Troop 399 and Scouting Glossary

Troop 399 and Scouting Glossary of Terms

When the troop goes camping, all of the adults form their own patrol for meal planning, shopping, cooking, eating, and sleeping. The adults try and set a good example of how a patrol should operate.

The Patrol Leader's Council meets to plan the next years activities with the guidance of the Scoutmaster. This plan is then presented to the Troop Committee for approval to make sure the plan meets BSA guidelines and that necessary resources can be provided. This normally occurs in the spring to plan the next school years activities.

Assists the Patrol Leader with his duties and steps in as patrol leader in his absence

Assists the Scoutmaster with his duties and steps in as a scoutmaster in his absence. Each troop 399 assistant scoutmaster as a specific role (venture scouts, eagle advancement, scout connections, and introduction to new troop ideas). The assistants rotate the duty of scoutmaster in his absence.

Assists the Senior Patrol Leader with his duties and steps in as an SPL in his absence. There are two ASPLs in Troop 399. Their individual duties are discipline and control (helping SPL with control of troop) and council connections (link with PLC and Committee).

Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the scouting movement. He is looked on as and idol to many scouters and is a key figurehead in the current boy scouting program.

Basic Leader Training

The basic Adult Leader Training. Although this is sometimes called Scoutmaster Fundamentals, this is an excellent training program for any adult wanting to become more involved in the Boy Scout program, or who just wants to learn more about how the program works.

The motto of Boy Scouting.

A safety zone around someone using a pocket knife, hatchet, ax, or other sharp tool. Basically it is an arms length plus the length of the tool in all directions. No one should be in another persons Blood Zone when a sharp tool is in use.

In order to work with a Merit Badge Counselor the scout must first obtain a Blue Card from the Scoutmaster. Blue Cards are the record of Merit Badge progress and are turned in to receive the Merit Badge after all the requirements have been met and the counselor has signed off the card. The scout should keep his copy of the the blue card until after he has reached the Rank of Eagle. The plastic baseball trading card holders work well for storing completed Blue Cards.

As a requirement for each rank advancement a scout must appear individually before a group of three to six adults (members of Troop Committee) to ensure that the scout has met the requirements for that rank. By policy the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster(s) can not set on a Board of Review. A Board of Review takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference for Rank Advancement, or when a Scout requests it or if the Troop Committee feels the Scout needs it. Eagle boards are conducted at the district level.

A ceremony where Webelos Cub Scouts cross a ceremonial bridge to signify their transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. This is normally done at a Cub Scout Pack Meeting with Boy Scouts from the Webelos' new troop participating. This is NOT a graduation ceremony from Cub Scouts, it is rather an induction ceremony into Boy Scouts.

BSA Lifeguard: A 3 year certification awarded to scouts or scouters who meet prescribed requirements in aquatic skills.

When ever 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.

Scout; Tenderfoot; Second Class; First Class; Star; Life; Eagle; Eagle Palms: Bronze, Gold, Silver

Camp out attended by several troops within the district. Usually there are various competitions between the troops and patrols attending. These are generally held three times during a year. The Spring Camporee, Winter Camporee and Fall Camporee are currently put on by the district staff and volunteers.

A scout that assists the troop chaplain in serving the troop's religious needs. He ensures that religious holidays are considered during the troop's program planning process and promotes the BSA's religious emblem programs.

The organization that is officially chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to carry out the scouting program. The main liaison between the charter organization and the troop is the Charter Organization Representative. Our charter organization is the North Babylon Lions Club.

The Class A Uniform consists of the scout shirt, scout shorts/pants, scout belt, scout socks, troop neckerchief and slide, and the troop hat. The Class A uniform is to be worn at parades, service events, ceremonies, and courts of honor.

The Class B Uniform consists of the troop shirt, troop hat, scout pants/shorts and scout belt. The Class B uniform is to be worn at all troop meetings, camporees, and competitions.

Adult volunteers working at district or council level. Unit commissioners are assigned to units and should be a friendly resource to the unit leaders.

A registered adult appointed by the Charter Organization to chair the Troop Committee. Presides at Troop Committee meetings. Works closely with the COR and SM to ensure the scouting program meets BSA guidelines.

COPE

Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. (Boy Scout activity involving heights, trust and team building).

COR - A person assigned by the chartering organization to be the liaison between the troop and the charter organization.

A group of Districts make up a Council. Troop 399 is in the Suffolk County Council.

An awards ceremony held twice yearly at which scouts are recognized for their rank advancements, merit badges earned, and other awards.

A scout term for a social gathering with refreshments after a meeting or activity. Often an evening activity at camp before taps.

A Boy Scout who helps a Den Leader direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.

A subdivision of a council. Troop 399 is in the Sagtikos District.

DE/ District Executive

The paid professional in charge of over seeing a District.

A large cast iron covered pot used to bake and cook in.

A certification given to Scouts who know and understand fire safety rules.

Annual fund raiser for the council. The council does not get any share of your registration fee and is grateful for your donation.

"Do a Good Turn Daily" is the scout slogan. A good turn is something you do without being asked or expected to do it and for which you expect no reward.

This booklet is the Bible when it comes to safety related issues in scouting. Those items in BOLD print are rules that MUST be followed. Everything else in the booklet are recommendations that should be followed. Troop leaders frequently consult this to see if planned activities are being done safely and within prescribed BSA policy.

