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.
There are currently 30 names in this directory beginning with the letter P.
P.R.A.Y.
Abbreviation for Programs of Religious Activities With Youth. An organization outside the BSA that administers religious emblems for youth-serving organizations, including, for example, the BSA, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire. Note the periods in the abbreviation.
pack
A group made up of various Cub Scout dens: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. The pack includes not only the registered youth in the dens but also registered volunteers. Capitalize only when used with the pack number. Examples: “Cub Scout pack,” “Pack 5.”
Pan American jamboree
The treatment of this term varies by actual jamboree year; for instance, no hyphen for the 1994 Pan American Jamboree.
parents’ night
An open house conducted by a Venturing crew to inform parents and involve them in the Venturing crew and local council.
participating organization
An organization offering Learning for Life program and on file with Learning for Life. The term shall include the participating organization, its board of directors and/or trustees, its officers, and its employees, in their official and individual capacity.
partner
Do not use “partner” when referring to a chartered organization. See also “adult partner” and “chartered organization.”
patrol
A small group of Scouts (usually five to eight) who belong to a troop and work together in and out of troop meetings. Normally, there are several patrols in one troop. Capitalize only when part of a title, such as “Fox Patrol.” Note: Webelos dens are not patrols.
patrol leader
Elected by the patrol members, this Scout leads the patrol and represents it on the patrol leaders’ council, which plans the troop program.
patrol leaders’ council
Each patrol leader, representing a patrol, meets with other patrol leaders and the senior patrol leader to plan their troop program. The Scoutmaster advises the patrol leaders’ council.
Philmont Scout Ranch
Western high adventure happens here for older Scouts and Venturers in almost 140,000 acres of rugged northern New Mexico. The ranch also has a center for volunteer and professional training. The address is 17 Deer Run Road; Cimarron, NM 87714. (Cimarron is pronounced sim-a-ROAN.)
Philmont Staff Association
Former and current summer and permanent staff members of Philmont Scout Ranch and of the Philmont Training Center are eligible for membership. Some association objectives are to promote wilderness camping and other ranch programs, suggest new programs in ranch management, and offer time and talent to local councils for promoting the ranch.
Philmont Training Center
A national volunteer training center of the BSA, located at Philmont Scout Ranch. The center hosts volunteer, professional, and BSA local council conferences.
Pinewood Derby®
A pack activity that involves making and racing small wooden cars on a track. Capitalized in all instances. The registered mark should appear at the end of “Derby” at the top corner on first reference in running text and in general in a stand-alone reference.
position-specific training
The basic course of training for all unit positions where volunteers learn how to deliver the Scouting program. Sessions are specific to the program and position. Courses are available for face-to-face training in the local council or online through my.scouting.org.
pow wow
A one-day training conference for Cub Scout leaders. Examples: “Cub Scout leader pow wow,” “Apache District Pow Wow.”
president
Specific BSA usages: (1) An elected volunteer executive. See “area president,” “council president,” and “regional president.” (2) A Venturer elected by peers to this office who conducts crew business. (3) Previously used to denote the national head of the BSA (see “national chair”).
president and CEO
The top-ranking professional Scouter of the Boy Scouts of America, used when the Scouter is not a commissioned BSA professional. Capitalize as a title directly before a person’s name: President and CEO Robert Mosby; Robert Mosby, president and CEO. See also “Chief Scout Executive.”
Presidents Leadership Council
Donors qualify for this recognition with gifts of at least $1 million made to or through the BSA National Foundation, designated to any area of Scouting. There are also recognition levels for $5 million and $10 million.
Professional Circle Award
The Boy Scouts of America's training award for professional Scouters who complete the basic levels of professional training.
Professional Development Levels 1, 2, and 3
Abbreviated as PD-L1, PD-L2, and PD-L3. These courses made up the basic training program for commissioned professionals prior to 2013, when they were replaced by District Operations Basic training.
professional development training
Replaced in 2013 by Commissioning training, District Operations Basic (DOB), and District Operations 2 (DO2).
professional Scouter
A registered, salaried, full-time employee who is commissioned to serve in an approved professional position in a local council or on the national staff by having successfully completed formal training (District Operations Basic, Professional Development Level 1, National Executive Institute, or National Training School), or who has been designated by the Chief Scout Executive as a member of the national management executive staff.
prohibited activities
Activity components outside of BSA program guidelines (for example, aquatics activities that fail to comply with Safe Swim Defense) and activities by youth or leaders that are not compatible with the Scouting program or the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and/or that may have unacceptable risks. A list of prohibited activities may be found in the Guide to Safe Scouting.
project selling
A fundraising method of isolating specific budget items or projects for presentation to interested donors. “To project sell” may be used as a verb if needed.
