Boy Scout Terms
Ad Altare Dei - A religious medal earned by Catholic Boy Scouts of America.
Advisor - A non-paid adult volunteer leader (21 years old or older, man or woman), who is appointed to lead a BSA Explorer Post, Venturing Crew or Order of the Arrow Lodge.
Alpha Phi Omega (APO) - A college age organization made up primarily of former and current members of BSA.
Assistant Scoutmaster - A BSA volunteer Scout Leader, (21 year old or older, man or woman) who assists the Scoutmaster in a Boy Scout Troop.
ASM - A BSA abbreviation for Assistant Scoutmaster that has been replaced by with SA (Scoutmaster Assistant).
Assistant Webelos Den Leader - A BSA adult Scout leader (21 year old or older, man or woman) who assists the Webelos Den Leader in running a Cub Scout Webelos Den meetings and the advancement program. A Webelos Den is for boys in the 4th and 5th school grade.
B-P - Short for Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (born February 22, 1857, died January 8, 1941, he was 83 years of age when he died). He was the founder of the world-wide Scout Movement. As a British Army Colonel, who was sent to South Africa to command and defend the city of Mafeking in 1899 during the Boer War. To instruct his poorly prepared and organized troops he wrote a military training manual called "Aids To Scouting for N.C.O.'s and Men" in 1899. It taught his troops how to scout, to track, stalk, spy and how to survive in the field. When he returned to England in 1903 he found that boys were using his military scouting manual for fun and games. In 1908 he rewrote his military scouting manual and called it "Scouting For Boys", which originally was issued in six booklets that were used to form the Boy Scouts. Girls became interested in the program too, so B-P started the Girl Guides and wrote a book for them in 1912 called the "Handbook For Girl Guides". B-P's sister, Agnes Baden-Powell, ran the girl program in the beginning. Juliette Gordon Low (the founder of GSUSA) met B-P in 1911 and brought his program to the USA to form the Girl Scouts. In 1912, Olave St Claire Soames married Robert Baden-Powell and took over the management of the Girl Guides and became The World Chief Guide. Olave Baden-Powell built the Girl Guides into the largest organization for girls and women ever seen. So you could say that B-P started all Scouting for boys and girls, as we know it.
Baden-Powell Patrol Award - A BSA award that is in the form of a small patch with a single star in the center of it. It is worn by all patrol members below their patrol emblem on the right uniform shirt sleeve. The Baden-Powell Patrol Star Award is a PATROL, not Scout, honor. To earn the award a Patrol must:
1) Spirit. Have a patrol flag and rally around it. Put your patrol design on all your equipment. Use your patrol yell or cheer and patrol call. Keep patrol records up to date for 3 months.
2) Patrol meetings. Hold two patrol meetings each month for three months.
3) Hikes, outdoor activities, and other events. Take part in one of these within three months.
4) Good Turns or service projects. Do two patrol leaders' council approved Good Turns or service projects within three months.
5) Advancement. Help two patrol members advance one rank during three months.
6) Uniform. Wear the uniform correctly (at least six scouts).
7) Patrol leaders' council. Represent the patrol during 3 patrol leaders' council meetings within three months.
Beard, Daniel Carter (1850-1914) - Author, artist, conservationist, and naturalist, and one of the first organizers of the BSA. He was the founder "The Sons Daniel Boone", a outdoor boy program, which was merged into the BSA. He was also an illustrator fore author Mark Twain.
Be Prepared - This is the Boy Scout Motto. When B-P was asked, "Be prepared for what?" He said, "Why, for any old thing!" One of the distinctive features of the scouting movement introduced by B-P.
Board of Review - abbreviated BOR, is one of the steps needed for BSA Boy Scout advancement, where a boy scout is questioned, but not re-examined, by a group of adult scout leaders.
Boyce, William D. (1858-1929) - The man who brought Scouting to America, and the main organizer of the Boy Scouts of America. He knew how to work with boys by running weekly publications that employed over 20,000 sales boys. And when he was helped in a London fog, by an unknown Boy Scout who would not take pay for his service, Boyce was very impressed. He was so impressed that after talking with Baden-Powell, he brought the idea of Boy Scouting back to America. He also founded the "Lone Scouts" for boys that did not have a Pack or Troop to belong to in the geographic area, but wanted to be part of Boy Scouting.
