Fall registration now open!
If you are new to scouting you will be exposed to "Scoutspeak". (It’s kinda like when you go to a party and everyone there is a computer programmer except you.)
This page will help you AFTER you sign your child up for Scouts. So glance it over for now and remember it is here for you later...
To help you decode “Scoutspeak”, here are a few handy-dandy definitions:
All Cub Scouts must complete Adventures in their Handbook. You must complete 6 Required and 2 Elective Adventures to earn the rank award. See Scouting Adventures
Any leader at a Cub Scout event. Usually the Cubmaster or den leader, but Akela also means YOU--the main leader your Scout looks to for guidance!
This is the highest award a child can earn in Cub Scouting. Also the only award from Cub Scouts which can be worn on a Scouts BSA Uniform.
A volunteer who helps the Cubmaster run the pack and fills in when the Cubmaster is unavailable.
A volunteer leader who helps the den leader with holding regular den meetings and fills in when the den leader is unavailable.
Veteran Cub Scout, now in 3rd Grade. Been there, done that, and looking for action.
Generally held in February or March to celebrate the anniversary of Cub Scouting. This celebration can be an annual pot luck dinner, banquet or whatever the pack decides to make it.
The Cub Scout Colors. Blue stands for truth and spirituality, loyalty, and the sky above. Gold stands for warm sunlight, good cheer, and happiness.
Every child who joins Cub Scouts must first earn the Bobcat Adventure. Doing this, they learn the basic tenets of Cub Scouting: the Scout Law and Promise, the sign, the handshake, the motto, and the salute. See Bobcat
The Boy Scouts of America is the legacy name of our nationally chartered organization that encompasses Cub Scouts, Scouting America, Sea Scouts and Venture Crews. The current name is "Scouting America"
One part of the Safe Swim Defense. Swimmers of like ability are paired. Check in and out of the water together and stay within 10 feet of each other during the swim. It is also used on other Cub Scout activities for safety reasons.
Formal permission from the BSA allowing a pack to organize
An organization that sponsors the pack. Monthly meetings are usually held in a building owned by that organization.
An adult representative of the group or organization that currently holds the BSA charters. Reports information to and from the chartered organization
A volunteer Scouter who works with packs, troops, and crews to help the unit succeed.
This is a group of adult volunteers who “run” the pack. Any interested adult is welcome to attend Committee meetings
The adult leader of the pack committee. Provides the motivation and direction to the committee to get the pack program implemented.
A geographical are, made of up districts for administration of BSA programs. We are part of the Golden Gate Area Council.
Any of a million or so kids between the ages of 5 and 10 who get together and have fun at den and pack meetings. Marked by curiosity, easy laughter, speed, and blue uniform. Likes to eat Ding Dongs and Bug Juice.
The Cubmaster is the chief adult volunteer leader. The Cubmaster runs the pack meetings and advices other leaders.
A group of 6-8 kids who meet at regular intervals, from the same grade.
A Scouts BSA member who helps direct the activities of a den
Amazing adult, enjoys doing all kinds of stuff with kids, even if it involves large quantities of patience. Easily smiles, asks others for help, and uses all kinds of resources to keep smiling--like Roundtables.
Each council is divided into a number of districts. We are members of the Alameda Area district.
A professional Scouter who is responsible for the achievements of the district.
Adventures not required for rank advancement. Each rank requires a Scout to complete two electives, but additional electives can be earned. Scouts that complete an elective are awarded an associated belt loop or pin.
International Scouts Emblem.
Friends of Scouting. Donations to support the camps, materials, special events, and the professional coordinators who help make Scouting possible.
Largish post-Cub Scout person, good for helping kids with tools, fire, and holding things while child plays. Good candidate for leader.
A form of cheer, along with Growls, Whoops, and the Disco Mosquito cheer; all done to show appreciation of Cub Scout skits and stunts in place of mundane old “PTA applause”. Also, sound made when Wolf tries out hammer.
Word used with great pride by child in Cub Scouts, as in “I did it!”
What happens when child says “I did it!” after trying very hard.
Young male goat, or someone else’s progeny. Good candidate for Cubs.
Person who gives an hour each week (or more) to help kids grow to be young men and women of character. Sets example by giving back to the community.
Program for Cub Scouts in Kindergarten. Besides being extremely cute, Lions meet once or twice a month and have lots of fun doing activities and getting the stickers everyone wants!
A parent, big brother or sister, uncle or grandparent, or anyone who joins with a Lion to help him roar as he plays and does things with other Lion and their partners.
Adult liaison between Lion parents and the pack. See also den leader.
Semi-chaotic gathering of Scouts where much fun and some learning happens, usually helped along by den leaders and Grown-ups.
Everything for a Lion or Tiger Cub! Learning about others, working with their partner, and finding out about the world around them. New things are things to Search--Discover--and Share for the whole den.
Order of the Arrow. An honor group of Scouts who give cheerful service helping others learn to enjoy the outdoors. Arrowmen also present dramatic and exciting ceremonies at campfires and special awards meetings.
The whole group – all or our dens and families together is called a pack. The pack meets once a month.
A pack racing competition, where Cubs and their parents work together to make model pinewood derby cars and compete for prizes.
What leaders try to deliver. To do their Best, to help others, and to help scouts learn to Do Their Duty to God, Country, Family, and self.
Unknown concept.
A Scouting magazine for kids to help broaden their horizons in Cubbing.
A Scouts BSA Scout is between the ages of 11 and 18 and belongs to a troop. They advance through these ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, then Eagle.
A parent, big brother or sister, uncle or grandparent, or anyone who joins with a Tiger to help them Search, Discover and Share the world as they play and do things with other Tigers and their partners.
Adult liaison between Tiger parents and the pack. See also den leader.
Available in many varieties to help everyone Do Their Best to be a good leader.
Most anything you’d never think of. Juice can lids and tissue tubes, bits of string, wood, packing peanuts, wheels, marbles, frosting containers, and whole bunches of stuff that make great craft supplies!
What a child wins every time they do something that they really had to try hard at, even if they don’t go the fastest or highest or whatever.
We’ll Be Loyal Scouts. Also, Scouts in 4th grade. Works on adventure pins, camps, goes on hikes, prepares to be a Scouts BSA Scout. Old hand at this Cub Scout business--can build a Pinewood Derby car blindfolded.
Cub Scout in 2nd grade. Incredibly cute in blue uniform and red neckerchief. Full of life and enthusiasm, eager to learn all about Cubs.
Symbols for the unknown. Not even Akela knows all the answers.