Scout Glossary

Cub Scouting has a language all its own. If you are not familiar with it, below are definitions of many terms you will encounter as you get more and more involved in the program.

Achievements

To earn the rank badge, Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts must complete Achievements found in their Handbook. The Achivements cover these areas: God, Country, Family and Self.

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.

Advancements

Advancements in rank are presented at each pack meeting and include Tiger Cub, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light badges.

Akela

Akela is the Cub Scout term for a leader - any leader - including den leaders, Cubmasters, teachers, parents, and any other adult the Cub Scout looks up to.

Arrow of Light

This is the highest award 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.

Arrow Points

Arrow Points are awarded to Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts for completion of electives beyond the Achievements covered for earning the Wolf or Bear rank badge. A Gold Arrow Point is awarded for the first 10 electives; a Silver Arrow Point is awarded for each successive 10 electives completed.

Assistant Cubmaster

An assistant Cubmaster is an adult (18 years or older) who assists the Cubmaster with the pack program. You may have several assistant Cubmasters. One of them might be the next Cubmaster.

Assistant den leader

An assistant den leader is an adult (18 years or older) who assists the den leader with the den meetings.

Assistant Webelos leader

An assistant Webelos leader is an adult (18 years or older) who assists the Webelos den leader with the den meetings.

Bear Cub

These are generally third grade Cub Scouts, who work on activities in the areas God, Country, Family and Self. Of the 24 possible Achievements, they must complete a prescribed amount in each area, for a total of 12.

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 Promise, the Law of the Pack, the sign, the handshake, the motto, the salute, and what Webelos means.

Boy Scout

A Boy Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a Troop. Boy Scouting furthers the development of the boy through camping, outdoor activities, skills development, and advancement. The Boy Scout advances through these ranks: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, then Eagle.

Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America is a nationally chartered organization that encompasses Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer Units, and Varsity Units.

Boys Life

A magazine for boys. To subscribe, ask a den or pack leader for the special rate for registered scouts.

Chartered Organization

A chartered organization is a community group - often a religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other organization - that sponsors a Scouting unit, such as a Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, or Venturing crew. The Boy Scouts of America issues a charter to each chartered organization, allowing them to use Scouting as part of their youth program.

Charter Renewal

Charter renewal is the annual process during which the charter issued by BSA to your chartered organization is renewed. The pack committee must help by verifying the list of boys and adults registered in the pack.

Clown Volleyball

To play Clown Volleyball, tie a string about 6 feet up off the ground to act as a net (play the game outdoors if you can). Divide the den into two teams and give each team an inflated balloon. Both balloons are played at the same time, and the game ends when both balls are "grounded."

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct helps your meetings run smoothly without disruption by getting the Cub or Webelos Scouts' agreement on what behavior is acceptable.

Committee

This is the group of adult volunteers who "run" the Pack. Any interested adult is welcome to attend Committee meetings.

Council

The Council is an organization of professional Scouters that oversees all Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops and other units in an area. Pack 272 is part of the Rip Van Winkle Council. The scout executive for our council is Mr. Jeff Rand.

Court of Honor

A Court of Honor is a special awards ceremony. Awards may be presented at any Pack meeting, but there is a special ceremony for presentation of awards at a Court of Honor.

Cub or Cub Scout

A Cub Scout is any member of Boy Scouts in first through fifth grade (or age 7 - 11).

Cub Scout Leader

You and all the other adult volunteers in your pack.

Sub Scout sign

The Cub Scout sign is used when Cub Scouts say the Cub Scout Promise and Law. The sign is also used to get the attention of any Cub Scout group. To make the sign, hold up your right hand with the arm straight and first and middle fingers extended. The other fingers and thumb are folded over into the palm.

Cubmaster

The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader and is responsible for monthly pack meetings, the program of the pack, and the operation of the dens.

Den

The Den is a group of Cub Scouts who meeet at regular intervals. Ideally, a den consists of 6 to 8 boys who are all working toward the same rank.

Den chief

A den chief is a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer who serves as an activities assistant, helping the den leader with the den and providing fun and interesting things for the boys to do.

Den chief handbook

The Den Chief Handbook contains the Floating Ball Trick and other tricks and stunts.

Den Leader

A Cub Scout den leader is an adult volunteer who leads a Cub Scout den, with the help of assistant den leaders and parents.