Boy Scout - A registered male member of a nationally recognized Scouting Program. In the USA, they are paid members of the BSA. Members must be 10.5 years old and have earned the AOL or be 11 years of age without the AOL, but not older than 18 years old.
Boy Scouts of America (BSA) - The American national Scouting organization chartered by the United States Congress. Founded and incorporated on February 8, 1910.
Boys' Life Magazine - A monthly magazine for boys and Boy Scouts. The first issue of Boys' Life appeared in April 1911 and cost five cents. It was published by a Massachusetts company and not BSA. In 1912 Joseph Lane made it a part of a reading program for boys. BSA bought the rights to it and have been printing it ever since. NOTE: Adult BSA leaders have a magazine called "Scouting," the first issue was printed in New York, N.Y. on April 15, 1913.
Brown sea - An Island off the southern coast of England where Baden-Powell tested his theory of the Boy Scout program and the Patrol Method. B-P selected twenty-one boys from every economic levels to camp for one week on this Island in July, 1907. In this first scouting experiment B-P tried his ideas of scouting aims and methods. Now many BSA Councils offer youth training and a summer camp program for new Scouts called "Brownsea" in honor of the first Scout camp on Brownsea Island.
BSA - An abbreviation for the "Boy Scouts of America."
Camporee - A campout of usually two nights and three days where multiple Boy Scout troops come together and hold Patrol contests that test Scout Skills. The boys earn awards patrol and troop awards (usually in the form of ribbons for their flag) and they usually receive a participants patch to wear on the right uniform shirt pocket for attending.
Canadian Boy Scouts Association - A boy scout program in Canada that operates under a Royal Charter granted by King Edward VII. It was a branch of the British Boy Scouts Association for many years.
Charter - A written permission (in a certificate form) given by a youth organization for a youth program to an sponsoring institution (called a charter organization in the BSA program) that allows them to form, organize and maintain a Scout unit.
Chartered Organization - An entity or organization that is chartered by a national scout organization to own and operate a unit in the Scouting movement.
Climb on Safely - A BSA program that teaches safe climbing and rappelling activities at all levels of the Scouting program (Tiger Cubs to Venturing). See BSA publication: Climb On Safely, No. 20-099.
Commissioner - A volunteer Scout Leader (Scouter) who is the quality control person for the program at the unit, district, or council level.
Commissioner's Arrowhead Award - An award presented by a BSA Boy Scout Council to a District Commissioner or Assistant District Commissioner (un-paid volunteer Scout Leaders) after they complete several requirements and projects. The award is a white arrowhead shaped patch (badge) worn on the left sleeve of the uniform shirt under the District Commissioner shoulder patch. To earn this award a District Commissioner have to perform a list of items such as:
1) Fill in and follow up on a Unit Commissioner Work Sheet (Pack BSA No.34125A, Troop BSA No.34126A, Crew BSA No.33660A and Post BSA No.33619A) for each unit assigned to them.
2) Complete an evaluation of all commissioner they supervise.
3) Based on evaluation, realign the staff to produce more effective unit service. (Not required for assistants.)
4) Conduct a membership and leadership inventory in each assigned unit.
5) Attend six district commissioner staff meetings and provide the training topic for one meeting.
6) Participate in charter renewal meeting resulting in on-time unit registration.
7) Participate in charter presentation.
8) Attend a council commissioner conference or actively participate in a major council event.
9) Provide personal coaching for the commissioners you supervise.
NOTE: Variations of this list are used by different local Boy Scout Councils.
COPE - an acronym for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience, a Boy Scout program that offers a series of outdoor challenges, beginning with basic group initiative games and progressing to more complicated low-course and high-course activities.
Court of Honor - A public ceremony attended by Scouting members, family and friends where a Scout is awarded the rank or badges that he or she has earned.
Coach - A BSA volunteer Scout Leader, (21 year old or older, man or woman) who works in a BSA Varsity Scouting program.
