Boy Scouts changes name to Scouting America
The organization is rebranding, citing inclusivity
What happened
The Boy Scouts of America said Tuesday that after 114 years it is officially changing its name to the more inclusive Scouting America. The change, announced at the BSA's annual meeting in Florida, follows the organization's acceptance of female scouts in 2018 and gay scouts in 2013, plus a $2.4 billion bankruptcy reorganization last year tied to compensating tens of thousands of sexual abuse survivors.
Who said what
"We want any youth in America to feel very, very welcome" in Scouting, BSA chief executive Roger Krone told The Associated Press. "Part of my job is to reduce all the barriers I possibly can for people to accept us as an organization and to join."
The rebrand drew some criticism, and much of it "invoked the word 'woke,'" the AP said. But Scouting America is a savvy name that hews closely to the century-old mission, said marketing expert David Aaker. "It's a one-time chance to tell a new story."
What next?
The name change officially takes effect Feb. 8, 2025, the organization's 115th birthday. But Krone said he expects people to start using the Scouting America name immediately.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 18, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - a rocky road, innovative legislation, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 arguably hilarious cartoons about the 2024 presidential debate
Cartoons Artists take on the candidates' age gap, sleepyheads, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: a solid summer blockbuster
The Week Recommends The big-money movie might be 'a bit silly' but the effects are excellent
By The Week UK Published
-
Minnesota is the latest state to protect ticket buyers
In the Spotlight Maryland and Colorado have also followed suit by passing ticket-protecting legislation
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Are complaints about wokeness in comedy valid or just the usual 'the olds don't get it' issue?
In the Spotlight Jerry Seinfeld has been in the news for his recent remarks, but political correctness has long been criticized for interfering with jokes
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
The worst fast food restaurants in America
feature American Customer Satisfaction Index's most recent ranking of our nation's fast food restaurants
By The Week Staff Published
-
Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: how real is the feud?
In the spotlight Beef between Californian rapper and Canadian hip-hop star goes 'nuclear' with diss tracks full of serious allegations
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
So bad, so good: the best worst movies
The Week Recommends These films are as enjoyable as they are terrible
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Shopping trolleys: the new must-have accessory
Speed Read Sales are soaring as new designs help shed that old-fashioned image
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Fallout: one of the 'most faithful – and best – video game adaptations'
The Week Recommends This 'genre-bending' new Amazon series is set in a post-apocalyptic wilderness where survivors shelter below ground
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The cultural fight over Michelangelo's David
Under the Radar Some in Italy are trying to stop what they consider 'debasing' use of the sculpture
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published