Scouts BSA

This article is about the membership level for youth 11 to 17 years of age. For the national organization, see Boy Scouts of America.

Scouts BSA
Troop 1887, from Fairfax Virginia at a 4th of July celebration
OwnerBoy Scouts of America
Age range11 to 17 years[1]
CountryUnited States
Founded1910
Membership
  • 826,045 youth
  • 485,315 adults
  • 37,739 troops (2013)[2]
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Sea Scouts
Website
scouting.org
Standard uniform colors for Scouts BSA
 Scouting portal

Scouts BSA (Known as Boy Scouts until 2019) is the flagship program and membership level of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) for coeducational young people between the ages of typically 11 and 17. It provides youth training in character, citizenship, personal fitness, and leadership, and aims to develop the skills necessary to become successful adults.[3][4]

To foster these skills, Scouting utilizes eight methods of Scouting to guide their educational programing: scouting ideals (as exemplified by the Scout Oath, the Scout Law, the Scout Motto, and the Scout Slogan), the patrol method of working in small groups, participation in outdoor programs, advancement and recognition for achievements, adult leaders, personal growth, leadership development, and the uniform.

The participants, also known as Scouts, are organized into small groups called Scout troops, which are led by both leaders given the title of senior patrol leaders (SPLs), and adult leaders, called Scouters.[5][6] In February 2019, the program began admitting girls as well as boys, and the name of the program was changed from "Boy Scouts" to "Scouts BSA".[7][8]

  1. ^ Boy Scouts of America Youth Application (PDF). Boy Scouts of America. #28-406B. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 28, 2008. Retrieved March 10, 2008.
  2. ^ "Overview of Boy Scouts of America". Boy Scouts of America. 2013.
  3. ^ On May 7, 2024, BSA announced that the organization will change its name to Scouting America on February 8, 2025. The uniforms will remain the same but will be embroidered with the new name. The change does not affect the name of "Scouts BSA".
  4. ^ Nicole Chavez (May 7, 2024). "Boy Scouts of America announces rebrand to 'Scouting America'". CNN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  5. ^ "What Is Boy Scouting?". Boy Scouts of America. Archived from the original on May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
  6. ^ "Scouting's Adventures for Older Scouts".
  7. ^ "Boy Scouts allowing girls into Cub program, but will keep them separate". ABC News. October 12, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  8. ^ Domonoske, Camila (May 2, 2018). "Boy Scouts Changing Name To 'Scouts BSA', As Girls Welcomed into Program". NPR.