Boy Scouts of America 100 year aniversary

Boy Scout Troop 96

Simon Kenton Council, Gateway District
Upper Arlington, OH

Learn to Speak Scouting


Scouting practically has its own language. Here are most of the terms you're likely to hear during your involvement with Scouting. Now, when your son tells you, "I'm meeting my patrol on the Thursday before the camporee to work on my Second Class, you'll understand.

Boy Scouts

Assistant patrol leader
A Boy Scout who is appointed by the patrol leader to help him and to take his place in his absence.
Assistant Scoutmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to help the Scoutmaster by working with a new-Scout patrol, Varsity Scout team, or Venture patrol.
Assistant senior patrol leader
A troop youth leader, usually in larger troops, who helps the senior patrol leader. Appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster's advice and consent.
Baden-Powell, Robert Stephenson Smyth
Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement. Born February 22, 1857, in London. Made a baron in 1929. He is referred to as Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Chief Scout of the World. Died January 8, 1941. Abbreviate to B-P (without periods).
Board of Review
A review held to determine if a Boy Scout has satisfactorily completed rank requirements. A review may be held also to encourage Boy Scouts who are not advancing. For the first five ranks, the board of review is conducted by the troop committee. For the Eagle Scout rank, the Council decides whether the unit committee or the district or Council committee responsible for advancement conducts the board of review. At least one district or Council advancement representative shall be a member of the unit board of review.
Camp Director
The Scouter in charge of the administration of a Boy Scout resident camp or a Cub Scout day camp or resident camp.
Camp Ranger
A ranger's responsibilities may include keeping camp facilities functioning properly, performing camp improvements and maintenance, issuing supplies and equipment related to maintenance, directing the maintenance staff, and managing the off-season program. Usually the ranger reports to the camp director or business manager.
Camping Director
A professional Scouter who is responsible for development of the year-round camping program of the local Council. This person supervises the long-term camping program and may or may not serve as the resident camp director.
Camporee
Derived from two words: camp and jamboree. A camporee is a district or Council troop activity that demonstrates the techniques of living in camp. Involves a one- or two-night camping experience and may include Scoutcraft competition.
Chaplain
  1. Spiritual leader for units appointed by the church, synagogue, or community organization chartered to use the Scouting program.
  2. One who gives spiritual leadership to a camp or jamboree community; conducts religious services according to his or her faith and arranges for other religious observance as needed; provides help in dealing with morale; and visits those who are ill and provides counseling in case of bereavement.
Chaplain Aide
A youth leader who works with the troop chaplain to ensure all members have appropriate religious observance during outings and helps other Scouts in the religious emblems program. Appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster's advice and consent.
Charter
In the BSA, charters authorize (1) an organization to operate BSA Scouting units (see "chartered organization"); (2) a local Council to incorporate as a BSA local Council; (3) operation of an Order of the Arrow lodge; or (4) the Boy Scouts of America to incorporate. See "Charter of the Boy Scouts of America" and "Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America." When used as a verb, use "to obtain a charter" and "to renew a charter" rather than "to charter" or "to recharter."
Chartered Organization
A religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other community-based organization that has applied for and received a charter to operate a BSA Scouting unit.
Chartered Organization Representative
A manager of Scouting in a chartered organization who also represents this organization in the local Council and district.
Commissioner
A commissioned Scouter who works with packs, troops, teams, and Venturing crews to help the units succeed. In addition to the Council commissioner, there are district commissioners, Assistantdistrict commissioners, roundtable commissioners, huddle commissioners, and unit commissioners. Also see "international commissioner."
Council
An administrative body chartered to be responsible for Scouting in a designated geographic territory. The Sam Houston Area Council is responsible for Scouting in 16 Central Texas counties.
Court of Honor
A recognition ceremony for those who have met the requirements of any one of the Boy Scout ranks, merit badges, or other awards
District
A geographical area of the Council determined by the Council executive board to help ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district's territory. The Sam Houston Area Council is made up of nearly 30 districts.
District Committee
