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 22 names in this directory beginning with the letter L.
Lead the Adventure
The Venturing motto.
Leadership Challenge
This training course, presented at select national high-adventure bases, emphasizes and puts into practice Wood Badge leadership skills.
Leadership Challenge training course
This course, presented at select national high-adventure bases, emphasizes and puts into practice Wood Badge leadership skills.
Leave No Trace
The BSA is committed to this nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics awareness program to reduce impacts on the environment and other people. The seven principles should be followed at all times in the outdoors: Plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly (pack it in, pack it out); leave what you find; minimize campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors. When used as an adjective, capitalize and do not hyphenate: “Follow all Leave No Trace principles in the backcountry.” Always spell out.
librarian
A Scout who supervises the use of troop-owned books; appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster’s advice and consent.
Life
The sixth rank for Scouts BSA members; between Star and Eagle.
Life Scout
The rank between Star Scout and Eagle Scout.
Lifetime Investor recognition
Two special donor recognition levels in the Second Century Society. Presented by the BSA National Foundation to donors who have given either $500,000 or $1 million to Scouting during their lifetime.
Lion
The entry-level rank for Cub Scouts who join upon entering kindergarten (or are in the year before first grade). Lions join and register with their adult partner as a member of a Lion den.
Lion den
A group of five to eight Lions and their adult partners who are part of a Cub Scout pack.
Living Circle
A ceremony that is used occasionally as an opening or closing at a Cub Scout meeting. It reminds Cub Scouts of the friendships they are making that link them together with other Cub Scouts.
local council
An administrative body and separate corporation chartered by the National Council to be responsible for Scouting in a designated geographic territory. Voting membership may include active members at large and chartered organization representatives. The program is directed by an executive board of volunteers and administered by a Scout executive and staff of professional Scouters. As of Jan. 1, 2019, there were more than 250 local councils in the United States. The number changes as councils merge and split. The term “council” is not capitalized except in the name of a specific council. Examples: “councilwide,” “Blue Mountain Council,” “council executive board,” “Longhorn Council Executive Board.” See also “executive board” and “National Council.”
Local Council Certificate of Merit
This may be awarded for meritorious actions that do not qualify for the National Certificate of Merit. See also “National Certificate of Merit.”
local council service center
The business center for the local administration of Scouting. “Council office” may be used, but “local council service center” is preferred as being more representative of its function.
lodge
A local council Order of the Arrow group chartered annually by the National Council. A large lodge may be organized into chapters.
Lone Cub Scout
A Cub Scout who, unable to join a pack because of unusual conditions, follows the program as an individual under the leadership of a Lone Cub Scout friend and counselor. See also “Lone Scout.”
Lone Scout
A Scout who, unable to join a troop because of unusual conditions, follows the program as an individual under the leadership of a Lone Scout friend and counselor. See also “Lone Cub Scout.”
Long Cruise arc
A red Long Cruise arc worn over the Long Cruise badge represents an additional two-week cruise. When five have been completed, the red arcs are replaced by one white arc.
Long Cruise badge
An award given to Sea Scouts of Ordinary rank who have completed a two-week cruise.
long-term camp
A council-organized camp that is three nights or more that operates under council-retained leadership and can include static campsites, transient campsites, high-adventure or trekking programs, or some combination thereof. These programs may operate at the Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scout, Webelos Scout, Scouts BSA, or Venturer level; but Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing programs cannot be combined into a single camp experience.
long-term camping
A camping experience consisting of five or more consecutive days and nights in the outdoors.
loop
See "Adventure loop."

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.