Common Terms

Scouting is filled with terms you may not have heard before. Here's a list of the most commonly used terms you might hear in Troop 132

Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) A commissioned volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, who helps the Scoutmaster by working with the troop and with a new-Scout patrol, Varsity Scout team, or Venture patrol.

Chartered Organization A religious, civic, fraternal, educational, or other community organization that has applied for and received a charter to operate a Scouting unit. Troop 132's Chartered Organization is Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Chartered Organization Representative (COR) A manager of Scouting in a chartered organization who also represents the organization in the local council and district.

Council An administrative body chartered to be responsible for Scouting in a designated geographic territory. Our council is the Mountain West Council

Court of Honor (COH) A recognition ceremony for those who have met the requirements of any one of the Boy Scout ranks, merit badges, or other awards

District A geographic administrative unit within a council. Our district is Tapawingo

Eagle Scout The highest rank for Scouts

Firem’n Chit A recognition given to Scouts who know and understand fire safety rules.

Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST) The purpose of the ILST course is to teach Scouts with leadership positions about their new roles and how to most effectively reach success in that role

Key 3 Top three positions in the Troop - Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, and Chartered Organization Representative

Merit Badge A recognition given to a Scout for completing the requirements for the badge.

Merit Badge Counselor A registered adult volunteer who is expert in a merit badge field, has the ability to work effectively with Scouts, and certifies that requirements are met.

National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) National Youth Leadership Training is an exciting, action-packed program designed for councils to provide youth members with leadership skills and experience they can use in their home troops and in other situations demanding leadership of self and others

Patrol A group of five to eight boys who belong to a troop and work together in and out of troop meetings. There are usually several patrols in one troop.

Patrol Leader (PL) The youth leader of the patrol, elected by its members.

Patrol Leader's Council (PLC) Each patrol leader, representing his patrol, meets with the other patrol leaders and the senior patrol leader to plan their troop program. The Scoutmaster acts as an adviser

Rank There are six ranks for Boy Scouts: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout.

Region One of four large geographical administrative units of the BSA: Central Region, Southern Region, Western Region, and Northeast Region.

Scouter A registered adult member of the BSA who serves in a volunteer or professional capacity

Scoutbook Online portal to track scout advancement, take online training, and get information about activities and meetings for the troop. https://scoutbook.scouting.org

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) The elected boy leader who runs the troop meetings and the patrol leaders’ council meetings, with the guidance of the Scoutmaster.

Scoutmaster The commissioned volunteer leader, 21 or older, of a Boy Scout troop; appointed by the chartered organization

Scoutmaster Conference A distinctive feature of the troop advancement plan in which a Scoutmaster helps a Scout accept responsibility for his own growth toward each rank.

Scout Bucks These are real dollars earned by the scout during fundraising activities that they can use to help pay for events like summer camp. During a fundraiser, if a scout earns $100 half of that goes to the troop, and the other half is scout bucks they earn to pay their own way.

Scribe An appointed officer in the troop or patrol who keeps the troop or patrol records.

Totin’ Chip A recognition given to Scouts who subscribe to the Outdoor Code and understand and can demonstrate the proper handling, care, and use of woods tools.

Troop The unit that conducts Boy Scouting for the chartered organization.

Troop Committee The committee appointed by the chartered organization to administer the affairs of the troop

Uniform Distinctive clothing worn by Scouts and Scouters. Class A uniforms are the traditional uniforms with scout shirt, pants, neckerchief, slide, belt and socks. Class B uniforms generally consist of a troop t-shirt and hat and are worn while doing outdoor activities. Troop 132 wears class A uniforms to and from events and from Labor Day until Memorial Day at all troop meetings and activities. Class B uniforms are worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day, while we are doing outdoor activities in warmer weather.

Wood Badge Wood Badge is an advanced, national leadership course open only to Scouting volunteers and professionals. Scouters from Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Explorers, and district and council Scouters all are welcome and belong here.

You can see a full list here at the link below. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/Glossary.pdf