9 months after saying a reputation change was coming, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on Saturday formally modified its identify in an try to “meet the evolving needs of young people.”
The group adopted the brand new identify, Scouting America, on its one hundred and fifteenth anniversary, “marking a pivotal moment in the organization’s journey,” in keeping with a press release launched Saturday.
The shift comes after a latest coverage change in 2018, permitting ladies to hitch this system. The group started permitting homosexual youth in 2013 and ended a blanket ban on homosexual grownup leaders in 2015.
The Boy Scouts of America has modified its identify to Scouting America. (Tony Gutierrez/Related Press)
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President and CEO Roger Krone advised the Related Press there was “some backlash,” however mentioned there was a small spike in membership after saying the rebranding in Might.
“The truth that we had been going with a extra type of gender-neutral identify, lots of people type of needed to know extra about it,” Krone advised the AP.
Greater than 15,000 scouts joined, the AP reported, bringing whole membership to greater than 1 million.
Boy Scouts current the colours through the nationwide anthem earlier than a NFL sport, Oct. 31, 2021, in Houston. (Bob Levey/Getty Pictures)
As the nation’s foremost youth program, Scouting America mentioned it gives kids alternatives centered on character improvement, management, enjoyable and out of doors exploration.
The difference will “ensure future generations have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program,” in keeping with the assertion.
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Whereas the identify modified, the Texas-based group mentioned its mission has remained the identical for a century: to arrange younger individuals to make moral and ethical decisions over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Regulation.
“Whether it’s a camping trip, a pinewood derby car race or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination,” spokespeople wrote within the assertion. “As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Roger Krone, president and chief govt officer of the Boy Scouts of America, on the group’s headquarters in Irving, Texas (The Related Press)
The group’s web site options its new identify, however social media accounts nonetheless have the standard handles.
“Scouting America has helped instill timeless values for multiple generations of Americans,” Krone wrote within the assertion. “In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by Scouting are more critical than ever and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making and effective leadership remains paramount.”
Krone added it’s reaffirming its dedication to offering a “safe and supportive environment” the place younger individuals can develop important qualities.
A Boy Scout uniform hangs in a retailer on the Marin Council of the Boy Scouts of America on July 27, 2015 in San Rafael, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Pictures)
“Scouting America has remained committed to providing youth with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories and grow into tomorrow’s leaders,” the group wrote within the assertion. “In fact, more than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting America programs since our founding in 1910.”
Fox Information Digital beforehand reported the rebranding got here after a considerable hit in membership through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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It additionally follows a courtroom order to pay out a $2.46 billion settlement involving about 82,000 former Boy Scouts who claimed they had been sexually abused by BSA officers and volunteers.
Submitting for chapter allowed the group to maintain working.
Fox Information Digital’s Michael Dorgan and the Related Press contributed to this report.
