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About
Uniform
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Scout Glossary
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 some where), or sneak a glance at this glossary if your bashful about asking.
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If there are any terms you dont know that you do not see in this glossary please email the webmaster
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.
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.
Blood Zone- A safety zone around someone using a pocket knife, hatchet, ax, or other sharp tool. Basically it is an arms length plus the length of the tool in all directions. No one should be in another persons Blood Zone when a sharp tool is in use.
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.
Buddy System- When ever 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.
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.
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 Pittsboro Lions Club
Class A/B/C/F Uniform- Different types of activities require different uniforms. Class A is a complete uniform, Class B is a yellow T-shirt with Scout Hat, Class C is causal or street clothes, Class F is formal. A complete description with insignia placement help is provided here.
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 Pack Committee. Presides at Pack Committee meetings. Works closely with the Charter Organization Rep (COR) and Cubmaster (CM) to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.
COR- Charter Organization Representative - A person assigned by the chartering organization to be the liaison between the Pack and the charter organization. Our charter organization is the Pittsboro United Methodist Church.
Council- A group of Districts make up a Council. Pack 93 is in the Three Rivers District of the Occoneechee Council.
Cracker Barrel- A scout term for a social gathering with refreshments after a meeting or activity. Often an evening activity at camp before taps.
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- See link for information concerning the duties and responsibilities of this office.
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 Occoneechee Council has 13 districts.
Baden Powell District - Wake County (Inside the Beltline and Hwy 70 West)
Cape Fear - Harnett County
Crosswinds - Wake County (Southwest)
Falls - Wake County (Northwest)
Great Northern - Franklin, Granville, Vance & Warren Counties
Hemlock - Wake County (Southwest)
Kia Kima - Cumberland County
Mawat - Durham County
Moore - Moore County (except for the Fort Bragg and Pope AFB areas)
Neuse River - Wake County (Northeast)
Orange - Orange County
Three Rivers - Lee & Chatham Counties This is our district
Tuocs - Fort Bragg & Pope Air Force Base
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.
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.
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. Pack leaders frequently consult this to see if planned activities are being done safely and within prescribed BSA policy.
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. Traditionally the 3rd weekend in October.
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.
Knots- Worn by adults to signify training or awards received. See list of knots .
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.
Mother's Pin- See Parents Pin.
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.
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.
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 scouts 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.
PDF- 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.
Quartermaster- A Pack leader who looks after the equipment.
Re-charter- Annual process of re-registering the Pack, scouts and scouters. Each unit designates leaders to collect the information and present updated paperwork to the council. Our charter year is February to February. We start processing re-charter paperwork in January for the following years term.
Roundtable- Monthly meeting for leaders to exchange ideas, fellowship, and, a few announcements that is run by the district. Cape Fear District Roundtable meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month beginning at 7:30 pm at Buies Creek First Baptist Church.
Safe Swim Defense- A 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.
Scouter- Any registered adult leader.
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.
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Scouts Own Service
- 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 Cubscout Law of the Pack, Slogan, and motto in his everyday life.
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.
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Spirit Stick
- Each Den can earn this recognition by demonstrating good Scout Spirit. The Spirit Stick is held by that Den until the next month when a new Den is selected by the Cubmaster.
Totin' Chip- A certification that enables the bearer to use a knife. 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 Cubmaster. 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.
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Pack Committee
- Adult committee of registered adults that provide oversight, assistance, and guidance to the Cubmaster in carrying out the scouting program within the Pack. The Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources for t he Pack functions. The Committee meets each month generally on the 2nd Monday of the month. All registered adults are part of the Committee, key members include the Committee Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Outdoor/activities Coordinator, Advancement Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Equipment Quartermaster, and Fund Raising Coordinator.
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PackMaster
- 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.
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.
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.
YIS - Yours In Scouting- Often used as a closing in an E-mail similar to how "Sincerely yours" might be used in a letter. Any scout or scouter may use it.
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.
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