Items starting with "A"

abbreviations and acronyms
In general, avoid alphabet soup. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms that the reader would not recognize quickly. See the list of common BSA abbreviations following this alphabetical list.

Able
Next-to-the-highest rank in Sea Scouting, awarded to registered Sea Scouts who have met the requirements. Combinations: "Able Award," "Able rank," "Able requirements," "Able Sea Scout."

academic degrees
Avoid abbreviations when possible, referring to a "doctorate," "bachelor's degree," or "master's degree," as appropriate. (Note the use of the apostrophe with bachelor's and master's degrees.) If abbreviations are used, use only after a full name (never after just a last name) and use periods: Ph.D., B.A., M.A., LL.D.

Academics program, Academics pin, Academics belt loop
See "Cub Scout Academics and Sports program."

achievement
The name given to a major requirement in Cub Scouting. There are achievements for the Tiger Cub, Wolf, and Bear ranks. Capitalize only when writing about a specific achievement: "Feats of Skill, Wolf Achievement 1"; "Bear achievement."

activity badge
One of 20 specialized recognitions earned by Webelos Scouts. Capitalize the name of the badge only. Example: "Earn the Aquanaut and Sportsman activity badges."

activity badge counselor
An adult, noncommissioned volunteer who counsels a Webelos Scout on one or more of the activity badges.

activity chair
A Venturer appointed by the crew Advisor and president to chair a crew activity or project.

A.D., B.C.
Use small capitals. The abbreviated A.D. for anno Domini (in the year of the Lord) goes before the figure for the year: A.D. 96.

addresses
Use the abbreviations "Ave.," "Blvd.," and "St." only with a numbered address: "1600 Pennsylvania Ave." Spell them out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number: "He lived on Pennsylvania Avenue." All similar words (alley, drive, lane, road, terrace, etc.) are always spelled out. Capitalize them when part of a formal name without a number; lowercase when used alone or with two or more names: "They lived on Penny Lane." "He lived near the intersection of Scripture and Panhandle streets."

Adirondack Adventure Area
An association of 14 BSA councils has developed and operates this unique high-adventure program in the more than 6-million-acre Adirondack State Park in New York. Mailing address: Adirondack Adventure Area; Northeast Region, BSA; P.O. Box 350; Dayton, NJ 08810.

Adult Mentor program
Adult mentors work with young people enrolled in the God and Country program. An adult who completes the mentor studies receives a certificate and lapel pin to wear on nonuniform clothing.

adult partner
The adult member of a Tiger Cub team.

Advanced Seamanship
This Sea Scouting course is designed for those who have completed the Safe Boating course. Those who complete it earn the Qualified Seaman bar.

advancement
The process by which a member meets certain requirements and earns recognition.

adviser
Use this spelling when describing a counselor other than a Venturing Advisor. Example: "Order of the Arrow lodge adviser."

Advisor
The top adult leader of a Venturing crew who is responsible for program, coordination, and the training of the elected youth officers of the crew or ship. The Advisor or Skipper is appointed by the crew or ship committee, approved by the chartered organization, and commissioned, upon approval of the registration, by the Boy Scouts of America. Advisors must be 21 years of age, be citizens or legal residents of the United States, accept the BSA Declaration of Religious Principle (see "Religious Principle, Declaration of"), and be of high moral character. All adult positions in Venturing are open to men and women.

Advisory Council
The Advisory Council to the National Executive Board is composed of nonvoting members of the National Council who, because of experience, have a particular expertise that would benefit the national movement. They are elected to National Advisory Council membership by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board members present at any meeting.

AFL-CIO Wood Badge Scholarship program
A program that assists selected union members in acquiring skills that will equip them to better serve the youth of their communities. Twelve scholarships, three for each of the four BSA regions, are awarded annually.

African American
Preferred to "black," although black is not incorrect and may be used interchangeably with African American. Do not use a hyphen, even when used in adjectival forms: "the African American community."

African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
See "Methodist churches."

ages
Always use figures; note the use of hyphens: a 6-year-old girl; she is 6 years old; he is a 3-year-old. When the context does not require "years" or "years old," the figure is presumed to be years.

aims of Scouting
They are character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness.

Akela
(Pronounced Ah-KAY-la.) A title of respect used in Cub Scouting—any good leader is Akela. Akela is also the leader and guide for Cub Scouts on the Wolf trail. The name comes from Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. See "Law of the Pack."

alliance
See "Scout Executives' Alliance."

Alpha Phi Omega
A coeducational service fraternity organized in many of the colleges and universities of America. It was founded on the principles of the BSA and Scout Oath and Law.

alumni family members
Individuals, previously registered with the Boy Scouts of America, who wish to continue to identify with the BSA's ideals, values, and program.

Alumni Family News
A national publication sent to alumni members several times per year. It provides both nostalgic and current information.

A.M., P.M. Use small caps, with periods. Also see "times and time zones."

American Humanics Inc.
A nonprofit organization that provides curricula and support to selected universities and colleges for the development and certification of potential professionals for nonprofit, human service organizations.

American Indian
This term is preferred to "Native American" when referring to indigenous people of the continental United States. "Native American" more generally applies to also include native peoples of the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Guam. When possible, be precise and use the name of a specific tribe.

