6. Scout Language
Scout Language
This page will help you AFTER you sign your son 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 except you.)
To help you decode “Scoutspeak”, here are a few handy-dandy definitions:
Advancement Trail
On the advancement trail, a Cub Scout progresses from rank to rank, learning new skills as he goes. Each of the ranks and awards in Cub Scouting has its own requirements. As you advance through the ranks, the requirements get more challenging, to match the new skills and abilities you learn as you get older.
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.
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 boy looks to for guidance!
Arrow of Light
The highest rank in Cub Scouting is the Arrow of Light. Earning this rank prepares a Webelos Scout to become a Boy Scout. Scouts must complete four required adventures and three elective adventures to earn the Arrow of Light rank. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat.
The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform when a boy graduates into a troop. Adult leaders who earned the Arrow of Light rank when they were young may also show their achievement by wearing a special square knot on their adult 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.
Bear
The Bear rank is for boys who have finished second grade (or who are 9 years old). To earn the Bear badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Bear badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Bear badge, a Bear Scout can work on the remaining 12 Bear electives until he finishes third grade (or turn 10 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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
No matter what age or grade a boy joins Cub Scouting, he must earn his Bobcat badge before he can advance to the rank of Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos. A boy must complete the Bobcat requirements, which include:
Learn and say the Cub Scout motto, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law and tell what they mean;
Show the Cub Scout sign, salute, and handshake and tell what they mean; and
With your parent or guardian complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.
Boy’s Life
A Scouting magazine for boys to help broaden their horizons in Cubbing.
Boy Scout
A Boy Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. He advances through these ramks: 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.
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 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 implemented.
Council
A geographical are, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs. We are part of the Daniel Beard Council.
Cub Scout
Any of a million or so boys between the ages of 5 and 12 who get together and have fun at Den and Pack meetings. Marked by curiosity, easy laughter, speed, and blue uniform. Likes to eat DingDongs and Bug Juice.
CSLBT
Cub Scout Leader Basic Training is 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 advices other leaders.
Den
A group of 6-8 boys who meet at regular intervals.
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.
District Executive
A professional Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the district.
Elective
After the Achievements in the Wolf and Bear book. Can be done any time by a boy, and count toward Arrow Points after the Wolf or Bear badge have been earned. Can be repeated, if boy does his best every time.
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. Some Scouters even have boxer shorts with this on them.
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 boys with tools, fire, and holding things while boy plays. Good candidate for leader.
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”. Also, sound made when Wolf tries out hammer.
I
Word used with great pride by boy in Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”
Joy
What happens when boy says “I did it!” after trying very hard.
Kid
Young male goat, or some one else’s progeny. Good candidate for Cubs.
Lion
As a Lion, your kindergartner will make friends, laugh loud, gain confidence, discover nature, and most of all…have fun! He’ll experience the Scouting concepts of character development, leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through engaging and exciting adventures!! Your kindergartner will have a blast exploring the world around him in ways that fuel his imagination and creativity. Together, you’ll take his first steps down the path to success. Adventure awaits.
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.
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.
New
Everything for a Tiger Cub! Learning about others, working with his partner, and finding out about the world around him. New things are things to Search--Discover--and Share for the whole Tiger Cub Den.
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.
Pack
The whole group – all or our dens and families together is called a Pack. The pack usually meets once a month to once a quarter.
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.
Quiet
Unknown concept.
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.
Tiger
The Tiger rank is for boys who are in first grade or are age 7. To earn the Tiger badge, a boy must complete six required adventures with his den or family and one elective adventure of his den or family’s choosing. As the boy completes each adventure, he will receive the adventure loop for that adventure, which he can wear on his belt. When the boy has completed the seven required adventures, he can receive the Tiger badge. The Tiger badge is given to the boy’s adult partner at a pack meeting. Then, during a grand ceremony, the adult gives the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Tiger badge, a Tiger Scout can work on the remaining 12 Tiger electives until he finishes first grade (or turn 8 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
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.
Tiger Coach
Adult liaison between Tiger Cub parents and the Pack. Our Tiger Coach is Don Capps.
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
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 tha make great craft supplies!
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.
Webelos (We’ll Be Loyal Scouts)
Webelos dens are for boys who have completed third grade (or reached age 10). Webelos Scouts get to work on the five required Webelos adventures and choose two of the 18 elective adventures that are shared by the Webelos and Arrow of Light ranks.
When a boy has done the requirements for an adventure, the Webelos den leader, rather than a parent, approves most of the adventures. For each adventure a boy completes, he receives a pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat. After completing seven adventures, including five required adventures and two elective adventures, a Scout can receive the Webelos badge.
After he has earned the Webelos badge, a Webelos Scout can work on the remaining 18 shared Webelos and Arrow of Light electives until he finishes fourth grade (or turns 11 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure pin to wear on the Webelos colors or on his hat.
We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. Sometimes wear the khaki Boy Scout uniform (means he outgrew the blue one). Works on Activity 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
The Wolf rank is for boys who have finished first grade (or who are 8 years old). To earn the Wolf badge, a boy must complete six required adventures and one elective adventure. His parent or guardian and den leader approves each requirement by signing his book, and the boy receives an adventure loop for each adventure. When the boy has met all requirements, the Wolf badge is presented to his parent or guardian at the next pack meeting. During an impressive ceremony, the parent or guardian then presents the badge to the boy.
After he has earned the Wolf badge, a Wolf Scout can work on the remaining 12 Wolf electives until he finishes second grade (or turns 9 years old). He can choose elective adventures that may show him new hobbies and teach him skills that will be useful during his Boy Scout years. When he completes an elective adventure, he receives an additional adventure loop to wear on his belt.
X,Y, and Z
Symbols for the unknown. Not even Akela knows all the answers!
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