Glossary of Scouting Terms

Term Explanation
Adult support Aims to ensure that all adults in Scouting get personal support when they need it and where they need it, to help them do their job.
Air Scouts Group in Scouting that have a clear focus on air activities in their programme. They wear a different coloured uniform from Sea and Land Scouts. If Air Scout Groups meet a set standard, they can apply for RAF Recognition. This means they can benefit from opportunities created by the Royal Air Force.
Akela Traditional name used in some Cub Scout Packs for the Cub Scout Leader. Akela is the leader of the wolf pack in Rudyard Kipling?s The Jungle Book.
Atlantic Data The online disclosure processing system.
Associate Member An adult who wishes to join Scouting, but not take the Promise. Associate Members cannot hold leader or Commissioner appointment, as these appointments require the individual to be a Member.
Balanced Programme The Balanced Programme is one that provides young people with a wide range of activities drawn from each of the Programme Zones through a variety of Methods.
Brownsea Island The site of the experimental Scout camp run by Baden-Powell in Poole Harbour in 1907.
Colony The name given to a grouping of Beaver Scouts who meet regularly in a Scout Group.
Commissioner An adult appointed to provide support to other adults in either a support or managerial role.
Compass The Scout Association?s data base for keeping records of our adult members.
Flag Break A ceremony normally held at the beginning of meetings or events. The national flag is broken and saluted by those present.
Grand Howl A ceremony that Cub Scouts participate in at the beginning of a meeting or event.
Investiture The ceremony at which Members take the Promise when they join the Movement or move sections.
Jungle Book, The A story written by Rudyard Kipling. It can be used as the theme for a Cub Scout Pack.
Lodge Grouping of Beaver Scouts in a Beaver Scout Colony.
Pack This is the name given to the grouping of Cub Scouts who meet as a section.
Patrol The name given to a group of Scouts within a Scout Troop.
Patrol Leader This is a Scout who leads a Patrol in the Scout Troop.
Patrol Forum A meeting of members of a Patrol in the Scout Troop.
Programme The Programme is the term used to describe the entire programme experience, including awards, badges and method of operating the programme for young people aged 6-25 years.
Programme Zone The areas of activities on which each section bases its Balanced Programme.
POR [Policy, Organisation and Rules] provides the framework for running Scouting; it contains the policies and rules of Scouting
Promise A public statement each Member makes upon Investiture and on other occasions. It states that they will do their best to follow the principles and values of Scouting.
Risk Assessment Process by which all adults should check all activities, premises and campsites for risks and dangers that could injure Members.
Seconder This is a Cub Scout who assists a Sixer with the running of a Six in the Cub Pack.
Sixer A Cub Scout who is in charge of a Six in the Cub Pack.
Troop The collective name for Scouts (10-14 year olds) meeting together as a section.
Unit The collective name for Explorers (14-18 year olds) meeting together as a section.
Wood Badge The internationally recognised Scouting training insignia awarded to adults by Headquarters to denote completion of the training required for their role. It consists of two wooden beads threaded onto a leather thong which is worn with Scout uniform.