Pack 68's
PUBLIC SITE
Home Page
Uniforms
Cub Scout Adventures
Scouting Lingo


 
Cub Scout Pack 68
(Farmington, Connecticut)
 
ScoutLander Contact Our Pack Member Login
  
 

A Field Guide to Cub Scout Lingo


With thanks to www.ussouts.org


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:

 

Akela

The Leader of the Pack.  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 award 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.

 

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.

 

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 the Farmington Fire Department

 

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. Antigiovani is our Chartered Organization Representative

 

Commissioner

A volunteer Scouter who works with packs, troops, and crews to help the unit succeed. 

 

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 Rick Blake

 

Council

A geographical are, made of up districts for administration of the Boy Scout programs.   Ours is called the Connecticut Rivers Council

 

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.

 

Cubmaster

The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader. The Cubmaster runs the pack meetings and advices other leaders. Our Cubmaster is Pam Hardiman.

 

Den

A group of 6-8 boys who meet at regular intervals.

 

Denner

A Cub Scout or Webelos scout elected by his peers to help the den chief and den leader.

 

Den Chief

A Boy Scout who helps  direct 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 the Mark Twain District. 

 

District Executive

A professional Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the

 district. Our DE is Phil Bush.

 

Elective Adventure

After the Core requirements for a badge. Can be repeated, if boy does his best every time.


Fast Start

Program for new leaders to help them until they can complete Cub Leader training online

 

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.

 

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 Adult 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.

 

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 tha 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

Stands for We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. Boys in 4th and 5th grade. Sometimes wear the khaki Boy Scout uniform (means he outgrew the blue one). Works on Adventure Pins (not belt loops), 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!