As in any organization, acronyms and unfamiliar terms are often used that can be confusing. Does your son return from a scouting activity and seem to be speaking a foreign language? Do you note some strange words on a flyer or calendar? This page is an effort to help define some of the more frequently used terms. If someone uses a term you are not familiar with simply ask them to explain it (we too all had to learn it somewhere), or sneak a glance at this glossary if your bashful about asking.
Acorn Training
This was the basic Adult Leader Training. It has been replaced by “Boy Scout Leader Basic Training”.
Adult Patrol
When the troop goes camping, all of the adults form their own patrol for meal planning, shopping, cooking, eating, and sleeping. The adults try and set a good example of how a patrol should operate.
Alpha Phi Omega
This is a coeducational college fraternity based on the principles of Scouting. It accepts both men and women. Chapters are found at over 360 college campuses.
Annual Planning Meeting
The PLC meets to plan the next year’s activities with the guidance of the Scoutmaster. This plan is then presented to the Troop Committee for approval to make sure the plan meets BSA guidelines and that necessary resources can be provided. This normally occurs in the spring to plan the next school years activities.
APL – Asst. Patrol Leader
See Patrol Leader.
ASM – Asst. Scoutmaster
See Scoutmaster (SM).
ASPL – Asst. Senior Patrol Leader
See Senior Patrol Leader (SPL).
Axe Yard
An area that is roped off in which an axe, hatch or other chopping tool is used.
Baden-Powell
Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the scouting movement. The Baden-Powell training program is designed to get new scouts the basic scout skills and help them to advance to First Class. This can be achieved within the first year if the scout is active.
Be Prepared
The motto of Boy Scouting. Be prepared for what?
Blizzard Meal
At winter camp outs we ask everyone to have one extra freeze dried meal in their backpack that they do not plan to eat during that outing. In the event of an emergency everyone will have an extra meal.
Blood Zone
A safety zone around someone using a pocket knife, hatchet, ax, or other sharp tool. Basically it is an arm’s length plus the length of the tool in all directions. No one should be in another person’s Blood Zone when a sharp tool is in use.
Blue Card
In order to work with a Merit Badge Counselor the scout must first obtain a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster. Blue Cards are the record of Merit Badge progress and are turned in to receive the Merit Badge after all the requirements have been met and the counselor has signed off the card. The scout should keep his copy of the blue card until after he has reached the Rank of Eagle. The plastic baseball trading card holders work well for storing completed Blue Cards.
Board of Review – BOR
As a requirement for each rank advancement a scout must appear individually before a group of three to six adults (members of Troop Committee) to ensure that the scout has met the requirements for that rank. By policy the Scoutmaster (SM) and Asst. Scoutmasters (ASMs) cannot set on a BOR. A Board of Review takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference for Rank Advancement, or when a Scout requests it or if the Troop Committee feels the Scout needs it. Eagle boards are conducted at the district level.
Boy Scout Leader Basic Training
The three-part plan for building knowledge and skill as a Boy Scout leader, consisting of “New Leader Essentials”, Leader Specific Training and “Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills”. Each District offers programs for adult Scouters. Formerly called Acorn.
Bridging
A ceremony where Webelos Cub Scouts cross a ceremonial bridge to signify their transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. This is normally done at a Cub Scout Pack Meeting with Boy Scouts from the Webelos’ new troop participating. This is NOT a graduation ceremony from Cub Scouts, it is rather an induction ceremony into Boy Scouts.
BSA Lifeguard
A 3 year certification awarded to scouts or scouters who meet prescribed requirements in aquatic skills.
Buddy System
Whenever a scout needs to go somewhere at camp, hiking, Merit Badge Class, etc. it is always done in groups of at least two. A scout always takes a “buddy” scout with him. Also used as part of the “Safe Swim Defense” program.
Boy Scout Ranks (in order of increasing rank)
Tenderfoot Second Class First Class Star Life Eagle Eagle Palms: Bronze, Gold, Silver
Camporee
Camp out attended by several troops within the district. Usually there are various competitions between the patrols attending. These are generally held twice a year. The Spring Camporee is put on by the OA and Fall Camporee is currently put on by the district staff and volunteers.
