After 114 Years, the Boy Scouts of America Will Change Their Name to Embrace Inclusivity
After more than a century as one of America’s most recognizable youth organizations, the Boy Scouts of America is stepping into a new era. Beginning in 2025, it will officially rebrand as Scouting America — a name meant to reflect inclusivity and the modern values it now embraces after 114 years under its original banner.
The change was announced at the organization’s annual meeting in Florida, marking what leaders describe as both a symbolic and practical step toward renewal. Roger Krone, the newly appointed CEO, called the rebrand “a moment of transformation” — a declaration that Scouting is for everyone. The announcement coincides with the organization’s 115th anniversary, to be celebrated on February 8, 2025.
For generations, the Boy Scouts have been synonymous with American tradition — campfires, badges, and the Scout’s oath. But behind the nostalgia lies a complicated history: decades of exclusion, financial hardship, and the weight of a massive sexual abuse scandal that nearly destroyed the organization. With declining membership and damaged public trust, the leadership knew survival depended on more than a new logo. It required a complete redefinition of what the Scouts stand for in the 21st century.
A Legacy of Change
The Boy Scouts’ first major step toward inclusivity came in 2013, when it voted to allow openly gay youth to join. Two years later, that policy expanded to include gay adult leaders. In 2017, the organization began welcoming transgender boys. Then, in 2018, it made another landmark decision — to allow girls to join, forming co-ed troops under the name Scouts BSA.
Each step was met with both celebration and backlash. Traditionalists accused the organization of abandoning its roots, while advocates saw progress long overdue. Membership initially dipped as conservative families left for splinter groups, but the reforms also attracted thousands of new families who had previously felt excluded.
“The name ‘Boy Scouts’ no longer represented who we are,” Krone explained. “Our mission is to help all young people build character, confidence, and leadership — not just boys. ‘Scouting America’ tells that story better than ever before.”
A Response to Crisis
Beyond social change, the rebrand follows one of the largest bankruptcy cases in nonprofit history. In 2020, the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid a wave of sexual abuse lawsuits — more than 80,000 claims in total. The settlement, which reached over $2.4 billion, was a devastating reckoning for an organization that had long held itself up as a moral compass for American youth.
While the financial fallout was immense, the moral one was even greater. Membership dropped by nearly half. Camps closed. Local councils struggled to survive. For many, the rebrand represents an opportunity to start fresh — not by erasing the past, but by facing it.
“We can’t undo what’s been done,” Krone said during the announcement. “But we can build a safer, more inclusive, more transparent future. Scouting America will stand for integrity, safety, and opportunity for every child.”
Political and Public Reaction
Not everyone welcomed the decision. Conservative figures such as Senator Ted Cruz criticized the move, accusing the organization of “erasing boys from the Boy Scouts.” Others echoed similar sentiments online, calling the change unnecessary political correctness.
But supporters argue the shift is about survival and growth, not politics. “Names matter,” said Ellen Jacobsen, a scout leader from Colorado who helped integrate one of the first co-ed troops. “When you tell a girl she belongs in Scouting, she should see that truth reflected in the name.”
Public response has largely leaned positive, especially among younger families. Surveys show that most Americans under 40 support the rebrand, viewing it as a natural evolution rather than an abandonment of tradition.
Looking Toward the Future
Scouting America plans to launch a national campaign in early 2025 to reintroduce itself to the public, emphasizing community service, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment. The organization also aims to modernize its programs — integrating STEM education, digital literacy, and leadership training alongside traditional outdoor skills.
Krone believes that the essence of Scouting has always been about adaptability. “The outdoors may look different in the age of smartphones and climate change, but the lessons — teamwork, courage, and responsibility — are timeless,” he said.
The new name is already appearing on uniforms, badges, and recruitment materials. Local councils are updating signage and digital platforms in preparation for the official nationwide rollout. The familiar fleur-de-lis logo will remain but will be paired with a modernized font and color scheme symbolizing unity and renewal.
A New Chapter in an Old Story
Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America shaped generations of Americans. Presidents, astronauts, and civic leaders — from John F. Kennedy to Neil Armstrong — once wore the uniform. Its values of preparedness, service, and community defined what it meant to grow up in America for much of the 20th century.
But history moves forward. The rebranding of the Boy Scouts to Scouting America is more than a marketing decision; it’s a cultural milestone. It acknowledges the complexity of the past and reimagines what it means to be a Scout in today’s world — not just a boy climbing the ranks, but any young person learning to lead, to serve, and to belong.
As Krone concluded during his address, “Scouting has never been about who you are — it’s about who you become. This new name reflects that truth. Our doors are open wider than ever. The future of Scouting is for all America.”
And with that, one of the country’s oldest institutions officially turned the page, carrying its century-old promise — to be prepared — into a new and more inclusive century.