Scouting America has been inspiring generations of leaders since 1910. Join the movement at BeAScout.org.
WASHINGTON, DC (February 7, 2025) – On February 8, Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 115th birthday, marking a pivotal moment in the organization’s journey as it officially adopts its new name, Scouting America. Scouting America is the nation’s foremost youth program providing young people with unique opportunities focused on character development, leadership, fun and outdoor exploration. The organization continues to adapt to meet the evolving needs of young people, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program.
For more than a century, Scouting America’s mission has remained the same: to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Whether it’s a camping trip, a pinewood derby car race, or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination. As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
“Scouting America has helped instill timeless values for multiple generations of Americans,” Roger Krone, Scouting America president and CEO said. “In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by Scouting are more critical than ever, and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making and effective leadership remains paramount. As we celebrate 115 years of service to our nation, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can develop these essential qualities, empowering to reach their full potential, and preparing them to become responsible and engaged citizens.”
Scouting America has remained committed to providing youth with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. In fact, more than 130 million Americans have been through Scouting America programs since our founding in 1910. Currently, more than 1 million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
The annual report of 2024 for NCAC showed membership at 31,107 with 957 total units. Out of all the youth in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Explorers, Venturers, Sea Scouts and those in the U.S. Virgin island or abroad, 4,330 of them are female Scouts. The entire organization of Scouting America has also seen over 8,000 females earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
“The rebranding marks an important moment for the organization to celebrate its growing inclusivity,” NCAC Scout Executive Mario A. Pérez said. “Our Council has been dedicated to welcoming all youth, no matter what gender, race, ethnicity, or background the child may have.”
The opportunities for all youth are limitless in Scouting America. In 2018, Scouting America started single-gender dens for boys and girls in the Cub Scout programs. A year later, Scouts BSA was introduced so older boys and girls could join single-gender troops and earn their Eagle Scout. Co-ed programs are also available in Venturing, Sea Scouting, STEM Scouts, Exploring and Learning for Life.
NCAC has seen approval and positivity about the rebranding from parents, Scouts and leaders. This change will improve the impact of the organization and NCAC will reach out to more youth to showcase its inclusivity and opportunities. Scouts across the board recognize skills they have learned from their program, which includes confidence, leadership, teamwork and friendship.
“We welcome families who want to have fun, and learn about important life skills, personal safety, and environmental stewardship. In Scouting we participate in outdoor activities, get involved in the local community, and learn teamwork,” NCAC Field Director and Eagle Scout Keenan Pallone said.
The weeklong birthday celebration will kick off with historic sites from coast-to-coast illuminated in red, white and blue lights in honor of Scouting America — including Niagara Falls, Milwaukee’s Hoan Bridge, St. Louis’ The Wheel at Union Station, Cleveland’s Terminal Tower, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Louisiana State Capitol, Baltimore City Hall and Capella Tower, and I-35W Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis. Scouts and non-Scouts alike can join in the celebration by sharing their favorite Scouting moments on Instagram (@boyscoutsofamerica) and TikTok (@scouting.america). Lastly, Scouting America will raise the redesigned organization flag over its headquarters in Irving, Texas on Wednesday, February 12.
Scouting America invites families, individuals and communities nationwide to join its mission. Whether you come from a family with a Scouting tradition or are considering Scouting for the first time, we welcome you to be a part of our next 115 years. To learn more, visit www.BeAScout.org.
About Scouting America National Capital Area Council (NCAC)
NCAC started in 1911 and stands as one of the largest and oldest councils in Scouting America. The Council represents a variety of territories from the Washington Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Columbia, such as Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties from Maryland, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, Loudon, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Stafford and Culpeper counties from Virginia and the independent cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas, Manassas Park and Fredericksburg in Virginia. NCAC also serves the U.S. Virgin Islands and Scouting families abroad in North, Central and South America. During 2024, NCAC Scouts performed over 200,000 hours of community service and over 1,000 Eagle Scouts were attained.
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, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit www.BeAScout.org.
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