In a move to embrace inclusivity and a new chapter, Irving-based Boy Scouts of America announced today its transformation into Scouting America.
The organization, which has struggled with controversies for years, and whose $2.46 billion bankruptcy plan was kept alive by the U.S. Supreme Court in February, announced the rebranding as part of “ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting.”
Roger A. Krone
The rebranding is slated to take effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary.
Today’s announcement comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Scouting America said it currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, “including over 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.”
“Though our name will be new, our mission remains unchanged: we are committed to teaching young people to be Prepared. For Life,” Roger A. Krone, president and CEO of Scouting America, said in a statement. “This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.”
Supreme Court kept $2.46B bankruptcy plan alive with February ruling
Allowing females into what was formerly an all-male membership organization is just one of the moves that’s made Scouting a cultural lightning rod in recent decades. The Associated Press offers a succinct rundown of some of those controversies. But the organization has been at the forefront of recent headlines. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt BSA’s $2.46 billion bankruptcy settlement, as CNN reported.
Aiming to renew focus on goals as old as 114 years
Scouting America said its new brand identity “builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.”
The organization noted that more than 130 million Americans have participated in Scouting programs since its 1910 founding. Currently, more than 1 million youths, “including both men and women,” are served by 477,000 adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country, the organization said. To date, more than 2.75 million youths have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
Scouting America says it will continue its volunteer efforts, noting that it has provided “more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country annually.”
“Scouting America provides a welcoming, safe environment where youth can become the best version of themselves by learning from and respecting each other,” Krone said. “I encourage everyone to join us and experience the benefits of Scouting.”
Appointed Youth Protection Executive in 2023
In April 2023, Boy Scouts of America announced that child protection advocate and international law enforcement expert Glen Pounder has been appointed by the organization as its youth protection executive.
Last November, Krone, the former chairman and CEO of Leidos, a $15 billion Fortune 250 government technology solutions firm, took the organization’s helm from retiring president and CEO Roger C. Mosby.
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