After 115 years, Boy Scouts of America has rebranded as Scouting America, a move aimed at fostering greater inclusivity.
Scout Master of Troop one-ninety-six James Reed said the name change has been in the works for a couple of years. He said when you allow girls to participate, the name change is only fair. Reed said the more things change for the scouts, the more everything stays the same.
“Anything that lasts for 115 years is gonna have to make some changes,” Reed said. “To adapt to the changes in society, so we can make sure that our youth, you know, have everything they, that we have to offer, the tools for leadership.”
Cub Master for Pack one-five-six Nathan Pressley said he supports the change, though he feels it may not have a significant impact. He said the name change officially allows girls to receive membership and recognition for activities they have always been a part of. As a Cub Master, Pressley said families, including sisters, often join in and participate alongside the scouts.
“Many times, like kindergarteners and first graders, you have to have an adult partner with them at all cub scouting functions,” Pressley said. “So frequently you end with basically a full family at any and all functions and those families can involve sibling sisters. You get to events and of course, the sisters want to for instance fish, bee bee gun shoot, bow and arrow, you know, all the things.”
Both Reed and Pressley said the name change will not change the scout oath and law. Both said to be a scout you need to take a pledge to your Country and God and are repeated before every meeting.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” Reed said. “I think Character Development, the scout oath, and law has not changed. The number one thing to be a scout, you have to take an oath to do your duty to God and your country and that has not changed.”