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A look at some of the turmoil surrounding the Boy Scouts, from a gay ban to bankruptcy

Published: 07 May 2024 at 15:33

Society

FILE - A Boy Scout uniform is displayed, Feb. 18, 2020, in the retail store at the headquarters for the French Creek Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Summit Township, Erie County, Pa. The U.S. organization, which now welcomes girls into the program and allows them to work toward the coveted Eagle Scout rank, announced Tuesday, May 7, 2024, that it will change its name to Scouting America as it focuses on inclusion.

DEEP DIVE


French Creek Council (Wikipedia)


The French Creek Council serves Boy Scouts in six counties in northwestern Pennsylvania and one township in Ohio. The council was organized in 1972 from a merger of the former Washington Trail Council of Erie, Custaloga Council of Sharon and Colonel Drake Council of Oil City, Pennsylvania. It has headquarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Scouting in Pennsylvania (Wikipedia)


Scouting in Pennsylvania has a long and rich tradition, from 1908: 55  to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Boy Scouts of America (Wikipedia)


The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 1 million youth, including 176,000 female participants. The BSA was founded in 1910; about 130 million Americans have participated in its programs. Served by 477,000 adult volunteers. BSA became a founding member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1922.The stated mission of the Boy Scouts of America is 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." Youth are trained in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to instill typical Scouting values such as trustworthiness, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, through a variety of activities such as camping, aquatics, and hiking. To further these outdoor activities, the BSA has four high-adventure bases: Northern Tier (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario), Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico), Sea Base (Florida, US Virgin Islands, and Bahamas), and Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia), as well as nearly 100 camps and reservations dedicated to scouts.The main Scouting divisions are Cub Scouting for ages 5 to 11 years, Scouts BSA for ages 10 to 18, Venturing for ages 14 through 21, and Sea Scouts for ages 14 through 21. The BSA operates Scouting by chartering local organizations, such as churches, clubs, civic associations, or educational organizations, to implement the Scouting program for youth within their communities. Units are led by volunteers appointed by the chartering organization, who are supported by local councils using both paid professional Scouters and volunteers. Additionally, Learning for Life is an affiliate that provides in-school and career education.In 2019, the Boy Scouts of America renamed its flagship program, Boy Scouts, to Scouts BSA to reflect its policy change allowing girls to join separate, gender-specific troops.In 2023, BSA agreed to pay $2.46 billion to settle claims by some 82,000 former Boy Scouts who said they had been sexually abused by BSA officials and volunteers. On May 7, 2024, BSA announced that the organization will change its name to Scouting America. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025.

Boy Scouts of the Philippines (Wikipedia)


The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) is the national scouting organization of the Philippines in the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The Scout movement was first introduced in the Philippines on 1910 during the American Occupation. It was "granted Recognition as a Member Organisation of the Boy Scouts International Conference...with effect from October 31, 1936" by virtue of certification signed by J. S. Wilson, Olave Baden-Powell, and Daniel Spry.For most of the late 20th century and into the 21st century, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines is among the largest Scout organizations in the world, currently 4th, in terms of membership count (behind Boy Scouts of America, The Bharat Scouts and Guides of India and the co-ed Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia), largely due to the organization's dependence on the Department of Education.

Scouting (Wikipedia)


Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth social movement employing the Scout method, a program of informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities, including camping, woodcraft, aquatics, hiking, backpacking, and sports. Another widely recognized movement characteristic is the Scout uniform, by intent hiding all differences of social standing in a country and encouraging equality, with neckerchief and campaign hat or comparable headwear. Distinctive uniform insignia include the fleur-de-lis and the trefoil, as well as merit badges and other patches.In 1907, Robert Baden-Powell, a lieutenant general in the British Army held a Scouting encampment on Brownsea Island in England. Baden-Powell wrote Scouting for Boys (London, 1908), partly based on his earlier military books. The Scout Movement of both Boy Scouts and Girl Guides (renamed to Girl Scouts in some countries) was well established in the first decade of the twentieth century. Later, programs for younger children, such as Wolf Cubs (1916), now Cubs, and for older adolescents, such as Rovers (1918), were adopted by some Scout organizations. In 1910, Baden-Powell formed the Girl Guides, for girls in the United Kingdom which spread internationally as Girl Guides and includes age programs of (Brownie Guide, Girl Guide and Girl Scout, Ranger Guide).In 2007, Scouting and Guiding together had over 38 million members in 216 countries. International umbrella organizations include:World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), for boys-only and co-educational organizationsWorld Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), primarily for girls-only organizations but also accepting co-educational organizationsWorld Federation of Independent ScoutsWorld Organization of Independent ScoutsOrder of World ScoutsInternational Union of Guides and Scouts of EuropeConfederation of European Scouts

Scouting in Ohio (Wikipedia)


Scouting in Ohio has a long history, from the 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.