Den Meeting

Individual Den Meetings are held for each rank level of Cub Scouts. These usually occur at a regular intervals, such as weekly or bi-weekly. Wolf and Bear dens work on fun projects, crafts, skits, or some of their Achievements. Webelos dens use this time to work on the various Activity Badges.

Denner

• The Cub Scout denner is a den member elected by the den for a short period, usually one or two months. His responsibilities are determined by the den leader and den chief. This might include helping to set up the den meeting place and cleanup; helping with games, ceremonies, tricks, and puzzles; leading a song; or acting as den cheerleader. He should be given meaningful responsibilities and recognition to help him learn how to be a leader, so all boys will look forward to their turn as denner. (The short term of office is to give all boys the opportunity to serve. The shoulder cord is worn on the left shoulder.)

• The Webelos Scout denner is a Webelos Scout who has been elected by secret ballot by the Webelos den for a short term of office, usually three to six months. His responsibilities are determined by the Webelos den leader and Webelos den chief, and might include such things as leading ceremonies, preparing equipment, setting up the meeting room, greeting new boys and helping them get acquainted, assisting with tricks and puzzles, or other worthwhile tasks.

District

Each Council is divided into a number of Districts. Pack 272 is part of the Algonquin District. Mr. Richard Mayer is our District Executive, and oversees the activities of all Units in the District.

Field Trip

Field trips are den or pack trips away from the usual meeting place. They can be as simple as a den trip to tour a local fast food restaurant or as big as a bus trip to a museum or sports event. If you are going outside your own town, you must file a tour permit with your local Boy Scouts of America council.

Floating Ball Trick

To do the Floating Ball Trick, hold a table tennis ball over the end of a soda straw, tip your head back, and blow hard. Release the ball and it will stay suspended above the straw as long as you blow.

Friends of Scouting

Friends of Scouting (FOS) is a fund-raiser for your local council. You may be asked to host an FOS presentation at a pack meeting. FOS was formerly called Sustaining Membership Enrollment (SME).

Handbook

Each level of Scouting has its own Handbook. The Handbook is ESSENTIAL for your Scout, as it spells out the requirements for advancement, as well as providing a place to record completion of the same.

Living Circle

In a Living Circle, Cub Scouts and leaders stand in a circle, left hands extended to the center, palm down. Each person grasps the thumb of the person to their left, forming a complete circle of hands. The right hand is raised in the Cub Scout sign. Pumping the left hands up and down, everyone says "Ah-KAY-la, we'll do our best."

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities are an important part of Cub Scouting. They can include hikes, picnics, games, and similar day events. Cub Scouts can also participate in pack camping, in which each Cub Scout has family members present. Cub Scout day camp and resident camp, as well as family camping opportunities, are also an important part of the program.

Pack

The whole group - all of our dens and families together is called a Pack. The Pack usually meets once every month.

Pack activities

Pack activities are additional activities and trips run by the pack.

pack committee

The pack committee is responsible for the operation of the pack, including planning, finances, records, activities, advancement, and more.

pack leaders' meeting

A pack leaders' meeting is held monthly to finalize details for the pack program and pack meeting for the current month, and to plan upcoming months.

pack meeting

The pack meeting is a monthly gathering of all the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, and Webelos Scout dens in the pack, along with their families, for recognition, fun, and program.

Pack Meeting Planning Chart

The Pack Meeting Planning Chart is a guide to planning your pack meeting. It lists all the required and optional parts of the meeting. You can choose the parts you want, determine their order, and indicate who will be responsible for preparing each.

Pinnewood Derby

Pinewood derby is an activity for all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts. Boys build wooden race cars with adult assistance and race them down pinewood tracks for prizes and trophies. Other similar activities are the raingutter regatta (boats) and space derby (spaceships).

Pow Wow

A Pow Wow is an annual Cub Scout Leader learning extravaganza sponsored by the council. Check with council for a schedule.

program

The annual pack program is planned to lay out the themes and activities that will be used for the upcoming year. A monthly theme is chosen, and most den and pack activities for the month relate to that theme. The annual Cub Scout Program Helps contains suggested themes.

Rank Badges

The Rank Badges, in order, are: Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos.

Recognitions

Recognitions include Wolf and Bear arrow points, Webelos activity badges, and nonadvancement recognitions, such as Cub Scout Academics and Sports belt loops, service stars, etc.

