Boy Scouts Officially Change Name to be ‘Gender Inclusive’

After 115 years as Boy Scouts of America, the iconic youth organization has rebranded itself as Scouting America. This historic change was announced just days ago, marking the first significant alteration to the organization’s name since its founding in 1910. While it may seem like a bold move, it follows years of transformation, including a controversial decision to allow girls to join the ranks and a painful, multi-year bankruptcy process.

A Bold Step Forward?

Roger Krone, Scouting America’s President and CEO, told USA TODAY that now was “probably a good time” for the name change. “We’re out of bankruptcy, and we’re seeing membership growth. The name change represents a natural evolution,” he explained. This decision comes a year after the organization exited a bankruptcy that stemmed from a legal battle involving over 82,000 sexual abuse claims. To date, Scouting America has created a $4.6 billion trust fund to aid survivors, with approximately $70 million already distributed.

Though this shift might seem dramatic to some, others feel it reflects a necessary and progressive adaptation. This is especially true after the organization opened its doors to girls in 2018 and 2019, when girls were allowed to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, respectively.

Global Trends and Local Shifts

Krone pointed to the global scouting movement as part of the reasoning behind this change. “Around the world, organizations like Scouts Canada, Scouts Australia, and Scouts UK have gone co-ed,” he said. “It’s the global model.” For Scouting America, this move aligns with a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity. But the change isn’t all about global trends—it’s also about trying to grow the organization, which has seen fluctuating membership in recent years.

In fact, recent statistics show a slight membership increase from 2023 to 2024: Scouting America saw a 1.43% rise overall, with Cub Scouts reporting a 4.68% jump. However, Scouts BSA, the program for teens, saw a modest decline of 3.15%.

A Cosmetic Overhaul, But Not Much Else

Despite the name change, the core mission of the organization remains the same. Krone assures that there will be no dramatic changes to the programming itself. The navy blue Cub Scout uniforms and tan Scouts BSA uniforms will stay largely unchanged, though old patches featuring “Boy Scouts of America” will be replaced by a $2 sew-on patch, available at Scout Shops or online. Scouting America’s iconic Eagle Scout badge will also be updated to reflect the new name.

Moreover, updates to the website and handbooks are in the works, and over the next year or two, Scouting America buildings will slowly roll out new signage to match the rebrand. However, the Scouts BSA program—still the most prominent and prestigious within the organization—will keep its name for the time being.

Reaction to the Rebrand

The decision to open the organization to girls has been met with mixed reactions. On one hand, many see it as a progressive and inclusive move, while others argue that it undermines the distinctiveness of the Girl Scouts. Ryan Quinlan, a conservative commentator, posted a viral TikTok last year expressing concerns that the new direction may blur the lines between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. “It almost implies that if you’re a Girl Scout, you’re not a ‘real’ scout,” Quinlan said.

This controversy isn’t new. In 2018, the Girl Scouts filed a lawsuit against Boy Scouts of America, accusing them of overreaching in their attempts to market to girls. The case was settled in 2022, with both organizations agreeing to end the litigation.

For some girls in Scouting America, the name change has been a long time coming. “It feels validating,” said 14-year-old Sara Rubelee, a member of Troop 235G in Springfield, Missouri. She’s been part of the organization since 2017, when an early-adopters program allowed girls to join. Now, Rubelee is working toward earning her Eagle Scout, helping collect musical instruments for a local underprivileged school.

Not Everyone’s On Board

Despite the emphasis on growth, not all within the organization are convinced that the name change is the best move. Rhett Hillard, Scoutmaster of Troop 50 in Fulton, Missouri, believes that the rebrand is largely a financial maneuver. “They’re mostly dwindling numbers, wanting to bolster enrollment,” Hillard said. “I never really heard a great reason.”

Indeed, Scouting America’s membership has been on the decline for years. In 2018, the organization reported a drop to 2.3 million members, down from 2.6 million in 2013. Whether this rebrand will reverse that trend remains to be seen.

A Legacy of Change

The idea of girls being involved with Scouting America is not a new concept. In fact, girls have been part of the movement in various ways for decades. In 1969, girls were first allowed to join Exploring, a career readiness program, and in 1998, Venturing, a co-ed program centered on outdoor adventures, opened its doors to girls. Female leaders have also been integral to the program since the creation of the Den Mother role in 1936.

As the organization evolves, one thing remains constant: its commitment to shaping young people into responsible, successful adults. And, as Krone puts it, the changes the organization has undergone in recent years are about keeping up with the times. “I’m much more interested in what a 35-year-old parent thinks about child development than someone who was a Boy Scout with me,” he said.

But for many conservatives and traditionalists, this may feel like the end of an era. For others, it marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that reflects a changing world while still holding onto the core values that have defined Scouting for over a century.