The Boy Scouts of America Rebrands as Scouting America
After 114 years, the Boy Scouts of America is undergoing a major transformation and will now be known as Scouting America. This change comes as the organization emerges from bankruptcy proceedings triggered by a wave of sexual abuse allegations, signaling a renewed focus on inclusivity.
Steeped in tradition, the organization has recently implemented significant changes, including allowing gay youth to participate starting in 2013 and lifting the ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. In a historic move, girls were welcomed into the organization, first as Cub Scouts in 2018 and later into the flagship Boy Scout program, now known as Scouts BSA, in 2019.
With membership numbers on the decline, the Irving, Texas-based organization unveiled its new name at the annual meeting in Florida. Roger Krone, the current president and CEO, expressed the organization's commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all youth in America.
In 2021, the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts welcomed nearly 1,000 young women, including Selby Chipman. Hailing from Oak Ridge, North Carolina, Chipman was a founding member of an all-girls troop that started with just five girls and has now grown to nearly 50 members. She believes that the name change will attract even more girls to join the scouting movement.
Reflecting on the initial reactions to girls joining the Boy Scouts of America, Chipman, now a 20-year-old college student and assistant scoutmaster, shared, "Girls were like: 'You can join Boy Scouts of America?'"
Shortly after the announcement allowing girls to join, Bob Brady, a father of two girls and an Eagle Scout himself, took action. He established an all-girls troop in New Jersey, where at their first gathering with other troops, initial concerns from some adult leaders faded away as the girls showcased their abilities. Brady noted, "You could see a change in the attitude of some of the doubters who weren't sure and they realized, wait, these kids are exactly the same, they just happen to have ponytails." His daughters are part of the 13 girls in his troop and are among the 6,000 girls nationwide who have attained the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.
Like many organizations, the scouts experienced a decline in membership during the pandemic when participation was challenging. Currently serving just over 1 million youths, including more than 176,000 girls and young women, the organization saw a peak in membership in 1972 with almost 5 million members.
The decision by the Boy Scouts to welcome girls into their ranks strained their relationship with the Girl Scouts of the USA. The Girl Scouts sued, claiming it led to marketplace confusion and hindered their recruitment efforts. After a judge dismissed these claims, both organizations reached a settlement agreement, allowing them to use terms like "scouts" and "scouting" freely.
While camping remains a core activity for the Boy Scouts, the organization now offers a wide range of opportunities, including high adventures and merit badges in areas like robotics and digital technology. According to Krone, "Almost anything kids want to do today, they can do in a structured way within the scouting program."
The Boy Scouts' $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan came into effect last year, enabling the organization to continue operations while providing compensation to over 80,000 men who reported being sexually abused as children during their time in scouting.
Angelique Minett, the first female chairperson of Scouts BSA, expresses enthusiasm for the future of scouting. She finds inspiration in the approximately 20-member youth council from various parts of the United States, who play a role in shaping the program by addressing important issues like sustainability and suggesting improvements, such as adjustments to uniform fittings.
"When we think of scouts, we often associate them with knots and camping, but these are just tools for a greater purpose," Minett explained. "Through scouting, we are instilling in children the value of perseverance, teaching them essential life skills, and nurturing their leadership qualities."
Although the organization will not officially transition to Scouting America until February 8, 2025, which coincides with the organization's 115th anniversary, Krone anticipates that people will immediately begin using the new name.
"By adopting the name Scouting America, we are sending a powerful message to individuals across the country that they are welcome to join our program, embrace their true selves, and find acceptance within our community," Krone expressed.
