6. Scout Language

Adventures

All Cub Scouts must complete Adventures in their Handbook. These Adventures cover these areas: God, Country, Family, and Self. You must complete Seven Adventures 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 Scout looks to for guidance!

Arrow of Light

This is the highest award a child 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 (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

Veteran Cub Scout, now in 3rd Grade. Been there, done that, and looking for action.

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 child who joins Cub Scouts must first earn the Bobcat Badge. Doing this, he/she learns the seven basic tenets of Cub Scouting: the Scout Law and Promise, the sign, the handshake, the motto, the salute, and what Webelos means.

Scout Life

A Scouting magazine for kids to help broaden their horizons in Cubbing.

Scout (formerly called a Boy Scout)

A Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. He/she advances through these ranks: Scout, 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, Venture Crews, Sea Scout Ships, and Explorer Posts.

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 or other BSA unit 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, ships, posts, 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 area, made of up districts for administration of the BSA programs. We are part of the Heart of Virginia Council.

Cub Scout

Any of a million or so boys and girls between the ages of 5 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 Pizza and Bug Juice.

Cubmaster

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

Den

A group of boys or girls who meet at regular intervals.  Dens are not co-ed.

Denner

A Cub Scout or Webelo scout elected by his peers to help the den chief and den leader.

Den Chief

An older Scout who helps direct the activities of a den

Den Leader

Amazing adult, enjoys doing all kinds of stuff with scouts, 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

Additional Adventures that the scouts are not required to complete to earn their rank badge, though each rank does require that they earn at least one.

Fleur de lis

International 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 scouts with tools, fire, and holding things while the scout 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 Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”

Joy

What happens when a Cub Scout says “I did it!” after trying very hard.

Kid

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

Leader

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

Lion

A Cub Scout in Kindergarten. Besides being extremely cute, Lions meet once or twice a month and have lots of fun doing activities and getting the stickers everyone wants!

Lion Adult Partner

A parent, big brother or sister, uncle or grandparent, or anyone who joins with a Lion to help him roar as he/she plays and does things with other Lions and their partners.

Lion Den Leader

Adult liaison between Lion parents and the Pack. See also Den Leader.

Meeting

Semi-chaotic gathering of youth where much fun and some learning happens, usually helped along by Den Leaders and Grown-ups. For Lions and Tigers, each Lion or Tiger and their partner get to host a meeting in turn.

New

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

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 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 youth learn to Do Their Duty to God, Country, Family, and self.

Quiet

Unknown concept.  Some say it sounds like the beating wings of a dove and that the only way you can hear it is if you are completely still in a forest by yourself.

Recharter

All BSA units (Packs, Troops, Crews, Posts, & Ships) must recharter every year to maintain their active status.  Recharter is the process where a Scout unit renews its charter as an official part of the Boy Scouts of America. This involves updating the unit's roster which may include adding/subtracting members, updating contact information for individuals, or the unit's chartering organization.  In the Heart of Virginia Council, we are required to recharter by the end of December each year.  There is a per member fee (children & adults) associated with rechartering.

Scouter

Someone who may or may not have youth in Scouting, but just really loves the program and gets satisfaction from helping boys and girls grow to be leaders.

Tiger Adult Partner

A parent, big brother or sister, uncle or grandparent, or anyone who joins with a Tiger to help him/her Search, Discover and Share the world as he/she plays and does things with other Tigers and their partners.

Tiger Den Leader

Adult liaison between Tiger parents and the Pack. See also Den Leader.

Training

Available in many varieties to help everyone Do Their Best to be a good leader. Position Specific, Youth Protection, and BALOO are common types.  See the training page for more details.

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!

Victory

What a Cub Scout wins every time he/she does something they really had to try at, even if they don’t go the fastest or highest or whatever.

Webelos

We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. Also, youth in 4th and 5th grade. They wear the khaki Scout uniform (means they outgrew the blue one). Works on Adventure Pins, camps, goes on hikes, prepares to be a Scout. Old hand at this Cub Scout business--can build a Pinewood Derby car blindfolded and has graphite under their fingernails.

Wolf

Cub Scout in 2nd grade. Incredibly cute in blue uniform and new red 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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