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

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There are currently 19 names in this directory beginning with the letter R.
Raingutter Regatta
A pack activity that involves making and racing model boats. Examples: “Pack 1 Raingutter Regatta,” “the Raingutter Regatta.”
rank
The seven Cub Scout ranks are Lion, Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. There are seven ranks for Scouts: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle Scout. The Sea Scouting ranks are Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster. Examples: “First Class rank,” “Star Scout.”
recharter
Use “renew a charter” rather than “recharter.” Acceptable only in reference to Internet Rechartering.
region
(1) One of four geographical administrative units of the BSA: Northeast Region, Southern Region, Central Region, and Western Region. There are regional directors, regional staffs, regional presidents, and regional committee members. (2) The World Organization of the Scout Movement has six regions. See “World Scout Bureau.” Do not capitalize “region” when used alone. When referring to obsolete regional designations, use numerals: Region 1, Region 2.
regional committee
Consists of members of the National Council residing in the region and such additional members as may be elected by the regional committee. The committee meets annually to elect regional officers.
regional president
The elected volunteer officer in a region who heads the regional committee and regional executive board, and is an ex officio member of regional committees, other than the regional nominating committee. The regional president is an ex officio member of the National Executive Board.
regional staff
Professional Scouters on the national staff who work within the regional structure. This includes the regional director, deputy regional director, assistant regional directors, and area directors.
registered member
Annually, every youth and adult who wants to join or continue membership in the Boy Scouts of America must submit a completed application form or reregister and pay an annual registration fee. Membership is a privilege, not a right.
registration
Annually, every youth and adult volunteer who wants to join or continue membership in the Boy Scouts of America must submit a completed application form or reregister and pay an annual registration fee. Registration is a privilege, not a right.
religious emblems program
Various religious organizations have designed requirements and procedures for participants in Scouting programs to earn the religious emblem of their faith.
Religious Principle, Declaration of
The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no person can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, acknowledges the religious element in the development of youth members. However, the BSA is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious development. Its policy is that the organization or institution with which youth members are connected shall give definite attention to their religious life. Only adults willing to subscribe to this declaration of principle and the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be allowed to register.
Report to the Nation
The printed BSA annual Report to the Nation is presented to the president of the United States, both houses of Congress, and other government officials each year by a selected delegation of youth members and their advisors.
Report to the States
This report is developed annually on a state-by-state basis.
resident camping
For Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts, a council-organized overnight camp of at least two consecutive nights in duration that operates under council-retained leadership. For Scouts, a council-organized overnight camp of at least five consecutive nights in duration that operates under council-retained leadership. For Venturers and Sea Scouts, a council-organized overnight camp of at least three consecutive nights in duration that operates under council-retained leadership.
retention
The term used to describe the percentage of youths who move from one phase of the Scouting program to another, such as from Cub Scouting into Scouts BSA.
rifle
See “firearms.”
roundtable
An event conducted by a roundtable commissioner and roundtable staff to help the unit leadership of a district plan and carry out their own unit programs.
roundup
An organized fall recruiting plan during which members invite others to join a Scouting unit.
Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America
Article 1 of the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America states, “the [National] Executive Board may establish and amend Rules and Regulations for the further governance and guidance of the Boy Scouts of America including its local councils and affiliates.” Italicize only if reference is obviously to the published booklet Rules and Regulations of the Boy Scouts of America.

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.