IRVING, Texas — A significant rebranding effort for the Boy Scouts of America has resulted in a slight increase in youth participation, as the organization transitions to its new identity as Scouting America. This development is viewed as a promising sign for the organization as it navigates through past controversies and its recent bankruptcy challenges.
President and CEO Roger Krone shared that as Scouting America marks its 115th anniversary this Saturday, the organization will continue to emphasize a message of inclusivity. While he acknowledged some negative reactions to the rebranding that were voiced when it was introduced last year, he remarked that the overall feedback has been encouraging and has sparked increased interest among young people.
The organization experienced a modest growth in membership, adding approximately 16,000 new scouts, which represents an increase of less than 2% from the previous year. This small uptick is particularly hopeful considering the significant decline in participation during the pandemic, with the total membership now exceeding 1 million. Krone noted that the Cub Scouts, aimed at younger children, experienced an almost 3% rise in membership.
Despite the majority of participants being boys, last year saw over 196,000 girls active in Scouting America programs, with more than 8,000 girls achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. The name change is set to be formally celebrated over the weekend, with various landmarks across the nation, including Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building, illuminated in red, white, and blue. Additionally, a newly designed flag featuring the Scouting America branding will be raised next week at the organization’s headquarters in Irving.
This rebranding is part of significant transformations that the traditional organization has undergone in the past decade, which includes its 2020 bankruptcy filing. This was prompted by a surge of allegations from thousands of individuals—mainly men—claiming abuse during their time as scouts. Since then, the organization has adopted more inclusive policies, beginning with the acceptance of gay youth in 2013 and lifting the ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. Furthermore, the integration of girls into Cub Scouts commenced in 2018, while the flagship Boy Scout program, now called Scouts BSA, began accepting girls in 2019.
The recently approved $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan is now in effect, enabling the organization to continue functioning while providing restitution to survivors of sexual abuse. Over 82,000 claims were filed during the bankruptcy process as victims sought compensation. To fund the survivors’ settlement trust, a variety of properties including campgrounds, as well as artwork like Norman Rockwell paintings depicting the Scouting experience, have been sold.
As part of their efforts to modernize, Krone mentioned that the organization is working on digitizing their resources to not only enhance accessibility but also to create a multilingual program platform. This initiative could benefit parents who do not speak English, enabling them to engage more fully in their child’s scouting journey.
Wally Tirado, who collaborates with scouts in the Dallas region through a Scouting America leadership initiative, recently noted the diversity present among youth participants at a dinner honoring new Eagle Scouts. He highlighted the rich culture represented among the young members, describing the gathering as a “room full of cultures” from various backgrounds.
“It’s still the same program,” emphasized Tirado, a district commissioner in the Circle Ten Council. “Just because we changed our name doesn’t mean we changed what we do.”
