A
couple of years ago, my son came home from first grade with a flier that
invited him to join Cub Scouts. Now, I was a Cub Scout, so I figure,
“Okay--let’s give it a try.” Little did I know…Scouts have their own special
language: Scoutspeak. It’s kinda like when you go to a party and everyone there
but you is a computer programmer.
In
order to help you learn to decode “Scoutspeak”, here are a few handy-dandy
definitions:
Achievements
Wolf and Bear Cub
Scouts must complete Achievements in their Handbook. These Achievements cover
these areas: God, Country, Family, and Self. You must complete the required
number of achievements to earn the rank award.
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
This is the
highest ward 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 fro completion of electives beyond the
Achievements covered for earning the Wolf or Bear rank badge. A Gold Arrow
Point is awarded fro the first 10 electives; A Silver Arrow Point is awarded
for each successive 10 electives completed.
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.
Chooses his achievements, and looks forward to Webelos. Of 24 possible
achievements they must complete the prescribed amount in each area, God,
Country, Family, and Self, for a total of 12.
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 Promise, the Law of the Pack the
sign, the handshake, the motto, the salute, and what Webelos means.
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 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.
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 Rasor Elementary School
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. Mr. Speck is our Chartered Organization Representative
Commissioner
A volunteer
Scouter who works with packs, troops, and crews to help the unit succeed. Our
unit Commissioner is Jim Roberts
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. Our Committee Chair is Carol Capps
Council
A geographical
are, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs. We
are part of Circle 10 council the 5th largest in the country.
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 DingDongs® and Bug Juice.
CSLBT
Cub Scout Leader
Basic Trainingis 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. Our Cubmaster is Al Solis.
Den
A group of 6-8 boys
who meet at regular intervals.
Denner
A Cub Scout or
Webelo scout elected by his peers to help the den chief and den leader.
Den Chief
A Boy Scout who
helpsdirect 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 Great Plains District. The
largest, most active district in Circle 10 Council.
District Executive
A professional
Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the
district. Our DE is Rodney Carpenter.
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.
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.
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 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 that 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 BeLoyal Scouts.
Also, boys in 4th and 5th grade. 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
Cub Scout in 2nd
grade. Incredibly cute in blue uniform and new yellow 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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