Chaplain
Adult member of the Troop Committee who provides guidance to scouts related to observance of the 12th point of the Scout Law – A Scout is Reverent. This adult works with the Chaplain Aide, a youth leader.
Charter Organization
The organization that is officially chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to carry out the scouting program. The main liaison between the charter organization and the troop is the Charter Organization Rep. (COR). Our charter organization is the Lake Meade Property Owners Association.
Class A/B/C Uniform
Different types of activities require different uniforms. Class A is a complete uniform, Class B is the red Troop 88 T-shirt with Scout Hat, Class C is causal or street clothes.
Commissioner
Adult volunteers working at district or council level. Unit commissioners are assigned to units and should be a friendly resource to the unit leaders.
Committee Chairperson (CC)
A registered adult appointed by the Charter Organization to chair the Troop Committee. Presides at Troop Committee meetings. Works closely with the Charter Organization Rep (COR) and Scoutmaster (SM) to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.
COPE
Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. (Boy Scout activity involving heights, trust and team building).
COR
Charter Organization Representative – A person assigned by the chartering organization to be the liaison between the troop and the charter organization. Our charter organization is the Lake Meade Property Owners Association.
Council
A group of Districts make up a Council. Troop 88 is in the Battlefield District of the New Birth of Freedom Council.
Council Office
See Youth Leadership Training Center.
Court of Honor – COH
An awards ceremony held quarterly at which scouts are recognized for their rank advancements, merit badges earned, and other awards.
Cracker Barrel
A scout term for a social gathering with refreshments after a meeting or activity. Often an evening activity at camp before taps.
Den Chief
A Boy Scout who helps a Den Leader direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.
District
A subdivision of a council. The New Birth of Freedom Council has 5 districts. Troop 88 is in Battlefield District
Dutch Oven
A large cast iron covered pot used to bake and cook in.
Fast Start
A video training tape for new Boy Scout Leaders. This is a good introduction to Boy Scouts for all new parents. Can also be taken On-Line.
Firem’n Chit
A certification given to Scouts who know and understand fire safety rules.
FOS
Friends of Scouting – annual fund raiser for the council. The council does not get any share of your registration fee and is grateful for your donation.
Good Turn
“Do a Good Turn Daily” is the scout slogan. A good turn is something you do without being asked or expected to do it and for which you expect no reward.
Grub Master
The individual who is responsible for buying food for their patrol for a campout or other outing.
Guide to Safe Scouting
This booklet is the Bible when it comes to safety related issues in scouting. Those items in BOLD print are rules that MUST be followed. Everything else in the booklet are recommendations that should be followed. Troop leaders frequently consult this to see if planned activities are being done safely and within prescribed BSA policy.
High Adventure Base
One of three national activity areas designed to provide unique and challenging outdoor experiences. Planned and designed to meet the needs and desires of older Scouts. These facilities are Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), Northern Tier National High Adventure Base (Minnesota & Canada), and Sea Base (Florida).
Jamboree
Scout meeting or camp out on a grand scale. There are national and international jamborees.
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA)
Scouting and ham radio join forces to make many international contacts through the “air” waves.
JASM – Junior Asst. Scoutmaster
A youth between 16 and 18 who has already held major leadership positions within the troop. Appointed by the Scoutmaster to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders. In Troop 88 this position requires the individual be an Eagle Scout. See The Patrol Method for more details of duties.
JLT – Junior Leader Training
A training class taught by the senior youth leaders for newly elected and appointed youth leaders generally in the fall.
Kim’s Game
A game requiring a keen eye and memory. Played by first studying twenty or so articles on a table for a short period of time, then retiring to make a list of what items you have seen. From Rudyard Kipling’s story Kim.
Klondike Derby
A winter/snow oriented camporee. Overnight camping experience in the snow with team building games and activities.
Knots
Worn by adults to signify training or awards received. See list of knots .
Kybo
What the Boy Scouts call an outdoor bathroom without plumbing.
Leadership
To advance in the more senior ranks a scout must hold a leadership position for a set period of time. The rank requirements in the Boy Scout Handbook (as revised) lists the leadership positions that qualify.
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.
Merit Badge Expo
A Saturday morning event where scouts can be introduced to Merit Badges. Some adult training is also often offered at these events.
