Scouting Jargon: A Guide for New Families

If you’re new to Cub Scouting, it can sometimes feel like Scouting has its own language. Between ranks, adventures, uniforms, meetings, awards, councils, districts, and plenty of acronyms, there are many terms that may be unfamiliar at first.

Don’t worry—you’ll pick them up quickly! This glossary is designed to help Pack 612 families understand some of the most common words and phrases you may hear during your Scouting journey.

Pack 612 Quick Reference

Scouting America
The national organization that oversees Scouting programs in the United States, including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring.

Daniel Boone Council
Our local Scouting America council serving Pack 612 and other Scouting units throughout Western North Carolina.

Looking Glass District
The district within the Daniel Boone Council that provides more localized support to Pack 612 and other Scouting units in our area.

Pack 612
Our local Cub Scout Pack. The Pack includes all of our Cub Scout dens, Scouts, families, and registered adult leaders.

Cub Scout Organization

Pack

A group made up of several Cub Scout dens. Pack 612 gathers together for Pack meetings, campouts, Pinewood Derby, service projects, celebrations, and other activities.

Den

A smaller group of Cub Scouts, generally organized by grade and rank. Most weekly or regular advancement activities take place within the den.

Rank

The Cub Scout program is divided into ranks based primarily on grade level:

• Lion — Kindergarten

• Tiger — 1st Grade

• Wolf — 2nd Grade

• Bear — 3rd Grade

• Webelos — 4th Grade

• Arrow of Light — 5th Grade

Cubmaster

The primary program leader for the Pack. The Cubmaster leads Pack meetings and ceremonies and works with Den Leaders to help provide a fun and engaging Pack program.

Assistant Cubmaster

An adult volunteer who helps the Cubmaster with Pack meetings, activities, ceremonies, and other responsibilities.

Den Leader

The adult volunteer who leads a Cub Scout den and helps Scouts complete Adventures and work toward their rank.

Assistant Den Leader

An adult volunteer who helps the Den Leader organize and lead den meetings and activities.

Pack Committee

The group of adult volunteers who help operate the Pack behind the scenes. Responsibilities may include finances, advancement, membership, communications, fundraising, equipment, events, and other Pack needs.

Committee Chair

The volunteer who leads the Pack Committee and helps coordinate the administrative side of the Pack.

Chartered Organization

A community organization that partners with Scouting America to support a local Scouting unit.

Chartered Organization Representative (COR)

The person who serves as the primary connection between the Pack, its chartered organization, and the local council.

Advancement & Awards

Advancement

The process of learning new skills, completing Adventures, earning recognition, and progressing through the Cub Scout program.

Adventure

A group of activities and requirements centered around a particular subject or skill. Completing Adventures is how Cub Scouts work toward earning their rank.

Required Adventure

An Adventure that must be completed as part of earning a Scout's current rank.

Elective Adventure

An optional Adventure that allows Scouts to explore additional interests and skills.

Special Elective Adventure

Certain Adventures—such as some shooting sports activities—that may only be completed under specific conditions at approved Scouting events with qualified instructors.

Belt Loop

The advancement recognition generally awarded to Lion, Tiger, Wolf, and Bear Scouts for completing Adventures. Belt loops are worn on the official Cub Scout belt.

Adventure Pin

The advancement recognition generally used for Webelos and Arrow of Light Adventures.

Rank Badge

The badge awarded after a Scout completes all requirements for a particular Cub Scout rank.

Bobcat Adventure

The introductory Adventure that teaches Scouts important fundamentals of Cub Scouting and is completed early in each rank year.

Advancement Ceremony

A Pack or den ceremony recognizing Scouts for Adventures, ranks, awards, and other achievements.

Crossover

A ceremony recognizing Arrow of Light Scouts as they complete Cub Scouting and transition into a Scouts BSA troop.

Meetings & Activities

Pack Meeting

A gathering of all Pack 612 dens and families. Pack meetings often include games, awards, announcements, ceremonies, activities, and fellowship.

Den Meeting

A smaller meeting for Scouts within the same den. Den meetings typically focus on completing Adventures and learning new skills.

Pack Outing

An activity away from the regular meeting location, such as hiking, fishing, camping, visiting an attraction, or participating in a community event.

Campout

An overnight Pack or den camping experience. Cub Scout camping is family-oriented, and parents or guardians are an important part of the experience.

Day Camp

A council or district Cub Scout program held during the day, typically offering a variety of activities and Adventure opportunities.

Resident Camp

An overnight Cub Scout camping program operated by a council at a Scout camp.

Blue & Gold

A traditional Cub Scout celebration recognizing the anniversary of Scouting and celebrating the Pack, Scouts, families, and volunteers.

Pinewood Derby

One of Cub Scouting's best-known traditions. Scouts build and race small wooden cars on a gravity-powered track.

Service Project

An activity where Scouts give their time and effort to help their community, chartered organization, neighbors, or others in need.

