Scout Dictionary
A
Adventures: Tiger, Wolf, and Bear scouts must complete Adventures in their handbook. Each scout must complete the required number of adventures to earn the rank award. As a symbol of accomplishment, each achievement is awarded a belt loop. A list of adventures is available here: Cubscout Adventures
Activity Badge: There are 20 Activity Badges a Webelos scout can earn. These are divided into areas. Upon completing the requirements for each Activity Badge, the scout is awarded a pin.
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 parents!
Arrow of Light: This is the highest rank 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 (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.
B
Bear: Veteran Cub Scout, now in 3rd Grade. Been there, done that, and looking for action. Learns to use a pocketknife 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 boy who joins Cub Scouts must first earn the Bobcat Badge. Doing this, he learns the seven basic tenets of Cub Scouting: the Oath, the Law, the sign, the handshake, the motto, the salute, and what Webelos means.
Boy’s Life: A magazine for boys to help broaden their horizons in scouting.
Boy Scout: A Boy Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. He advances 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, 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.
C
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. Our chartered organization is Little River United Methodist Church.
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 and the Pack.
Commissioner: A volunteer Scouter who works with packs, troops, and crews to help the unit succeed.
Committee: This is a group of adult volunteers (not den leaders) who “run” the pack. They deal with paperwork, pack funds, calendars, and event planning.
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 area, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs. We are part of the Atlanta Area 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 smores!
CSLBT: Cub Scout Leader Basic Training is a 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 advises other leaders.
D
Den: A group of 6-8 boys who meet at regular intervals.
Denner: A Cub Scout or Webelos 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. We are in the Appalachian Trail District.
District Executive: A professional Scouter (paid by BSA) who is responsible for the achievements of the district.
E
Elective: Can be found after the Adventures in the Tiger, Wolf, and Bear books.
F
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.
FOS: Friends of Scouting. Donations to support the camps, materials, special events, and the professional coordinators who help make Scouting possible.
G
Grown-up: Largish post-Cub Scout person, good for helping boys with tools, fire, and holding things while boy plays. Good candidate for leader.
H
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”.
I
I: Word used with great pride by boy in Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”
J
Joy: What happens when boy says “I did it!” after trying very hard.
K
Kid: Young male goat, or some one else’s progeny. Good candidate for Cubs.
L
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.
M
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.
N
New: Everything for a Tiger Cub! Learning about others, working with his partner, and finding out about the world around him.
O
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.
P
Pack: The whole group – all of 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.
Q
Quiet: Unknown concept...
R
S
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.
T
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.
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.
U
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!
V
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.
W
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 Adventure 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 scouts.