caliberThe form: “22-caliber rifle.” See also “firearms.”
calling-out ceremonyThe ceremony that begins the membership induction process for a newly elected Order of the Arrow candidate. Subsequent references can use “callout.”
camp directorThe Scouter in charge of the administration of a Scout resident camp or a Cub Scout day camp or resident camp.
camp rangerA ranger’s responsibilities may include keeping camp facilities functioning properly, performing camp improvements and maintenance, issuing supplies and equipment related to maintenance, directing the maintenance staff, ensuring that activities are performed in accordance with local council and national safety policies, and managing the off-season program.
Campaign for local council endowmentMany councils conduct a campaign to raise new gifts used to increase their endowment funds. It may be a stand-alone campaign, or it may be a separate component of a capital campaign.
campingCamping is the hallmark of Scouting. See “day camp,” “long-term camping,” “resident camping,” “outdoor program,” “high adventure,” and “High Adventure Department.”
camping directorA professional Scouter who is responsible for development of the year-round camping program of the local council. This person supervises the long-term camping program and may or may not serve as the resident camp director.
campmasterA volunteer Scouter trained to assist in short-term camping. Many councils organize a campmaster corps as a resource for their units.
camporeeDerived from two words: camp and jamboree. A camporee is a district or council troop activity that demonstrates the techniques of living in camp. It involves a one- or two-night camping experience and may include outdoor skills competition. Capitalize only when referring to a specific district’s or troop’s event: “Hiawatha District Camporee.”
campoutA camping activity with at least one overnight stay. One word.
campsiteA unit’s outdoor home for an overnight, resident, or long-term camp or for the den activities at Cub Scout day camp. One word.
capitalizationAvoid unnecessary capitalization. When in doubt, don’t capitalize. Many words and phrases, including special cases, are listed separately in this guide. Entries that are capitalized without further comment should be capitalized in all uses. If there is no relevant listing in this guide for a particular word or phrase, consult Merriam-Webster.com. Use lowercase if the dictionary lists it as an acceptable form for the sense in which the word is being used.
As used in this guide, “capitalize” means to use uppercase for the first letter of a word. If additional capital letters are needed, they are called for by an example. See also “composition titles.”
Following are some Scouting specifics:
Activities. Do not capitalize “pow wow,” “camporee,” “jamboree,” or “show” unless the reference is to a specific event: Midland District Pow Wow, South Central Camporee, the 2017 National Jamboree, Pioneer Day Scouting Show.
Groups. Do not capitalize “pack,” “den,” “troop,” “patrol,” “ship,” “crew,” “district,” “council,” “region,” or “area” unless the reference is specific: Pack 10, Den 5, Troop 6, Fox Patrol, Ship 2, Central District, Circle Ten Council, Western Region, Area 2.
Headings and titles of works. In headings and titles that use uppercase and lowercase letters, capitalize the first letter of the first word, the first letter of the last word, and all other words except “to” in infinitives (Dare to Fly With the Eagles), articles (a, an, the), coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for), and prepositions of fewer than four letters (at, by, for, in, of, off, on, per, to, up, via), except when used as part of an adverb in a title (Climb On Safely). Do capitalize prepositions of four letters or more (With, From, Between, After). Note that subordinating conjunctions (As, If, When) are capitalized (Scouts to Work at Cleanup As Their Good Turn).
Nationalities, religious organizations, and tribal or racial groups. Do not capitalize group names that refer to color. Examples: American, Islamic, Hispanic, African American, Asian, American Indian, black, white.
Titles of office Chief Scout Executive and Chief Scout of the World are the only titles that are routinely capitalized in all uses. Capitalize other titles only when they precede a name: District Executive Thorpe is working with other district executives; she is the council’s Scout executive.
certificate of meritSee “Local Council Certificate of Merit” and “National Certificate of Merit.”
chairNew entry for chair which replaces BSA president.
chaplain(1) A spiritual leader for units appointed by the faith-based community organization chartered to use the Scouting program. (2) One who gives spiritual leadership to a camp or jamboree community; conducts religious services according to his or her faith and arranges for other religious observance as needed; provides help in dealing with morale; visits those who are ill; and provides counseling in case of bereavement.
chaplain aideA youth leader who works with the troop chaplain to ensure all members have appropriate religious observance during outings and helps other Scouts in the religious emblems program. Appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster’s advice and consent.
chapterAn optional geographic administrative unit of an Order of the Arrow lodge corresponding to a district or multiple districts.
Charles L. Sommers Alumni AssociationFormer and current seasonal and permanent staff members, long-time volunteers, and supporters of the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program are eligible for membership. The group works to preserve and promote wilderness camping, high adventure, and training opportunities at Northern Tier.
