Boy Scouts of America will change name, drop ‘Boy’ to be more inclusive
Boy Scouts of America will drop ‘Boy’ from its main program name, in an effort to be more inclusive.
The program for 11-17-year-old boys will become ‘Scouts BSA’ starting next year. The new name was meant to be a welcoming sign to girls who will start joining the program next year. The organization will also be adopting the slogan “Scout Me In” which features girls, as well as boys, for the first time, enjoying the cub scout program together.
“As we enter a new era for our organization, it is important that all youth can see themselves in scouting in every way possible,” Michael Surbaugh, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America, told ABC in a statement.
Girls are already allowed to be in the cub scouts but the change will allow them to reach the highest rank, Eagle Scout. “We’re proud to introduce scout me in, the new campaign that invites all kids and families in America to be part of the life-changing experience that is scouting. Scout me in celebrates the BSA’s historic decision to serve families and welcome girls and boys to our programs,” the organization stated on its website. “They are trying to open this up, praying to God that this is going to save their organization from diminishing and the only thing that’s going to save it from diminishing is for them to get unit leaders that will develop an outdoor program and get them out there camping,” Sam Snoddy said. Sam Snoddy has been a local scouts master for more than 50 years. He believes the name change takes away from the organization’s original mission. “We desperately need to develop leaders and the original mission of Boy Scouts was to develop leaders,” Snoddy said. “Unfortunately, it’s been my experience over the years, BSA has departed from that original mission.” Snoddy tells ABC-7 he believes a lack of role models and older male scouts has created a drop in enrollment numbers. “We desperately adults on the unit level delivering an outdoor program.” Snoddy leads 50 boys in his troop. He plans to take them camping this week and to Alaska this summer. He tells ABC-7 if more adults volunteered their time to be a scouts master, then there would be more time to dedicate to outdoor activities and trips. “If we had more adults on the unit level, delivering an active outdoor program, there would be really no problem, ” Snoddy said. The change will begin February 2019.
