This guide has been developed to assist with writing for any external audience, including web sites, articles and flyers. For public relations activities or use of Scouts Canada’s logos, please contact John Petitti at jpetitti [at] scouts.ca

References

Please refer to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary or the Gage Canadian Dictionary for vocabulary, word breaks, Canadian spelling and capitalization not listed in this guide. 

Do Capitalize 

- Names of fundraisers and events, e.g.: Apple Day, Scoutrees, Scout Popcorn, Canadian Jamboree.
- The first letter in the word “Movement” when it refers to the Scouting Movement.
- Names of committees, e.g.: “The National Youth Committee met today.”
- Specific councils, e.g. “White Pine Council, Quebec Council.”
- Specific names of rank, awards, badges, trophies and decorations (e.g.: Pathfinder, Blue Star, Citizen Badge, Religion-in-Life Emblem, Medal of Merit, etc.)
- Beaver, Wolf Cub, Scout, Venturer and Rover, Scouter, Scouting.

Do Not Capitalize
- Indirect references to committees, e.g.: “other national committees met today.”
- Indirect references to councils, e.g. “all councils will receive this information.”
- Titles “regional field director, director, executive director, commissioner” that do not refer to a specific person.

Scouts Canada terms

Beaveree
CJ’07
Court of Honour
Cuboree
Friends of Scouting
Interamerican Region
Jumpstart
P.F.D.
SCOUTSabout
Scouter-in-training
Scouts’ Own (not Scout’s Own)
Scoutrees
Sixer (but six and sixes)
Strategic Direction #5
Swimming-up ceremony
Wood Badge Part I

Regular terms in Scouts Canada Style

campout
co-ed
mug up
multicultural
percent
playacting
Scarborough
sing along
web site

Jargon

When writing on your web site’s home page or other publications intended for non-Scouters, do not use unfamiliar terms without explanation, e.g.: The World Jamboree, an international gathering of Scouts, will be held in England.

Abbreviations

For first reference, spell out words and terms with the short form in parenthesis. Use the abbreviation by itself in subsequent references, e.g.: Please review the By-law, Policies and Procedures (B.P.&P.). We will discuss B.P.&P. at the meeting.

Other

Avoid spelling words out in all capitals. Use italics for names of publications or for emphasis.