Scouting practically has its own language. Here are most of the terms you’re likely to hear during your involvement with Scouting. The organization is now called Scouting America. Now, when your Scout tells you, “I’m meeting my patrol on the Thursday before the camporee to work on my Second Class,” you’ll understand.
A–B
Assistant patrol leader
A Scout who is appointed by the patrol leader to help the patrol leader and to take their place when they are absent.
Assistant Scoutmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to help the Scoutmaster, often by working with a new-Scout patrol.
Assistant senior patrol leader
A troop youth leader, usually in larger troops, who helps the senior patrol leader. The senior patrol leader appoints them with the Scoutmaster’s advice and consent.
Baden-Powell, Robert Stephenson Smyth
Founder of the worldwide Scouting movement. Born February 22, 1857, in London, he was made a baron in 1929. He is called Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, Chief Scout of the World, and died January 8, 1941. Abbreviate to B-P (without periods).
Board of Review
A review held to determine if a Scout has satisfactorily completed rank requirements. A review may be held also to encourage Scouts who are not advancing. For the Scout through Life ranks, the board of review is conducted by the unit committee. For the Eagle Scout rank, the Council decides whether the unit committee or the district or Council committee responsible for advancement conducts the board of review. When an Eagle board of review is held at the unit level, at least one district or Council advancement representative serves on it.
C–K
Camp Director
The Scouter in charge of the administration of a Scout resident camp, a Cub Scout day camp, or a resident camp.
Camp Ranger
A ranger’s responsibilities may include maintaining camp facilities, performing camp improvements and maintenance, issuing supplies and equipment related to maintenance, directing the maintenance staff, and managing the off-season program. Usually, the ranger reports to the camp director or business manager.
Camping Director
A professional Scouter who is responsible for developing the local council’s year-round camping program. This person supervises the long-term camping program and may or may not serve as the resident camp director.
Camporee
This is derived from two words: camp and jamboree. A camporee is a district or Council troop activity that demonstrates the techniques of living in a camp. It involves a one- or two-night camping experience and may include a Scout-craft competition.
Chaplain
- Spiritual leader for units appointed by the church, synagogue, or community organization chartered to use the Scouting program.
- One who gives spiritual leadership to a camp or jamboree community; conducts religious services according to their faith and arranges for other religious observance as needed; provides help in dealing with morale; and visits those who are ill and provides counseling in case of bereavement.
Chaplain Aide
A youth leader who works with the troop chaplain to ensure all members have appropriate religious observance during outings and helps other Scouts in the religious emblems program. With the Scoutmaster’s advice and consent, the senior patrol leader appoints this position.
Charter
In the BSA, charters authorize (1) an organization to operate BSA Scouting units (see “chartered organization”); (2) a local Council to incorporate as a BSA local Council; (3) operation of an Order of the Arrow Lodge; or (4) the Boy Scouts of America to incorporate. See “Charter of the Boy Scouts of America” and “Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.” When used as a verb, use “to obtain a charter” and “to renew a charter” rather than “to charter” or “to recharter.”
Chartered Organization
A religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other community-based organization that has applied for and received a charter to operate a Scouting unit.
Chartered Organization Representative
A manager of Scouting in a chartered organization who also represents this organization in the local Council and district.
Commissioner
A commissioned Scouter who works with packs, troops, crews, and ships to help the units succeed. In addition to the Council commissioner, there are district commissioners, assistant district commissioners, roundtable commissioners, huddle commissioners, and unit commissioners.
Council
An administrative body chartered for Scouting in a designated geographic territory.
Court of Honor
This is a recognition ceremony for those who have met the requirements of any of the Scout ranks, merit badges, or other awards.
District
A geographical area of the Council which is determined by the Council executive board to help ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within the district’s territory.
District Committee
Consisting of chartered organization representatives and elected district members at large, the district committee coordinates the functions of the district to carry out the policies and objectives of the Council. The executive office of the district committee is the district chair.
District Executive
A professional Scouter who works under the direction of the local Council Scout executive and acts as an adviser to the volunteer leaders in the district.
Eagle Scout
The highest rank in Scouts BSA.
Fast Start Training
An older name for the first training new adult leaders took. Today, new leaders complete Youth Protection training and the training for their position online at my.scouting.org.
First Class
The rank above Second Class and below Star.
Friends of Scouting (FOS)
This is an annual opportunity for Scouters and interested people in the community to identify with the local Council through their financial support and influence in expanding the Council program.
Gilwell Park
The Scout Association’s training center in Epping Forest, England, and the original home of Wood Badge training. Baden-Powell chose it as the territorial designation for his peerage, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell.
Good Turn
A distinctive feature of Scouting is its emphasis on service to others. All Scouts endeavor to acquire the Good Turn habit.
High Adventure
Longer, more challenging trips for older Scouts and Venturers. The best known are Scouting America’s national high adventure bases: Philmont Scout Ranch, Northern Tier, Florida Sea Base, and the Summit Bechtel Reserve. Local councils run high-adventure programs too.
Jamboree
A term chosen by Baden-Powell to describe the first international gathering of Scouts camping together in London in 1920. The term is restricted to indicate a national or world jamboree. Not capitalized unless in the title of a specific jamboree, as: “1993 National Scout Jamboree” or “19th World Scout Jamboree.” Scouting America holds a national jamboree every few years.
Junior Assistant Scoutmaster
A Scout age 16 or 17 appointed by the Scoutmaster to help run the troop program. A troop may have more than one junior assistant Scoutmaster.
