The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is changing its name for the first time in its history in an effort to foster a more inclusive organization.
The rebranding will take effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary, at which time it will be known as Scouting America.
Officials said the name change was aimed at making the company feel more welcome, but also seen as an attempt to help the company emerge from bankruptcy amid a barrage of sexual abuse complaints. Last year, the BSA agreed to pay $2.46 billion to settle lawsuits brought by about 82,000 former Boy Scouts who allege they were sexually abused by BSA employees and volunteers.
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The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) unveils its colors during the national anthem before a game between the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Houston, Texas. BSA plans to change its name for the first time in its history next year in an effort to foster a more inclusive organization. (Photo by Bob Levy/Getty Images)
A bankruptcy reorganization plan went into effect last year, allowing the organization to continue operating.
“While our name is new, our mission remains the same. We are committed to teaching young people to be prepared for life,” said Roger A. Krone, BSA President and Chief Executive Officer. “There is,” he said.
“This is a simple but very important evolution, and we strive to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.”
Steeped in tradition, the organization underwent dramatic changes after decades of turmoil, accepting women into its ranks and finally allowing gay youth. The Irving, Texas-based organization announced the name change Tuesday at its annual meeting in Florida, as it seeks to boost its sluggish membership.
BSA leaders say their mission continues to provide youth with a safe environment to learn life skills and have fun and educational experiences. Camping has always been an essential activity for BSA members, but the organization says it offers something for everyone, from adventure to achievement badges in robotics and digital technology.
Roger Crone, president and chief executive officer of the Boy Scouts of America, announced the organization’s name change on Tuesday. (AP)
Fostering the development of young people as future leaders is also fundamental to BSA’s mission.
Since its founding in 1910, more than 130 million Americans have used the Scout program. The organization currently serves more than 1 million young people, both men and women, and 477,000 adult volunteers in local governments, officials said. .
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It had around 2 million members before the pandemic, but membership took a big hit as lockdowns made it difficult to participate. Membership reached its peak in 1972 at approximately 5 million people.
The organization began accepting gay youth in 2013 and ended its ban on gay adult leaders in 2015.
In 2017, the organization made the historic announcement that girls will be accepted as Cub Scouts starting in 2018 and will be admitted to the flagship Boy Scouts program (renamed Scouts BSA) in 2019.
Angelique Minette, the first female president of Scouts BSA, a traditional scouting program for youth ages 11 to 17, said the organization is more than just a camp.
Boy Scout uniforms are displayed inside the store of the Boy Scouts of America Marine Council. For the first time in its history, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will rebrand and change its name next year in an effort to create a more inclusive organization. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“When you think of scouting, you think of knots and camping, but those are means to an end,” Minnette told The Associated Press.
“In reality, we’re teaching kids something bigger. We’re teaching them grit, life skills, and how to be good leaders.”
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To date, more than 2.75 million young people have earned the Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the scouting world.
Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the BSA program, includes former “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe, film director Steven Spielberg, astronaut Neil Armstrong and former President Gerald Ford. .
BSA’s origins date back to London in 1909. There, Chicago publisher William Boyce gets lost in the fog and his scouts help him reach his destination. Boyce was inspired to bring the movement to the United States when the boy refused to pay for his good deed.
He merged several youth organizations, including the Woodcraft Indians and the Sons of Daniel Boone, to form the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
