IRVING, Texas (NEWSnet/AP) — Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history, and will become Scouting America.

It’s a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy, following claims of sexual abuse claims, and seeks to focus on inclusion.

The organization’s new name takes effect Feb. 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary. 

With an eye on increasing membership, the Texas-based organization announced the name change Tuesday at its annual meeting.

“In the next 100 years, we want any youth in America to feel very, very welcome to come into our programs,” said Roger Krone, who became president and CEO in fall 2023.

In 2013, the organization began allowing gay youth to join, and ended a ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. Beginning in 2018, girls are accepted as Cub Scouts and 2019 into the flagship Boy Scouts program, renamed Scouts BSA. Nearly 1,000 girls were in the inaugural Eagles Scouts class in 2021.

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