Council - In the BSA it is an organization responsible for scout units within a designated geographic area. They organize leader training courses, offer and own Scout summer camps, have a Service Center (Council Office) and organize events using adult volunteers as needed. The Council is responsible for training, membership, advancement, and all records for its units and members. Each state has one or more Councils that provide support to units in their geographic area. There is one National Council that governs all local BSA Councils and their are BSA Councils in foreign countries that provide a Scouting program to US Military personnel and diplomatic agencies.
Cracker Barrel - A scout term for a get together or informal meeting, usually held at night after a days events where things are discussed over drinks and snacks (usually crackers, cheese and cold meats).
Crew - The term for a group, such as a Venture Crew or group of hikers at Philmont Scout Ranch, etc..
Den Chief - An older Boy Scout (usually at least a First Class Rank) who works with Cub Scouts in their Den and Pack meetings and who assists an adult Den Leader.
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award - Presented to Eagle Scouts who has distinguished themselves in a career of public life and service for at least 25 years after earning their Eagle Scout rank. Some who have earned it include President Gerald Ford, Apollo Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Astronaut James Lovell Jr..
District - A section of a local BSA Council's geographic area comprised of individual cities or towns and the Scout units (Packs, Troops, Posts, etc.) within them. A BSA Council can have as many Districts as they want to divide the territory they cover into.
District Executive - A paid professional adult Scout leader (man or woman) responsible for organizing and managing non-paid adult volunteer Scout Leaders and Scout units within a district (or districts) within a local Council. The local BSA Council pays this person a salary and the BSA National Council provides the local Councils with a list of trained candidates that can fill their needs. BSA acts kind of like a contract employeement agency to a BSA Council.
Ditty Bag - A small bag carried on a hike or campout that can hold a first aid kit and other small personal hygiene items.
Eagle Scout - The highest youth rank award in the Boy Scouts of America. A Boy Scout must earn 21 Boy Scout Merit Badges, plus plan and lead an Eagle Scout service project that benefits a school, church or their community. The award is a silver metal eagle that is suspended from a red, white and blue ribbon, and there is also an oval award patch that can be sewn on the left uniform shirt pocket. Adults Scout Leaders, who earned Eagle Scout as a boy, can wear a red, white and blue square knot patch above their left uniform shirt pocket to signify the award.
Explorer - A registered male or female youth, age 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 through 20 years old. Their group is called and Explorer Post and they are part of the Boy Scouts of America Learning for Life Program. Explorer Posts are a career-based program that gives youth an opportunity to visit community organizations and explore the dynamics of various careers. Explorer Posts can specialize in a variety of career skills, including the following: Arts & Humanities, Aviation, Business, Communications, Engineering, Fire Service, Health, Law Enforcement, Law & Government, Science, Skilled Trades, Social Services and others fields.
Fast Start Training - A video tape training aid and self-study course for adult leaders in Boy Scouts of America. There is even an online version of it on the Internet now. There is a fast start training for every level of the BSA Scouting program (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturing, etc.).
First Class Scout - The third rank badge for a Boy Scout in the BSA.
Fleur-de-lis - The generic Scout emblem that in the shape of the three leaf Lily or Iris flower.
Gilwell Training Center - An international adult Scout leader Training Center located outside of London, England. It was founded by Lord Baden-Powell and is the home of Wood Badge Training.
Gold Quill Award - The highest award of medal of merit presented to BSA Boy Scouts for outstanding journalism, reporting, photography, and communication. Awarded for contributing articles and stories to the early "Lone Scout" and later "Boys' Life" magazines or other publications.
Good Turn - As in "Do a good turn daily." The act of providing a free service to anyone without expecting a reward or praise. It is the Scout slogan that was introduced by Baden-Powell.
Gorp - A mixture of dried fruit, hard candies, nuts, chocolate chips, M&M's candies, cereals, grains, pretzels, and other small high energy foods. Usually stored in a zip-loc plastic bag, then kept in the pocket and eaten on the trail as a snack while hiking.
Grubmaster - A Boy Scout who organizes, buys, stores and distributes the food for a patrol on a campout.
