Advancement – The progression that moves the Cub Scouts from rank to rank. Cub scouts can start at any time, and the den they are placed into is determined by the grade the scout is currently in.

Adventure – Adventures are “collections of themed, multidisciplinary activities representing approximately three den meetings’ worth of engaging content.”  All Scouts regardless of rank or Den must complete 6 required and two elective Adventures to obtain the rank for the den in which they belong.

Akela – Anyone who is a leader to the Cub Scout. Akela can be a parent, teacher, den leader, Cubmaster, or any other adult who helps guide the Cub Scout.

Arrow of Light – The highest rank a Cub Scout can achieve. The Arrow of Light (AoL) rank is the only Cub Scout rank that can be worn on the Scouts BSA uniform.

Buddy System – The buddy system is used to help Cub Scouts look out for each other. At Cub Scout events, especially outdoor activities, kids should find a partner.  The buddies go everywhere together and know where each other is at all times. This helps ensure that the kids always have a partner to help him or her if they get lost or hurt.

Chartered Organization – Community or faith-based organizations that own and operate Cub Scout packs. They work under a “charter” from the Boy Scouts of America.

Class A Uniform – This is the official uniform of Cub Scouts. Lion Cub Scouts wear a t-shirt.  Tigers, Wolves, Bears and WEBELOS wear a blue shirt, while AoLs wear the tan Scouts BSA shirt.  “Class A uniform” is not a BSA official term, but it is widely used by packs.

Class B Uniform – Class B uniforms are Scouting-related t-shirts. They can be pack t-shirts, day camp t-shirts, or any other Scouting t-shirt.  They are officially called special purpose or activity uniforms. Within Pack 255, the Class B Uniform is the Pack t-shirt.

Council – A council is a service center, chartered by the Boy Scouts of America, that is responsible for Scouting within its geographical area.

Crossover or Bridging – A Special ceremony where a WEBELOS Cub Scout “crosses over” or “bridges” from Cub Scouts to Scouts BSA. It symbolizes the Scouts' induction into their Scouts BSA troop.

Cubmaster – A Cubmaster is the “face” of the pack. Cubmasters help plan and carry out the Cub Scout program in his or her pack. They support and motivate den leaders and parents.  The Cubmaster serves as the emcee for pack meetings and other events. Cubmasters and pack committees work together to develop fun program ideas and activities.

Den – A den is a group of Scouts who are in the same grade. They work together to advance to the next level of Cub Scouts.

Denner – A Cub Scout who has been selected (by vote or appointment) to serve in a leadership role in their den.  They have specific duties such as taking attendance, leading a flag ceremony, assisting with den activities and conducting a closing ceremony. Serving as a denner helps develop the Cub Scout's leadership skills.

Den Chief – An older Scout who is a member of Scouts BSA who has been selected to work with a Cub Scout den. They assist with den activities and serve as a role model (and often a friend) to the kids in the den. The den chief position is considered a leadership role by the Scouts BSA troop.

District – The geographic territory within a council is divided into districts. Districts vary in size. Some may span multiple counties, while others are one county. There may be multiple districts within one county, depending on its size.

District Executive – The District Executive (DE) is a paid employee of the local council. His or her role is to support Scouting in the district.

Pack – A Cub Scout pack is a collection of dens of all ranks. The pack organizes the dens, holds monthly meetings, and conducts larger events such as the Pinewood Derby or Blue & Gold banquet.  Packs belong to a community organization, such as a church, a service club, or a school which is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America to operate the Scouting program.

Rank – Cub Scouts are grouped by grade or age into specific ranks. Kindergarteners are Lions, first graders are Tigers, second graders are Wolves, third graders are Bears, fourth graders are WEBELOS, and fifth graders are Arrows of Light.  The Scouts work toward their rank throughout the year. For example, the second grader is a Wolf, but they don't get their Wolf rank until they complete all of the required Wolf adventures.

Scout Law - The Scout Law is comprised of 12 points and serves as a moral compass for all within a scouting program. "A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent".

Scout Motto - "Do your best." Most people think of the Scout motto as Always Prepared. And while that is true for Scouts BSA, in Cub Scouts, the motto is "Do Your Best".