Merit Badge Sash
As scouts earn Merit Badges they are sewn on a Merit Badge Sash (available at the Scout Shop). The Merit Badge Sash is normally worn only for formal occasions such as a Court-of-Honor.
Mother’s Pin
See Parents Pin.
Mystery Trip
A camp out or outing where the majority of the troop does not know the destination or activity. Hints are offered prior to the event to provide clues to the outing.
NESA
National Eagle Scout Association . Open to membership to any youth or adult who attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Northern Tier National High Adventure Base
This immense, year round facility consists of the Charles L. Sommers Canoe Base near Ely, MN, the Bissett Base in Manitoba, Canada, and the Atikokan Canoe Base in Ontario. Each offers Explorers and older Scouts the world’s best canoeing, camping, and adventure, each with a different character and the promise of memories to last a lifetime.
Order of the Arrow – (OA)
A national brotherhood of scout honor campers of the Boy Scouts of America. Members are elected by their peers after meeting basic requirements of camping knowledge and experience. Also called OA. The OA motto of “Cheerful Service” indicates their purpose. They are often found improving scout camps, running council events, and providing service to the scouting community. More Info on OA
OA Ordeal
The initiation ceremony experience for new OA members generally involving personal introspection, service to improve camp or trail and ceremonies based on Indian legend or lore.
Palms, Eagle
After a scout reaches the rank of Eagle, they can earn a Palm for every 5 additional Merit Badges they complete. You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the 21 required for the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15. For example a scout with 20 additional Merit Badges would wear a Silver and a Bronze Palm.
Parent Pin
At each rank advancement the scout is given a small pin symbolizing that rank to present to their parent. A ribbon is worn around the neck that holds the pins from both Cub Scout and Boy Scout ranks.
Patrol
The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. Made up of 6-10 scouts who camp, cook and eat together. They work as a team at various activities and events. They elect their own leader.
Patrol Equipment
The Patrol Equipment consists of tents, stoves, lanterns, and cooking equipment. The Patrol is responsible for the storage and upkeep of this equipment. This equipment is stored and transported in Patrol Boxes which need to be cleaned after each outing.
Patrol Leader (PL)
The elected leader for the patrol. He appoints an Asst. Patrol Leader (APL) to help in running the patrol.
Patrol Leaders Council (PLC)
Made up of the youth leadership of the troop. They meet once a month to plan the following month’s activities and annually to plan the upcoming year.
Permission Slip
In order to go on any outing the scout must have a Permission Slip signed by his parent. The Permission Slip also provides details about uniform, departure time, food, etc. Permission Slips are posted on the troop web site at least one week prior to the due date. It is the scout’s responsibility to make sure they have the appropriate Permission Slip signed and turned in by 7:15 p.m. on the due date noted on the Permission Slip.
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) is a standardized file format to make documents and forms readily available on the Internet. You need the free Adobe Reader to view these file types. Many forms and documents on this web site are in the PDF format.
PFD
Personal Floatation Device (PFD) otherwise known as a life vest. Those used in scouting must be U.S. Coast Guard approved.
Philmont Scout Ranch
A 137,000-acre national high adventure base and training center located at Cimarron, New Mexico. Philmont offers older Scouts and Explorers the experience of a lifetime in activities that include rock climbing, archaeological excavation, black powder riflery, fishing, panning for gold, and horseback adventures.
Quartermaster
A Troop or Patrol member who looks after the troop or patrol equipment.
Re-charter
Annual process of re-registering the troop, scouts and scouters. Each unit designates leaders to collect the information and present updated paperwork to the council. Our charter year is December to December. We start processing re-charter paperwork in October for the following year’s term.
Roundtable
Monthly meeting for leaders to exchange ideas, fellowship, and, a few announcements that is run by the district. Battlefield District Roundtable meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 pm at The Cross Keys Village.
Safe Swim Defense
An eight step plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner. Can be taken on-line.
Safety Afloat
Guidelines for safe troop activities utilizing water craft. Can be taken on-line.
Scout
Any registered youth.
ScoutBook
A software program used to track scout advancement. The Scout Handbooks are used to update this database. Reports from this software are used to order awards and other patches from the council office. It is important that a scout make sure his advancement progress is recorded in the database.
Scouter
Any registered adult leader.
