| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SM | Scoutmaster. The lead adult working directly with the scouts. |
| ASM | Assistant Scoutmaster. Registered adults who support the SM on outings and meetings. |
| SPL / ASPL | Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant. The elected youth leaders who run the troop. |
| PL / APL | Patrol Leader and Assistant. Lead an individual patrol. |
| PLC | Patrol Leaders' Council. The youth governing body that plans the troop program. |
| CC | Committee Chair. Leads the adult troop committee. |
| COR | Charter Organization Representative. The link to the organization that charters the troop. |
| MBC | Merit Badge Counselor. A registered adult approved to teach and sign off a specific merit badge. |
| Quartermaster | The scout responsible for troop gear. |
| Grub Master | The scout who plans, shops for, and organizes a patrol's food for an outing. |
| Den Chief | An older scout who helps lead a Cub Scout den. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| COH | Court of Honor. The ceremony where ranks and merit badges are presented. Troop 101 holds three a year and parents attend. |
| BOR | Board of Review. A conversation with committee members that confirms a scout is ready for a rank. |
| SMC | Scoutmaster Conference. A one-on-one (with proper supervision) discussion required for each rank. |
| Blue Card | The traditional merit badge application, signed by the SM before work begins and by the counselor when it is complete. |
| MB | Merit Badge. |
| Eagle-Required | The specific merit badges every Eagle Scout must earn. |
| Trail to Eagle | The path from Life rank to Eagle, including the Eagle service project. |
| Scoutbook | The official online system for tracking advancement. |
| Palms | Awards for merit badges earned beyond the Eagle requirement. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SYT | Safeguarding Youth Training. Mandatory for every registered adult leader. |
| IOLS | Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. Hands-on outdoor training for adult leaders. |
| NYLT | National Youth Leadership Training. A week-long council leadership course for older scouts. |
| NAYLE | National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience. The next step after NYLT. |
| Wood Badge | The premier adult leadership training course in scouting. |
| OA | Order of the Arrow, scouting's national honor society, recognizing scouts elected by their peers for camping and service. |
| High Adventure | Advanced trips for older scouts, including the four national bases: Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, and the Summit. |
| Camporee | A district or council event where many troops camp and compete together. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Class A | The official khaki field uniform shirt, worn for meetings, ceremonies, and travel. |
| Class B | The troop t-shirt, worn for outings, service, and most activities. |
| The 10 Essentials | The standard list of items every scout carries on a hike. |
| Leave No Trace | The outdoor ethics framework scouting follows: pack it in, pack it out, leave the site better than you found it. |
| Tour Plan / Activity Consent | The paperwork required before the troop travels. |
| Health Form | The annual Scouting America medical form. Parts A and B for most activities, Part C with a physician exam for long-term camp. |
| Buddy System | Scouts never go anywhere alone. Always at least two. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Troop | The unit. Ours is Troop 101. |
| Pack | A Cub Scout unit, for elementary-age youth. |
| Crew / Ship | Venturing crew and Sea Scout ship, co-ed programs for ages 14–20. |
| District | A local grouping of units within a council. |
| Council | The regional organization. Ours is the Atlanta Area Council. |
| Charter Organization | The community organization that sponsors a unit. Ours is Inman Park United Methodist Church. |
| Crossing Over | The ceremony where Cub Scouts graduate into a Scouts BSA troop, typically in spring of 5th grade. |
| Arrow of Light | The highest Cub Scout award, and one route into Scouts BSA at age 10. |
