Nine months after the name change was announced, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on Saturday officially changed its name to “meet the evolving needs of young people.”
The organization adopted America, a new name for its 115th anniversary, “marking pivotal moments in the organization's journey,” according to a statement released Saturday.
This shift occurred after a recent policy change in 2018, allowing girls to participate in the program.
The organization began allowing gay youth in 2013 and ended the blanket ban for gay adult leaders in 2015.
President and CEO Roger Krone told The Associated Press that there was “some backlash,” but said there was a small surge in membership after announcing the rebrand in May.
“The fact that we were doing it under a more gender-neutral name, a lot of people wanted to know more about it,” Krone told the Associated Press.
The AP reported that over 15,000 scouts participated, bringing total membership to over 1 million people.
Scouting America said that as the country's youngest youth program, it will offer opportunities for children with a focus on character development, leadership, fun and outdoor exploration.
According to the statement, the adaptation “ensures that future generations have the opportunity to benefit from this transformational program.”
The name has changed, but the Texas-based organization said its mission will remain the same for a century. It is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices throughout their lives by instilling scouting oaths and the value of law.
“All adventures, including camping trips, pinewood derbeaker races, trail hiking, and more encourage personal growth by teaching young people how to set goals and achieve them with determination,” a spokesman stated. I'm writing this in.
“As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
The organization's website has a new name, but social media accounts still have traditional handles.
“Scouting America helped instill timeless values in multiple generations of Americans,” Krone wrote in a statement.
“In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by scouting are more important than ever, with strong personality, ethical decision-making and the need for effective leadership being the most important. .”
Krone added that it reaffirms its commitment to providing a “safe and supportive environment” where young people can develop essential qualities.
“Scouting America is committed to providing young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories and grow into leaders of tomorrow,” the organization wrote in a statement.
“In fact, since its inception in 1910, more than 130 million Americans have scouted American programs.”
Fox News Digital previously reported that the rebranding came after a major hit with membership during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It also follows a court order to pay a $2.46 billion settlement, including around 82,000 former Boy Scouts who allegedly suffered sexual abuse by BSA officials and volunteers.
The bankruptcy filing allowed the organization to continue operating.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