Handclasp - The Boy Scout handclasp or handshake is made using the left hand. It is a tradition started by Baden-Powell who got it from his military service in Africa. African natives held their shield for protection in their left hand. If they put down their shield and offered you their left hand to shake it showed they trusted you and offered their friendship.
Heroism Award - A BSA medal awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at minimum risk to themselves.
Hiking Staff or Hiking Stave - A walking stick or pole used on hikes. Sometimes it's a simple long pole, sometimes its elaborately decorated or carved and it can have many useful tools added to it.
Hornaday Award - A high award presented to youth and adult members of the BSA for conservation and the preservation of wildlife.
Honor Medal - A BSA medal awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save life with considerable risk to injury to themselves.
Honor Medal with Crossed Palms - A BSA medal with crossed palm attachment that is awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated exceptional heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life with extreme risk to injury to themselves.
International Conference - A conference for leaders involved in World Organization of Scouting (WOSM). It is held every two years to exchange new methods and techniques for use in Scouting.
Interpreter Strip - A cloth patch (badge to foreign scouts) that youth and adult members of the BSA earn for proficiency in a foreign language and includes sign language for the deaf. It has the name of the language embroidered on it and is worn above the Boy Scouts of America strip above the right uniform shirt pocket.
Jamboree - A huge special gathering of Scouts and Scout Leaders from many different units or regions within a state (a Regional Jamboree) within the American Nation (a BSA National Jamboree) or the World (a World Jamboree). Jamborees are usually held every four years. The National Jamboree use to be held in different locations, the first one was held in Washington D.C. in 1937. The BSA National Jamboree is now always held at Fort A.P. Hill (an Army Training Base) in Virginia. The World Jamboree is held in a different country each time and the first one was held at Olympia, London, England in 1920.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster - A youth leadership position for Boy Scouts who are still working on rank advancement. They assist the Scoutmaster and the Assistant Scoutmasters to lead a Boy Scout Troop.
Kim's Game - A memory game played by Scouts where they get to take a quick look at a large group of objects (around 20) that are say hidden under a blanket. Then they are covered up and the Scouts have to list all the objects they saw. The game was derived from a story called "Kim" written by Rudyard Kipling.
Learning for Life - A BSA program that is used in the school system or career oriented to help youth be better prepared for their future as adult citizens.
Life Saving Awards - Are medals presented by the BSA National Headquarters in Texas to youth members who either save or try to save a life. They come in four levels depending on how much risk was involved in the action (listed here lowest to highest level): Medal of Merit, Medal for Heroism, Honor Medal, and the Honor Medal with Crossed Palms.
Life Scout - The fifth rank badge earned by a Boy Scout (BSA), one rank below Eagle Scout. The badge is in the shape of a red heart with the Scout emblem on it.
Light Is Life - A religious medal earned by Catholic Boy Scouts.
Lone Scout - A BSA Boy Scout program for a single boy who has no Boy Scout Troop to belong to where they live. They are a registered member of the BSA, so they can still learn and work on badge advancement with an adult mentor. The Lone Scout has a special round patch (badge) that they wear on the shoulder of their uniform shirt that has a profile of a standing Indian Brave figure on it.
Merit Badge - are round Boy Scout (BSA) cloth badges with embriodered emblems that represents a career field or a hobby. They are awarded for completing requirements that are covered in a Merit Badge booklet for the given badge. As of 2003, there are 119 different Merit Badges that a Boy Scout can earn. A Boy Scout must earn 11 Required and 10 Elective Merit Badges to become an Eagle Scout. They can be sewn on the sleeve of a long sleeve Boy Scout uniform shirt, but are usually worn on a Merit Badge Sash. In the early days of the BSA, Merit Badges were square in shape.
Merit Badge Counselor - Is an adult with a vocation or avocation (expertise) in a given field of study covered by a Merit Badge. They instruct and help a Boy Scout meet the requirements for a badge. Adults must be registered, approved and trained by a BSA Council's Advancement Committee before they are allowed to work with Boy Scouts, then they are added to an approved list of Merit Badge Counselors. Many Counselors cover more than one Merit Badge. The number of badges a counselor can cover is determined by an individual BSA Council.
