Scouting Lingo

We know that all the language of Scouting can be a little overwhelming! Here's a guide to help you out.

Council: The regional office that supports BSA programs and facilities. Pack 100 is part of Old Hickory Council (https://www.oldhickorycouncil.org).

District: A subsection of the council. Pack 100 is part of the Blue Ridge District and includes all the units of Watauga and Ashe counties.

Charter Organization: A community Organization that supports a pack. Our Charter Org is First Presbyterian of Boone.

Pack: Your scout family! The pack is the WHOLE group, kindergarten through fifth grade.

Den: This is your small group. Dens are assigned based on a scout’s current grade level. Here’s the breakdown!

Lions: Kindergarten
Tigers: First Grade
Wolves: Second Grade
Bears: Third Grade
Webelos: Fourth Grade
Arrow of Light: Fifth Grade

Adventure: A themed collection of activities that is completed to work towards earning a Rank.

Blue and Gold Banquet: A celebration, typically held in February, to honor the anniversary of BSA. Pack 100 will be holding our 2025 Blue and Gold in May!

Buddy System: System to help Cub Scouts look out for each other. Buddies go everywhere together and are responsible for knowing where their buddy is at all times.

Flag Ceremony: How we open our den and pack meetings. We recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Cub Scout Motto, as well as make announcements.

Field uniform/Class A: The classic Cub Scout uniform purchased through the Scout Shop. Worn at most Scout events. K-4th is blue, 5th is tan.

Activity uniform/Class B: The unofficial scout uniform, or Pack T-Shirt. Perfect for hikes, campouts, and any other messy or outdoor activities. Makes it easier to spot your group in a crowd.

Committee Chair: The Pack’s paperwork ninja. They make sure parent meetings happen and applications are processed on time so we can keep doing all the scouty things we love!

Cracker Barrel: Common BSA term for “campfire snacks.”

Crossover (or Bridging): Special ceremony in the winter where Cub Scouts are awarded their Arrow of Light rank badges and move from their Cub Pack to a Troop in Scouts BSA.

Cubmaster: Pack ringleader and chief chaos coordinator. Runs Pack meetings and is responsible for getting and keeping Cubs excited about all things Scouts!

Den Leader: The amazing volunteer that makes Den meetings happen for your scout. Appreciate them.

District Executive: Paid employee of the local council. Supports Cub Packs and BSA Troops. Our DE is Nick Lawson.

Leave No Trace: A guide for minimizing impact and preserving outdoor spaces. For our Cubs, we often simplify these principals to “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

Motto: The Cub Scout Motto is “Do Your Best.”

Pinewood Derby (PWD): Event where scouts race wooden cars they have designed and made from their PWD kit. Parents and Siblings may also participate.

Scout Law: The Scout Law has 12 points. Each is a goal for every Scout. We repeat it together as a group at the beginning of every meeting. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

Scout Oath: A guide we as Scouts strive to live by. We repeat it together as a group at the beginning of every meeting. On my Honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

6 Essentials: Six items you always carry in your backpack on a hike. Water, trail snack, first aid kit, sun protection, whistle and flashlight.

YPT: Youth Protection Training. It is both a training and a set of policies to ensure that every Scout is treated with respect and kindness and will be safe. 

Rank: There is one rank per grade level that Scouts work towards by completing adventures. The ranks are Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light.