Troop 57
The youth leader elected by the troop members to lead the patrol leaders' council and run troop meetings.
Senior Patrol Leader (SPL)
The famous warning phrase used to identify and avoid poison ivy in the woods.
The safety zone around a Scout using an axe or pocketknife, created by extending your arm and rotating in a full circle.
Blood Circle
High, wispy clouds made of ice crystals often referred to as "mare's tails" that signal a weather change within 24 to 48 hours.
Cirrus clouds
The youth leader in a patrol who represents the patrol at Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) meetings.
Patrol Leader (PLC)
The annual weekend event where local Circle Ten Council troops gather to compete in Scout skills like fire building and first aid.
Camporee
The only venomous snake in North America with pit-sensing organs that is known for its distinct segmented tail warning mechanism.
Rattlesnake
The card or pledge earned by a Scout proving they know how to safely care for and use pocketknives and saws.
Totin' Chip
The towering cloud type associated with severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and potential hail or tornadoes.
Cumulonimbus cloud
The Scout leadership position responsible for keeping records of troop attendance, dues, and meeting minutes.
Scribe
The smaller group of 6 to 8 Scouts within our troop that works, cooks, and camps together as a team.
Patrol
The term for animals like owls and raccoons that are primarily active during the night.
Nocturnal
The proper motion when sharpening a knife blade against a whetstone.
Pushing the edge across the stone
The instrument used by meteorologists to measure atmospheric pressure to predict oncoming weather fronts.
Barometer
The proper way to display the United States flag on a flagpole when mourning national figures or during official proclamations.
Half-staff
The official Scouting center and store operated by Circle Ten Council located closest to Garland in Dallas.
Circle Ten Council Scout Shop
This venomous spider native to Texas is easily identified by a red hourglass shape on the underside of its abdomen.
Black Widow
The practice of passing a pocketknife to another person by closing the blade first, or handing it over handle-first while maintaining a grip until they say "Thank you."
Knife handoff
The weather phenomenon occurring when warm air overlays cool air, trapping moisture, smoke, or fog near the ground.
Temperature inversion
The Scout position responsible for managing, organizing, and maintaining all of the troop's camping equipment and gear.
Quartermaster
The ceremonial tradition held by our troop to formally present Scouts with their newly earned achievements and honor their progress.
Court of Honor
This tree, common in Texas, produces distinct three-lobed leaves and aromatic sap used historically for teas and medicine.
Sassafras tree
The outdoor tool with a heavy wedge-shaped head designed specifically for splitting log sections along the grain (specific name)
Splitting axe (splitting maul)
The dangerous drop in body temperature that occurs when wind carries away heat from wet skin faster than the body can produce it.
Wind Chill Effect
The formal decision-making method where all members of a patrol agree on a single plan after discussion rather than taking a simple majority vote.
Consensus