Charles L. Sommers High Adventure BaseThis year-round facility in Ely, Minnesota, offers cold-weather camping and access to dozens of wilderness routes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. See also “Northern Tier National High Adventure Program.”
charterIn the BSA, charters authorize (1) an organization to operate Scouting units (see “chartered organization”), (2) a local council to incorporate as a BSA local council, (3) operation of an Order of the Arrow lodge, or (4) the Boy Scouts of America to incorporate. See “Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America” and “Charter of the Boy Scouts of America.” Do not use as a verb; use “to obtain a charter” and “to renew a charter” rather than “to charter” or “to recharter.”
Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of AmericaThe published booklet containing the two documents. Italicize title if reference is to the physical book; titles of the separate documents are not italicized.
Charter of the Boy Scouts of AmericaThis Congressional Act of Incorporation, passed on June 15, 1916, authorized and set standards for the incorporation of the Boy Scouts of America. It also protects the name, emblems, badges, and descriptive or designating marks, words, or phrases of the program. See also “Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.”
charter presentationA formal ceremony at which the charter, Scouter commissions, and membership certificates are presented to organization authorities and members of the unit.
charter renewalAn annual meeting attended by the chartered organization representative, head of the chartered organization, troop leaders, and unit commissioner for the purpose of completing the charter application and making plans for the charter presentation.
charter reviewSee “membership inventory.”
chartered organizationA religious, civic, or other community-based organization that has applied for and received a charter to operate a Scouting unit. Do not use “chartered partner” or “sponsoring unit.”
chartered organization representativeA manager of Scouting in a chartered organization who also represents this organization in the local council and district.
cheermasterAppointed by the patrol leader, this Scout is in charge of leading patrol songs, yells, stunts, and campfire programs.
chiefThe key elected youth leader in the Order of the Arrow who may be a chapter chief, lodge chief, section chief, regional chief, or national chief.
Chief Scout CitizenTheodore Roosevelt was named Chief Scout Citizen in 1910 when the Boy Scouts of America was founded. Always capitalize.
Chief Scout ExecutiveThe top-ranking professional Scouter of the Boy Scouts of America, used when the Scouter is a commissioned BSA professional. This is the only professional title that is routinely capitalized. See also “president and CEO.”
churchCapitalize as part of the formal name of a building, congregation, or denomination; lowercase in other uses: “St. Mary’s Church,” “the Roman Catholic Church,” “a Presbyterian church.” Do not use as a catch-all phrase in reference to places of worship.
Climb On SafelyThe BSA’s recommended procedure for organizing unit climbing and rappelling activities. The eight points—qualified supervision, qualified instruction, physical fitness, safe area, equipment, planning, environmental conditions, and discipline—help ensure the safety and well-being of participants. Note the uppercase “On.”
club sponsorA volunteer, 21 or older, appointed by the executive officer to lead an Exploring club.
Code of ConductSee “Scouter Code of Conduct.”
coed Venturing crewsThe membership policy of a Venturing crew is determined by the organization chartering the crew. The organization may determine whether its crew is to be coed, all male, or all female. There must be a registered female adult leader 21 years of age or over in every unit serving females.
commissioned personnelThe commissioned personnel of a council includes all professional Scouters and all commissioners.
commissionerA commissioned volunteer Scouter who works with packs, troops, crews, and ships to help units succeed. In addition to the council commissioner, there are district commissioners, assistant district commissioners, roundtable commissioners, and unit commissioners. See also “international commissioner.”
Commissioning trainingRequired training for all unit-serving professional Scouters, both exempt and nonexempt. Training includes 84 e-learning modules, followed by a three-day class held in Texas that is taught using team-based learning, testing, and simulations. Training covers basic Scouting and district knowledge, sales, customer service, delegation, and building strategic work relationships.
Commitment to SafetyThe BSA’s emphasis on creating a safe and healthy environment for youth, volunteers, staff, and employees by:
- Knowing and executing the BSA program as contained in our publications
- Planning tours, activities, and events with vigilance using the tools provided
- Setting the example for safe behavior and equipment use during program
- Engaging and educating all participants in discussions about hazards and risks
- Reporting incidents in a timely manner
committeeThe work of the National Council is conducted by volunteers working in committees with the guidance of professional Scouters. There are five groups of standing committees of the National Executive Board.
composition titlesCapitalize the principal words, including prepositions of four or more letters. The word “to” in infinitives is not capitalized. See also “capitalization.”
Italicize the following:
Titles of books, booklets, and periodicals: Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys, Scout Life
Newspapers and sections published separately: Dallas Morning News, New York Times Book Review
Plays: Romeo and Juliet
Movies: Gone With the Wind
Long poems published separately: Paradise Lost
Operas and other long musical compositions: Madame Butterfly
Works of art: Grant Wood’s American Gothic
Enclose the following titles in quotation marks:
Articles and features in periodicals and newspapers
Chapter titles in books
Short stories and essays
Short poems
TV and radio shows
Songs and short musical compositions
Computer games: “The Sims”
DVDs and CDs
Do not use quotation marks or italics for titles of posters, calendars, short fliers, cards, and the like.
conclaveA section training meeting for Order of the Arrow members from a specific geographic area.
congressCapitalize “U.S. Congress” and “Congress” when referring to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
congressionalLowercase unless part of a proper name: “congressional salaries,” “the Congressional Quarterly,” “the Congressional Record.”