Roundtable

Each District holds a monthly Roundtable meeting for all of its Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders. The purpose of Roundtable is to help units succeed by providing useful program ideas, information on policy, leadership training, and current information on upcoming Council events and training opportunities. Roundtables are the best way to find out what's going on!

Sponsor

Each Unit must have a sponsoring organization, such as a church, service club, etc. Pack 272 is sponsored by the St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church.

Scout Sign

The Scout sign is used when Webelos Scouts say the Scout Oath or Promise and Scout Law. To make the sign, raise the right hand palm forward, upper arm straight, and out to the side. The arm is bent at the elbow, forming a right angle. The three middle fingers are held erect and the thumb covers the nail of the little finger.

Service projects

Service projects are part of Cub Scouting's citizenship training. They can include service in the neighborhood, to the community, or to the chartered organization.

Spiritual Growth

The Boy Scouts of America encourages the spiritual growth of its members but is absolutely nonsectarian and leaves decisions about religion to each Cub Scout's family.

Strong Man

For or Strong Man, make a set of "weights" out of cardboard. The boys can wear long-sleeved shirts with the sleeves stuffed for "muscles."

theme

A monthly theme is chosen by the pack committee, and most den and pack activities for the month relate to that theme. The annual Cub Scout Program Helps contains themes suggested by the Boy Scouts of America.

Tiger Cub

The Tiger Cub program is for first grade (or age 7) boys and their adult partners. There are five Tiger Cub achievement areas. The Tiger Cub, working with his adult partner, completes 15 requirements within these areas to earn the Tiger Cub Badge. These requirements consist of an exciting series of indoor and outdoor activities just right for a boy in the first grade.Tiger Cubs and their families are encouraged to participate in Pack events.

Tiger Cub Handbook

Every Tiger Cub gets a copy of the Tiger Cub Handbook, containing advancement requirements and ideas used to plan the den program.

Tiger Cub motto

The Tiger Cub motto is "Search, Discover, Share."

Tiger Cub badge

The Tiger Cub badge is awarded to a Tiger Cub when he completes 15 achievements in the Tiger Cub handbook.

Tiger Partner

The adult partner of a Tiger Cub, usually a family member, is the Tiger Partner.

Tour Permit

A BSA Tour Permit is required when a den or pack conducts an activity outside of its normal meeting place. Contact your council for tour permit forms and instructions for approval.

Uniform

The Uniform is the prescribed clothing for any and all official Cub Scout events. In Pack 272, the minimum Uniform consists of a uniform shirt, (with all patches), appropriate neckerchief, and blue pants or shorts. Hats and belts are great. The red felt vests give the cubs a good place to show off their patch collection. Webelos Scouts use the "colors" for activity pins. For "casual" events, a Cub or Webelos Scout T-shirt and shorts is acceptable.

Unit

Each individually chartered Pack, Troop, Post or Lodge is a Unit.

Webelos

Webelos means WE'll BELOyal Scouts. Or for you old timers, WeBeLoS stood for Wolf, Bear, Lion, Scout to indicate the progression towards being a Boy Scout.

Webelos badge

The Webelos badge is awarded to a Webelos Scout who completes the requirements, which include activity badges and learning about Boy Scouting.

Webelos den leader

A Webelos den leader is an adult volunteer who leads a Webelos Scout den, with the help of assistant Webelos den leaders and parents.

Webelos Leader Guide

The Webelos Leader Guide has a suggested sequence of activity badges designed to help the boys earn the Webelos badge and Arrow of Light. It also has suggested activities for each badge.

Webelos Den Meeting Program form

The Webelos Den Meeting Program form lists all the parts of a den meeting and is used to plan your weekly meetings. You can find a copy in your Cub Scout Leader Book. Additional blank copies may be purchased at your council service center.

Webelos Scout

These are fourth and fifth grade Cub Scouts, who work on up to 20 Activity Badges in the den setting. These activities are designed to prepare the boys for the merit badge methodology utilized in Boy Scouts.

Webelos Scout den

A Webelos Scout den consists of six to eight Webelos Scouts with a Webelos den leader and assistants, as well as a Webelos den chief. It meets every week at a time and place chosen by the Webelos den leader and parents.

Wolf Cub

These are generally second grade Cub Scouts, who work on 12 Achievements, mostly in the home setting. Arrow Points are awarded for work done on a multitude of electives.