Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos ranks will have their Crossover Event in May.
Cub Scout
A Cub Scout is any member of Boy Scouts in first through fifth grade (or age 7 - 11). Kindergarten-age boys are now able to register for the Lion Program.
Cub Scout Leader
All the adult volunteers in your pack.
Cubmaster
The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader and is responsible for monthly pack meetings, the program of the pack, and the operation of the dens.
D
Den
The Den is a group of Cub Scouts who meet at regular intervals. Ideally, a den consists of 6 to 8 boys who are all working toward the same rank.
Den Leader
A Cub Scout den leader is an adult volunteer who leads a Cub Scout den, with the help of assistant den leaders and parents.
Den Meeting
Individual Den Meetings are held for each rank level of Cub Scouts. These occur on weekly on Tuesdays for Pack 54.
District
Each Council is divided into a number of Districts. Pack 54 is part of the Hopewell District.
Dutch Oven
A large cast iron covered pot used to bake and cook in.
E
Elective
Scouts can complete Elective Adventures for each Rank. These requirements are in addition to the Core Required Adventures that must be completed to advance too the next rank.
F
Friends of Scouting (FOS)
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.
L
Leave No Trace (LNT)
A set of guidelines that set standards for outdoor activities that are environmentally sound and considerate to others using the same area.
O
Outdoor Code
A pledge for proper outdoor conduct which should be followed by all Cub Scouts and leaders.
As an American, I will do my best to -
- Be clean in my outdoor manners
- Be careful with fire
- Be considerate in the outdoors, and
- Be conservation minded.
Outdoor Program
The total scope of outdoor programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America, including unit outings, camporees, Cub Scout day camps, long-term Scout camps, council and national jamborees.
P
Pack
A Pack is a group of Cub Scouts made up of one or more dens. We host Pack Meetings Monthly (with some exceptions). The pack will also host some events.
Pack Committee
The pack committee is responsible for the operation of the pack, including planning, finances, records, activities, advancement, and more.
Pack Meeting
The pack meeting is a monthly gathering of all Cub Scouts in the pack, along with their families, for recognition, fun, and activities.
Pinewood Derby
Pinewood derby is an activity for all Cub Scouts. Pack 54 also runs an Outlaw race for parents, siblings or boys that wish to build additional fun cars. Boys build wooden race cars with adult assistance and race them down pinewood tracks for prizes and trophies.
Popcorn Kernel
The adult volunteer that organizes the Popcorn Fundraiser.
Popcorn Sales
Trail’s End brand popcorn is sold by Scouts to raise money for their unit activities. This is our main fundraiser for the scouting year.
R
Raingutter Regatta
A pack activity that involves making and racing model boats in a raingutter.
Rank Badges
The Rank Badges, in order, are: Lion, Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light.
Roundtable
A monthly district level meeting where den and pack leaders learn new ideas on monthly themes, receive information on district and council activities, and have a general exchange of ideas.
S
Scoutbook
Scoutbook is an online tool that allows packs to easily communicate and update records. It allows Den Leaders and parents to track achievements, training, service logs, hiking logs, camping logs and training.
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 his wrist
Scout Law
A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
Scout Motto
"Do Your Best!"
Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Sign
The Scout sign is used when Scouts say the Scout Oath and Scout Law. To make the sign, hold your right arm straight up, with your index and middle finger separated, like a peace sign.
Note: Boy Scouts use three fingers when making the Scout Sign.
Service projects
Service projects are part of Cub Scouting's citizenship training. They can include service in the neighborhood, to the community, or to the chartered organization.
W
Whittling Chip
Award that Bear and Webelos Scouts earn after they have learned the safety rules and proper care guidelines of using a pocketknife. The scout should sign and carry the Whittling Chip card whenever he has his pocketknife.
Y
Youth Protection Program
This BSA emphasis fights child abuse by teaching youth how to recognize, resist, and report child abuse; by helping parents and Scouters learn to recognize indications of child abuse; and by teaching them how to address and prevent child abuse situations. Youth Protection training addresses these BSA policies.