Training classes to prepare adults and older youth leaders to plan, lead, and supervise High Adventure Activities such as backpacking, white water, rappelling, canoeing, wilderness first aid, etc.

Jamboree

Scout meeting or camp out on a grand scale. There are national and international jamborees.

A youth between 16 and 18 who has already held major leadership positions within the troop. Appointed by the Scoutmaster to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders.

Junior Leader Training

JLT is a night long training program for youth leaders held in the late summer/early fall. This is an advanced Junior Leader Training program for the more senior youth. You must be First Class or above, 13 years old, and have Scoutmaster approval to attend. All scouts with troop positions are required to attend.

Klondike Derby

A winter/snow oriented camporee. Overnight camping experience in the snow with team building games and activities.

What the Boy Scouts call an outdoor bathroom without plumbing.

To advance in the more senior ranks a scout must hold a leadership position for a set period of time. The rank requirements in the Boy Scout Handbook (as revised) lists the leadership positions that qualify.

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 (available at the Scout Shop). The Merit Badge Sash is normally worn only for formal occasions such as a Court-of-Honor.

Medicine Bow

The camp of Yawgoog that Troop 399 stays in during summer camp.

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

A national brotherhood of scout honor campers of the Boy Scouts of America. Members are elected by their peers after meeting basic requirements of camping knowledge and experience. Also called OA. The OA motto of "Cheerful Service" indicates their purpose. They are often found improving scout camps, running council events, and providing service to the scouting community.

The initiation ceremony experience for new OA members generally involving personal introspection, service to improve camp or trail and ceremonies based on Indian legend or lore.

After a scout reaches the rank of Eagle, they can earn a Palm for every 5 additional Merit Badges they complete. You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the 21 required for the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15. For example a scout with 20 additional Merit Badges would wear a Silver and a Bronze Palm.

The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. Made up of 4-8 scouts who camp, cook, tent and eat together. They work as a team at various activities and events. They are lead by their own patrol leader and assistant.

The Patrol Equipment consists of tents, stoves, lanterns, and cooking equipment. The Patrol is responsible for the storage and upkeep of this equipment. This equipment is stored and transported in the troop trailer.

The leader for the patrol. He appoints an Asst. Patrol Leader (APL) to help in running the patrol. He is responsible to attend all Patrol Leader's Council meetings.

Patrol Leader's Council

Made up of the youth leadership of the troop. They meet once a month to plan the following months activities and annually to plan the upcoming year. The troop positions of SPL, ASPL, PL, Guide, and Scribe are all required to attend these meetings.

PFD

Personal Floatation Device (PFD) otherwise known as a life vest. Those used in scouting must be U.S. Coast Guard approved.

Annual process of re-registering the troop, scouts and scouters. Each unit designates leaders to collect the information and present updated paperwork to the council. Our charter year is January 1 to December 31. We start processing re-charter paperwork in October or November for the following years term.

A eight step plan for conducting swimming activities in a safe manner.

Guidelines for safe troop activities utilizing water craft.

Any registered adult leader or boy.

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

A formal meeting that takes place at a Troop meeting or activity between a Scout and the Scoutmaster, or a person he designates, to review a scout’s progress. A Scoutmaster Conference takes place at advancement time prior to a Board of Review, when a Scout requests it or if the Scoutmaster feels the Scout needs it.

Scouting for Food

National Good Turn: Every year, Scouts collect food for the fight against hunger. Bags for canned food are distributed on a Saturday in November and then collected the following Saturday. The food is turned over to local food banks for distribution to needy families. Scouting For Food is a national "Good Turn" of the Boy Scouts of America. Food distribution centers rely on this huge influx of food right before the Thanksgiving holidays.

Scouts Own

Non-denominational religious observance of reflection usually conducted on camp outs. Allows each Scout the opportunity to obey the twelfth point of the Scout Law in his own way. Please, let us know if you do not want your son to participate in this activity, as we wish to respect every family's religious beliefs.

Scout Spirit

The way a scout tries to live up to the Scout Oath, Law, Slogan, and motto in his everyday life.

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)

The youth leader of the troop. The SPL is in charge of the troop at all functions and activities. He appoints one or more assistants (ASPL) to help him in running the troop. He heads the Patrol Leader's Council Meetings.

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. Any time a Scout is observed doing something unsafe with a sharp tool, a corner is cut off his Totin' Chip card. When all four corners are gone, the card is taken away and must be re-earned. Scouts must have their Totin' Chip card when using the axeyard.

Troop Committee

Adult committee of registered adults that provide oversight, assistance, and guidance to the Scoutmaster in carrying out the scouting program within the troop. The Troop Committee is responsible to provide the necessary resources requested by the PLC and Scoutmaster that are required to carry out the scouting program. The Troop Committee meets each month generally on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. All registered adults are part of the Troop Committee, key members include the Committee Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Outdoor/Activities Coordinator, Advancement Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, Equipment Coordinator, and Fund Raising Coordinator.

Two Deep

Two Deep Leadership is a Boy Scout Policy. 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. Our troop also requires that tour leaders are New Leader Essential/Scoutmaster Fundamentals trained.

Woodbadge: Advanced Training for Boy Scout adult leaders. Any adult who has taken Basic Leader Training can attend this advanced training course to expand their knowledge of the scouting program and be of more help to the troop.

Yawgoog: The 1,800 acre boy scout reservation in Rockville, Rhode Island that Troop 399 attends each summer.