Going in to effect next February, The Boy Scouts are changing their name after 108 years.
The youth program will now be known as Scouts BSA, dropping the word "boy." The name change stems from the decision to allow girls into the ranks for the first time in its 108-year history. The parent organization, Boy Scouts of America, and the Cub Scouts will retain their name.
Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh expects that participants will simply refer to themselves as "scouts" without needing "boy" or "girl". Surbaugh said, “We wanted to land on something that evokes the past but also conveys the inclusive nature of the program going forward. We’re trying to find the right way to say we’re here for both young men and young women."
The programs and merit badges will remain the same, but troops will be separated by gender. So far 3,000 girls have signed up to join the "scouts", while Girl Scouts of the USA leaders are gearing up to combat defections.
Were you a scout? What were some of your favorite moments?
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