Terms and Style Items - "W"

wagonmaster
A campmaster for Cub Scout family camping programs. See also "campmaster."

Washington
Never abbreviate when referring to the U.S. capital. Use "state of Washington" or "Washington state" and "Washington, D.C.," or "District of Columbia" when the context requires distinction between the state and the federal district.

weapons
Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm. Note the following definitions:

• caliber. A measurement of the diameter of the inside of a gun barrel except for most shotguns. Measurement is in either millimeters or decimal fractions of an inch. The word "caliber" is not used when giving the metric measurement. The forms: "a 9 mm pistol," "a .22-caliber rifle."
• gauge. This word describes the size of a shotgun. Gauge is expressed in terms of the number per pound of round lead balls with a diameter equal to the size of the barrel. The larger the number, the smaller the shotgun. Some common gauges are 10, 12, 16, 20, and 28. The .410 is actually a caliber, but is called a gauge.
• muzzleloader. One word, no hyphen. A firearm in which the propellant and projectile are inserted down the barrel instead of through a breech mechanism. The forms: "firing a muzzleloader," "a muzzleloading shotgun," "a muzzleloading pistol."
• pistol. Any handgun that does not hold its ammunition in a revolving cylinder. It may be "a single shot," "a semiautomatic," or "an automatic." Its measurement is in calibers or millimeters. The forms: "a .45-caliber pistol," "a 9 mm pistol."
• revolver. A handgun. Its cartridges are held in chambers in a cylinder that revolves. The form: "a .38-caliber revolver."
• rifle. A firearm designed or made to be fired from the shoulder and having a rifled bore. It uses bullets or cartridges for ammunition. Its size is measured in calibers. The form: "a .22-caliber rifle."
• shell. The word applies to military ammunition and to shotgun ammunition.
• shot. Small lead or steel pellets fired by shotguns. A shotgun shell usually contains 1 to 2 ounces of shot. Do not use "shot" interchangeably with "buckshot," which refers only to the largest shot sizes.
• shotgun. A small-arms gun with a smooth bore, sometimes double-barreled. Its ammunition is shot. Its size is measured in gauges. The form: "a 12-gauge shotgun."

Web
Short for the World Wide Web.

Web site
Two words; capitalize the word "Web" only.

Web sites, BSA

• www.scouting.org. The official Web site of the Boy Scouts of America.
• www.boyslife.org. The Web site of Boys' Life magazine contains information about the current issue, games to play, projects to download, and more.
• www.bsafieldbook.org. This is a companion site to the BSA's Fieldbook.
• www.bsalegal.org. This site was developed on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America to inform the public about the issues that confront the Scouting movement.
• www.bsamuseum.org. The official Web site of the National Scouting Museum.
• www.bsaseabase.org. The Web site of the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.
• www.goodturnforamerica.org. This is a support resource site for the Good Turn for America initiative.
• www.joincubscouting.org. Provides information about Cub Scouting to prospective members, including boys, parents, and organizations that may be interested in starting a pack.
• www.nesa.org. This site has information about the National Eagle Scout Association, including a section for NESA members.
• www.ntier.org. The Web site of the Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases.
• www.olc.org. The Online Learning Center provides a variety of materials, from quick references to complete courses, all designed to help our members improve leadership skills and deliver a quality program.
• www.scoutingfriends.org. An official BSA Web site where former members can reconnect with Scouting and stay informed about the activities and programs at their local councils.
• www.scoutingmagazine.org. The Scouting magazine Web site contains a complete archive of past editions going back to 1998.
• www.scoutingvalelapena.org. The official Spanish-language Web site of the Boy Scouts of America.
• www.scoutreachbsa.org. Provides information and support for local efforts to ensure that all young people, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood, or ethnic background, have an opportunity to join Scouting.
• www.scoutstuff.org. BSA's official online source for camping equipment, uniforms, handbooks, pinewood derby supplies, and other essential Scouting merchandise.
• www.soccerandscouting.org. The Web site that supports the Soccer and Scouting program.
• www.thescoutzone.org. This site provides information about Boy Scouting to prospective members.
• www.toothoftimetraders.org. Philmont's Scout Ranch's online trading post.

Webelos badge
The fifth rank in Cub Scouting; earned by Webelos Scouts in a Webelos den.

Webelos den
A group of Webelos Scouts who meet weekly under the supervision of a Webelos den leader.

Webelos den chief
A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Webelos den.

Webelos den leader
A registered volunteer member, age 21 or older, appointed by the pack committee to plan and direct the den's activities.

Webelos Den Leader Award
An award available to Webelos den leaders for completing requirements of tenure, training, and performance.

Webelos denner
A Webelos Scout who is elected by other members of his den to help the Webelos den chief.

Webelos Leader Outdoor Training
A supplemental training experience conducted by the district or council to provide Webelos leaders with the skills needed to conduct den parent-son overnight camping.

Webelos resource person
The assistant Scoutmaster who serves as liaison between the troop and the Webelos den.

