Scouting Terms & Acronyms
Scouting America Terms
Scouts BSA
The Scouting America program for youth ages 10½ through 17. Troop 505 is a Scouts BSA boys troop.
Troop
A local unit of Scouts BSA made up of youth members and adult volunteers.
Chartered Organization
The community organization that sponsors and supports the troop. Troop 505 is chartered by Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
Scout Oath and Scout Law
The values that guide behavior and decision making in Scouting emphasizing character, leadership, service, and responsibility.
The Patrol Method
The Patrol Method is the foundation of Troop 505. Scouts work in small, mixed-age patrols where they plan, cook, camp, learn skills, and solve problems together, with older Scouts mentoring younger Scouts along the way. Each patrol is led by a Patrol Leader and supported by troop youth leaders through the Patrol Leaders’ Council, which plans the troop’s program with adult guidance. Scouts run patrols, and adults mentor and ensure safety. This approach builds confidence, responsibility, and character. Strong patrols create strong Scouts, and strong Scouts create a strong troop.
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
An advanced leadership course for Scouts focused on communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Trail to First Class
Troop 505’s program for helping new Scouts learn basic skills and advance through early ranks.
Trail to Eagle
The path Scouts follow as they work toward Eagle Scout, supported by troop leadership.
Rank Advancement
The process Scouts follow to earn ranks through skills, leadership, and service.
Merit Badge
A subject based award earned by completing requirements in areas such as camping or first aid.
Scouts’ Own / Service
A Scout-led, non-denominational worship service held during campouts.
Class A (Field Uniform)
Official Scout uniform worn at meetings and travel.
Class B
Troop or Scouting t-shirts worn during summer or activities.
Adult Camp Champion
An adult leader assigned to support logistics for a campout or event.
Court of Honor
A formal ceremony recognizing Scout achievements and advancement.
Campout
An overnight outdoor activity focused on skills and teamwork. Usually consisting of two nights.
Winter Camp / Summer Camp
Week-long camps providing outdoor experience and merit badge opportunities.
High Adventure
Advanced outdoor experiences such as backpacking, canoeing, sailing, scuba, or rafting.
Sea Base
Scouts America's high adventure base in Florida, the Bahamas, and the US Virgin Islands focused on sailing, snorkeling, and scuba.
Northern Tier
Scouts America's High Adventure Base, focused on canoeing and based in Canada and Minnesota
Philmont
Scouts America's high adventure base in north central New Mexico focused on backpacking
Summit Bechtel Reserve
Scouts America's high adventure base in West Virginia offering activities such as whitewater rafting.
Troop 505 Specific Terms
Troop Patrol Award
A quarterly award recognizing the patrol that best exemplifies teamwork, participation, responsibility, and Scout spirit through consistent involvement in meetings, campouts, service, advancement, and patrol activities.
Paracord Fobs
Wearable symbols of achievement in Troop 505. Each fob is made from paracord and includes specific knots and metal charms that represent accomplishments such as leadership roles, training completion, service, or high adventure participation. Fobs are earned through effort and involvement and provide Scouts a visible way to carry their experiences and milestones with them.