After more than a century as one of America’s most recognizable youth organizations, the Boy Scouts of America is entering a new chapter. Starting in 2025, it will officially be known as Scouting America — a rebrand meant to reflect inclusivity and the organization’s evolving values after 114 years under its original name.
The announcement was made at the group’s annual meeting in Florida, a move leaders called both symbolic and practical. Roger Krone, the newly appointed CEO, described it as “a moment of transformation” — a statement that Scouting is now for everyone. The timing aligns with the organization’s 115th anniversary, which will be celebrated on February 8, 2025.
For generations, the Boy Scouts embodied American tradition — campfires, badges, and the Scout’s oath. But behind that nostalgia lies a complex legacy of exclusion, financial crisis, and the devastating impact of a massive sexual abuse scandal that nearly ended the organization. With membership falling and public trust eroding, leaders recognized that real survival required more than a new logo. It demanded a redefinition of what the Scouts stand for in today’s world.
A Legacy of Change
The organization’s first major step toward inclusivity came in 2013, when it allowed openly gay youth to join. Two years later, gay adults were also welcomed as leaders. In 2017, transgender boys gained the right to join, and in 2018, girls were finally invited in as part of co-ed Scouts BSA troops.
Each milestone drew both praise and criticism. Traditionalists accused the Scouts of abandoning their roots, while supporters saw long-overdue progress. Membership initially declined as some families left for splinter groups, but the reforms also brought in many who had previously felt excluded.
“The name ‘Boy Scouts’ no longer represents who we are,” Krone said. “Our mission is to help all young people build character, confidence, and leadership — not just boys. ‘Scouting America’ expresses that better than ever.”
A Response to Crisis
Beyond social reform, the rebrand follows one of the largest bankruptcy cases in nonprofit history. In 2020, the Boy Scouts of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after more than 80,000 sexual abuse claims were filed against it. The resulting $2.4 billion settlement was a financial and moral reckoning for an organization once viewed as a pillar of integrity.
Membership plummeted, camps closed, and local councils struggled to stay afloat. The rebrand, for many, represents a chance to rebuild — not by denying the past, but by confronting it.
“We can’t change what happened,” Krone said at the announcement. “But we can build something safer, more transparent, and more inclusive. Scouting America will stand for integrity, safety, and opportunity for every child.”
Political and Public Reaction
The decision has not been without controversy. Figures like Senator Ted Cruz criticized the change, accusing the Scouts of “erasing boys from the Boy Scouts.” Others dismissed it as unnecessary political correctness.
Supporters, however, argue that the rebrand is about progress and survival, not politics. “Names matter,” said Ellen Jacobsen, a scout leader from Colorado who helped start one of the first co-ed troops. “When you tell a girl she belongs in Scouting, she should see that reflected in the name.”
Public sentiment has leaned largely positive — particularly among younger generations. Surveys indicate that most Americans under 40 support the rebrand, seeing it as a natural evolution rather than a break from tradition.
Looking to the Future
Scouting America will launch a national campaign in early 2025 to reintroduce itself, emphasizing community service, environmental stewardship, and youth empowerment. Programs will also be modernized to include STEM education, digital literacy, and leadership development alongside classic outdoor skills.
Krone believes the organization’s strength has always been its ability to adapt. “The outdoors may look different in the digital age, but the values — teamwork, courage, responsibility — remain the same,” he said.
The new name is already appearing on uniforms, badges, and recruitment materials. Councils across the country are updating signage and websites ahead of the official rollout. The iconic fleur-de-lis logo will stay, paired with a refreshed 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 — from presidents like John F. Kennedy to astronauts like Neil Armstrong. For much of the 20th century, its values of preparedness, service, and community helped define growing up in America.
But time moves forward. The transformation from Boy Scouts to Scouting America marks more than a rebrand — it’s a cultural shift. It acknowledges a complicated past while redefining what it means to be a Scout today: not just a boy earning badges, 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 nation’s oldest institutions officially turns the page — carrying its century-old motto, Be Prepared, into a new and more inclusive era.