Jargon/Scouting Lingo

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APL (Assistant Patrol Leader): This is a Youth Leadership position. The APL assists the Patrol Leader (PL).

ASM (Assistant Scoutmaster): This is an Adult Leadership position. The ASM assists the Scoutmaster (SM).

ASPL (Assistant Senior Patrol Leader): This is a Youth Leadership position. The ASPL assists the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL).

Board of Review (BOR): As a requirement of each rank advancement a Scout must appear individually before a group of three to six adults (usually members of the Troop Committee) to ensure that the Scout has met the requirements for that rank. By policy, the Scoutmaster (SM) and Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) cannot sit on a Board of Review (BOR). A Board of Review (BOR) takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference (SMC) for Rank Advancement, when a Scout requests it or if the Troop Committee feels the Scout  needs it. Eagle Boards of Review are conducted in a slightly different manner and will include someone from the District level.

Bridging: A ceremony where Webelo Cub Scouts cross a ceremonial bridge to signify their transition from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA.

Buddy System: Whenever a Scout needs to go somewhere at camp, hiking, Merit Badge Class, etc. it is always done in groups of at least two. A Scout always takes a “buddy” Scout with him. Also used as part of the “Safe Swim Defense” program.

Class A Uniform: This is another term for the Field Uniform, which is the complete, formal uniform worn for most regular meetings, Courts of Honor (COH), travel to and from camps, special occasions, and other times as requested by the Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) or Scoutmaster (SM).

Class B Uniform: This is another term for the Activity Uniform, which is the more relaxed uniform intended for campouts, hikes, outings and other activities.

Committee Chair: A registered Adult appointed by the Charter Organization to chair the Troop Committee. This person presides at the Troop Committee meetings and works closely with the Chartered Organization Representative (COR) and the Scoutmaster (SM) to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.

Council: A group of Districts makes up a Council.

Court of Honor: An awards ceremony held quarterly where Scouts are recognized for their rank advancements, merit badges earned, and other accomplishments. Family members are encouraged to attend. Refreshments are generally served at the conclusion of the ceremony.

District: A subdivision of a Council.

Jamboree: Scout meeting or campout on a grand scale. There are district, regional, national, and international Jamborees.

Leave No Trace (LNT): A set of guidelines that set standards for outdoor activities that are environmentally sound and considerate to others using the same area.

Merit Badge Sash: As Scouts earn Merit Badges they are sewn on a Merit Badge sash, which is normally worn only for formal occasions such as a Court of Honor (COH).

National Eagle Scout Association (NESA): Open to membership to any youth or adult who attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Order of the Arrow (OA): A national brotherhood of 

Scout honor campers of the BSA. Members are elected by their peers after meeting the basic requirements of camping knowledge and experience. Scouts and Scouters can be elected to the OA. The OA motto of “Cheerful Service” indicates their purpose. They are often found improving scout camps, running the district and council events, and providing service to the scouting community.

OA Ordeal: The initiation ceremony experience for new Order of the Arrow members generally involving personal introspection, service to improve the camp, and ceremonies based.

Palms: After a Scout reaches the rank of Eagle, 

they can earn a Palm for every 5 additional Merit Badges they complete and three months of service they provide to their troop for each Palm.

Patrol: The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. It’s made up of 6-10 scouts who camp, cook, and eat together. They work as a team at various activities and events. They elect their own Patrol Leader (PL).

Patrol Leader (PL): The elected leader of the patrol. An Assistant Patrol Leader (APL) can be elected or appointed by the Patrol Leader (PL) to help in running the patrol.

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC): Made up of the youth leadership of the troop. The PLC meets once a month to plan meeting themes, campouts, and activities. The PLC also meets once or twice a year to work on the long-term planning of campouts and other activities.

Philmont: A high adventure Scout camp located in the northeast corner of New Mexico.

Safety Circle: A safety zone around someone using a pocket knife, hatchet, ax, or other sharp tool. Basically, it is an arm’s length plus the length of the tool in all directions. No one should be in another person’s Safety Circle when a sharp tool is in use. The Safety Circle is euphemistically referred to as the Blood Circle by many scouts.

Scout Led Troop: Unlike almost any other youth program, Scouting is a youth-led and youth-run. Adults do not run a Scout Troop. Instead, the adult leaders support and mentor the youth leaders. The key method of learning is doing. At Troop 1401 our Scouts have the opportunity to learn leadership skills by practicing them. Youth leaders will make mistakes, and the adults are there to guide them, pat them on the back for every attempt, and encourage them to do their best.

Scout Sunday: The BSA designates the Sunday that falls before February 8th (Scouting Anniversary date) as the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to scouting. It is often observed by the Troop attending church services with the members of their church.

Scoutbook: A web application designed for mobile devices to keep track of a scout's advancement, camping nights, hiking miles, service hours, and more. Provides real-time access to progress.

Scoutmaster (SM): The Adult Leader who trains and guides the youth leaders in carrying out the scouting program. One or more Assistant Scoutmasters (ASM) help the Scoutmaster (SM) and are often assigned specific roles and duties.

Sea Base: A high adventure Scout camp located in the Florida Keys.

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): The senior-most 

elected youth leader of the troop. The Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) is in charge of the troop at all functions and activities. There are one or more Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders (ASPL) to help him in running the troop.

Totin’ Chip: A certification that enables the bearer to use knives, axes, and saws. It must be earned by the Scout through educational and hands-on safety sessions led by an adult leader or older Scout appointed by the Scoutmaster (SM). Any time a Scout is observed doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, the card may be taken away and must be re-earned.

Troop Committee: The registered adults that provide oversight, assistance, and guidance to the Scoutmaster (SM) in carrying out the scouting program within the troop. The Troop Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources requested by the Patrol Leaders’ Council (PLC) and Scoutmaster (SM) that are required to carry out the scouting program.

Two-Deep Leadership: A BSA policy mandating that a minimum of two adults must always be present with any youth. One of these adults must be 21 years old. This is part of the BSA Youth Protection Guidelines.

Youth Protection Training (YPT): A 72-minute interactive video presentation and training program that is offered online. The program provides valuable information on how to recognize child abuse, how to set up safeguards, and how to report suspected abuse. All registered adults are required to take Youth Protection Training (YPT) every two years. It is also encouraged that ALL parents take YPT so they better understand why adult leaders strictly adhere to these rules.