Troop 184 Dictionary
There are many words and phrases that Boy Scouts use that may not be familiar. Please refer to this list to learn the meaning behind our Troop 184 jargon.
The basic organizational structure of Boy Scouts. The larger troop of scouts are broken into smaller groups, called patrols. A senior scout within the patrol is the Patrol Leader.
Patrol Method
Leadership Corps
Once a scout has completed his time being a patrol leader, he becomes a member of the Leadership Corps. These older scouts work as a unit at campouts, but also are individually part of the departments within the troop. The Leadership Corps are members of the Patrol Leader's Council.
Patrol Corners
This is the second part of the troop meetings. Scouts gather with their patrols and complete advancement requirements, collect forms and grocery money for upcoming campouts, and other patrol business.
Also called the "SPL", the Senior Patrol Leader is the highest scout position within the troop. The SPL liaises with the Scoutmaster to carry out the agenda for troop meetings and campouts. The SPL is also the leader of the Patrol Leader's Council.
Senior Patrol Leader
PLC
The Patrol Leader's Council, or PLC, is comprised of the senior leadership of the troop. It is led by the Senior Patrol Leader. The patrol leaders and the Leadership Corps are the scout members of the PLC. The adult leaders are also members, providing guidance and support.
Program
This is the third part of the troop meeting, and includes an activity that the entire troop participates in. This can be a demonstration, a speaker, or a knowledge contest.
The Patrol Leader is, as the the name suggests, the leader of his patrol. He helps his patrol with their advancement, he builds the duty rosters at the campouts, and he represents his patrol at the Patrol Leader's Council meetings. A scout must achieve the rank of First Class to be a patrol leader.
Patrol Leader
"Fall In"
The gathering of the scouts and leaders into formation. This occurs at the beginning and end of every troop meeting, plus during campouts and other outings where information has to be given to the troop, whether it be announcements, recognition or car assignments.
Blue Card
That's the merit badge application. You need a signed, three panel blue card to START a merit badge. You need a signed, two panel blue card to claim merit badge completion. For a partial, you need all three panels to continue work.
JLT
Junior Leadership Training. Adult leadership and existing Leadership Corp members assist and train incoming patrol leaders into their new leadership position. This two day seminar is held the first weekend after summer camp.
SMC
Scoutmaster Conference. The second to last step to finishing each rank in the advancement system. Once a scout has completed all the other rank requirements, he'll get scheduled for a meeting with the Scoutmaster. This is not a test; rather, it is just a check-in to review the scout's achievements and encourage the scout as he moves toward his next rank.
BOR
Board of Review. That's the last step in achieving the next rank. After the SMC, the scout is scheduled for a Board of Review. For the lower ranks (Scout through First Class), BORs are conducted by our junior leaders. For the upper ranks (from First Class and above), BORs are conducted by our troop committee.
Duty Roster
On campouts, each patrol works together to prepare to cook and eat. The patrol leader builds a duty roster for each trip, breaking down the job each member of the patrol is responsible for per meal. These jobs include gathering wood, building a fire, and cooking.
"Smellables"
This refers to any of your personal gear that might have a smell to it. Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. Because animals in the wild don't really care whether something that smells good is food, we make it a point to keep "smellables" away from the tents.
Police Line
At the end of a campout, before the troop can depart for home, everyone lines up on one side of the campsite and walks to the other side, collecting trash and debris. This is all part of the "Leave No Trace" policy of the Boy Scouts.
"Camp Clean"
After a meal, everyone in the patrol pitches in to clean up. All the personal items and patrol equipment are washed in a series of three buckets: soapy water, rinse water and sanitized water. But since we're still in the woods, the level of clean is not the same as at home. It may not be up to home standards, but it is "Camp Clean".
Cracker Barrel
This is the late evening snack. Each patrol brings a little something to enjoy before bedtime. Common Cracker Barrel snacks are cheese and crackers, Pop 'Ems (mini donut holes) and fruit.
Lights Out,
Sound Out
Bedtime on a campout. Scouts are in their tents, preparing to go to sleep. Lights out, Sound out refers to when they should wind down and actually try to get some shuteye.
Sheepherder
A type of stove we use at Summer Camp. It consists of a cylindrical "belly" where we build a fire, a flat top to cook on, and a chimney.