Anniversary Week
See "Scouting Anniversary Week."

annual
An event cannot be described as "annual" until it has been held in at least two successive years. Do not use the term "first annual." Instead, note that sponsors plan to hold an event annually.

Annual Giving Campaign (AGC)
An opportunity for National Council employees and selected national-level prospects to provide financial support for national operations. Also see "Friends of Scouting."

annual meeting
These meetings are held to elect officers, hear reports of the year's activities, and study plans for the coming year. Capitalize only when naming a specific meeting. Example: "Fairfield Council Annual Meeting." See also "National Annual Meeting."

apostrophe

• Use an apostrophe to form possessives. See "possessives."
• Omitted letters and figures: "the class of '62," "rock 'n' roll," "don't." A typographical note when one is using word processors: Watch out for the incorrect use of a left single quote rather than an apostrophe if your word processor is typing "smart" or "curly" quotes! Word processors aren't that smart.
• Plurals of single letters: "Mind your p's and q's"; "the three R's of Youth Protection."

colon.

• Use a colon in some cases to introduce lists: "The backpack contained the following items: a tent, a stove, and food." However, note that the colon is not necessary when the list "runs into" the rest of the sentence: "The backpack contained a tent, a stove, and food." See "lists."
• Colons introduce direct quotations longer than one sentence.
• Colons are used for emphasis: "He had one hobby: eating."

comma.

• In a series (the "serial comma"): Use commas to separate elements in a series, including before the concluding conjunction. Example: "The flag is red, white, and blue."
• With equal adjectives: Adjectives are "equal" if the comma separating them can be replaced with the word and without the meaning changing. Example: "the tall, dark stranger."

dash. See "em dash" and "en dash." The en dash is half the length of an em dash and longer than a hyphen. (em dash: — en dash: – hyphen: -)

appendix
When referencing the book's appendix within the text, it is not capitalized.

Apprentice
The entrance rank in Sea Scouting. Combinations: "Apprentice Award," "Apprentice Sea Scout," "Apprentice rank," "Apprentice requirements."

Aquatics Instructor BSA
See "BSA Aquatics Instructor."

area
An administrative section of a BSA region containing a number of councils. Regions have from five to eight areas. Combinations: "Area 2," "areawide."

area codes
The preferred style is to use a hyphen with the area code rather than parentheses: 972-580-2000.

area president
The ranking elected volunteer officer in an area (noncommissioned) who heads the area committee and serves as a member of the regional cabinet.

arena show
A series of exciting and dramatic displays of Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturing skills and talents put on by the members themselves for a seated audience. See also "booth show."

Armenian Church of America
The term encompasses two independent dioceses (Eastern and Western) that cooperate in some activities.

Armenian Committee on Scouting
This advisory committee promotes and guides cooperative efforts between the Armenian Church of America and the Boy Scouts of America.

Arrow of Light Award
The highest rank in Cub Scouting and the only Cub Scout badge that may be worn on the Boy Scout uniform.

Arrow Point
An award for earning 10 elective credits as a Wolf or Bear Cub Scout: The first 10 electives earned in either rank are represented by a Gold Arrow Point; subsequent groups of 10 earn Silver Arrow Points.

Arrowhead Honor
A recognition given to commissioners who have completed specific training projects. Combinations: "Arrowhead Honor Award," "Arrowhead Honor projects."

Arrowman
A youth or adult member of the Order of the Arrow. Plural is Arrowmen.

Asian American
Do not use a hyphen.

assistant Cubmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to help the Cubmaster.

assistant den leader
A volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to help the Cub Scout den leader.

assistant denner
A Cub Scout or Webelos Scout elected by his peers to help the denner.

assistant patrol leader
A Boy Scout who is appointed by the patrol leader to help him and to take his place in his absence.

assistant Scoutmaster
A volunteer Scouter, 18 or older, appointed by the chartered organization to help the Scoutmaster by working with a new-Scout patrol, Varsity Scout team, or Venture patrol.

assistant senior patrol leader
A troop youth leader, usually in larger troops, who helps the senior patrol leader. Appointed by the senior patrol leader with the Scoutmaster's advice and consent.

assistant Webelos den leader
A leader in a pack, at least 18 years of age, who is appointed by the chartered organization to help the Webelos den leader.

associate Advisor, Venturing
Each Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship should have one or more adults, 21 years of age or older, who perform such duties as may be assigned by the Advisor. Associate Advisors often are assigned administrative and program functions. An associate Advisor in a Sea Scout ship is called a "mate."

Association of African Methodist Episcopal Scouters
This advisory committee promotes and guides cooperative efforts between the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Boy Scouts of America.

Association of Baptists for Scouting
This advisory committee promotes and guides cooperative efforts between Baptist churches and the Boy Scouts of America.

astronaut
It is not a formal title. Do not capitalize when used before a name: "astronaut Jim Lovell."

at-risk
An ill-defined term that should be avoided.

award
Capitalize only when referring to the name of a specific award: "the Arrow of Light Award."

awards and decorations
Capitalize them: "Honor Medal," "Heroism Award," "Medal of Merit," etc. However, do not capitalize "emblem" (see "emblem"). See individual names of medals, honors, and emblems.

awards of merit
See "District Award of Merit" and "National President's Scoutmaster Award of Merit."