January 1, Boy Scouts Rebrands as Scouting America, Aiming for Inclusivity

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced on Tuesday a rebrand to become more “inclusive.” The new name will be “Scouting America.” This change takes effect on February 8, 2025, the 115th anniversary of the organization.

In 2018, the BSA made a significant change by allowing girls to join the Cub Scouts, for children aged 7 to 10. The following year, the Boy Scouts program for older kids ages 11 to 17 began admitting young women.

BSA President and CEO Roger A. Krone explained the new name aims to encourage girls to join the program, as it will no longer have the word “boy” in it. He stated, “This is a straightforward evolution and the next natural step in ensuring all American youth feel welcomed and recognized in an organization that is meant to serve all Americans.”

Krone added that the change will not affect the organization’s mission: “America’s values are scouting values.”

The decision to allow girls into Boy Scouts has been controversial. It included a federal lawsuit filed by the Girl Scouts, who claimed they were entitled to the sole use of the term “scout” when referencing leadership opportunities for girls. The courts ruled in favor of BSA.

Over 1 million children are enrolled in Boys Scouts of America, with 176,234 girls and young women represented in that number. BSA reported that more than 6,000 young women have earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

Bob Brady, a scout leader in New Jersey, shared his thoughts on the rebrand during a news conference: “I think this is gonna be great to help with recruiting and let everyone know the inclusive program that we’ve become over the last decade.”

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