Boy Scouts Announce Name change
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), founded in 1910, is set to make a historic change to their organization. For the first time in its 115-year history, the BSA will be changing its name, effective February 8, 2025. The organization will be known as Scouting America from that day onwards. This decision comes as the BSA strives to become a more inclusive and welcoming organization for all individuals.
The move is also seen as a way for the BSA to move on from its bankruptcy troubles. Last year, the organization agreed to pay over $2 billion in settlements to thousands of former Boy Scouts who came forth with sexual abuse claims against BSA officials and volunteers.
This decision was announced at the BSA's annual meeting in Florida on Tuesday. Roger A. Krone, the president and chief executive officer of BSA, stated that although the name may be changing, its mission remains the same – to teach young people important life skills and prepare them for the future. He also emphasized that this change is a simple but significant evolution to ensure that everyone feels welcome in the organization.
The BSA, headquartered in Irving, Texas, has a long-standing tradition of fostering youth growth and leadership. Its activities include camping, high adventure, and merit badges for various skills such as robotics and digital technology. The organization has had a significant impact on the lives of over 130 million Americans who have been a part of it since its inception. Currently, there are over 1 million young people involved in the BSA, with the support of 477,000 adult volunteers in local councils.
During the pandemic, the BSA faced challenges with participation due to lockdowns, resulting in a decline in membership. However, before the pandemic, their membership stood at about 2 million. The organization has seen highs and lows in its membership throughout the years, with its peak being in 1972 at close to 5 million members.
In recent years, the BSA has made significant changes to be more inclusive and diverse. In 2013, it began allowing gay youth to join, and in 2015 the blanket ban on gay adult leaders was lifted. In 2017, the organization announced that girls would be accepted into the traditional scouting program for youth aged 11 to 17, known as Cub Scouts, and into the flagship Boy Scout program, renamed Scouts BSA, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The first woman chairperson of Scouts BSA, Angelique Minett, shared that scouting is more than just learning how to tie knots and camp. She believes that scouting teaches youth important life skills, such as grit and leadership. These sentiments were echoed by former Boy Scout and popular TV host Mike Rowe, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and former President Gerald Ford, who were all Eagle Scouts, the highest attainable rank in the BSA program.
The origins of the BSA can be traced back to 1909 in London, where Chicago publisher William Boyce encountered a Boy Scout who helped him navigate through the fog and refused payment for his good deed. This inspired Boyce to bring the youth movement to the United States. He merged several existing youth organizations, including the Woodcraft Indians and the Sons of Daniel Boone, to form the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.
Overall, the BSA's name change to Scouting America signifies a significant shift in the organization's identity and values. As they strive to continue their mission of shaping young individuals into future leaders, the BSA is also making progressive changes to promote inclusivity and diversity. As it moves towards the future, the BSA remains committed to providing young people with a safe and enjoyable environment to learn valuable life skills.