Consisting of chartered organization representatives and elected district members at large, the district committee coordinates the functions of the district to carry out the policies and objectives of the Council. The executive office of the district committee is the district chairperson.
District Executive
A professional Scouter who works under the direction of the local Council Scout executive and acts as an adviser to the volunteer leaders in the district.
Eagle Scout
The highest rank for Scouts.
Fast Start training
Adult volunteer leadership training that immediately furnishes the information new leaders need to help them get started, help them understand what is expected of them, and assist in establishing effective meeting patterns. There are versions for Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders.
First Class
The rank above Second Class Scout and below Star Scout in Boy Scouting.
Friends of Scouting (FOS)
An annual opportunity for Scouters and interested people in the community to be identified with the local Council through their financial support and influence in the expansion of the Council program.
Gilwell Park
The training center of the British Scout Association and the original homesite of Wood Badge training. Located in Epping Forest, England; chosen by Baden-Powell as the territorial designation for his peerage, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell.
Good Turn
A distinctive feature of Boy Scouting is its emphasis on service to others. The Good Turn habit is one that all Scouts endeavor to acquire.
High Adventure
Refers to high-adventure activities or to trek programs administered by local Councils for older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers.
Jamboree
A term chosen by Baden-Powell to describe the first international gathering of Scouts camping together in London in 1920. The term is restricted to indicate a national or world jamboree. Not capitalized unless in the title of a specific jamboree, as: "1993 National Scout Jamboree" or "19th World Scout Jamboree." The BSA has a national jamboree every four years.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A troop may have any number of junior Assistant Scoutmasters. They are 16- or 17-year-old Scouts who help the senior patrol leader; they are appointed by him, with the Scoutmaster's advice and consent
Key 3
  1. The Council Key 3:
    • Council president,
    • Council commissioner, and S
    • cout executive;
  2. The district Key 3:
    • District chairman,
    • District commissioner, and
    • District executive
Leave No Trace
The BSA is committed to this nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program to reduce impacts on the environment and other people. The seven principles should be followed at all times in the outdoors: Plan ahead and prepare; camp and travel on durable surfaces; pack it in, pack it out; leave what you find; minimize campfire use; respect wildlife; and respect others.
Life Scout
The rank below Eagle Scout and above Star Scout.
Long-term Camping
A camping experience consisting of five or more consecutive days and nights in the outdoors.
Merit Badge
A recognition given to a Boy Scout for completing the requirements for the badge. There are more than a hundred subjects in life skills, hobby, and career fields, with requirements and supporting pamphlets to help Scouts broaden their outlook.
Merit Badge Counselor
A registered adult volunteer at least age 18 who is expert in a merit badge field and shares enthusiasm for that field with Scouts and who certifies that requirements have been met.
National Office
The address of the administrative offices of the Boy Scouts of America is Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.
Order of the Arrow
Scouting's national honor society. Youth members (Arrowmen) must hold First Class Scout rank; they are elected by all youth members of the troop, based on their Scouting spirit and camping ability. The aim of the OA is to promote the outdoor program and service to Scouting
Patrol
A small group of Boy Scouts (usually five to eight) who belong to a troop and work together in and out of troop meetings. Normally, there are several patrols in one troop. Capitalize only when part of a title, such as "Fox Patrol." Note: Webelos dens are not patrols.
Patrol Leader
Elected by the patrol members, this Boy Scout leads the patrol and represents it on the patrol leaders' Council, which plans the troop program.
Patrol Leaders' Council
Each patrol leader, representing his patrol, meets with other patrol leaders and the senior patrol leader to plan their troop program. The Scoutmaster acts as an adviser.
P.R.A.Y.
Abbreviation for Programs of Religious Activities With Youth. An organization outside the BSA that administers religious awards for youth-serving organizations, including the BSA, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire.
Quality awards
Recognition given each charter year to units and each calendar year to districts, Councils, areas, and regions that commit to and meet specified national standards pertaining to leader training, service, advancement, camping, and membership growth. Applies to packs, troops, teams, crews and ships.
Region
One of four geographical administrative units of the BSA: Northeast Region, Southern Region, Central Region, and Western Region. There are regional service centers, regional directors, regional staffs, regional presidents, and regional committee members. The Capitol Area Council is located in the Southern Region.
