6. Scout Language

This page will help you AFTER you sign your son or daughter 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 or a doctor except you.)

To help you decode “Scoutspeak”, here are a few handy-dandy definitions:

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.

Adventures

Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos 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 adventures, plus a few additional requirements, in order to earn the rank award.

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 child looks to for guidance!

Arrow of Light

This is the highest award a girl or boy can earn in Cub Scouting. Also the only non-religious award from Cub Scouts which can be worn on a Scouts BSA Uniform.

Assistant Cubmaster

A volunteer who helps the Cubmaster run the pack and fills in when the Cubmaster is unavailable.

Assistant Den Leader

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 the 3rd Grade. Been there, done that, and looking for action. Chooses his or her adventures, and looks forward to Webelos.

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 kid who joins Cub Scouts must first earn the Bobcat Badge. Doing this, they learn 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 youth to help broaden their horizons in Cubbing.

Scouts BSA

A Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. Girl and boy troops meet separately. They advance through these ranks: 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, Scouts BSA, Explorers 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 pack 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 developed and implemented.

Council

A geographical area, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs. Pack 100 is part of the Cascade Pacific Council.

Cub Scout

Any of a million or so boys and girls 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 (and sometimes khaki) uniforms.

Cubmaster

The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader. The Cubmaster runs the pack meetings and advises other leaders.

Den

A group of 6-8 boys or girls who meet at regular intervals. Girl and boy dens are organized separately.

Denner

A Cub Scout or Webelos scout elected by his peers with the assistance of the den leader to help the den chief and den leader.

Den Chief

A Scout who helps direct the activities of a den.

Den Leader

Amazing adult, enjoys doing all kinds of stuff with kids, even if it involves large quantities of patience. Easily smiles, asks others for help, and uses all kinds of resources to keep the Den moving forward.

District

Each council is divided into a number of districts. We belong to the Lewis and Clark district in the Cascade Pacific Council.

District Executive

A professional Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the district.

Elective

After completing the required Adventures in their rank Scouts are encouraged to pursue additional elective adventures of their own choosing in order to enrich their experience.

Fleur de lis

International Scouting Emblem.

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 kids with tools, fire, and holding things while kid plays. Good candidate for leader.

Howl

A form of cheer, along with Growls, Whoops, Yahoos; all done to show appreciation of Cub Scout skits and stunts in place of regular old clapping.

I

Word used with great pride in Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”

Joy

What happens when kid says “I did it!” after trying very hard.

Kid

Young male or female goat, or some one else’s progeny. Good candidate for Cubs.

Leader

Person who gives an hour each week (or more) to help kids grow to be young people of character. Sets example by giving back to the community.

Meeting

Semi-chaotic gathering of kids where much fun and some learning happens, usually helped along by Den Leaders and Grown-ups.

New

Just about everything for a Lion or Tiger Cub! Learning about others, working with their adult partner, and finding out about the world around them. New things are things to Search--Discover--and Share for the whole Cub Scout pack.

OA

Order of the Arrow. An honor group of 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 to twice per 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 youth learn to Do Their Duty to God, Country, Family, and self.

Quiet

A very rare state; seldom observed but typically encountered briefly with great awe and appreciation by adults.

Scouter

Someone who may or may not have children in Scouting, but just really loves the program and gets satisfaction from helping boys and girls grow to men and women of strong character and ability.

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 they play and does things with other Tigers and their partners.

Training

Available in many varieties to help everyone Do Their Best to be a good leader. Position-specific and Youth Protection are two 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 that make great craft supplies!

Webelos

Stands for "We’ll Be Loyal Scouts." Also, boys and girls in 4th and 5th grade. Sometimes wear the khaki Scout uniform (means he or she outgrew the blue one). Works on Activity Pins, camps, goes on hikes, prepares to be a 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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