Conservation Good TurnAn opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Scout troops, and Venturing crews to join with conservation or environmental organizations (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a Conservation Good Turn in their communities.
constitutionCapitalize references to the U.S. Constitution, with or without the “U.S.” modifier: “The president said he supports the Constitution.” Lowercase in other uses: “the organization’s constitution.” Lowercase “constitutional” in all uses.
consultantA person who has special skills, equipment, facilities, or contacts in an interest area related to the interests of Venturing crew members.
contingentMay be used to describe an official Scout group at an official Scouting event.
contractionsDon’t be afraid to use them, but don’t overdo it. Contractions reflect informal speech and writing. Contractions are acceptable in informal contexts where they reflect the way a phrase commonly appears in speech or writing and when they won’t cause confusion.
COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience)This interactive program uses initiative games and other activities to help develop teamwork, trust, communication, leadership, self-esteem, problem-solving, decision-making, and planning. In low-course activities, typically up to 6 feet above ground, participants help protect one another from injury using spotting. In high-course activities, typically conducted 6 feet or more above ground (up to 70 feet high on some courses), participants must be protected by a life safety system such as a belay system, lanyard, or collective safety system.
councilAn administrative body and separate legal entity chartered to be responsible for Scouting in a designated geographic territory. See also “BSA local council,” “local council,” and “National Council.” Capitalize only when referring to a specific local council or the National Council: “Gulf Coast Council.”
council employeeA full-time or part-time employee serving in a support position not classified under professional, professional-technical, or paraprofessional guidelines (i.e., administrative assistants, clerks, custodial personnel, most camp rangers, and seasonal camp employees).
council presidentThe elected volunteer Scouter who heads the council and chairs its executive board.
court of honorA recognition ceremony for those who have met the requirements of any one of the Scout ranks, merit badges, or other awards. Always lowercase: “Eagle Scout court of honor.” See also “National Court of Honor.”
crew(1) A working group of Sea Scouts in a ship. This compares with the Cub Scout den and the Scout troop. (2) A working group of five to 12 members of a high-adventure base contingent. Capitalize only when used with the crew number “Crew 101.” See also “Venturing crew.”
crew code and bylawsA set of bylaws adopted by the members of a Venturing crew to guide their officers and program.
crew leaderThe elected youth leader of a high-adventure base crew.
Cross OverThis is when 5th Grade Webelos join a troop. This should be a special ceremony that involves a local BSA troop.
Cub ScoutA registered youth member of a Cub Scout pack or one registered as a Lone Cub Scout who is entering kindergarten and who has not yet completed fifth grade. See also “Cub Scouting.”
Cub Scout day campSee “day camp.”
Cub Scout handshakeUsed by Cub Scouts and Cub Scouters; like an ordinary handshake with the right hand except that the index and middle fingers are extended toward the other person, touching the wrist.
Cub Scout mottoDo Your Best.
Cub Scout resident campSee “resident camping.”
Cub Scout saluteA hand salute made by Cub Scouts and Cub Scouters with the fingers of the right hand held in position as for the Cub Scout sign, except that the index and middle fingers are held together. The tips of the fingers touch the right eyebrow or the bill of the Cub Scout cap.
Cub Scout signA sign made by raising the right hand straight up high over the head with the palm forward. The first two fingers are wide apart and pointing up as in a V. The thumb covers the nails of the ring and little fingers. Used when repeating the Scout Oath and as a signal for quiet in meetings.
Cub Scout Six EssentialsThese are a first-aid kit, flashlight, filled water bottle, trail food, sun protection, and whistle.
Cub ScouterA registered volunteer of a Cub Scout pack, 18 or older, or a professional Scouter who works with Cub Scouting. (Do not use “Cubber” to correspond to “Scouter” because “Cub” is not a verb.
Cub ScoutingThat part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America for boys and girls who are entering kindergarten through fifth grade. Lions are in kindergarten (the year before first grade). Tigers are in the first grade. (Lions and Tigers join and register with their adult partner.) Wolves are in the second grade. Bears are in the third grade. Webelos Scouts are in the fourth grade. Arrow of Light Scouts are in the fifth grade. The first rank earned by Cub Scouts who join after kindergarten is Bobcat.
Cubbing, CubberDo not use to correspond to “Scouting” and “Scouter” because “Cub” is not a verb. However, “Cubbing” may be appropriate in historical contexts, as the term was used before 1945.
CubmasterA volunteer Scouter, 21 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to lead a Cub Scout pack.
Cubmaster’s MinuteSee “Den Leader’s Minute.”
