Glossary of ScoutingTerms

This page defines various terms and events which may appear on the calendar. Hopefully this will provide some clarification.

The Arrow of Light is the highest award presented to a Cub Scout/Webelo, and the only award from Cub Scouts that may wear on their Boy Scout uniform. To receive the Arrow of Light, a Webelo must attend one Boy Scout activity and must visit 3 Boy Scout troops.

The Blue and Gold dinner is the graduation and recognition dinner given by the pack to honor our second year Webelos. The Arrow of Light award is presented to those Webelos who have earned it and those who are graduating to Boy Scouts, cross the bridge and are welcomed by representatives from their selected troop.  Since this is a celebration for the second year Webelos, no awards will be given
at the dinner for other Cub Scouts.  This is a very important time for the graduating Webelos, leaders and parents, and we want all Pack 111 families to attend and wish those leaving well.

Den Meeting are usually held twice per month. A den is made up of 6-10 boys in the same grade who are trying to achieve the same rank. Except in rare instances once a boy is a member of a den he stays with that group until he leaves the pack. There will be various den activities throughout the year which will help the boy work towards his rank, so it is important to attend as many den meetings as possible.

Friends of Scouting is a fund raising drive for the Boy Scouts of America. All money raised goes to the Boy Scouts of America, not to Pack 111. This financial support is used to help fund programs for individuals who cannot afford to join scouting, leadership training, outdoor programs, council service centers and other facilities, and professional service for units.

Pack meetings are the gathering of all the dens on a monthly basis. These are intended to be family events (extended family members are always welcome) and as such we ask that all families are represented. Pack meetings will normally last between an hour and hour and a half. During the meetings all rank advancements will be presented as well as any other awards a boy may have earned. There are usually songs, skits and during certain meetings we have outside entertainment.  While pack meetings are designed to be fun, they are also used to make all announcements concerning upcoming activities.

The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout tradition spanning at least 40 years. The scouts make and race cars from kits provided by the pack. All cars must pass an inspection prior to the race. The derby specifications are posted on the web site. Awards are given for race performance and for design.

For the Raingutter Regatta the scouts (including Tiger Cubs) make small sailboats from kits provided by the pack. The kits are similar to the pinewood derby kits with the exception of being easier to assemble. The race is held in a piece of gutter filled with water. The scouts propel the boat by blowing on the sail. The first heats get a winner from each den; the second heats get a winner for each rank and a final heat between all the ranks. Boats can be painted and decorated with stickers for judging with trophies being awarded for several classifications (for example most realistic, most colorful, etc.)

During the pack meetings we will be doing a uniform inspection for all dens. To be considered in full uniform a scout or a leader must be wearing the following:

uniform shirt (shirt must be tucked into his pants), proper rank neckerchief (Wolf, Bear or Webelos), neckerchief slide (Either the official Cub Scout slide or slide made as a den project is acceptable. Rubber bands, string, knots, etc. will not be considered an appropriate neckerchief slide.)

Other Cub Scout accessories (ie. hats, belts, pants) are nice, but will not count toward the inspection. Points are awarded to dens on the following basis:

2 Points All scouts present are in full uniform
2 Points All den members are present at the time of the inspection
1 Point Leaders in full uniform