After more than a century as one of America’s most recognizable youth organizations, the Boy Scouts of America is entering a new chapter in its long history. Beginning in 2025, the organization will officially rebrand as Scouting America — a name chosen to reflect inclusivity and the modern values it now embraces after 114 years under its original banner.
The announcement came at the organization’s annual meeting in Florida, which leaders described 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 now open to all. The timing is significant, coinciding with the group’s 115th anniversary, to be celebrated on February 8, 2025.
For generations, the Boy Scouts have been synonymous with quintessential American traditions: campfires, merit badges, and the Scout’s oath. Yet beneath the nostalgia lies a complex history — decades marked by exclusion, financial strain, and the shadow of a massive sexual abuse scandal that nearly brought the organization to its knees. With membership declining and public trust eroded, leaders recognized that survival required more than a new logo or slogan; it demanded a redefinition of the Scouts’ mission for the 21st century.
A Legacy of Change
The organization’s journey toward inclusivity began in 2013, when it voted to allow openly gay youth to join. Two years later, the policy expanded to include gay adult leaders. By 2017, transgender boys were welcomed, and in 2018, girls were allowed to join, forming co-ed troops under the name Scouts BSA.
Each change brought both praise and criticism. Traditionalists accused the organization of abandoning its roots, while advocates celebrated the long-overdue progress. Membership initially declined as conservative families departed for splinter groups, but the reforms also drew thousands of new participants 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.”
A Response to Crisis
The rebrand also comes in the wake of one of the largest bankruptcy cases in nonprofit history. In 2020, the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 amid a surge of sexual abuse lawsuits — over 80,000 claims in total. The resulting settlement of more than $2.4 billion marked a devastating reckoning for an organization long held up as a moral compass for American youth.
The financial consequences were severe, but the moral impact was even deeper. Membership fell nearly in half, camps closed, and local councils struggled to survive. For many, the rebranding represents a chance to start anew — not by erasing history, but by confronting it head-on.
“We cannot undo the past,” Krone said at the announcement, “but we can build a safer, more inclusive, and more transparent future. Scouting America will stand for integrity, safety, and opportunity for every child.”
Political and Public Reaction
The decision drew mixed reactions. Conservative voices, including Senator Ted Cruz, criticized the move as “erasing boys from the Boy Scouts.” Others echoed similar sentiments online, calling the change unnecessary political correctness.
Supporters, however, emphasized that the shift is about survival and relevance rather than politics. “Names matter,” said Ellen Jacobsen, a scout leader from Colorado who helped form 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.”
Overall, public response has leaned positive, particularly among younger families. Surveys indicate that most Americans under 40 view the rebrand 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, highlighting community service, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment. Programs will also modernize, incorporating STEM education, digital literacy, and leadership training alongside traditional outdoor skills.
Krone stressed that adaptability has always been central to Scouting’s mission. “The outdoors may look different in an era of smartphones and climate change, but the lessons — teamwork, courage, responsibility — remain timeless,” he said.
The new name is already appearing on uniforms, badges, and recruitment materials. Local councils are updating signage and online platforms ahead of the nationwide rollout. The familiar fleur-de-lis logo will remain, accompanied by 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.
Yet history moves forward. The transition to Scouting America is more than a marketing decision; it is a cultural milestone. It acknowledges the complexity of the past while reimagining what it means to be a Scout today — not just a boy climbing the ranks, but any young person learning to lead, serve, and belong.
As Krone concluded, “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.”
With this, one of the country’s oldest institutions has officially turned the page, carrying its century-old promise — to be prepared — into a new, more inclusive era.