Boy Scouts of America

Language of Scouting

The Language of Scouting and BSA Style Manual
Revised February 2020

This reference is the Boy Scouts of America’s definitive resource on terms and style specific to Scouting and this organization. The Language of Scouting encompasses style, usage, grammar, and spelling norms observed by the Boy Scouts of America and used by the Marketing Group and Communication Services Department and its approved editorial and publishing partners. These standards have been developed so that the BSA can disseminate resources and other information in the most professional, consistent, coherent, and uniform manner for all forms of communication—print, digital, multimedia, etc.

Scouting terms are based in part on the Charter and Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America (available here). Grammar, spelling, style, and usage decisions are based on the latest editions of the following references, in order of preference: Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, The Associated Press Stylebook, and The Chicago Manual of Style. Turn to these resources (in the given order) for further reference. The Language of Scouting always takes precedence. Note: If an entry is capitalized, it should be capitalized whenever it is used.

Resources

All | # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
There are currently 12 names in this directory beginning with the letter H.
handbooks

Bear Handbook

Handbook for Venturers

Lion Handbook

Scouts BSA Handbook for Boys

Scouts BSA Handbook for Girls

Sea Scout Manual

Tiger Handbook

Webelos Handbook

Wolf Handbook

handicapped
Avoid using this term. See “disabilities.”
HB9S
The ham radio station of the World Scout Bureau headquarters in Switzerland. See also “K2BSA” and “9M4S.”
health care
Two words as a noun; hyphenated as an adjective: “Health care is expensive,” “she is a health-care worker.”
health lodge
A quiet, properly equipped place in which to give temporary care to ill or injured campers.
Heroism Award
The Heroism Award may be presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated heroism and skill in saving or attempting to save life at minimum personal risk. See also “Honor Medal” and “Medal of Merit.”
high adventure
Can refer to high-adventure activities or to trek programs administered by units, local councils, or the National Council for older Scouts and Venturers. Use a hyphen when the words are used as a modifier (“high-adventure program”) except in titles of departments and bases as noted in the Language of Scouting: “High Adventure Department”.
High Adventure Department
This National Service Center department develops and administers the national high-adventure program for older Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts offered at the Sea Base in the Florida Keys, the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program in northern Minnesota and Canada, Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico, and the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia.
his, her
Do not presume maleness in constructing a sentence. If possible, recast in the plural to avoid wordiness. Avoid: “A district executive should keep his volunteer records organized.” Better: “A district executive should keep his or her volunteer records organized.” Even better: “District executives should keep their volunteer records organized.”
Historic Trails Award
This award is earned by members of a Scout unit who plan and participate in a historic activity or hike a BSA-approved historic trail.
Honor Medal
A lifesaving award presented to a registered youth member or adult leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism in saving or attempting to save a life at considerable risk to self. May also be presented with crossed palms (Honor Medal With Crossed Palms) when both unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness are demonstrated in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to self. See also “Heroism Award” and “Medal of Merit.”
Honor Patrol Award
An embroidered star worn beneath the patrol medallion distinguishes a member of a patrol that has won this award by meeting requirements in patrol spirit; patrol meetings; hikes, outdoor activities, and other events; Good Turns or service projects; advancement; membership; uniform; and patrol leaders’ council attendance. Formerly known as the Baden-Powell Patrol Award.

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.