The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is set to undergo a significant transformation, changing its name to “Scouting America” in an effort to foster a more inclusive organization. This rebranding, the first in the organization’s 115-year history, will officially take effect on February 8, 2025, marking the BSA’s anniversary.
The decision to rebrand aligns with the organization’s goal to create a more welcoming environment for all. President and CEO Roger A. Krone emphasized that while the name may change, the mission remains the same: “We are committed to teaching young people to be prepared for life.” He added that the name change is a “simple but very important evolution” to ensure inclusivity in scouting.
The rebranding also comes after the BSA faced significant challenges, including a wave of sexual abuse claims that resulted in a $2.46 billion settlement. Last year, the organization emerged from bankruptcy following a reorganization plan that allowed it to continue operations while settling claims from approximately 82,000 former members who reported abuse by BSA officials and volunteers.
In recent years, the BSA has taken several steps to modernize and expand its membership. These include allowing girls to join Cub Scouts in 2018 and renaming the Boy Scout program to “Scouts BSA” in 2019. The organization has also lifted previous bans on gay youth (in 2013) and gay adult leaders (in 2015).
Angelique Minett, the first female chairperson of Scouts BSA, emphasized the broader impact of scouting beyond traditional activities like camping and knot-tying. She noted that the organization teaches young people essential life skills, leadership, and resilience.
Since its founding in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has served over 130 million young people. The organization currently has more than 1 million members, supported by 477,000 adult volunteers across local councils. Despite facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and declining membership from a peak of nearly 5 million in 1972, the BSA remains committed to fostering youth development and leadership.
The rebranding to “Scouting America” aims to reflect the organization’s inclusive values and ensure that scouting remains relevant and accessible to future generations.