Scout-ionary

Scouting Terms and their Meanings

Advancement
Advancement refers to the progress a Cub Scout makes toward their badge of rank.  All of the activities for each rank are in the Cub Scout handbooks. Completing adventures earns Scouts Belt Loops or Webelos Pins.  After completing the adventures for rank, the Scout earns their rank patch.

Adventure
Cub Scout Adventures are at the heart of your child’s journey in Cub Scouting.  Each Cub Scout Adventure is designed to be grade and age appropriate.  The content of Cub Scout Adventures is based on feedback we get from families and leaders. 

Adventure Loops (Belt Loops)
Cub Scout’s wear Adventure Loops on their belt. Completing rank adventures earns Belt Loops.

Akela
Anyone who is a leader to the Cub Scout.
Akela can be a parent, teacher, den leader, Cubmaster, or any other adult who helps guide the Cub Scout.

Arrow of Light (AoL)
Fifth graders work toward the Arrow of Light rank.  Five adventures earns the AoL rank.
The highest rank a Cub Scout can earn, the AoL badge is the only Cub Scout patch that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform when the Scout transitions to the Troop.

Awards
There are several awards Cub Scouts can earn beyond their badge of rank.

Bear
Third graders work toward the Bear rank. Completing the seven Bear adventures earns Bear rank.

Blue and Gold (Special Pack Event)
Blue and Gold Banquets are a tradition in Cub Scout packs.  They are a celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the BSA on February 8, 1910, and therefore usually take the place of the February pack meeting.  The banquets are special events that can include games and entertainment.

Buddy System
We use the buddy system to help Cub Scouts look out for each other. It is important that the buddies go everywhere together and know where each other is at all times. For instance, if a Scout gets lost or hurt, the Buddy System ensures Scouts always have a partner.

Chartered Organization
This is the organization that partners with Scouting America to deliver a Scouting program.  They adopt Scouting to serve the youth in the community. For instance, the VFW Post 4668 has offered to charter our Pack.

Chartered Organization Representative
This person appoints the Pack Committee Chair and approves all adult leaders.  They provide resources from the chartered organization. 

Class A Uniform
Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and Bears all wear the Blue BSA shirt.
Webelos and AoL wear the khaki Scouts BSA shirt.

Class B Uniform
Class B uniforms are Scouting-related t-shirts. They can be pack t-shirts, day camp t-shirts, or any other Scouting t-shirt.
We refer to these as activity uniforms.

Council
A council is the service center, chartered by Scouting America, that is responsible for Scouting within its geographical area.
For instance, we belong to W.D.Boyce Council centered out of Peoria, IL.

Crossover
A Special ceremony where AoL Cub Scouts “crosses over” from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. It symbolizes the Scouts’ induction into their Scouts BSA troop. In other words, this is the final graduation from Cub Scouts.

Cubmaster
The leader of the pack meeting is the Cubmaster.  In addition to serving as the master of ceremonies, the Cubmaster provides support to Den Leaders.

Cyber Chip
Earning the Cyber Chip is a requirement for Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos ranks. Cub Scouts complete the requirement by visiting www.netsmartz.org/scouting and completing the age-appropriate activities.

Den
A small group of Cub Scouts who are the same gender and in the same grade.  The ideal size is 6 to 8 Cub Scouts. 

Den Chief
A member of Scouts BSA, selected to work with the den, is the Den Chief. They assist with den activities and serve as a role model to the kids in the den. Scouts BSA considers the den chief position a leadership role.

Den Leaders
An adult, usually a parent, serves as a Den Leader. Scout Handbooks and Den Leader Guides present adventure activities. Den Leaders teach these activities to the Scouts.

Den Meeting
The Den Meeting is the most important part of Cub Scouting because it is where Cub Scouts build friendships, work together to learn new things, and progress towards earning their common badge of rank.  Serving as a Den Leader is providing an opportunity to make a positive life long impact on your child and others in the den.

Denner
Denners are chosen to serve as leader for their den. They have specific duties such as taking attendance, leading a flag ceremony, assisting with den activities and conducting a closing ceremony. Serving as a denner helps develop the Cub Scout’s leadership skills.

District
Councils are divided into districts. Districts vary in size. There may be multiple districts within one county, depending on its size.
We belong to the Lowaneu District in the W.D.Boyce Council.

District Executive (DE)
The District Executive is a paid employee of the local council. His or her role is to support Scouting in the district. This individual is our direct contact to council.

Lion
Kindergartners work toward the Lion rank. Lions complete five adventures to earn rank. Lions work with their Adult Partners.  

New Member Coordinator (NMC)
An individual chosen to serve as welcoming ambassadors for the unit. They work with the unit committee in developing and implementing the Unit Membership Plan.

NOVA and SuperNOVA
Scouting America’s NOVA Awards program incorporates learning with cool activities and exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for Cub Scouts.
For their first Nova award, Scouts earn the distinctive Nova award patch. After that, a Scout can earn three more Nova awards, each one recognized with a separate pi (π) pin-on device that attaches to the patch. 
The Supernova awards have more rigorous requirements than the Nova awards. For earning the Supernova award, Scouts receive a medal and certificate.
Please see your Den Leader before attempting this program!

