Tidewater Council's Acronym, Abbreviation, & Term Decoder
G
Gene Warber Fishing Area
This fishing area is on Lake Beazley in Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation. It is named for Gene Warber, who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the Boy Scouts of America. His last 15 years as a professional Scouter were in service of Tidewater Council before his death in 2013.
Gilwell Park
The home of Scout leader training is on the edge of Epping Forest, London, England. It is also the place the founder of Scouting, Robert Baden-Powell, chose as his original training ground. Gilwell Park is an international Scout activity center and training center of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom.
Good Turn Society
Scouting America recognizes generous benefactors who are enthusiastic about preserving Scouting‘s mission, vision, and values. Members of the Good Turn Society commit to service above self, a drive to go beyond to achieve an important goal, a willingness to be a model for others, and the courage to demonstrate leadership through their investment in Scouting. All donors with new gifts of at least $25,000 are eligible for induction into the Good Turn Society at their lifetime cumulative giving level. The Good Turn Society replaced the Second Century Society donor recognition.
Gregson Center
Pipsico Scout Reservation’s welcome center is at the camp’s entrance, adjacent to the ranger’s residence. The building was named for former Blue Heron Lodge Order of the Arrow chief Brian E. Gregson, whose life was tragically lost in a surfing accident on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The building contains the lodge and Tidewater Council museum named for William A. Thompson, Jr., a past council president and longtime museum curator.
GSS
See Guide to Safe Scouting.
Guide to Safe Scouting
An overview of Scouting policies and procedures gleaned from various sources. All participants in official Scouting activities should become familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting and applicable program literature or manuals and be aware of state or local government regulations that supersede Scouting America practices, policies, and guidelines.
H
Harold V. Pace OA Shelter
Located in Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation, this is a large outdoor shelter with three open sides and a large brick fireplace on one end. It was built by Blue Heron Lodge Order of the Arrow members and was named after past Tidewater Council Scout Executive Harold V. Pace.
Heroism Award
Scouting America’s Heroism Award may be presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save a life at minimum personal risk. See Honor Medal and Medal of Merit.
high adventure
This term can refer to high adventure activities or to trek programs administered by units, local councils, or the National Council for older Scouts and Venturers. High adventure programs are characterized by challenging outdoor activities that push participants physically and mentally, often in wilderness or remote settings.
high course
See Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience.
Historic Trails Award
This award is earned by members of a Scouting unit who plan and participate in a historic activity or hike a Scouting America-approved historic trail.
Honor Medal
A lifesaving award presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self. It may also be presented with crossed palms for both unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness with extreme risk to self in saving or attempting to save a life. See Heroism Award and Medal of Merit.
Huskanaw
Huskanaw is the Powhatan Indian name for the rite of passage that taught young men the skills needed to meet their responsibilities in the tribe. The Huskanaw program does much the same thing by teaching new Scouts the skills they need to fully participate in troop activities. The Huskanaw program area at Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation is designed to welcome new youth to Scouts BSA (whether they have recently crossed over from Cub Scouting or just joined a Scouts BSA troop) by teaching them about the patrol method, troop organization, being prepared, resourcefulness, and skills for Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks.
I
IH
See executive officer.
institutional head
See executive officer.
Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills
This hands-on program gives adult leaders a practical introduction to the patrol method of a youth-led troop by teaching many of the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts outdoors. In addition, the teaching methods, activities, and games model the variety of teaching used in effective and engaging Scouting programs.
J
Jamboree
Baden-Powell chose this term to describe the first international gathering of Scouts camping together in London in 1920. The term indicates a National or World Jamboree only. Capitalize “National Jamboree” and “World Scout Jamboree” in all references. Scouting America holds a National Jamboree every four years, and World Scout Jamborees are held every four years. A Scouting group attending a Jamboree is a “contingent.”
Jamboree-on-the-Air
The World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement sponsors the Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA), held the third full weekend of October each year. This worldwide ham radio event promotes communication and understanding among Scouts all over the world.
Jamboree-on-the-Internet
The World Scout Bureau of the World Organization of the Scout Movement sponsors the Jamboree-on-the-Internet (JOTI), held the third full weekend of October each year. This worldwide internet event promotes communication and understanding among Scouts worldwide.
