Terminology

Scouting has a vast vocabulary all its own, and it can be quite daunting to someone new to the program.

Hopefully the following list of terms can be useful when you hear something new.

Achievement - The name given to a major requirement in the Cub Scout program. There are 12 achievements for each of the Wolf and Bear ranks.

Activity Badge - One of 20 specialized recognitions earned by Webelos Scouts.

Advancement - The process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition.

Akela - A title of respect used in Cub Scouting - any good leader is Akela, such as Cubmaster, Den Leader, Den Chief, teacher or parent. The name comes from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.

Arrow of Light Award - Highest rank in Cub Scouting.

Arrow Point - An award given to a Cub Scout who has completed 10 elective projects beyond the rank for his grade. A Gold Arrow Point is given for the first 10 projects and a Silver Arrow Point is given for each additional 0 projects thereafter. He may earn any number of silver Arrow Points for his rank.

Assistant Cubmaster - A person 18 years or older holding this position in a Cub Scout pack.

Assistant Den Leader - A person appointed to help the Cub Scout Den Leader.

Baden-Powell, Robert Stephenson Smyth - Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement. Born in London, February 22, 1857. He is referred to as Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Chief Scout of the World. As a British officer, he was sent to South Africa to defend Mafeking. To help teach the poorly prepared troops under his command how to live in the out-of-doors, he made up games he called "Stunts for Scouting." When he

returned, he wrote them into a book called Aids to Scouting that found their way into boys hands - thus started the Scout movement. He died January 8, 1941.

Basic Leader Training - Formal introduction to the program, purpose, ideals and procedures of the Cub Scout program necessary for a volunteer to function with the ease and confidence that comes with knowledge. The basic Adult Leader Training is required for all Pack leaders. Although this is sometimes called Scoutmaster

Fundamentals, this is an excellent training program for any adult wanting to become more involved in the Boy Scout program, or who just wants to learn more about how the program works.

Bear Badge - Rank awarded to the third grade Cub Scout for completing 12 of the 24 achievements.

Belt Loops - Belt Loops were earned under the Academics and Sports Program. This program was retired several years ago.

Blue and Gold Banquet - The Blue and Gold is an annual banquet, and one of the highlights of the program year. It brings together Pack families for a dinner and an evening of fun, celebrating the founding of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910 and of Cub Scouting in 1930. This is also the occasion where Webelos II scouts crossover to Boy Scouts.

Bobcat Badge - The first rank award for all Cub Scouts.

Boy's Life - The monthly magazine published by the Boy Scouts of America to help boys broaden their horizons in Scouting.

BSA - Acronym for the Boy Scouts of America.

Buddy System - The Buddy System is used in activities such as hiking and field trips for safety reasons. It requires all youth participants to remain with another youth at all times. The Buddy System is also a part of 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.

Camporee - A Council or District event where Boy Scout troops come together for one or two nights of joint camping.

Color Guard - A group of uniformed Scouts who participate in a flag ceremony.

Council - Pack 222 is part of the Occoneechee Council. Council is referred to as the headquarters for Scouting in a specific geographic area. The country is divided into more than 400 local councils. Council organizes training courses, summer camps, and other events as needed. It is responsible for membership, advancement and records for its units and members.

Charter - Formal permission from the Boy Scouts of America allowing a pack to organize.

Chartered Organization - The sponsoring organization of the pack. This organization may be a religious, civic, fraternal, educational or other community-based group. Pack 222's Chartered Organization is Macedonia Baptist Church.

Chartered Organization Representative - Adult who serves as liaison between the pack and the chartered organization and between the chartered organization and the council and who is a member of the local council and district committees.

Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who works with packs and/or troops to help units succeed.

Committee Chairman (CC) - An adult, 21 years of age or older, the executive officer of the committee, who works with the Cubmaster to assure that the pack provides the Cub Scout phase of the Scouting program.

Compass Point Patch - Award earned by Webelos Scouts as they advance in the Webelos program. This cloth patch is hung by a loop from a button on the boy's right shirt pocket. Metal pins are added to the patch and attached at compass points (North, East, South, West) as the boy advances by earning activity badges.

Cubmaster (CM) - An adult, 21 years of age or older, who holds this commission in a Cub Scout pack. The pack leader and Akela for the pack. Serves as Master of Ceremonies during monthly pack meetings.

Cubmaster Award - Special recognition award given to Cubmasters who have served for two years as a Cubmaster (one may be as Assistant Cubmaster), completed training, and fulfilled all requirements for the award. (Complete details are in the Cub Scout Leader Recognition plan, found in the yearly program helps.)