Roundtable
An event conducted by a roundtable commissioner and roundtable staff to help the unit leadership of a district plan and carry out their own unit programs.
Safe Swim Defense plan
An eight-point plan of recommended procedures for conducting group swims. The eight points are:
  1. qualified supervision,
  2. physical fitness,
  3. safe swimming area,
  4. lifeguards on duty,
  5. lookout,
  6. ability groups,
  7. buddy system, and
  8. good discipline.
Safety Afloat
Guidelines for safe unit activity afloat in craft less than 26 feet long: (1) qualified supervision, (2) physical fitness, (3) swimming ability, (4) personal flotation equipment, (5) buddy system, (6) skill proficiency, (7) planning, (8) equipment, and (9) discipline.
Scout Executive
The chief executive officer of the Council responsible for the administration, financing, marketing, motivation, recruiting, and staffing required for successful Council operations. Tom Varnell is the Scout Executive of Sam Houston Area Council.
Scout reservation or camp
Land owned by or leased to the Boy Scouts of America to further the Scouting program. A Scout ranch, reservation and sometimes a camp usually has two or more camps or separate camping areas. The Sam Houston Area Council’s Bovay Scout Ranch contains the McNair Cub Adventure Camp, Duke Energy Camporee Site and a future Boy Scout Camp. Camp Strake contains the Janis and George Fleming Cub World, Conference Center, Deer Lake, Grand Lake, and Hart Kuester/Seton Training Site. El Rancho Cima contains the Cockrell Scout Camp, Walter Scout Camp at Horseshoe Bend, and Iron Wheel Mesa.
Scout Sunday
The Sunday before February 8, Scouting Anniversary Day.
Scouter
A registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America who serves in a volunteer or professional capacity.
Scouting Anniversary Day
February 8, 1910, was the day William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouting Anniversary Week
This is the week, beginning on Sunday, that includes February 8, Scouting Anniversary Day. During the week, units are encouraged to conduct rededication ceremonies and to demonstrate Scouting's purposeful activities. It has been tradition that the Capitol Area Council hosts the Report to State on the first Saturday of Scouting Anniversary Week. The event involves a Scout parade through downtown Austin and a Report ceremony involving all of the Councils across Texas inside the chambers of the Texas House of Representatives.
Scoutmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 21 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to lead a Boy Scout troop.
Scoutmaster conference
A distinctive feature of the troop advancement plan in which a Scoutmaster helps a Scout accept the responsibility for his own growth toward each rank.
Scoutmaster's Minute
A part of the closing ceremony of a troop meeting or campfire in which the Scoutmaster encourages Scoutlike conduct by telling a story.
Second Class
The rank above Tenderfoot in Boy Scout and Varsity Scout advancement.
Senior Patrol Leader
Each troop has one senior patrol leader, a Scout elected by the Scouts to help all the patrols succeed. He may be assisted by one or more Assistantsenior patrol leaders.
Silver Beaver Award
A recognition given by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the Council.
Short-term Camping
A camping experience consisting of one to four days and at least one night outdoors.
Squad
A Varsity Scout team subdivision that consists of four to eight members; equivalent to a patrol in a Boy Scout troop.
Squad Leader
Elected by squad members, this Varsity Scout leads the squad and, with other team members, develops team meeting agendas.
Star
The rank above First Class and below Life in Scout advancement.
Tenderfoot
The first rank in the Boy Scout advancement program. Always singular.
Totin' Chip
Recognition given to Scouts who subscribe to the Outdoor Code and understand and can demonstrate the proper handling, care, and use of woods tools.
Troop
The unit that conducts Boy Scouting for the chartered organization. Capitalize only when used with the troop number.
Unit
The entity that conducts Scouting for the chartered organization; it consists of registered youth members and registered adult volunteer members. A unit may be a pack, troop, team, crew, or ship.
Varsity Scout
A young man who is a registered youth member of a Varsity Scout team.
Varsity Scout team
A stand-alone unit that conducts Varsity Scouting for the chartered organization.
Varsity Scouting
A part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men (Varsity Scouts) who are at least 14 but not yet 18 years old. The unit is a team; the unit leader is a Coach. Emphasis is on advancement, high adventure, personal development, service, and special programs and events.
Volunteer
Individual who donates service, time, or funds to support the program of the Boy Scouts of America.
Wood Badge
Training award granted upon completion of the Wood Badge for the 21st Century course. A leather thong with two wooden beads, a special neckerchief, and a slide (woggle) are worn by those who have completed the training.

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