Scouting Lingo

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

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.

Advancement: The progression that moves a Cub Scout from rank to rank.

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

Adventure loop: A recognition device awarded to a Lion, Tiger, Wolf, or Bear Cub Scout for completing the requirements of an Adventure. Adventure loops are designed to be worn on the Cub Scout belt. 

Adventure pin: A recognition device awarded to a Webelos or Arrow of Light Scout for completing the requirements of an Adventure. Adventure pins are designed to be worn on the Webelos colors. 

BALOO: An acronym for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation. It's a really helpful training for all pack parents to get a better idea of the pack program, how to lead campouts and other outdoor adventures, and to learn ideas from other parents. Our council offers BALOO training twice a year at Camp Raven Knob.

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!

Bobcat: An adventure in every rank that deals with getting to know your den and learning about, at a developmentally-appropriate level, the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Cub Scout motto. 

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.

Camp Raven Knob: This is our council's camp that they (basically) own and operate. There are events all during the year and longer camping opportunities during the summer.

Charter Organization: A community organization that supports a pack. Pack 100's charter organization is First Presbyterian of Boone.

Charter Renewal: The process, typically in March, of the pack and the charter organization reaffirming their commitment to existing, paying the pack registration fee, and confirming the youth and parent rosters. Charter renewal requires that a certain number of adult leadership positions in the pack are filled.

Committee: All the pack leaders and other adults who work together to plan and run the pack program.

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!

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

Council Employee: A paid employee of our local council. There are many different jobs at council, and they all exist to help support the Scouting program.

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!

Cub Scout Handshake: Used by Cub Scouts and Cub Scouters; like an ordinary handshake with the right hand except that the index and middle fingers are extended toward the other person, touching the wrist.

Cub Scout Motto: "Do your best!" This goes for Scouts and adults alike.

Cub Scout Salute: A hand salute made by Cub Scouts and Cub Scouters with the fingers of the right hand held in position as for the Cub Scout sign, except that the index and middle fingers are held together. The tips of the fingers touch the right eyebrow or the bill of the Cub Scout cap.

Cub Scout Sign: A sign made by raising the right hand straight up high over the head with the palm forward. The first two fingers are wide apart and pointing up as in a V. The thumb covers the nails of the ring and little fingers. Used when repeating the Scout Oath and as a signal for quiet in meetings.

Den: This is the small group of Scouts (and their families!) that meet together most often. 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

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

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.

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

Eagle Scout: A Scout that has earned the highest rank in the Scouts BSA program, Eagle. It requires demonstration of leadership through the planning, completion, and reflection on a community service project. 

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.

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.

Friends of Scouting: 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. Enrollees are known as “Friends.” See also “Annual Giving Campaign.”

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.”

Neckerchief: A large kerchief that is worn around the neck. There is one per rank and can be worn with the field uniform. Also known as a necker. It is held in place by a neckerchief slide, also called a woggle.

Outdoor Code: A set of outdoor stewardship principles Cub Scouts learn about, at a developmentally-appropriate level. The Outdoor Code can be viewed here.

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

Pinewood Derby (PWD): Event where scouts race wooden cars they have designed and made from their PWD kit. Parents and Siblings may also participate. Learn about our pinewood derby here!

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. The word "rank" refer to the age-cohort your Scout is in as well as the badge that Scouts work towards each year.

Scouts BSA: The part of the Scout program that comes after Cub Scouts. In Cub Scouts, we are in a pack; in Scouts BSA, we are in a troop.

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.

Scout Year: Cub Scouts is a year-round program, but the majority of the program aligns with the school year. Pack 100 offers some programming and events during the summer. A Cub Scout moves to the next rank on the last day of school.

6 Essentials: Six items a Scout should always carry in your backpack on an outdoor adventure: water, trail snack, first aid kit, sun protection, whistle and flashlight.

Troop: The organizational unit, similar to a pack, but for fifth through twelfth graders. In the spring semester of fifth grade, Cub Scouts "cross over" into Scouts BSA troop.

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. It's recently been rebranded s "Safeguarding Youth."