James E. West Fellowship Award
Named in honor of the first Chief Scout Executive, this award is presented to donors (fellows) who give at least $1,000 in cash or securities to a local council endowment fund. The award has four levels, up to $15,000.
James River
The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state. It begins in the mountains at the Cowpasture and Jackson Rivers confluence in Botetourt County and ends at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads. The James flows by Pipsico Scout Reservation in Surry County and is Virginia’s largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.
JASM
See junior assistant Scoutmaster.
Jim Gray Campfire Ring
This is a general-use campfire ring in Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation, located at the end of the road past Shelter C and campsite 12.
JOTA
See Jamboree-on-the-Air.
JOTI
See Jamboree-on-the-Internet.
JTE
See Journey to Excellence.
junior assistant Scoutmaster
A troop may have any number of junior assistant Scoutmasters. They manage any duties assigned by the Scoutmaster.
K
K Building
The administrative and kitchen building in its namesake Camp Kiwanis at Pipsico Scout Reservation.
Key 3
The three top council, district, or unit leaders. The council Key 3 is the president, commissioner, and Scout executive. The District Key 3 is the chair, commissioner, and executive. The unit Key 3 is the chartered organization representative, committee chair, and top unit leader. The numeral “3” is always used in Key 3.
KISMIF
Keep It Simple. Make It Fun.
Kiwanis
See Camp Kiwanis.
knot
Many adult awards and recognitions have a patch with a square knot embroidered on it in different colors. Adult leaders wear these square knot patches on their uniform over the left pocket.
L
Lake Beazley
Along the road into Camp Lions at Pipsico Scout Reservation, this lake is home to the Gene Warber Fishing Area.
Learning for Life
Learning for Life is a character education program designed to support schools and community-based organizations in their efforts to prepare youth to manage the complexities of contemporary society successfully.
Leave No Trace
Scouting America is committed to this nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program to reduce impacts on the environment and other people. The seven principles should always be followed outdoors: Plan and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly (pack it in, pack it out); leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors.
LFL
See Learning for Life.
Life Scout
The sixth rank for Scouts BSA members; between Star and Eagle.
Lion Cub
Cub Scouts in kindergarten work toward the Lion rank.
Lions
See Camp Lions.
LNT
See Leave No Trace.
lodge
A local council Order of the Arrow group chartered annually by the National Council. A large lodge may be organized into chapters.
lodge leadership
See Council of Chiefs.
long-term camping
A camping experience consisting of five or more consecutive days and nights outdoors.
low course
See Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience.
M
Mary Jayne Breeden Council Service Center
The formal name of the Tidewater Council Service Center and Scout Shop, located at 1032 Heatherwood Drive in Virginia Beach.
mate
The Sea Scouting equivalent of associate Advisor. See boatswain’s mate and Skipper.
Medal of Merit
The National Court of Honor may award this medal to a registered youth member or adult leader who has performed an act of service of a rare or exceptional character. Such action need not necessarily be a rescue or involve risk to self. See Heroism Award and Honor Medal.
member
A registered participant in Scouting America programs.
merit badge
A recognition given to a Scouts BSA member for completing the requirements for the badge. There are more than 130 subjects in life skills, hobbies, and career fields, with requirements and supporting pamphlets to help Scouts broaden their outlook.
merit badge counselor
A registered adult volunteer at least age 18 who is an expert in a merit badge field, shares enthusiasm for that field with Scouts, and certifies that requirements have been met.
methods of Cub Scouting
The seven methods used to deliver Cub Scouting programs are living the ideals (Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Cub Scout motto), belonging to a den, using advancement, involving family and home, participating in activities, wearing the uniform, and serving home and neighborhood.
methods of Scouting
The eight methods used to deliver Scouts BSA programs are the ideals (Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan), the patrol method, outdoors, advancement, association with adults, personal growth, leadership development, and the uniform.
methods of Venturing
The seven methods used to deliver Venturing programs are the ideals (Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Venturing motto), group identity, recognition, adult association, group activities and adventure, service, and leadership and mentoring.
Moonyah
See Camp Moonyah.
motto
See Cub Scout Motto, Scout motto, and Venturing motto.