In a landmark move, the Boy Scouts of America announced its rebranding to “Scouting America” on Tuesday. The name change will become official on February 8, 2025, marking the 115th anniversary of the youth organization. The shift comes as Scouting America marks five years of welcoming girls into its Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs.
“Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be prepared for life,” stated Roger A. Krone, President and CEO of Scouting America. “This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.”
“Scouting America provides a welcoming, safe environment where youth can become the best version of themselves by learning from and respecting each other,” Krone said. “I encourage everyone to join us and experience the benefits of Scouting.”
The Boy Scouts movement originated in the early 20th century with British Army officer Robert Baden-Powell. Inspired by his military experiences and his book “Aids to Scouting,” he organized an experimental camp for boys in 1907 on Brownsea Island in England. This led to the publication of “Scouting for Boys” in 1908 and the formation of the Boy Scouts.The Boy Scouts quickly became a global movement. By 1910, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded by W.D. Boyce after learning about the Scouts in London. The BSA adopted Baden-Powell’s principles but adapted them to American culture and values.
The movement helped with outdoor skills, citizenship, community service, and personal development. Merit badges and ranks are earned by completing challenges, encouraging scouts to explore various interests, and gain practical knowledge. The BSA also established Cub Scouting (for younger boys) in 1930 and Venturing (a co-ed program for older teens) in 1998.
The Boy Scouts announced in 2017 that it would begin allowing girls to join some of its programs. The changes were implemented gradually.
- Cub Scouts (Ages 5-10): In 2018, the BSA started admitting girls to its Cub Scout program, allowing them to join all-girl or co-ed dens within existing Cub Scout packs.
- Scouts BSA (Ages 11-17): In 2019, the Boy Scouts program was renamed “Scouts BSA” and began accepting girls into all-girl troops, which could operate alongside existing all-boy troops. Both troops have access to the same merit badge and rank advancement programs.
However, The Boy Scouts’s decision to allow girls to join its programs faced backlash. People argued that the inclusion of girls undermined the traditional identity of the Boy Scouts and its history as a boys-only organization. Some members feared that this shift would dilute the unique character and brotherhood of the BSA.
The Girl Scouts, which has been serving girls for over a century, saw the move as a threat to its membership and program as well. The organization believed that the Boy Scouts’ decision would cause confusion among families and could negatively impact their programs. Opponents highlighted logistical difficulties, such as ensuring appropriate accommodations and maintaining separate all-girl and all-boy units within Scouts BSA. Some were concerned about potential issues related to safety, privacy, and resource allocation. Members and local councils felt that the change was driven by external social pressures rather than a genuine need to serve girls. These members believed that allowing girls would affect the traditional scouting experience.
The Boy Scouts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020. The decision was largely driven by the significant number of lawsuits related to historical sexual abuse claims. The BSA faced thousands of claims from individuals alleging that they had been sexually abused while participating in scouting activities. These cases spanned several decades, and many emerged after states extended the statute of limitations, allowing older claims to be filed.
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