Adult Patrol: 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.

Annual Planning Meeting: The PLC (see below) meets to plan the next years activities with the guidance of the Scoutmaster. This plan is then present to the Troop Committee (see below) 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.

APL - Asst. Patrol Leader: See Patrol Leader below.

ASM - Asst. Scoutmaster: See Scoutmaster below.

ASPL - Asst. Senior Patrol Leader: See Senior Patrol Leader (SPL). Troops often have more than one ASPL

Baden-Powell: Lord Baden-Powell was the founder of the scouting movement.

Be Prepared: The motto of Boy Scouting.

Blue Card: 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 blue card until after he has reached the Rank of Eagle. The plastic baseball trading card holders work well for storing completed Blue Cards.

Board of Review - BOR: 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 Scoutmasters cannot sit on a BOR. A Board of Review takes place after a Scoutmaster Conference (see below) 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.

Boy Scout Ranks (in order of increasing rank)

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

Bridging: 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.\

Buddy System: 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.

Camporee: Campout attended by several troops within the district. Usually there are various competitions between the patrols attending.

Chaplain: Adult member of the Troop Committee who provides guidance to scouts related to observance of the 12th point of the Scout Law - A Scout is Reverent. This adult works with the Chaplain Aide, a youth leader.

Charter Organization: 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 Chartered Organization Representative (COR). Your COR could be a church, school, PTA/PTO, civic club or a business.

Class A or B Uniform: Different types of activities require different uniforms. Class A is a complete uniform; Class B is a scout polo shirt or T-shirt often worn for camp or for other activities.

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

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

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

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

Council: A group of Districts make up a Council.

Court of Honor - COH: An awards ceremony, usually held quarterly, at which scouts are recognized for their rank advancements, merit badges earned, and other awards.

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

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

District: A subdivision of a council. The Middle Tennessee Council has sixteen districts: Black Fox, Cherokee, Cogioba, Dan Beard, David Crockett, Duck River, Elk River, Hermitage, Highland Rim, James E. West, Nashboro, Natchez Trace, Trail of Tears, Upper Cumberland, Walton Trail, and Warioto.

Dutch Oven: A large cast iron covered pot used to bake and cook in over a wood or charcoal fire.

Fast Start Training: This online training is a quick orientation for new leaders.

Firem'n Chit: A certification given to Scouts who know and understand fire safety rules.

Friends of Scouting (FOS): Friends of Scouting - annual fund raiser for the council. The council does not get any share of your registration fee and is grateful for your donation.

Good Turn: "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.

Guide to Safe Scouting: 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.

Grubmaster: the person responsible for buying food for a campout

Jamboree: Scout meeting or camp out on a grand scale. There are district, regional, national and international jamborees.
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA): Scouting and ham radio join forces to make many international contacts through the "air" waves. Traditionally, this event takes place during the 3rd weekend in October.

JASM - Junior Asst. Scoutmaster: A youth between 16 and 18 who has already held major leadership positions within the troop. A JASM is appointed by the Scoutmaster to help in guiding the troop and youth leaders.

Junior Leader Training (JLT): A training class taught by the senior youth leaders for newly elected and appointed youth leaders generally in the fall.

Klondike Derby: A winter/snow oriented Camporee typically including an overnight camping experience in the snow with team building games and activities.

Leadership: 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.

NESA: National Eagle Scout Association. Open to membership to any youth or adult who attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
New Leader Essentials (NLE): An introductory training session that highlights the values, aims, history, funding, and methods of Scouting.

Northern Tier High Adventure Base: Northern Tier is a Boy Scout High Adventure Base which is focused on canoeing in the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota and Canada.

Order of the Arrow (OA): 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. Boys and adults leaders can be elected to the 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.

OA Ordeal: 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.

Outdoor Leadership Skills (OLS): Outdoor skills are critical to the success of the Scouting program, and Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills will provide leaders with the basic outdoor skills information needed to start a program right. Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills is the required outdoor training for all Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters and Varsity Scout coaches. The skills taught are based on the outdoor skills found in the Boy Scout Handbook.

Palms, Eagle: 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.

Patrol: The Patrol is the basic unit within a troop. 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 leader.

Patrol Equipment: 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 Patrol Boxes which need to be cleaned after each outing.

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

Patrol Leaders Council (PLC): Made up of the youth leadership of the troop. They meet once a month to plan the following month's activities and annually to plan the upcoming year.

Permission Slip: In order to go on any outing the scout must have a Permission Slip signed by his parent. The Permission Slip also provides details about uniform, departure time, food, etc. Many troops post Permission Slips on their web sites. It is the Scout's responsibility to make sure they have the appropriate Permission Slip signed and turned in by the due date noted on the Permission Slip.

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

Scoutmaster Conference: 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.

Scoutmaster-Specific 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.

Scouting for Food: National Good Turn: Every year, Scouts collect food for the fight against hunger. 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.

Scout-O-Rama: Large scouting event. Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops display some of their favorite activities. The scouts help out their units and also get time to visit other units displays.

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 Let your troop leaders 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.

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

Service Star: A pin worn over the left shirt pocket of the uniform to denote the number of years of service.

Silver Beaver: A recognition given by the National Court of Honor for distinguished service to youth within the council.

Senior Patrol Leader (SPL): The senior most elected 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.

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. 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.

Tour Permit: A document that must be filed with the council office before any official scouting activity can take place. Special permits are required for travel out-of-state, over 500 miles, or for flying activities.

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. 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.

Woggle:  neckerchief slide

Wood Badge: Wood Badge for the 21st Century is open to all registered adult Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing leaders who have completed the basic training requirements for their primary position. The basic training requirements generally consist of Fast Start, New Leader Essentials and Position Specific Training. Scoutmasters and Assistant Scoutmasters must complete Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills ("OLS") in addition to the above requirements. Outdoor training is not required of other leaders but it is highly recommended.

Youth Protection Training: A video presentation and training program that is offered several times a year. Each unit should encourage all leaders to attend one of these sessions that provide valuable information on how to recognize child abuse, how to set up safe guards, and how to report suspected abuse.