Terms and Style Items - "D"
dates
Always use figures, without "st," "nd," "rd," or "th": "The committee will meet on Monday, December 3."
day camp
An organized, multiple-day, theme-oriented program for Tiger Cubs and
their adult partners, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts that is conducted
by the council/district under trained leadership at an approved site
during daylight or early evening hours.
decades
Use Arabic figures to indicate decades of history. Use an apostrophe to
indicate numerals that are left out; show plural by adding the letter s
only: "the 1970s" "the '60s," "the mid-1980s."
Declaration of Independence
Lowercase "the declaration" whenever it stands alone.
deferred gift
See "planned giving."
den
A neighborhood group of four to eight Cub Scouts or Webelos Scouts that
meets periodically, usually once a week, and is part of a Cub Scout
pack.
den chief
A Boy Scout, Varsity
Scout, or Venturer who helps direct the activities of a Cub Scout den.
Appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster's advice and
consent. Also see "Webelos den chief."
Den Chief Service Award
A den chief must fulfill training and service requirements while
serving a den for a full year or more to earn this recognition.
Den Chief Training
A one-day training experience conducted by the pack, district, or
council to equip den chiefs with the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm
to perform their responsibilities.
den leader
A volunteer leader, 21 or older, appointed by the pack committee to plan and direct the den's activities.
Den Leader Award
An award available to Cub Scout den leaders for completing requirements
of tenure, training, and performance. There is also a Webelos Den
Leader Award.
Den Leader's Minute
An
important, inspirational thought for the day or a brief story that
reflects on the Cub Scout Promise, the Law of the Pack, the Cub Scout
motto, or a patriotic item—told without moralizing. Told as part of the
closing at the end of a meeting. A Cubmaster may also close with a
Cubmaster's Minute.
denner
A Cub Scout or Webelos Scout elected by his peers to help the den chief and den leader.
density
Of the total available youth, the percentage who are members. Example: "West District has a Cub Scout density of 45.6 percent."
different
Takes the preposition "from," not "than."
dimensions
Use figures and spell out the unit (such as "inches," "feet," "yards")
to indicate depth, height, length, and width. Hyphenate adjectival
forms before nouns. Examples: "He is 4 feet, 6 inches tall"; "he is a
4-foot-6-inch boy"; "it rained 5 inches in one hour"; "a 3-by-5-inch
card"; "the card was 3 by 5 inches"; "the 600-yard run/walk."
Direct Service
Formerly called "Direct Service Council," this is the national office
center through which U.S. citizens in other parts of the world can
retain membership and affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America.
Direct Service units
These Boy Scouts of America units operate in other countries for
military families and other Americans working abroad. The Transatlantic
Council, Far East Council, and Direct Service Council operate as local
councils for these units, provide communication between units, and
provide communication with the BSA and with Scouting organizations in
their countries of operation.
directions and regions
In general, lowercase "north," "south," "northeast," "northern," etc.,
when they indicate compass direction; capitalize these words when they
designate regions of the United States. Some examples: "The cold front
is moving east"; "he lived in the East for six years"; "A storm system
that developed in the Midwest is spreading eastward. It will bring
showers to the East Coast by morning. High temperatures will prevail
throughout western states."
- With names of nations:
Lowercase unless they are part of a proper name or are used to
designate a politically divided nation: "northern France," "eastern
Canada." But: "Northern Ireland," "South Korea."
- With states
and cities: The preferred form is to lowercase compass points when they
describe only a section of a state or city: "western Texas," "southern
Atlanta." When used in denoting widely known sections: "Southern
California," "the South Side of Chicago," "the Lower East Side of New
York."
disabilities
Follow these guidelines when referring to people with physical disabilities:
- Disabled.
A general term used for a physical or cognitive condition that
substantially limits one or more of the major daily life activities.
Avoid the use of "the disabled" to describe disabled people as a group.
- Handicapped. Avoid this term in describing a disability or a person who is disabled.
- Blind. Describes a person with complete loss of sight. For others, use terms such as "visually impaired" or "person with low vision."
- Deaf.
Describes a person with total hearing loss. For others, use "partial
hearing loss," "hearing impaired," or "partially deaf." Avoid the term
"deaf mute"; do not use "deaf and dumb."
- Wheelchair-user. A person who uses a wheelchair for independent mobility. Do not use "confined to a wheelchair" or "wheelchair-bound."
distances
Use figures for 10 and above; spell out one through nine: "He walked five miles"; "he lived 25 miles away."
distinguished citizen award dinner
A testimonial fund-raising dinner honoring a key community leader.
Distinguished Commissioner Service Award
A plaque, bolo tie, and embroidered square knot are the recognitions
for active commissioners who fulfill requirements that include length
of service, percentage of units that renew charters, and Quality Unit
Award percentage.
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
A recognition bestowed upon a man who received the Eagle Scout Award 25
or more years ago and has made a significant contribution to his
community.
Distinguished Service Award
Presented to those Order of the Arrow members who have rendered
outstanding service to the OA on a sectional, area, regional, or
national basis.
distinguished service awards
These awards, presented by the National Court of Honor, are the Silver
Buffalo, Silver Antelope, Silver Beaver, Silver World, and
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
distributor
See "Scouting distributor."
district
A geographical area of the council determined by the council executive
board to help ensure the growth and success of Scouting units within
the district's territory. Capitalize only when naming a specific
district: "Arrowhead District," "District 2," "districtwide."
District Award of Merit
A recognition for Scouters who give noteworthy service to youth at the
district level. See "National President's Scoutmaster Award of Merit."
district committee
Consisting of chartered organization representatives and elected
district members at large, the district committee coordinates the
functions of the district to carry out the policies and objectives of
the council. The executive officer of the district committee is the
district chairperson.
district executive
A
professional Scouter who works under the direction of the local council
Scout executive and acts as an adviser to the volunteer leaders in the
district.
division
An administrative
branch of a National Council group; comprises services. Combinations:
"Boy Scout Division," "Information Systems Division."
Do a Good Turn Daily
This is the Scout slogan.
Do Your Best
This is the Cub Scout motto.
dollars
Always lowercase. Use figures and the "$" sign in all except casual
references or amounts without a figure. "The book cost $4"; "Dad,
please give me a dollar"; "Dollars are flowing overseas." For specified
amounts, the word takes a singular verb: "He said $500,000 is what they
want." For amounts of more than $1 million, use the "$" and numerals up
to two decimal places. Do not link the numerals and the word by a
hyphen: "It is worth $4.35 million"; "It is worth exactly $4,351,242";
"He proposed a $300 billion budget." The form for amounts less than $1
million: "$4," "$25," "$500," "$1,000," "$650,000." Also see "cents."
Donald Rogert Canoeing High Adventure Base
This base in Atikokan, Ontario, Canada, offers trips north and
northeast in the White Otter area and south into the Quetico Provincial
Park. See "Northern Tier National High Adventure Program."
Donor Awareness Presidential Good Turn
To increase understanding of organ donation and how it can benefit the
lives of others, the BSA distributes literature on organ donation and
sends a Donor Awareness patch to families that discuss organ donation.
Double H High Adventure Base
The newest high-adventure program, Double H offers a wilderness
experience in central New Mexico for older Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts,
and Venturers. See "High Adventure Division."
Drugs: A Deadly Game
The BSA's campaign to encourage youth to repudiate drugs.