Pack
Several dens make up the pack.  The makeup and size of the pack varies based on local interest and resources. Unit numbers identify Packs. We are Pack 3703.

Pack Committee
Made up of parents, leaders, and other caring adults the pack committee works to support den leaders and the cubmaster.  

Pack Committee Chair
The top volunteer in the pack is the Pack Committee Chair.  They are responsible for ensuring enough qualified adult volunteers are in place to provide the program.  They lead the pack committee meetings.

Pack Committee Meetings
Pack Committees will meet at least once a month.  Committee Chair decides when and where to hold these meetings. At the committee meeting reports from the Cubmaster, Den Leaders, Treasurer and others help keep everyone informed.

Pinewood Derby (Special Pack Event)
Partnered with a parent or guardian, Cub Scouts work together, strengthening bonds and building confidence – and their own custom race cars! They begin with an official Pinewood Derby Race Car kit, then create a design, then carve it from the wood block provided in the kit, and detail it with paint, decals and other accessories, and perfect strategies to compete in their pack’s own Pinewood Derby. It’s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity and sportsmanship – all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories to share with fellow racers young and old.

Raingutter Regatta (Special Pack Event)
The Rain Gutter Regatta gives Cub Scouts a chance to make a model sail boat and race it with others.  Some units still use rain gutters for the course, while others use more modern options. Today, options include plastic and inflatable courses.

Rank
School Grade divides Cub Scouts into specific ranks. Kindergarteners are Lions, first graders are Tigers, second graders are Wolves, third graders are Bears, fourth graders are Webelos, and fifth graders are Arrows of Light. 

Recruiter Strip
This award is the most important patch a Scout can earn. It is also the easiest.
Any youth member who gets a friend, classmate, or relative to sign up for Scouting can receive the red, white, and blue patch.

Roundtable
Once a month Scouting volunteers in a local community come together to provide information about local Scouting events, activities, and programs. Roundtables play a significant role in providing continuous supplemental training for unit leaders. This monthly event provides program topic guidance and structure suggestions for unit leaders.

Safe Scouting
The Guide to Safe Scouting gives all the details on how to conduct events and activities.  Leaders should bookmark this site and refer to it often.
Age Appropriate Guidelines for Camping recommends our outdoor activities.
Scouting America requires Adult leaders to take Hazardous Weather Training and Baloo to have outdoor activities.
National Camp Accreditation Standards drive council or district-provided activities.  These include Council Organized Family Camp, Cub Scout Day Camp, and Cub Scout Resident Camp.

Service Projects (Special Pack Event)
Doing service projects together is one way that Cub Scouts keep their promise “to help other people.” While a Scout should do their best to help other people every day, a group service project is a bigger way to help people. While giving service, you’re learning to work together with others to do something that’s good for your community.
Service projects may help the natural world, the community, or the chartered organization.  Make sure to review the Guide to Safe Scouting to ensure Cub Scouts are doing age-appropriate activities. Some service projects fulfill requirements for adventures in the Cub Scout handbooks.

Space Derby (Special Pack Event)
In the Space Derby, Cub Scouts design a model rocket and race it on a special track that allows the propeller-powered rockets to speed across the air.

Tiger
First graders work toward the Tiger rank. Finishing seven Tiger adventures earns the Tiger rank. Tigers work with their Adult Partners; awards are for the Scouts only. 

Unit Commissioner
Unit commissioners help units succeed with a good program that attracts and retains youth members.

Volunteer
Being a volunteer in Scouting America means you have registered as an adult and have gone through an approval process. Registering as an adult lets others know that you are willing to go beyond just helping others but willing to take on responsibilities in the Pack.  To serve in a volunteer position in Scouting requires an adult to register with the BSA. 

Webelos
Fourth graders work toward the Webelos rank. To earn the Webelos rank; a scout must complete six Webelos adventures.
This rank’s name has a special meaning. It stands for WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts. Always use the S even when referring to one Webelos (one Webelos, not one Webelo).

Webelos Pins
Webelos pins are the Webelos equivalent of Belt Loops. Scouts wear them on ribbons called Webelos Colors or on the Webelos hat. Webelos Colors belong on the right sleeve of the uniform.

Wolf
Second graders work toward the Wolf rank. Completing seven Wolf adventures earns the Wolf rank. 

Whittling Chip
Scouts earn the privilege of carrying a pocket knife to specifically designated events by earning Whittling Chip.
To earn the Whittling Chip, Cub Scouts have to know how to safely use and care for a pocket knife, make a carving, and promise to abide by the knife safety guidelines and the pocketknife pledge.

Youth Protection Training (YPT)
Scouting America places the greatest importance on creating the most secure environment possible for our youth members. To maintain such an environment, Scouting America developed numerous procedural and leadership selection policies and provides parents and leaders with resources for the Cub Scout, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs.

More definitions can be found here: https://www.scouting.org/resources/los/