The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is set to change its name for the first time in its history, rebranding as Scouting America on February 8, 2025, its 115th anniversary. This move towards a more inclusive organization is aimed at making everyone feel welcome, while also attempting to move on from bankruptcy due to a high number of sexual abuse claims. Last year, BSA agreed to pay $2.46 billion to settle claims by 82,000 former Boy Scouts who reported being abused by BSA officials and volunteers. The organization’s mission remains focused on teaching young people life skills and fostering growth into future leaders.
The bankruptcy reorganization plan took effect last year, allowing BSA to continue operating under the new name of Scouting America. This change comes as part of a series of transformations within the organization, which has seen decades of turmoil lead to seismic shifts such as allowing gay youth, welcoming girls into all ranks, and now rebranding. BSA emphasizes providing a safe environment for young people to learn and have fun, offering a variety of activities from camping to high adventure trips and merit badges in areas like robotics and digital technology. The organization’s cornerstone mission remains the fostering of youth growth to become future leaders, as it has done for more than 130 million Americans since its founding in 1910.
Before the pandemic, BSA’s membership stood at around 2 million, peaking in 1972 near 5 million individuals. The organization faced a decline in membership as lockdowns during the pandemic made participation difficult. However, with over 1 million young people currently involved and 477,000 adult volunteers in local councils, BSA continues to serve a significant number of individuals. The changes in membership policies, such as allowing gay youth in 2013 and accepting girls in 2019, have contributed to making scouting more inclusive and reflecting the evolving societal norms.
Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, has a rich history dating back to 1910 when it was founded in the U.S. after Chicago publisher William Boyce was inspired by a Boy Scout in London who helped him find his way. Today, over 2.75 million young people have earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout within the BSA program. The organization’s mission goes beyond camping and knots, as emphasized by Angelique Minett, the first woman chairperson of Scouts BSA, who highlights the organization’s focus on teaching life skills, grit, and leadership qualities to young members.
The BSA’s move towards becoming Scouting America reflects a continued commitment to its core mission of preparing young people for life through educational experiences and skills development. The organization’s traditions merge with the need for inclusivity and adaptability in changing times. Famous Eagle Scouts, including prominent figures like Mike Rowe, Steven Spielberg, Neil Armstrong, and Gerald Ford, showcase the impact and legacy of the BSA program on individuals who have gone on to achieve great success in various fields. Through a century-long history of service and growth, the BSA continues to play a significant role in shaping the lives of young people and preparing them to become future leaders.
