The Boy Scouts of America, an organization with a 114-year history, is changing its name to Scouting America in an effort to be more inclusive. This move comes after the organization faced numerous sexual abuse claims and aims to focus on inclusivity moving forward. The announcement was made at the annual meeting in Florida, with the president and CEO, Roger Krone, expressing the organization’s goal to make any youth in America feel welcome in their programs.
Over the years, the Boy Scouts of America has undergone significant changes to adapt to the changing times. They began allowing gay youth in 2013 and lifted the ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. In 2017, they made the historic decision to accept girls as Cub Scouts, and in 2019, the flagship Boy Scout program was renamed Scouts BSA to reflect this inclusion. The organization saw the first class of female Eagle Scouts in 2021, and the increase in the number of girls joining the organization is expected to continue with the name change.
The name change is seen as a way to break down traditional gender barriers and encourage more girls to realize they can join the scouting programs. For example, Selby Chipman, a founding member of an all-girls troop, believes that the name change will help more girls feel motivated to join. The troop she is a part of has seen significant growth since its inception and has sparked curiosity among girls who were previously unaware of the opportunity to join the Boy Scouts of America.
To further highlight the positive impact of the inclusion of girls, Bob Brady, a father of two girls and an Eagle Scout himself, formed an all-girls troop. Initially, there were concerns from some adult leaders, but those concerns quickly dissipated when they saw the girls participating and leading activities. The presence of girls in the scouting programs is breaking down stereotypes and changing the attitudes of those who may have been skeptical initially.
The name change to Scouting America signifies a new chapter for the organization. By embracing inclusivity and encouraging all youth in America to join their programs, Scouting America aims to build a stronger, more diverse community of scouts.
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