May 2024
The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will rebrand to Scouting America, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary.
This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Scouting America currently serves more than 176,000 girls and young women across all programs, including over 6,000 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
“This name change reflects that girls and women have been active participants in Scouting for generations, as volunteers, parents, and siblings that attended Scouting functions and activities,” said Brad Bodoh, Scouting Executive for the Five Rivers Council. “Girls were admitted to Explorer posts and Venturing crews, which are Scouting programs, since the early 1970’s. Retaining the name of “Boy Scouts” has caused confusion, especially when Scouting began officially admitting girls as members of Cub Scouts and Scouts in 2019.”
“Even though the official name change will take place next year, expect to see new Scouting America logos and language being used on communications soon, and please be patient as we make that transition,” said Mr. Bodoh.
Approximately 20% of current Five Rivers Council youth members are girls, with about 2/3 of those Cub Scouts (Grades K-5) and 1/3 of those in Scouts BSA (Grades 6-12). Cub Scout programs include boys and girls in the same Pack and Den, while Scouts BSA programs separate boys and girls into separate Troops. Many boy and girl Troops share a sponsor, and have joint activities and events, but maintain separate youth and adult leadership. Scouting requires youth protection training for adult leaders and youth members to ensure the safety of all participants in all situations.
More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country annually.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
About Boy Scouts of America, Five Rivers Council
Headquartered in Elmira, NY, the Five-Rivers Council serves the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania, sharing the fantastic benefits of Scouting with over 1200 youth and 300 volunteer adults. The Boy Scouts of America continues to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Learn more about the Five Rivers Council at fiveriversbsa.org.
Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of helping America’s youth. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, and be prepared for life. At the same time, values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.