Cub Scout - A boy who is registered with a Cub Scout pack.

Cub Scouter - A registered adult leader of a Cub Scout pack.

Cub Scouter Award - A blue and gold square knot on a blue field awarded to Cub Scouters who have completed training and performance and served for 2 years at the pack level and/or in a district or Council Cub Scout position.

Cub 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.

Cub Scout Motto - "Do Your Best."

Cub Scout Promise -

I, (name), promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack

Cub Scout Salute - A hand salute made by Cub Scouts and Scouters with the fingers of the right hand held in position as for Cub Scout sign, except that the index and middle fingers are held together. The tips of the fingers touch the right eyebrow or the Cub Scout hat.

Cub Scout Sign - A sign made by raising the right hand straight up high over the head with the palm forward. The first two fingers are wide apart and pointing up as in a V. The thumb covers the nails of the ring and little fingers. This sign symbolizes the ears of Akela, and when held up, the group should become silent.

Day Camp - Summertime fun for all registered Cub Scouts. This daytime program allows boys to interact with boys from other packs and keeps boys and adults active in the Cub Scout movement.

Den - Small group of Cub Scouts who meet once a week with a den leader to work on projects, learn games, songs, tricks and skits to be presented at monthly pack meetings.

Den Chief - A Boy Scout who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.

Den Leader (DL) - The adult on-the-scene supervisor of a Cub Scout den. A registered member of the pack who has attended basic training.

Den Leader Award - Special recognition award given to den leaders who have served for two years (one year may be as assistant leader), completed training, and fulfilled all other requirements for the award. (Complete details are in the Cub Scout Leader Recognition plan, found in the yearly program helps.)

Den Meetings - Under the guidance of their Den Leaders, dens meet one or two times per month to work on earning their rank badge. Den meetings are both enjoyable and educational.

District - Pack 222 belongs to the Hemlock District. A district is a geographical entity within a local council, which meets monthly to oversee the operation of local units.

District Award of Merit - A silver knot on a dark blue field awarded for outstanding service by a volunteer on the district level.

District Commissioner - A volunteer Scouter who is in charge of all Commissioners within the District.

District Committee - A group of registered adult Scouters responsible for carrying out the council program within their district.

District Executive - A professional paid Scouter who works with the volunteers under the direction of the Scout executive.

"Do Your Best" - The Cub Scout motto.

Eagle Scout - The highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. The scout has earned 21 Merit badges, planned and conducted a service project, has learned to be equipped to take care of others, has lived the scout ideals and has essentially learned to take care of himself.

Elective - A part of the Cub Scout advancement program. There are electives in both the Wolf and Bear books. For every 10 electives completed, a Cub Scout earns an arrow point.

Fast Start - Supplemental training program for new leaders designed to help them until they can attend basic training.

Friends Of Scouting (FOS) - Annual fundraiser for the council.

Good Turn - A distinctive feature of Scouting is its emphasis upon service to others. The Good Turn habit is one that all Scouts endeavor to acquire. It is an act of service to someone else without expecting a reward or praise. It is the main part of the scout slogan, "Do a Good Turn Daily," which is one of the distinctive features of the scout movement introduced by Baden-Powell.

Instant Recognition Patch/Progress Towards Ranks Patch - Diamond shaped patch to which a plastic thong and beads are attached for instant recognition of achievements. Each time a boy completes 3 achievements he will receive one bead. Wolf scouts earn yellow and Bear scouts earn red beads awarded in the den.

Jungle Book, The - Written by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), The Jungle Book tells the story of Mowgli and the wolf pack, and is the story that Baden-Powell used as the basis for Cub Scouting.

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.

National BSA - Headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America, located in Irving, Texas, where the Cub Scout program is developed and literature is developed and printed.

National Summertime Pack Award - An award earned by the pack for conducting a summer program.

Outdoor Code - A pledge for proper outdoor conduct which should be followed by all Cub Scouts and leaders.

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.

Pack - The unit that conducts Cub Scouting for the chartered organization. Usually consists of 2 or more dens and conducts monthly meetings.

Pack Committee - A committee of concerned parents and leaders, approved by the chartered organization to administer the affairs of the pack.

Pack Meeting - Themed monthly meeting of Cub Scouts, adult leaders, committee members and parents, where Cub Scouts and adults receive recognition for their advancement in rank or service to Scouting. Skits, songs and other entertainment should be performed by dens.