Boy Scouts of America sex abuse cases (Wikipedia)


The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with 2.3 million youth members and approximately 889,000 adult volunteers in 2017. In 1979 there were over 5 million youths in BSA.The high risk of sex abuse in volunteer youth organizations has been recognized, and, in 1988, the BSA created a sex abuse education and prevention program called the Youth Protection program to help address the problem. There were around 2,000 reported cases of abuse within the Boy Scouts of America prior to 1994.In 2010, a jury ordered that the Boy Scouts of America pay US$18.5 million (equivalent to $25.8 million in 2023) to a scout who was abused in the 1980s – the largest punitive damages award to a single plaintiff in a child abuse case in the US.On February 18, 2020, the Boy Scouts of America filed for a Chapter 11 financial restructuring to offer "equitable compensation" to survivors and their families. The BSA cited approximately 200 pending lawsuits in state and federal district courts across the United States and 1,700 potential claimants in total. In May of that same year, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware set November 16, 2020, at 5pm EST as the bar date for all survivors of sexual abuse; 92,700 sexual abuse claims were filed with the bankruptcy court by the deadline.In December 2021, the insurer for the BSA agreed to pay $800 million into a fund for survivors, and in September 2022 – as part of their bankruptcy settlement – the BSA agreed to pay over $2.4 billion into the fund, with payments beginning in September 2023.

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of the Philippines) (Wikipedia)


Eagle Scout is the highest rank awarded to a Senior Scout in the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). To be awarded the rank, a Scout must lead in planning and doing two community service projects and earn a total of 23 merit badges consisting of 17 required merit badges and 2 specialist ratings (a specialist rating involves 3 related merit badges and a community service project). After achieving the rank of Eagle, a Scout may earn an Anahaw award for earning 2 additional specialist ratings.The term Eagle Scout, Eagle, or Agila is used to refer to a person who was given the award. The award's name was derived from the Eagle Scout awarded by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). From 1923 to 1936 (when the Philippines was a protectorate of the United States), the BSA administered the Boy Scouts program in the Philippines through the Philippine Council, BSA. According to the BSP's Diamond Jubilee Yearbook from 1936 to September 1996 there are 121,369 Scouts awarded the highest rank by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.The BSP's highest rank went through a number of name and requirement changes through the years after the Philippines gained its independence from the United States of America.Eagle Scout (1936–1962)José Rizal Scout (1962–1976)Scout Citizen Award (1976–1994)Eagle Scout (1994–present)All awardees are eligible for membership into the Eagle Scouts Organization of the Philippines, the fellowship and service association of all Eagle Scouts from the BSP and from the BSA having Filipino lineage and/or nationality and the National Eagle Scouts Association of the Philippines, the Premiere Honor Society of Eagle Scouts in the Philippines.

Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America) (Wikipedia)


Cub Scouting is part of the Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), available to boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade, or 5 to 10 years of age and their families. Its membership is the largest of the five main BSA divisions (Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Exploring and Sea Scouting). Cub Scouting is part of the worldwide Scouting movement and aims to promote character development, citizenship training, personal fitness, and leadership.

Ranks in the Boy Scouts of America (Wikipedia)


The advancement program for Scouts participating in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America is symbolized by the earning of seven ranks. The advancement program is often considered to be divided into two phases. The first phase from joining to First Class is designed to teach the scout Scoutcraft skills, how to participate in a group and to learn self-reliance. The Scout badge is awarded when the Scout demonstrates a rudimentary knowledge of the Scouting ideals and program. Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class have progressively harder requirements in the areas of Scoutcraft, physical fitness, citizenship, personal growth and Scout Spirit.The second phase: Star, Life, and Eagle, is designed to develop leadership skills and allow the Scout to explore potential vocations and avocations through the merit badge program. The Star and Life ranks require that the scout serve in a position of responsibility and perform community service. Except for Scout rank (and Eagle Palms as of August 1, 2017), all ranks require that the candidate participate in a Scoutmaster conference and pass a Board of Review.

Eagle Scout (Wikipedia)


Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, 14 of which are mandatory for the award. The Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements.Those who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout also become eligible, although are not required, to join the National Eagle Scout Association.

