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 28 names in this directory beginning with the letter W.
wagonmaster
A campmaster for Cub Scout family camping programs. See also “campmaster.”
Webelos
The rank designed for a Cub Scout who is in the fourth grade. “Webelos” is an adjective and should not be used as a noun.
Webelos badge
The sixth rank in Cub Scouting; earned by Webelos Scouts in a Webelos den.
Webelos den
A group of Webelos Scouts who meet weekly under the supervision of a Webelos den leader.
Webelos den chief
A Scout or Venturer who has been appointed to help direct the activities of a Webelos den.
Webelos Scout
(Pronounced WEE-buh-los.) A Cub Scout who is in the fourth or fifth grade and is a member of a Webelos den. The word “Webelos” (which means WE’ll BE LOyal Scouts) should always be used as a modifier, never as a noun.
Webelos Scout overnighter
A one night campout by Webelos Scouts and their parent or guardian.
Websites, BSA entry

Scouting.org
The official website of the Boy Scouts of America

Awards Central
www.scouting.org/awards/awards-central
Awards Central is the BSA\'s repository for information about official awards and recognitions. This is where the most up-to-date information about BSA-related awards may be found, including award applications and nomination forms.

Be a Scout
beascout.org
This website provides information about Scouting opportunities.

Scout Life magazine
www.scoutlife.org
The website of Scout Life magazine contains information about the current issue, games to play, projects to download, and more.

Sea Base
www.bsaseabase.org
The website of the Sea Base.

Marketing & Membership Hub
https://scoutingwire.org/marketing-and-membership-hub
The hub for marketing and branding materials, including news, videos, photos, logos, campaign collateral, brand guidelines, and more.

MyBSA
www.myBSA.org
The site where adult leaders can access confidential membership information and resources.

MyScouting
my.scouting.org
This site gives volunteers and leaders access to and information about training opportunities, tracks training, and provides other helpful resources.

National Eagle Scout Association
www.nesa.org
This site has information about the National Eagle Scout Association, including a section for NESA members.

National Scout Jamboree
http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview
Get the latest information on national and world jamborees, upcoming or recent past.

National Scouting Museum
www.philmontscoutranch.org/museums
The official website of the National Scouting Museum

Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases
www.ntier.org
The website of the Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases

Order of the Arrow
oa-bsa.org
The website of the BSA’s national honor society.

Philmont Scout Ranch
www.philmontscoutranch.org
The website of Philmont Scout Ranch.

Scouting Alumni & Friends
www.scoutingalumni.org
Website for alumni and others who support Scouting.

Scoutbook and Scouting app
https://scoutbook.scouting.org
https://help.scoutbook.scouting.org/knowledge-base/scouting-mobile-app-for-scoutbook

Scouting magazine
www.scoutingmagazine.org
The Scouting magazine website contains information about the current issue and more.

Scouting Safely
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety
Scouting Safely is the hub for the most current health- and safety-related information.

ScoutShop.org
www.scoutshop.org
The BSA’s official online source for camping equipment, uniforms, handbooks, pinewood derby supplies, and other essential Scouting merchandise.

Sea Scouting
https://seascout.org
The website of the Sea Scouting program.

STEM Nova Awards program
www.scouting.org/stem-nova-awards/
Information about the STEM Nova Awards program.

Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
www.summitbsa.org
The website of the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Youth Protection program
www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
Information about the BSA\'s Youth Protection program, policies, training, and more.

Youth Safety
www.scouting.org/training/youth-protection/
This webpage offers an easy-to-navigate overview of our youth protection program using language and visuals that help the general public or those who are new to Scouting understand what the Boy Scouts of America does to help keep kids safe. This webpage does not replace the Youth Protection webpage; instead, it offers an overview of our policies in a simplified version for those who may not be familiar with our terminology or our program details.

Wilderness Commitment
Those who make the Wilderness Commitment follow the Outdoor Code and the Wilderness Pledge.
Wilderness Pledge
Through good camping and hiking practices, I pledge myself to preserve the beauty and splendor of America’s wilderness, primitive, and backcountry areas. I commit myself to: Set a personal example in following the Outdoor Code; train those I lead in the skills and attitudes needed to protect and preserve wilderness for future generations, and assure that parties of which I am a part observe the hiking and camping standards that will “leave no trace” of our passing.
Wilderness Use Policy
An official policy that outlines the size limit, skill level, and conduct of any Scouting group going into backcountry or wilderness areas. The objective is to minimize the effect such groups have on those delicate areas. See also “Leave No Trace.”
Winter Adventure
The Winter Adventure snow camping program (formerly known as Kanik) is offered by Philmont Scout Ranch. Ski touring, snow shelter building, snow camping, winter ecology, use of winter tools and equipment, and techniques for designing and making equipment are featured. Kanik (pronounced CAN-ick) is from the Eskimo word for “snowflake.” See also “Okpik.”
woggle
See “Wood Badge.”
Wolf
The rank designed for a Cub Scout who is in the second grade.
Wood Badge
Training award granted upon completion of the Wood Badge course. A leather thong with two wooden beads, a special neckerchief, and a slide (woggle) are worn by those who have completed the training. See also “Gilwell Park.”
woods tools
Those tools, including knife, ax, and saw, used by Scouts and Scouters carrying out outdoor skills and related advancement requirements.
World Baden-Powell Fellowship
This program of the World Scout Foundation recognizes individuals for their financial support of world Scouting. See also “World Scout Foundation.”
World Friendship Fund
The means by which Scouts and Scouters of the BSA may provide material help to Scouts and Scouting around the world.
World Organization of the Scout Movement
An international, nongovernmental organization that is composed of three principal parts: the World Scout Conference, the World Scout Committee, and the World Scout Bureau. As of January 2019, 170 national Scout organizations are members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
World Scout Bureau
The secretariat of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The bureau is directed by the WOSM’s secretary general, who is the chief administrative officer of the World Organization. The World Scout Committee appoints the secretary general. The legal seat of the World Scout Bureau is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Secretary General’s Office is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Regional offices are in Kenya, Egypt, Philippines, Ukraine, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Republic of Panama.
World Scout Committee
The executive body that represents the World Scout Conference between meetings. There are 12 committee members from 12 countries; they are elected for terms of three years.
World Scout Conference
Meeting every three years, this is the governing body of the World Organization of the Scout Movement that is composed of delegates from each of the member national Scout organizations. There can be only one national Scout organization per country. In the case of a country having more than one national Scout association, a federation is formed for the purpose of national coordination and world membership.
World Scout emblem
This emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement is worn by Scouts and Scouters around the world to indicate their membership. Each national Scout organization determines the manner in which the emblem is worn.
World Scout Foundation
Contributions to this foundation are invested permanently to produce regular income for the benefit of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
World Scout Jamboree
The largest regular event organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement, held every four years in a different country. It is primarily an educational event to promote peace and understanding. See also “Jamboree.”
World Scout Moot
An event organized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement every four years in a different country, for youth ages 18 through 25. The Moot gives young adults in Scouting an opportunity to gather with the objective of improving their international understanding as citizens of the world.
World Scout Parliamentary Union
An international organization that unites the National Scout Parliamentary Associations (NSPAs) that exist in almost 100 countries worldwide.
WP Society
The program set up to recognize those who make what the Boy Scouts of America calls a "transformational legacy gift" of $25 million or more. The initials "WP" were chosen in honor of the Waite Phillips family for the most significant gift given to the BSA in the 20th century, Philmont Scout Ranch.

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.