A reconnaissance party, recon party, or scouting party was a type of landing party sent out on reconnaissance, with the goal of determining the situation in unfamiliar territory.
As Captain Christopher Pike's landing party began making preparations to transport Vina and the survivors from the SS Columbia up to the USS Enterprise in 2254, he was contacted by Number One, who requested permission to send down further scouting and scientific parties. (TOS: "The Cage", "The Menagerie, Part I")
In 2267, Spock surmised that the USS Enterprise was occupied with another matter, as it had been an hour and twelve minutes since they were supposed to have sent a check-in signal and no reconnaissance party had come for them, despite Montgomery Scott's usually being quick to respond to such things. (TOS: "Friday's Child")
In 2268, R.M. Merik assured Captain James T. Kirk that his crew would arrive on the surface of 892-IV eventually, first sending a recon party, then subsequent rescue parties. He spoke from experience, as the crew of the SS Beagle ultimately emptied their ship in the same fashion. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")