Medal of Merit - A BSA Lifesaving or Meritorious Action medal awarded to a youth member or adult leader who has performed some outstanding act of service of a rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.
National Council - The corporate entity or headquarters for a Scouting movement in any country. They have been given rights by a countries national government to own and operate a Scouting program.
National Scout Office - The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Council (Headquaters) is located at 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas, 75015. When they first started they were located in New York, N.Y., then they moved it to New Jersey, and their final office in Irving, Texas.
National Scouting Museum - A BSA Scouting Museum that started in 1959 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It moved to Murray State University in western Kentucky in 1986 and in October 2002 it moved to 1329 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, Texas 75038 adjacent to BSA headquarters.
National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) - A National Organization for Eagle Scouts, both past and present.
Neckerchief - A triangular piece of cloth that is wrapped and worn around the neck and held in place with a neckerchief slide or woggle as they call in in other countries. In the old days the neckerchief was square in shape and folded in half to form a triangle. Neckerchiefs come in many colors with both printed and embroidered designs and colored trim. Baden-Powell introduced the neckerchief to Scouting, fashioning it after cowboy's who wore a bandana around their neck. There are many uses for a neckerchief besides a neck decoration. In foreign Scouting they sometimes call this part of a Scout uniform a scarf.
New Leader Essentials (book) - A BSA basic training guide for all adult Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture Crew Leaders.
Order of the Arrow (OA) - BSA's national brotherhood of honor campers that promotes Scouting's outdoor programs. Found in 1915, by E. Urner Goodman. To be eligible for election to membership, a Boy Scout must prove his camping and scouting ability. The OA is known for their Indian regalia (costumes) dancing, and special campfire ceremonies. Members are elected to this organization by members of their Boy Scout Troop, who are both members and non-members of the OA. It is a high honor to become a member of the OA. There are three levels of membership in the OA. They are Ordeal, Brotherhood and Vigil member.
Patrol - Subdivision of a Boy Scout troop, it usually has five to ten youth members. It meets together for activities and elects its own boy leaders.
Patrol Leader - an elected youth leader of a Boy Scout patrol.
Paul Bunyan's Axemen - A double-bitted axe patch that can be earned in BSA by those boys skilled in using and caring for an ax.
Philmont Scout Ranch - It is a 137,000 acre camp that was a gift to BSA by Waite Phillips. Later he gave 91,000 acres more so that Scouts could have the best backpacking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, and other outdoor adventures around. There are more than 10 base camps, and fourteen trail camps that individuals, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews can enjoy. Training courses are held for Scouter Leaders here, for both volunteers and paid professionals. A leaders family is also welcome to stay here while a parent is attending training sessions. A trek at Philmont is called a Philtrek.
Pope Pius XII - A religious medal earned by Catholic Venturers (male or female).
Post - The unit that conducts the Explorer program for their chartered organization. Exploring is part of BSA's "Learning for Life" career education program for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 through 20 years old. Each Explorer Post has a career focus. The most common are Police, Fire, and EMS Explorer Posts that are typically sponsored (chartered) by a town's or city's Police and Fire departments.
Pow Wow - A one-day training conference, held annually, for Cub Scout leaders.
President-Elect - The top elected volunteer of the Boy Scouts of America.
Quartermaster - A Troop or Patrol leadership position. The person who looks after the equipment and supplies. Also the highest award in Sea Scouting.
Rank - In scouting, positions of degrees earned by passing tests.
Registration - All individuals of the Scouting program must be listed in an registry of members. Usually requires filing a form and paying a yearly membership fee tot he National Scouting organization.
Religious Awards - To aid a Scout in his duty to God, churches and synagogues have developed awards for the Scouts and Scouters of their faith. These are not Scout awards or metals but awarded by a religious group. They may be worn on the Scout uniform, along with a special square knot patch issued by BSA. Some of these awards are; "Ad Altare Dei" for the Catholic Faith, "Nero Tamed" for the Jewish, "Pro Deo et Patria" for the Lutheran, "God and Country" for the Protestant, and the Mormon's offer the "Faith in God," and "On my Honor" awards.
