Be in the know.
Every parent starts without understanding the cub scout lingo. Here are some common definitions you will hear and see throughout your scouting experience!
Common Terms in Programming
Advancement - The progression that moves the Cub Scout from rank to rank.
Adventures - Collections of themed, multidisciplinary activities completed at den meetings.
Den - A group of Scouts, organized by school grade, that meets periodically and is part of a Cub Scout Pack.
Pack - A group made up of several dens: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. The Pack organizes the dens, holds monthly pack meetings, and conduct larger events such as the Pinewood Derby or Blue and Gold Banquet. The Pack includes not only the youth in the dens but also their families and leaders. Packs belong to a community organization, such as a church or a service club, which is chartered by Scouting America to operate the Scouting program.
Rank - Recognition that the scout completed the 6 required adventures and 2 elective adventures in their den for that year. Note your scout does not have to rank in order to move through the program. They move up with their grade regardless of how many adventures they complete.
Common Terms in Leadership
Akela - Anyone who is a leader to the Cub Scout. Akela can be a parent, teacher, den leader, Cubmaster, or any other adult who helps guide the Cub Scout.
Chartered Organization - A religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other community-based organization that has applied for and received a charter to operate a Scouting America unit.
Chartered Organization Representative (COR) - A manager of Scouting for the chartered organization.
Committee Chair - The top administrative volunteer leader of a pack, responsible for managing the pack committee, recruiting adult volunteers, and handling behind-the-scenes operations so the Cubmaster can focus on working directly with the youth.
Committee meetings - Monthly administrative gatherings where adult volunteers and parents handle planning, finances, and event coordination.
Cubmaster – The Cubmaster is the “face” of the pack. Cubmasters help plan and carry out the Cub Scout program in his or her pack. They support and motivate den leaders and parents. The Cubmaster serves as the emcee for pack meetings and other events. Cubmasters and pack committees work together to develop fun program ideas and activities.
Den Leader – The Den Leader (usually a parent) coordinates meetings and activities centered around the Cub Scout Adventures.
Key 3 - The three main leadership positions within the pack: Chartered Organization Representative, Committee Chair, and Cubmaster.
Common Terms for Events
Blue & Gold Banquet - Because February is the anniversary month of Scouting America, many packs celebrate with a Blue and Gold banquet. The banquets are special events that can include games and entertainment. In Pack 206, we also use the Blue and Gold Banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of our AOL den before they move to the troop level.
Class A Uniform - This is the official uniform of Cub Scouts. Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos wear a blue shirt, while AOLs wear the khaki Scouts BSA shirt.
Class B Uniform – Class B uniforms are Scouting-related t-shirts. They can be pack t-shirts, day camp t-shirts, or any other Scouting t-shirt.
Fundraising - A structured money-earning process used by local packs to pay for program costs, camping gear, and event fees. It teaches youth the value of being thrifty while funding their activities through approved sales and events.
Pinewood Derby - Cub Scout racing event. With help from their parents, Cub Scouts design and build a race car.
Raingutter Regatta - Cub Scout racing event. For this race, Scouts build or design sailboats to race against the pack.
Scout Sunday - an annual commemorative event where Cub Scouts and older Scouts honor the twelfth point of the Scout Law ("A Scout is Reverent") and celebrate their faith. It typically falls on the Sunday before Scouting America's anniversary on February 8, though individual units and faith partners often select any suitable weekend in February.
Service - Voluntary, unpaid work performed by youth members (grades K-5) to benefit their community, natural world, or chartered organization, directly fulfilling the Cub Scout promise "to help other people at all times."