Scout Oath - Unlike the Scout Motto, the Scout Oath crosses over from Cub Scouts into Scouts BSA. The Scout Oath is "On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

Special Pack Events

Blue and Gold Banquet – Because February is the anniversary month of the Boy Scouts of America, many packs celebrate with a Blue and Gold banquet. This banquet is a special event that can include games and entertainment.  Cub Scouts often bring their whole families including grandparents. While some packs may choose to hold their Blue and Gold Banquet in another month, our Pack hosts this activity as a celebration in the month of February.

Family Camp - Every summer we get together as a pack to enjoy the great outdoors with a camping retreat. This fun for all camping trip starts on Friday evening and extends until Sunday morning. Usually, it is located here close to Colorado Springs, but it's location may vary from year to year. Scouts don't have to attend overnight, but it is highly encouraged to attend during the day on Saturday.

Pack Hike - Every Fall, the pack gets together on an annual basis where we explore the winders of the outdoors while getting some exercise and enjoying mother nature. 

Pie in the face - As a reward for the cub scouts that sell the most popcorn in the pack, they get to pie the cub master in the face with whipped cream pies. This is an annual event where each scout that sells the goal or more of popcorn gets to help the cubmaster enjoy their pie, by throwing/placing it in the cub master's face!

Pinewood Derby – Cub Scout racing event. With help from their parents or other family, Cub Scouts design and build a race car using a kit that contains a block of wood, plastic wheels, and axles made from nails.

Rain gutter Regatta – Cub Scout racing event. For this race, Scouts build sailboats with balsa wood, a mast, a plastic sail. They race their boats with the wind generated from their lungs and expelled through a disposable straw onto the sail, propelling it to the end of the rain gutter. 

Veterans Day Assembly - Pack 255 is often the center of the stage during our chartering organization's annual Veterans Day assembly while we carry in and present and retire the colors (flags) at the beginning and end of the ceremony.

Welcome back to Scouting - At the beginning of the year, we like to welcome scouts and their families back to scouting by celebrating the scouts. This is sometimes in the form of an ice cream social, or to celebrate national s'mores day! No matter the content of Pack meeting, Scouting is Fun!

WEBELOS – This rank's name has special meaning. It stands for WE'll BE LOyal Scouts. Always use the S even when referring to one WEBELOS. So, one WEBLOS, not one webelo.

WEBELOS Colors – The WEBELOS Colors consist of a blue metal bar with the word “Webelos” on it. Below the bar are three woven streamers–one each of gold, red and green.  The Scouts can display their adventure pins on the streamers. The Webelos Colors are worn on the right sleeve of the Webelos uniform.

Whittling Chip – The Whittling Chip is an adventure a Cub Scout can earn that gives them the privilege of carrying a pocketknife to specifically designated events.  To earn the Whittling Chip, Cub Scouts must know how to safely use and care for a pocketknife, make a carving, and promise to abide by the knife safety guidelines and the pocketknife pledge. The whittling chip is an elective in the Bear Den, during third grade. Just because scouts can earn their whittling chip in scouting, they must still abide by the rules set forth by parents and guardians.

With each outdoor activity or adventure, Cub Scouts are expected to bring the following list of items. These items are essential to all outdoor activities and to keep each Scout safe.

1. A first-aid kit. This can be a lifesaver. Literally. Check out how you can build your own first-aid kit.

2. Water. It can prevent you from facing dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

3. A flashlight. You need this to find your way in the dark (and make sure it has fresh batteries).

4. Trail food. You’ll be glad you have fuel to maintain your energy.

5. Sun protection. This might include sunblock, sunglasses, lip balm and a wide-brimmed hat. Applying your sun protection properly is also key.

6. A whistle. Use it to call for help if you’re lost. Don’t use a whistle for fun!

For longer adventures that can last a day or more, the following items included in the Scouts BSA 10 essentials should be brought out of an abundance of caution.

1. Extra clothing. Pack for the weather. Multiple layers are better than a single, massive jacket. That way you can stay more adaptable to changing conditions.

2. Rain gear. Being wet from rain might result in hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition.

3. A pocketknife or multitool can be handy in a wide variety of situations. Don’t forget to first earn your Whittling Chip (for older Cub Scouts) or Totin’ Chip (for older Scouts). 

4. A map and compass are probably the most important tools you can carry if you get lost!