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BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA IS CHANGING ITS NAME TO SCOUTING AMERICA
The new name reflects the continuing efforts to welcome everyone to experience the benefits of Scouting.
New York, NY (May 7, 2024) – The Boy Scouts of America today announced that it will be changing its name to Scouting America. This change reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcoming every youth in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The name change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th birthday.
This announcement also comes as the organization celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs. Boy Scouts of America currently serves 176,234 girls and young women across all programs, including more than 6,000 who have earned Eagle Scout status.
“Scouting America embraces the vision of preparing all young people to become responsible, participating citizens and leaders. In New York City, Greater New York Councils (GNYC) is fulfilling that vision through instilling ethical values and providing exceptional experiences for New York City youth to be prepared for life. With nearly a third of youth members in New York City comprising girls and young women, we welcome this announcement,” said Mark Carawan, Board Chair, GNYC.
“Our new name reflects more accurately who we are today; we welcome all youth to be a part of the fun and adventure of Scouting. The core components of our programs will stay the same, but our new name, Scouting America, sends a clear message that we invite all youth to participate in Scouting,” said Saroya Friedman-Gonzalez, President and CEO, GNYC.
Scouting America builds on the organization’s 114 years of experience helping America’s youth thrive. Its ongoing goal is to provide young people with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills and have fun, educational experiences, fostering their growth and future outcomes as leaders, becoming prepared for life. Values instilled by the Scout Oath and Law help prepare young people for lives of purpose and impact.
GNYC is the local chapter of the national Scouting America organization which serves children and youth across the five boroughs of New York City. Since its founding in 1921, GNYC has helped more than five million young people become “Prepared for Life®.” GNYC’s successful youth development programming has been shown to improve educational outcomes and provide vitally needed skills-based leadership development training. We strive to ensure that positive youth development programs are available to all youth, regardless of income. GNYC serves children and youth by helping them to prepare for success in school, career, and life. We engage children and youth ages 5 through 20 years old through 416 community-based Scouting and Exploring programs.
More than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting programs since its founding in 1910, and currently, more than 1 million youth, including both men and women, are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. To date, more than 2.75 million youth have earned Scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.
In addition to supporting the nation’s youth, Scouting America will continue to be an important asset to strengthen our communities, having provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer services for community improvement and other projects across the country.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently, more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
About Greater New York Councils
Headquartered in New York City, the Greater New York Councils serves the five boroughs of New York City, sharing the life-changing benefits of Scouting to over 8,500 youth and 3,000 volunteer adults in 2023. Scouting America continues to prepare young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. Learn more about the Greater New York Councils at www.nycscouting.org.
Yours in Scouting,
Mark Carawan, Council Board Chair
Saroya Friedman-Gonzalez, President, CEO & Scout Executive |