Roundtable - A monthly district or council adult Scout Leader meeting that helps Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture Scout Leaders learn how to plan and organize their unit's Scouting program, advancement and how to build leadership morale and Scout Spirit. It's also where they learn district and council news. This term was derived by Baden-Powell after the "Knights of the Roundtable" and the days of chivalry.
Scout - The word means one who listens, from the French word "to listen." B-P said that the term Scout means "the work and attributes of Backwoodsmen, explorers, seaman, airmen, pioneers, and frontiersman." So with a scheme to make his new program with character building appeal to boys (and girls), he gave it a name to draw them. "Scout" is now synonymous with B-P's program and Scouting in general world wide.
Scout Badge - The design of the Scout Badge is the north sign on the mariner's compass. It is used by all scouts, with only slight changes. Called by many names, the Fleur-de-lis, trefoil, or arrowhead shape was one of the distinctive features of the world Scout movement introduced by Baden-Powell. It means that a Scout always points the right way in life just as a compass does in the field.
Scout craft - The act of being a Scout and the outdoor skills they learn and use.
Scouter - a registered adult member of a Scout group, who is 18 year old or older, and who serves as a youth leader in the Scouting program.
Scout Executive - The highest full-time paid professional Scout Leader who directs a local BSA Council. They are hired and report to a Council President and can be fired by the Council President and the Council Executive Board as well.
Scoutmaster - Written as one word, not two, who is a volunteer, non-paid, adult Scout Leader (male or female, 21 years old or older) who runs a Boy Scout Troop.
Scout Motto - see BE PREPARED.
Scout Oath and Law - Two of the codes of conduct that a Scout and Scouter learn to live by.
Scout Participation - A requirement for rank advancement in BSA, it means a Scout attends meetings, wears his uniform correctly, and shows Scout spirit.
Scout Sign - The signs that show you belong to the World Brotherhood of Scouting. They include the Scout sign, the Scout salute and the Scout handclasp (handshake).
Scout Slogan - see GOOD TURN.
Scout Spirit - Is the way a Scout acts and tries to live up to the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and motto in his everyday life.
Scribe - A BSA youth leadership position. The keeper of the Patrol and/or Troop records or log.
Second Class Scout - The second rank and badge earned by a Boy Scout in the BSA program.
Senior Patrol Leader - The key elected boy leader over a troop. His duties include Troop administration, and those assigned to him by the Scoutmaster.
Silver Beaver Award - An award for adult Scout leaders (male or female Scouter) presented by the BSA National for noteworthy service to Scouting within a BSA Council..
Star Scout - the fourth rank earned by a Boy Scout in the BSA program.
Sunshine or Fair Weather Scout - A derogatory term referring to a Scout that only shows up to Scout activities and campouts when the weather is good or when he feels like it.
Swappin' - A Scout term for trading at Jamborees and other Scouting events, like a Trade-O-Ree.
Tenderfoot - the first rank and badge earned by a Boy Scout in the BSA.
Unit - any individual charter group within the BSA program such as a Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Team, Venturing Crew, etc.
Unit Commissioner - A BSA volunteer leader (21 years old or older) that interfaces between a unit and the Boy Scout Council. Their job is to help units run smoothly.
Wood Badge - written as two words (not one, Woodbadge, as it is often mistakenly done by new people tot he Scouting program). This is an advanced adult leader training course for both Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders. This is not just a BSA training program, but one that is taught by many Scouting organizations world wide. Lord Baden-Powell started Wood Badge training at the now famous Gilwell Park in London, England. A leader who completes this training program has special "Wood Badge Regalia" which consists of an insignia of a Axe stuck in a Log, a pair of wooden beads on a leather thong that is worn around the neck, a tan neckerchief (or scarf) with a square of Tartan sewn on the back of it and a leather turks head woven knot neckerchief slide (also known as a woggle).
Woggle - a turks head woven knot worn by a Wood Badger or another name for a neckerchief (or scarf) slide.
World Jamboree - An international camping event for Scouts that takes place every four years in a different country. Lord Baden-Powell held the first World Jamboree in Olympia, London, England in 1920.