Changes to Scouting America Announced
Scouting America, an organization that had seemed to embrace what some view as a divisive ideology centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion, is making a shift back towards practical values, mainly due to encouragement from the Department of the Army.
On Friday, Army Secretary Pete Hegseth shared news of several upcoming modifications to help the organization maintain its operations.
“A once-great organization has been seriously injured,” he stated.
Hegseth underscored the historical connection between this scouting organization and the U.S. military, highlighting the scouts’ role in fostering service among notable figures, including presidents and astronauts. He expressed concern that since 2012, Scouting America has drifted away from its core principles. “The name has been changed. Girls have been included. The focus on God has been diluted, giving way to a more human-centered approach,” he remarked. This, he claimed, has transformed scouting into an organization that tends to celebrate boys.”
Instead of seeking political backing from the Army Corps, Hegseth chose to negotiate directly with scouting leaders. Following their discussions, Scouting America agreed to implement reforms aligned with the vision of the previous administration—which included eliminating DEI practices and adjusting membership criteria to be based solely on biological sex. They also plan to introduce a ‘Military Service Medal’ as part of efforts to strengthen ties with the military.
In response to the Army’s announcement, Scouting America issued a statement confirming their intent to align with the executive order, though it notably did not directly mention DEI. The organization indicated it would retain female members and continue to use its current name, which has sparked some debate previously.
While Hegseth is hopeful about these changes, he mentioned that his department will evaluate the organization’s progress six months from now to decide on continued support. He also conveyed a desire for Scouting America to eventually revert to its origins as the Boy Scouts, “an organization that grows boys into men.”