Patch/Badges - Worn on the uniform to designate rank or training awards. Refer to the Wolf, Bear or Webelos books, Den Leader book, or Insignia Control Guide for specific placement information.

Pinewood Derby - With parental assistance, Cub Scouts make wooden pinewood derby cars and race them on a large track. The Pack supplies each scout with a pinewood derby kit from which a car is made. Pack 222 holds its annual derby in January.

Program Helps - An annual publication of the BSA to help den and pack leaders plan their meetings by using monthly themes.

Quality Unit Award - Recognition given each charter year to units that commit to and meet six of eight national standards (three are required) pertaining to leadership training, service, advancement, camping and membership growth. Requirements can be found at the Scout Service Center or from your Unit Commissioner.

Registration - The payment of an annual registration fee. This is one of the requirements for membership in the BSA.

Religious Award - An award presented by individual faiths to Cub and Boy Scouts for completion of rigorous requirements within their respective faiths. Adults may receive a religious award for service to youth within their own faith. Details can be found in the "Duty to God" section of the scout handbooks.

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 share a general exchange of ideas.

Scouter - A registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America.

Scout Executive - The professional staff leader of a Council

Scouting Magazine - The official magazine sent to all registered adult Scouters.

Scouting for Food - Good turn event. Bags for canned food are distributed to scouts. Scouts solicit donations from neighbors and deliver these canned goods to food banks within Wake County.

Service Center - Scouting Headquarters containing the professional offices and the Scout Shop (where you can buy uniforms and all of your Scouting needs) located in Raleigh on Atlantic Avenue.

Service Star - Worn on the uniform above left pocket to denote years of service in the Scouting program.

Silver Beaver - A recognition given by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the local council. The similar regional award is the Silver Antelope and the national award is the Silver Buffalo.

Tiger Cub - A first grade boy registered with an adult partner in the Tiger Cub Program.

Tiger Cub Motto - "Search, Discover, Share."

Tiger Cub Program - A one-year introduction to Scouting for first grade boys. Adult partner must join with boy.

Tiger Cub Promise - "I promise to love God, my family, and my country and learn about the world."

Two-Deep Leadership - The safety procedure where every activity involving youth must have at least two adults present.

Tour Permit - A document that must be filed and approved by the council office before any official scouting outing can take place. Special permits are required for travel out of state, over 500 miles, or for flying activities.

Uniform - The distinctive feature of Scouting that quickly identifies its members.

Unit - A term used to designate any one of the following: pack, troop, team, post, or ship.

Unit Commissioner - A commissioner assigned to a unit to lend support and help when needed. He or she can be the unit's best friend.

Volunteer - Individual who donates services, time, and/or funds to support the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Volunteer Service - The work of a great body of men and women who make Scouting available to youth by their leadership of units - all done without pay.

Webelos Badge - A rank earned by a fourth or fifth grade boy which is part of the requirements for the Arrow of Light.

Webelos Den - A group of Webelos Scouts who meet weekly under the supervision of a Webelos den leader.

Webelos Den Chief - A Boy Scout who been has appointed to help direct the activities of a Webelos den.

Webelos Den Leader - The adult on-the-scene supervisor of a Webelos Scout den. A registered member of the pack who has attended basic training to learn how to fulfill the job of a Webelos den leader.

Webelos Liaison - A registered member of the pack who serves as liaison between Boy Scout troops and the Webelos den.

Webelos Scout - A Cub Scout who has completed the third grade and belongs to a Webelos den. He works on activities in the Webelos book which are suited to his age. He will be exposed to more challenging outdoor experiences, including camping.

Webelos-to-Scout Transition/Crossover - The preparation and graduation of a boy from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting.

Whittling Chip - A card that enables the bearer to use knives, axes and saws. It must be earned by the Scout through educational and hands-on safety sessions led by an adult leader or older scout appointed by the Cubmaster. Any time a Scout is observed doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, a corner is cut off his Whittling Chip card. When all four corners are gone, the card is taken away and must be re-earned.

Wolf - A rank earned by a second grade Cub Scout when he completes 12 achievements in the Wolf book.

Wood Badge - Advanced training session (open by invitation only) for qualified Cub Scout trainers.

World Conservation Award - An award for Cub Scouts emphasizing the importance of our natural resources and our interdependence with other countries in fulfilling our mutual needs.

World Crest - A badge worn by Scouts and Scouters as a symbol of commitment to the World Association of Scouting. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this patch goes to support this association.

Youth Protection Plan - BSA guidelines to prevent child abuse.