Key 3
- The Council Key 3:
- Council president
- Council commissioner
- Scout executive
- The district Key 3:
- District chair
- District commissioner
- District executive
- The unit Key 3:
- Chartered organization representative
- Committee chair
- Scoutmaster
L–S
Leave No Trace
Scouting America is committed to this nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program to reduce impacts on the environment and other people. The seven principles should be followed at all times in the outdoors: Plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors.
Life
The rank above Star and below Eagle.
Long-term Camping
A camping trip of five or more consecutive days and nights outdoors, such as a week of summer camp.
Merit Badge
A recognition given to a Scout for completing the requirements for the badge. There are more than a hundred subjects in life skills, hobby, and career fields, with requirements and supporting pamphlets to help Scouts broaden their outlook.
Merit Badge Counselor
A registered adult volunteer at least age 18 who is expert in a merit badge field and shares enthusiasm for that field with Scouts and who certifies that requirements have been met.
National Office
Scouting America’s national office is at 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas.
Order of the Arrow
Scouting’s national honor society. Youth members (Arrowmen) must be First Class Scouts with at least 15 nights of camping in the past two years, including one long-term camp. They are elected by the youth members of their troop. The OA promotes camping, outdoor adventure, and cheerful service.
Patrol
A small group of Scouts (usually five to eight) who belong to a troop and work together in and out of troop meetings. Normally, there are several patrols in one troop. Capitalize only when part of a title, such as “Fox Patrol.” Note: Webelos dens are not patrols.
Patrol Leader
Elected by the patrol members, this Scout leads the patrol and represents it on the patrol leaders’ council, which plans the troop program.
Patrol Leaders’ Council
Each patrol leader, representing their patrol, meets with other patrol leaders and the senior patrol leader to plan their troop program. The Scoutmaster acts as an adviser.
P.R.A.Y.
Abbreviation for Programs of Religious Activities With Youth. An organization outside the BSA that administers religious awards for youth-serving organizations, including the BSA, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire.
Quality awards
The former name for the unit, district, and council recognition program. It has been replaced by Journey to Excellence, which recognizes units that meet standards for program, training, advancement, camping, and membership.
Region
One of four geographical administrative units of the BSA: Northeast Region, Southern Region, Central Region, and Western Region. There are regional service centers, regional directors, regional staffs, regional presidents, and regional committee members.
Roundtable
An event conducted by a roundtable commissioner and roundtable staff to help the unit leadership of a district plan and carry out their own unit programs.
Safe Swim Defense plan
An eight-point plan of recommended procedures for conducting group swims. The eight points are:
- qualified supervision
- personal health review
- safe swimming area
- lifeguards on duty
- lookout
- ability groups
- buddy system
- good discipline
Safety Afloat
Guidelines for safe unit activity afloat in craft less than 26 feet long. The nine points are:
- qualified supervision
- personal health review
- swimming ability
- personal flotation equipment
- buddy system
- skill proficiency
- planning
- equipment
- discipline
Scout
The first rank in Scouts BSA, earned by learning the Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto, slogan, and basic Scout skills.
Scout Executive
The Council’s chief executive officer is responsible for the administration, financing, marketing, motivation, recruiting, and staffing required for successful Council operations.
Scout reservation or camp
Land owned by or leased to Scouting America to further the Scouting program. A Scout ranch, reservation, and sometimes a camp usually have two or more camps or separate camping areas.
Scout Sunday
The Sunday before February 8, Scouting Anniversary Day.
Scouter
A registered adult member of Scouting America who serves as a volunteer or professional.
Scouting Anniversary Day
February 8, 1910, was the day William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America.
Scouting Anniversary Week
This is the week beginning on Sunday, which includes February 8, Scouting Anniversary Day. During the week, units are encouraged to conduct rededication ceremonies and demonstrate Scouting’s purposeful activities.
Scoutmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 21 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to lead a Scouts BSA troop.
Scoutmaster conference
A one-on-one conversation between a Scout and the Scoutmaster before each rank’s board of review, about the Scout’s progress and goals.
Scoutmaster’s Minute
A part of the closing ceremony of a troop meeting or campfire in which the Scoutmaster encourages Scout-like conduct by telling a story.
Second Class
The rank above Tenderfoot and below First Class.
Senior Patrol Leader
Each troop has one senior patrol leader, a Scout elected by the Scouts to help all the patrols succeed. They may be assisted by one or more assistant senior patrol leaders.
Silver Beaver Award
This recognition is given by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the Council.
Short-term Camping
A camping trip of one to three nights outdoors, such as a weekend campout.
Squad
A subdivision of a former Varsity Scout team, equivalent to a patrol in a Scouts BSA troop.
Squad Leader
Elected by squad members, this youth led a Varsity squad and, with other team members, developed team meeting agendas.
Star
The rank above First Class and below Life.
T–W
Tenderfoot
The rank above Scout and below Second Class. Always singular.
Totin’ Chip
This recognition is given to Scouts who subscribe to the Outdoor Code and understand and can demonstrate the proper handling, care, and use of wood tools.
Troop
The Scouts BSA unit that a chartered organization operates. Capitalize only when used with the troop number.
Unit
This organization conducts Scouting for the chartered organization. Its members are registered youth and adult volunteers. A unit may be a pack, troop, crew, or ship.
Varsity Scout
A youth member of the former Varsity Scouting program. Varsity teams are no longer part of Scouting America.
Varsity Scout team
The former stand-alone unit for Varsity Scouting. The program has been discontinued.
Varsity Scouting
A former program for youth ages 14 to 17. The unit was a team and the unit leader was a Coach. Varsity Scouting has been discontinued.
Volunteer
An individual who donates service, time, or funds to support the Scouting America program.
Wood Badge
This training award is granted upon completion of the Wood Badge for the 21st Century course. Those who have completed the training wear a leather thong with two wooden beads, a special neckerchief, and a slide (woggle).