After 115 years as Boy Scouts of America, the organization has officially rebranded as Scouting America, a change that took effect on Saturday. The decision, announced last spring, aligns with its efforts to be more inclusive, particularly after allowing girls to join Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in 2018 and 2019.
The transition follows the organization’s emergence from bankruptcy in 2023, which stemmed from the largest child sex abuse case involving a national organization in U.S. history. As part of the bankruptcy settlement, a $4.6 billion trust fund was established for survivors, with around $70 million paid to approximately 12,300 claimants as of January.
While the Boy Scouts program had already dropped “Boy” from its name in 2018 to become Scouts BSA, this is the first major rebranding of the national organization since its founding in 1910. Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone said the timing felt right as the organization moves forward from bankruptcy and continues growing.
Although the name change has drawn attention, some within the organization see it as a minor adjustment compared to other recent shifts. The uniforms and core programming remain the same, with updates primarily involving signage, handbooks, and patches reflecting the new name. The iconic Eagle Scout badge will also be redesigned to align with the rebranding.
Despite the push for inclusivity, the shift has faced some resistance. The Girl Scouts of America previously sued over trademark concerns when Scouts BSA was introduced, though the dispute was settled in 2022. Some critics argue that the change is driven more by declining membership than by inclusivity. Scouting America reported a slight increase in membership from 2023 to 2024, though Scouts BSA saw a small decline.
Globally, co-ed scouting is the standard, with organizations like Scouts Canada, Scouts UK, and Scouts Australia welcoming both boys and girls. For many members, like 14-year-old Sara Rubelee, who has been part of the program since 2017, the name change is a recognition of the contributions of girls in scouting.
Krone emphasized that Scouting America is focused on adapting to meet the needs of today’s youth, ensuring the organization remains relevant for future generations.
