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 17 names in this directory beginning with the letter O.
oath
See “Scout Oath.”
office
“Local council service center” is preferred to “council office.”
officer
(1) The National Council, each region, and each council have elected officers who act on behalf of the executive board between board meetings. At the national level, the officers are the Chief Scout Executive (president), chief financial officer (treasurer), and general counsel (secretary). (2) In Venturing, the elected youth officers typically are president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. (3) In Sea Scouting, the elected youth officers typically are boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, and storekeeper.
official Scouting activity
Activity consistent with the values, Charter and Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, operations manuals, and applicable literature of the Boy Scouts of America.
Okpik
(Pronounced OOK-pik.) The Okpik Cold Weather Camping Program is offered by the Northern Tier National High Adventure Program. Cold-weather camping, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing, expedition travel, and shelter building are featured. Okpik is the Eskimo word for “snowy owl.” Do not put in all capitals. See also “Winter Adventure.”
open house
A special meeting held by Scout troops and Venturing crews to recruit new members.
Ordeal membership
The induction phase of membership in the Order of the Arrow. A candidate becomes an Ordeal member upon completion of the Ordeal and Ordeal ceremony.
Order of the Arrow
Scouting’s national honor society. Youth members of Scout troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships are elected by all youth members of their unit based on their Scouting spirit and camping ability. The aim of the OA is to promote the outdoor program and service to Scouting.
Order of the Condor
This program of the Interamerican Scout Foundation recognizes individuals for their financial support of Scouting in the Americas.
Ordinary
The rank in Sea Scouting above Apprentice and below Able. Examples: “Ordinary Award,” “Ordinary rank,” “Ordinary requirements,” “Ordinary Sea Scout.”
Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to …

Be clean in my outdoor manners. I will treat the outdoors as a heritage. I will take care of it for myself and others. I will keep my trash out of lakes, streams, fields, woods, and roadways.

Be careful with fire. I will prevent wildfire. I will build my fires only when and where they are permitted and appropriate. When I have finished using a fire, I will make sure it is cold out. I will leave a clean fire ring or remove all evidence of my fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors. I will treat the land and other land users with respect. I will follow the principles of outdoor ethics for all outdoor activities.

Be conservation-minded. I will learn about and practice good conservation of soil, waters, forests, minerals, grasslands, wildlife, and energy. I will urge others to do the same.

Outdoor Ethics Action Awards/Outdoor Ethics Awareness Awards
These awards are for Scouts BSA members, Venturers, and their leaders.
outdoor program
The total scope of outdoor activities offered by the Boy Scouts of America in which youth members’ differing skill and experience levels are accommodated. Includes Cub Scout overnighters, day camp, council-organized family camps, and resident camp; Webelos Scout overnight camping; Scout overnight, resident, and long-term camping; Venturing and Sea Scout overnight, resident, and long-term camping; jamborees; council and national high adventure; and wilderness camping.
outdoor skills
Skills for living in the outdoors: using shelter for protection, building fires for food preparation, knowing the skills of field sanitation, and properly using woods tools.
Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
A recognition bestowed on an Eagle Scout who has either performed distinguished service at the local, state, or regional level or is known nationally, but has not yet met the 25-year tenure as an Eagle Scout required for the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
overnighter
A Cub Scout Pack organized one night campout held at a Council designated location. Also see “Webelos Scout overnighter.”
overseas Scouting
Scouts overseas are serviced by the Far East, Transatlantic, and National Capital Area Councils.

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.