Scouting America, previously known as the Boy Scouts of America, officially changed its name on Saturday, marking a significant shift in the organization's 115-year history. This change reflects the organization's evolving identity and commitment to inclusivity, especially following the admission of girls into its programs. The name change took effect immediately, with updates to uniforms and flags to reflect the new identity.
The inclusion of girls in Scouting America began in 1969 with the introduction of the Exploring program, designed to prepare young people for careers. In recent years, the organization opened its doors wider by allowing girls to join Cub Scouts in 2018 and Scouts BSA in 2019. At the Cub Scout level, packs are co-ed, whereas at the Scouts BSA level, troops remain gender-separated. This move aligns with Scouting America's vision of fostering an inclusive environment for all young people.
Roger Krone, President and CEO of Scouting America, emphasizes the importance of adapting to contemporary societal needs. He stated, "Probably now would be a good time," highlighting the timeliness of the name change in reflecting broader societal shifts. Krone further elaborated on his focus for the future, saying, "I am much, much more interested in what a 35-year-old parent thinks about child development and what their youth needs than perhaps someone who was a Boy Scout with me."
Despite these changes, Scouting America faces challenges. Membership saw a decline from 2.6 million in 2013 to 2.3 million in 2018. However, recent data reveals a slight increase in membership by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a positive trend as the organization continues to reinvent itself.
In 2023, Scouting America successfully emerged from bankruptcy after a federal judge approved a plan to establish a $4.6 billion trust fund for survivors of sexual assault linked to the organization. The trust fund has since paid approximately $70 million to around 12,300 survivors of 58,000 claims submitted. The resolution of these claims marks a pivotal moment in Scouting America's journey towards accountability and healing.
Scoutmaster Rhett Hillard of Troop 50 in Fulton, Missouri, expressed skepticism regarding the reasons behind the name change. He noted, "They're mostly dwindling numbers, wanting to bolster enrollment numbers in the organization. I never really heard a great reason." Hillard added that the name change "doesn't rank highly" on his list of priorities.
Despite differing opinions among leaders, members like Sara Rubelee, a 14-year-old from Springfield, Missouri's Troop 235G, exemplify the organization's impact on young lives. Rubelee is actively working on her Eagle Scout Project, which involves collecting musical instruments for an underprivileged school in her community. She shared her positive experiences within Scouting America: "This organization has led me to having so many friends and gaining new ones almost everywhere I go. As scouting has evolved, so have the scouts, but the morals have always stayed the same: helping youth grow into successful young adults and prepare them for the promising future ahead of them."
To accommodate the name change, new sew-on patches are available at Scout Shops and online for $2. These patches cover the old "Boy Scouts of America" or "BSA" labels sewn over the right shirt pocket. Additionally, both Cub Scout and Scouts BSA flags have been updated to display the new name.
The iconic navy blue Cub Scout uniform and tan Scouts BSA uniform will remain "essentially the same," according to Krone. This decision ensures continuity while embracing change within the organization.
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