Webelos Scout
(Pronounced WEE-buh-los.) A Cub Scout who has completed the third grade or is age 10 but has not yet completed fifth grade or reached age 11 1/2, and is a member of a Webelos den. The word "Webelos" (means WE'll BE LOyal Scouts) should always be used as a modifier, never as a noun.

Webelos Scout overnighter
A one- or two-night campout by Webelos Scouts and their adult partners.

Webelos-to-Scout transition plan
The preparation and graduation of a Webelos Scout from Cub Scouting to Boy Scouting. Use instead of "Webelos-to-Scout transition," which is obsolete.

Webelos Woods
An activity designed to introduce Webelos Scouts, each with an adult family member, to the many outdoor adventures of Boy Scouting.

weights
Use figures: "The baby weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces." "He caught a 9-pound, 7-ounce fish."

white
Although "African American" is generally preferred to the use of "black," "white" is still appropriate for describing race. When possible, avoid the use of "European American" or "Caucasian."

Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award
Presented to volunteer Scouters or organizations who have made an outstanding contribution through Scouting to rural or low-income urban youth.

whole Scouting family
When an organization is chartered to operate a Cub Scout pack, a Boy Scout troop, a Varsity Scout team, and a Venturing crew, it is said to have the whole Scouting family. Also called "full family of Scouting."

-wide
Do not use a hyphen: councilwide, districtwide, areawide.

wide area network
No hyphen.

Wilderness Commitment
Those who make the Wilderness Commitment follow the Outdoor Code and the Wilderness Pledge.

Wilderness Pledge
Through good camping and hiking practices, I pledge myself to preserve the beauty and splendor of America's wilderness, primitive and backcountry areas
I commit myself to:
Set a personal example in following the Outdoor Code.
Train those I lead in the skills and attitudes needed to protect and preserve wilderness for future generations.
Assure that parties of which I am part observe the hiking and camping standards that will "leave no trace" of our passing.

Wilderness Use Policy
An official policy that outlines the size limit, skill level, and conduct of any Scouting group going into backcountry or wilderness areas. The objective is to minimize the effect such groups have on those delicate areas. See "Leave No Trace."

William T. Hornaday Award
The William T. Hornaday Award is presented for distinguished service in conservation. The award is given in one of six forms: The local council may give the William T. Hornaday certificate for a unique conservation project by a pack, troop, team, or crew. The council may also award the William T. Hornaday badge to individual Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers for outstanding service in conservation. All other Hornaday Awards are conferred by the National Council; Scouts and Venturers may apply for the bronze and silver medals, and local councils may nominate Scouters for the gold medal and individuals and organizations for the gold certificate.

Winners' Circle
See "Chief Scout Executive's Winners' Circle."

woggle
See "Wood Badge."

Wolf
The rank designed for a second-grade or 8-year-old Cub Scout. Combinations: "Wolf achievements," "Wolf Cub Scout," "Wolf electives," "Wolf rank."

Wood Badge
Training award granted upon completion of the Wood Badge for the 21st Century course. A leather thong with two wooden beads, a special neckerchief, and a slide (woggle) are worn by those who have completed the training. See also "Gilwell Park."

Woods Services Award
A national recognition for exceptional service and leadership to Scouts with disabilities.

woods tools
Those tools, including knife, ax, and saw, used by Boy Scouts and Scouters carrying out outdoor skills and related advancement requirements.

word-of-mouth
(n.

World Brotherhood Exchange
Through this International Division program, a troop may offer home hospitality to a patrol of Scouts from another country, and have the patrol join the troop in activities and camping.

world brotherhood of Scouting

World Conservation Award
An award emphasizing the importance of our natural resources and our interdependence with other countries in our world environment. Two awards are offered-one for Cub Scouts and one for Boy Scouts.

World Crest
This emblem may be worn by all members as an expression of world brotherhood.

World Friendship Fund
The means by which Scouts and Scouters in the United States of America may provide material help to Scouts and Scouting around the world. See "Baden-Powell World Fellowship."

world jamboree
See "jamboree."

World Organization of the Scout Movement
An international, nongovernmental organization that is composed of three principle parts: the World Scout Conference, the World Scout Committee, and the World Scout Bureau.

World Scout Bureau
The secretariat that carries out the instructions of the World Scout Conference and the World Scout Committee. The head office is in Geneva, Switzerland, and regional offices are in Chile, Egypt, Kenya, the Philippines, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

World Scout Committee
The executive body that represents the World Scout Conference between meetings. There are 12 committee members from 12 countries; they are elected for terms of six years. The members represent the interests of Scouting as a whole and not their own countries.

World Scout Conference
Meeting every three years, this is the general assembly of Scouting that is composed of delegates from each of the member Scout organizations. If there is more than one Scout association in a country, a federation must be formed for world membership.

World Scout Foundation
Contributions to this foundation are invested permanently to produce regular income for the benefit of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. See "Baden-Powell World Fellowship."

World Scout Jamboree

World Scout Parliamentary Union

World Scouting flag

World Scouting News
This monthly bulletin, published by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, contains Scouting news items from around the world.

World Wide Web, the Web, Web site

worship, worshipped, worshipping, worshipper
AP style changed in June 1997 to the use of the double "p" shown here.