Scoutmaster (SM)
Adult leader who trains and guides the youth leaders in carrying out the scouting program. One or more Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) help the Scoutmaster and are often assigned specific roles and duties.
Scoutmaster Conference
A formal meeting that takes place at a Troop meeting or activity between a Scout and the Scoutmaster, or a person he designates, to review a scout’s progress. A Scoutmaster Conference takes place at advancement time prior to a Board of Review, when a Scout requests it or if the Scoutmaster feels the Scout needs it.
Scouting for Food
National Good Turn: Every year, Scouts collect food for the fight against hunger. Bags for canned food are distributed on a Saturday in November and then collected the following Saturday. The food is turned over to local food banks for distribution to needy families. “Scouting For Food” is a national “Good Turn” of the Boy Scouts of America. Food distribution centers rely on this huge influx of food right before the Thanksgiving holidays.
Scout-O-Rama
Large scouting event. Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops display some of their favorite activities. The scouts help out their units and also get time to visit other unit’s displays.
Scouts Own
Non-denominational religious observance of reflection usually conducted on camp outs. Allows each Scout the opportunity to obey the twelfth point of the Scout Law in his own way.
Scout Spirit
The way a scout tries to live up to the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and motto in his everyday life.
Sea Base
Strategically located in the Florida Keys, in Isla Morada, FL, this national high adventure base has a year-round program of sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Service Star
A pin worn over the left shirt pocket of the uniform to denote the number of years of service.
Silver Beaver
A recognition given to adults by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the council.
Spirit Patrol
Patrols earns this recognition by demonstrating good Scout Spirit. The Spirit Patrol conducts the opening and closing at troop meetings and holds the Spirit Stave until the next month when a new Spirit Patrol is selected by the troops senior youth leaders.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
The senior most elected youth leader of the troop. The SPL is in charge of the troop at all functions and activities. He appoints one or more assistants (ASPL) to help him in running the troop.
Swim Check – (BSA Swimmer Test)
Used to determine of the individual is a swimmer, beginner, or non-swimmer. Jump feet first into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating.
Totin’ Chip
A certification 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 scoutmaster. Any time a Scout is observed doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, a corner is cut off his Totin’ Chip card. When all four corners are gone, the card is taken away and must be re-earned.
Tour Permit
A document that must be filed with the council office before any official scouting activity can take place. Special permits are required for travel out-of-state, over 500 miles, or for flying activities.
Troop Committee
Adult committee of registered adults that provide oversight, assistance, and guidance to the Scoutmaster in carrying out the scouting program within the troop. The Troop Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources requested by the PLC and Scoutmaster that are required to carry out the scouting program. The Troop Committee meets each month generally on the 3rd Sunday of the month. All registered adults are part of the Troop Committee, key members include the Committee Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Advancement Coordinator, Equipment Coordinator, and Fund Raising Coordinator.
Troop Guide
A senior scout who is assigned to work with new Scouts. He helps them feel comfortable and earn their First Class rank in their first year.
Two Deep
Two Deep Leadership is a Boy Scout Policy. A minimum of two adults must always be present with any youth. One of these adults must be 21 years old. This is part of the BSA Youth Protection Guidelines. Our troop also requires that tour leaders are Acorn (New Leader Essential/Scoutmaster Fundamentals) trained.
University of Scouting
All-day learning experience for adult leaders covering a wide variety of subjects with some hands-on experiences.
Woodbadge
Advanced Training for Boy Scout adult leaders. Woodbadge. Any adult who has taken Basic Leader Training (Acorn Training) can attend this advanced training course to expand their knowledge of the scouting program and be of more help to the troop.
Yearly Planning Meeting
See Annual Planning Meeting.
YIB – Yours In Brotherhood
Often used as a closing in an E-mail similar to how “Sincerely yours” might be used in a letter. Reserved for use by Order Of the Arrow Members
Youth Protection
Training courses about child abuse. Training is offered for different age groups of scouts and for adults. Each spring all scouts must attend this training prior to going to Summer Camp. At least one adult on every Scouting outing must be Youth Protection Trained. If an adult is not able to take the adult training in person, it is also available on-line at the council website.
Nothing in this glossary should be considered policy or method of operation. It is intended only as a short description of some of the more common terms used in scouting. Official BSA or troop policy should be consulted if there are any questions.