Uniforms

Class A

An informal term commonly used for the official field uniform. This generally means the official Scout shirt and appropriate uniform components for the Scout's rank.

Class B

An informal term commonly used for a Pack or Scout T-shirt worn during more casual activities, campouts, service projects, or other events when the official uniform is not necessary.

Field Uniform

The official term for what many families call the Class A uniform.

Activity Uniform

A more casual uniform, often consisting of a Pack or Scouting T-shirt with Scout-appropriate pants or shorts.

Neckerchief

The triangular piece of cloth worn around the neck as part of many Cub Scout uniforms.

Neckerchief Slide

The piece that holds the neckerchief together at the front.

Council Shoulder Patch (CSP)

The patch worn on the uniform identifying the Scout's local council—in our case, the Daniel Boone Council.

Unit Numerals

The numbers worn on the uniform identifying the Scout's Pack. Our Scouts wear 612.

Scouting Traditions

Scout Oath

A promise Scouts make to live according to the ideals of Scouting:

“On my honor I will do my best…”

The Scout Oath emphasizes duty, service to others, personal fitness, awareness, and moral character.

Scout Law

The twelve qualities Scouts strive to practice:

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

Cub Scout Motto

Do Your Best.

One of the most important principles of Cub Scouting. Scouts are encouraged to give their best effort rather than comparing themselves to others.

Scout Sign

The hand sign used when saying the Scout Oath and Scout Law and at other appropriate times.

Scout Salute

Used when Cub Scouts in uniform salute the United States flag.

Scout Handshake

A traditional handshake using the left hand, symbolizing friendship and trust within Scouting.

Akela

A traditional Cub Scout term historically used to describe a leader or mentor. Families may still encounter the term in older Scouting materials and traditions.

Outdoor Scouting Terms

Cub Scout Six Essentials

Six basic items Cub Scouts should learn to carry for many outdoor activities:

• Water bottle

• Trail food

• Sun protection

• First-aid kit

• Whistle

• Flashlight

Leave No Trace

Outdoor principles that teach Scouts how to enjoy nature responsibly while minimizing their impact on the environment.

Outdoor Code

A Scout's commitment to being clean, careful with fire, considerate in the outdoors, and conservation-minded.

Buddy System

A safety practice in which Scouts are paired with another Scout and stay together during activities.

Two-Deep Leadership

An important Scouting youth-protection principle requiring appropriate adult leadership for Scouting activities.

Youth Protection

Scouting America's policies, procedures, and training designed to provide a safe environment for youth participating in Scouting.

Annual Health and Medical Record

Often simply called the medical form. This provides important health and emergency information for Scouts and participating adults during activities.

Council & District Terms

Council

A regional organization that supports Packs, Troops, Crews, and other Scouting units. Pack 612 belongs to the Daniel Boone Council.

District

A smaller geographic area within a council that provides more localized support to Scouting units. Pack 612 belongs to the Looking Glass District.

District Executive

A professional Scouting staff member who works with volunteers and units within a district.

Commissioner

A volunteer who helps support local Scouting units by providing guidance, resources, and assistance to unit leaders.

Roundtable

A regular gathering where adult Scouting leaders from different units share information, training, ideas, and upcoming council or district opportunities.

Council Event

An activity organized by the Daniel Boone Council that may bring together Scouts from many different Packs and Troops.

District Event

An activity organized within the Looking Glass District for Scouts and units in our local area.

Registration, Dues & Fundraising

National Registration

The annual membership fee paid to Scouting America to maintain a Scout's official membership.

Pack Dues

Money collected by Pack 612 to help pay the Pack's operating expenses, such as belt loops, adventure pins, patches, advancement recognition, ceremonies, selected event and campout expenses, program supplies, and volunteer leader registration expenses.

Fundraiser

An activity that helps raise additional money to support Scouting programs and activities.

Camp Cards

A Scouting fundraiser where Scouts sell discount cards. Pack 612 families may have opportunities to use funds earned through Camp Card sales toward eligible Scouting expenses such as summer camp or annual membership renewal costs.

Scouts BSA Terms You May Hear

As Arrow of Light Scouts approach the end of Cub Scouting, families will begin hearing terminology used in the Scouts BSA program.

Troop

The primary unit in Scouts BSA, similar to a Pack in Cub Scouting.

Patrol

A small group of Scouts within a Scouts BSA troop. It is somewhat similar to a den but is designed around youth leadership.

Scoutmaster

The primary adult program leader of a Scouts BSA troop.

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

The Scout elected to serve as the primary youth leader of a Scouts BSA troop.

Eagle Scout

The highest rank that can be earned in Scouts BSA.

Don't Worry—You'll Learn the Language!

No new family is expected to understand every Scouting term from the beginning. Ask questions whenever something is unfamiliar. Pack 612 leaders and experienced families are always happy to help.

Before long, terms like den meeting, belt loop, Blue & Gold, Pinewood Derby, Webelos, AOL, and crossover will simply become part of your family's Scouting vocabulary.

Welcome to Pack 612—and welcome to the language of Scouting!