Eagle Scout (disambiguation) (Wikipedia)


Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America.List of Eagle ScoutsEagle Scout may refer to similar ranks in other Scout organizations:Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of the Philippines)Pramuka Garuda (Eagle Scout), the highest rank of Gerakan Pramuka, the Indonesian Scout AssociationEagle Award, the highest rank of the Zambia Scouts AssociationAssyrian Eagle Scouts of Australia association

Eagle Scout Service Project (Wikipedia)


The Eagle Scout Service Project, or simply Eagle Project, is the opportunity for a Scout (Scouts, B.S.A.), or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (B.S.A.) to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of their community. This is the culmination of the Scout's leadership training, and it requires a significant effort on his or her part. The project must benefit an organization other than the B.S.A., and it cannot be performed for an individual or a business or be commercial in nature. Completing an Eagle Project is a requirement in order for Scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank.

List of Eagle Scouts (Wikipedia)


Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program division of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since it was first awarded to Arthur Rose Eldred on August 21, 1912, Eagle Scout has been earned by more than two million youth. The list below includes notable recipients.As of 2014, requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit, leadership, and service. The requirements include an Eagle Scout Service Project where the Scout must further demonstrate service and leadership. Eagle Scouts are recognized with a medal and a cloth badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Eagle Palms are a further recognition, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements. Typically adult volunteers who have received the Eagle award as a youth wear a smaller patch depicting a square knot.The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is bestowed to Eagle Scouts for nationally renowned distinguished service in their profession and to the community for a period of at least 25 years after earning the Eagle Scout rank. Since its introduction in 1969 by the National Eagle Scout Association, the DESA has been awarded to over 2,000 Eagle Scouts.[a]The NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) is bestowed to Eagle Scouts who have distinguished themselves at a local-to-regional level or who have not yet met the 25-year tenure requirement to be considered for a DESA. This award was introduced in 2011.

National Eagle Scout Association (Wikipedia)


The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA, pronounced nee sah) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. NESA's stated objective is "to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting."

Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (Wikipedia)


The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is awarded to an Eagle Scout who has achieved extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation and has a strong record of voluntary service to their community. Stringent criteria begins with a minimum of 25 years from the official record date the Eagle Scout rank was earned, a nomination process, selection committee review, and approval by the National Eagle Scout Association. It is one of only two BSA awards presented to adults dependent upon the recipient's having been awarded Eagle Scout as a youth; the other is the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA). Recipients of the DESA are known as Distinguished Eagle Scouts.

Summit Township, Pennsylvania (Wikipedia)


Summit Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:Summit Township, Butler County, PennsylvaniaSummit Township, Crawford County, PennsylvaniaSummit Township, Erie County, PennsylvaniaSummit Township, Potter County, PennsylvaniaSummit Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania

SOURCES

AP News

Boy Scouts of America changing name to more inclusive Scouting America after years of woes

By JAMIE STENGLE

AP News

A look at some of the turmoil surrounding the Boy Scouts, from a gay ban to bankruptcy

By JAMIE STENGLE

CBS News

The Boy Scouts of America has a new name — and it's more inclusive

CBS News

NY Post

Boy Scouts to officially change their name after bankruptcy, sexual abuse woes —here’s what they’ll be called now

NY Post

Yahoo! News

Boy Scouts of America changing name to more inclusive Scouting America after years of woes

Yahoo! News

Yahoo! News

Boy Scouts will change name to Scouting America in major rebrand after years of woes

Yahoo! News

Daily Mail

Boy Scouts of America changes name after 114 years to boost inclusion

Bethan Sexton

NBC

Boy Scouts of America will change its name to Scouting America in an effort to be more inclusive

NBC

The Guardian

Boy Scouts of America changes name after bankruptcy and sexual abuse claims

Associated Press

Washington Post

Boy Scouts rebrands as Scouting America, dropping gendered name

Washington Post

NPR

After years of scandal, Boy Scouts of America changes its name to Scouting America

NPR

Fox News

Boy Scouts of America making this big change to be more inclusive

Fox News

The Huffington Post

Boy Scouts Of America Changing Name For 1st Time In 114-Year History

The Huffington Post

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French Creek Council

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Scouting in Pennsylvania

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Boy Scouts of America

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Boy Scouts of the Philippines

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Scouting

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Scouting in Ohio

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Boy Scouts of America sex abuse cases

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Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of the Philippines)

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Cub Scouting (Boy Scouts of America)

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Ranks in the Boy Scouts of America

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Eagle Scout

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Eagle Scout (disambiguation)

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Eagle Scout Service Project

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List of Eagle Scouts

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National Eagle Scout Association

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Distinguished Eagle Scout Award

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Summit Township, Pennsylvania

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