Boy Scouts of America announced Tuesday it will change its name to Scouting America in February 2025 as the organization celebrates its 115th anniversary.
The name changes comes as the Boy Scouts emphasize a commitment to inclusion with Tuesday's announcement coming as the group celebrates the fifth anniversary of welcoming girls into Cub Scouting and Scouts BSA programs.
"I think it's a healthy thing," said John Andrews, the Scout Director and CEO of Northern Star Scouting. "The organization has operated under several different names during the 114 years. The founding name is Boy Scouts of America, but we've been known as Scouting USA, but also local names."
Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after spending hundreds of millions of dollars to settle sexual abuse lawsuits. A Victims Compensation Trust was established with $2.4 billion expected to go to more than 82,000 survivors of abuse.
"Scouting has been a safe place," Andrews said. "When you serve 130 million children, the community expects you, no matter what the numbers are, to do the right thing."
Andrews added there is a concern about what the name change as a whole means moving forward.
"Our largest concern is that people know we do keep children safe and we learn constantly about how to do an even better job of doing that. There was a concern about this name change that people would perceive it as trying to not stand-up and do what is right, or trying to change the dynamic because of the BSA bankruptcy. That's not the case. The decision was made to move forward. It's about the fact that we serve the whole family, boys and girls."
Boy Scouts of America began allowing gay youth in 2013 and ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. Then, in 2017, the historic announcement was made that girls would be accepted as Cub Scouts and Boy Scout Program.
"I've worked for the scouts for more than 40 years professionally in different parts of the country," Andrews said. "Early-on it was rare in meetings to hear from parents about when their daughter can join. Now, it's among the first questions."
Northern Star Scouting has seen a growing percentage of participation among girls and young women each year. That includes a growing percentage of girls who are going with a girls' troop, connected with a boys' troop.
Boy Scouts of America says more than 1 million youth are enrolled in programs, including more than 176,000 girls and young women.