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.”
On November 7, 2024, Col. Frank Harris, III, age 100, was recognized as the oldest Marine at Quantico’s annual USMC birthday celebration. Col. Harris, a veteran of WW2, Korea, and Vietnam, has served as the Charter Organization Representative of Troop 121 for the past 20 years. He was also a Scoutmaster of the same Troop in the early 1960s.
On November 9, 2024, Gregory Bodge of Troop 907 was awarded 
She is a Level 2/Master Educator for Leave No Trace. Her leadership has helped build a robust group of Outdoor Ethics Trainers, both adult, and Scouts, who deliver programs throughout the NCAC and even to other councils and the Philmont Ranger cadre.
Luz Diaz Villalobos has long been written about as an admirable youth in NCAC’s Exploring programs, and today, she continues to inspire with her accomplishments as a young adult.
On the final day, at a church in the county, Prince George’s County Chief of Police, Aziz Malik presented Diaz Villalobos with her award. Other dignitaries included Councilmember Jolene Ivey, whom Diaz Villalobos also thanks for her support. As soon as Diaz Villalobos’ name was announced, a crowd of over two dozen people erupted in cheers! Luz is accomplished, admirable and a truly beloved member of her community. In attendance were several officers from PGPD who have supported her to this day including Cpl. Black, Cpl. Lobin, Cpl. Ross, Sgt Jeffries, Captain Eboug, Captain Serpes and Lieutenant Dazzie. From Seat Pleasant, Officer Miller and Officer Bowers attended and from all across Prince George’s County came several younger Explorers to whom Diaz Villalobos now serves as a mentor. Though not pictured, a special mention also goes to Cpl. Hibbert who has always supported Diaz Villalobos too. Last but not least, a special shout out to Diaz Villalobos’ family for being present in this accomplishment!
Diaz Villalobos set precedent as the only Hispanic to graduate from the Prince George’s County Citizen Police Academy for Class 48! This is not the first time that Luz Diaz Villalobos set a record.
Life Scout TJ D., 14, has been awarded the Medal of Merit by the Boy Scouts of America for using the skills he has learned through scouting to save the life of his grandmother. 
TJ is a very active Life Scout who has been working toward Eagle in Troop 1107 — chartered by St. John’s Lutheran Church in Franconia — since 2020, rarely missing a meeting, camp or service project. He joined scouting as a Tiger Cub with Pack 867 — also chartered by St. John’s — in 2015. He has attended SeaBase (2022) and National Jamboree (2023) and plans on going on a Northern Tier Trek (2024) as well as Summit Bechtel Reserve (2025) to get the High Adventure Triple Crown. He has also taken ILST and plans to participate in NYLT this January, since he has served his troop as Patrol Quartermaster, APL, PL, Chaplain’s Aide, Bugler, Instructor and ASPL. He is currently the Troop Guide and Assistant Patrol Leader.