Scouting America's Decline: The Cost of Over-Inclusivity

Between 2019 and 2021, the Boy Scouts lost close to half its membership. As the organization announces another rebrand to "Scouting America," it's worth asking: at what cost does inclusivity come?

The Boy Scouts, an organization steeped in tradition and values since its founding in 1910, is undergoing yet another transformation in a bid to appear more inclusive. Originally established to instill virtues of patriotism, duty, and moral integrity in young boys, the organization now opens its ranks to all, regardless of gender or identity. But as they strive to be all things to all people, they risk becoming nothing to anyone.

• Historical Decline
  Since 2018, when girls were first admitted, membership has plummeted. This week's rebrand to Scouting America marks another step away from its roots.

• Diluted Values
  The shift from a boy-focused development program to a gender-neutral one has sparked debate about the erosion of traditional values that once defined the Scouts.

• Membership Loss
  With a staggering drop from 1.97 million members in 2019 to just 762,000 in 2021, the decline speaks volumes about public sentiment toward these changes.

BSA President and CEO Roger A. Krone emphasized that the rebranding as Scouting America is meant to make the organization more welcoming, but many are skeptical. The name change and the policy shifts seem to cater more to progressive ideals than the members it seeks to serve.

The introduction of girls in 2017 was controversial but defended as a move toward inclusivity. Yet, as the Scouts open their doors wider, including transgender and gay members, they move further from the principles laid out by founder Robert Baden-Powell, who saw scouting as "applied Christianity," aimed at fostering a robust moral fiber within its young participants.

This transformation has not been without its consequences:

• Legal Battles
  From lawsuits in the 1990s challenging gender-based exclusion to more recent disputes over transgender rights, legal struggles have reshaped the Scouts.

• Financial Strains
  A massive sexual abuse scandal led to bankruptcy filings in 2020, with the organization forced to settle claims with a $2.5 billion fund, further crippling its financial stability.

This series of changes reflects a broader societal shift towards extreme inclusivity, but it also highlights a tragic loss of identity for an organization that once boasted five million members in its heyday during the 1970s. The attempt to be universally appealing is paradoxically driving potential members away, suggesting that the Scouts' effort to modernize could be its undoing.

Andrew Clyde, a representative from Georgia, succinctly captured the sentiment many feel about the organization's current trajectory, tweeting, "Wokeness destroys everything it touches." As Scouting America tries to find its new place in society, it might just find itself without a constituency.

As we reflect on the evolution of this century-old organization, it begs the question: when does inclusivity start to undermine the very fabric of an institution? If you're concerned about the future of youth organizations and the preservation of traditional values, consider sharing your thoughts and this article.