On Feb. 8, Boy Scouts of America officially rebranded to Scouting America to promote its inclusivity, which many Scouts from the National Capital Area Council (NCAC) have reflected positively upon.
Scouting America announced the rebranding of the organization on May 7, 2024, and the official day to change was marked for Feb. 8, 2025, which was the 115th birthday of the organization’s founding.
The organization opened single-gender dens in Cub Scouts for boys and girls during 2018. A year after this transformative development, Scouts BSA was introduced so older boys and girls could join single-gender troops and earn their Eagle Scout rank. Since this change, Scouting America has seen over 8,000 females become Eagle Scouts.
NCAC has a membership of over 4,330 female Scouts, according to the 2024 annual report. Sophia R., a 17-year-old Scout from Troop 1526, joined Cub Scout Pack 873 in 2018 when the program opened up to girls.
“Because of Scouting, I would say my biggest accomplishments are the things I’ve been able to do with the skills that I’ve received,” Sophia said. “Definitely my public speaking [and] confidence greatly improved.”
Sophia watched her brother’s journey through Scouting and knew she wanted to join when she could. She joined as a Webelos in her Cub Scout Pack and then bridged into being a troop founder for Troop 1526.
Sophia received her Eagle in 2022 and has worked on Wood Badge staff for adults the last two years. She shared that because of her experiences, she has been the friend that many rely on.
“When cars breakdown, I’m the friend who gets called,” Sophia said. “It’s little things like that have really impacted my life and definitely made me who I am.”
Because of the rebranding, Sophia said it is easier to explain her participation in Scouting America. Sophia’s father, Keith R., was a Scoutmaster for Troop 1525 and created Troop 1526 so “each troop had its own culture.” Keith said that Scouting is necessary to build skills that youth are struggling with today.
“It’s life skills that are being missed by today’s youth that Scouting can fill that gap,” Keith said.
Nirali S. is another Scout from Troop 1920 and she joined over a year ago. She participates in FLL, or First Lego League, and encouraged girls to join Scouting as part of her project in the 2024 competition.
Nirali said that the rebranding will allow for more representation of Scout experiences and is surprised that many people aren’t aware of Scouting America’s inclusivity to girls. Nirali said that the rebranding “reinforces the organization’s commitment to serving all youth.”
Nirali shared the many skills she has been able to learn because of Scouting. She emphasized skills such as confidence, leadership and teamwork, as well as life skills such as first aid, camping and knot-tying.
“Girls are empowered within Scouts,” Nirali said. “They can participate in all the same activities, earn the same merit badges, and achieve the same ranks.”
Boys and girls in Scouting believe the rebranding will bring beneficial changes to the organization. Keenan Pallone, who works as a field Director in the NCAC, is also an Eagle Scout from the Council. He started as a Cub Scout, joined Troop 996, and then helped form Troop 301 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Pallone believes that rebranding to Scouting America is a necessity. He went to many recruitment events where parents didn’t know girls could be in Scouting, so the rebranding will create awareness of the opportunity.
“We welcome everyone who wants to be a Scout that wants to follow the Scout Oath and Law and motto and slogan,” Pallone said.
Pallone noticed the benefits Scouting had on him, as well as someone he mentored during his youth and adult years. His mentee had learning and physical disabilities and struggled to find a healthy environment, until he entered the Scouting program.
“You would have never guessed the hardships that this kid had gone through,” Pallone said. “Scouting saved this kid’s life.”
With the rebranding of Scouting America, youth and adults should be able to see the benefits of Scouting. Pallone enjoyed his experience as a Scout and noticed the impact it had on him through character development, trying new things and learning new values.
“I would not be who I am today if it wasn’t for Scouting,” Pallone said. “When I look back as an adult, those were some of the most formative years of my life.”
Starting at 9:00 PM on Saturday, February 14, 2025, Venturers and Venturing age Scouts BSA and Sea Scouts participated in NCAC Venturing Officers’ Association (CVOA) 3rd Annual Climbing Lock-In and 27th Anniversary Venturing Celebration at Vertical Rock in Manassas, VA! Lasting for 10 hours, this year’s Climbing Lock-In featured fun activities for everyone, like board games, sharing stories, puzzles, pizza, chips, cupcakes, bouldering, and, of course, lots of rock climbing.
The Lock-In started with a “Learn the Ropes” intro course, which taught Scouts and Adults all of the necessary safety to climb in the facility and manage the ropes without the need for an instructor. Even after the intro course was over, a Vertical Rock Staff member stayed the entire evening to assist with anything they may have needed.
The CVOA’s 3rd Annual Climbing Lock-In was an absolute success. It gave all the Scouts and adults who attended a fantastic experience and created lasting memories!
