Scouting America

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

IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.

https://apnews.com/article/boy-scouts-new-name-scouting-america-d583f5712680f155b4f6b762128734d3?

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♻️ Irving-based Boy Scouts to ditch gendered name

By April Rubin

An Eagle Scout merit badge sash. Photo: Al Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Irving-based Boy Scouts of America will change its name to Scouting America next year to be more inclusive. Why it matters: The rebranding of the more than century-old organization comes after widespread allegations of abuse by former members and a careful exit plan from bankruptcy. Driving the news: The organization announced the new name this week and said it will go into effect in February. "This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting," the group's president and CEO Roger Krone said. Context: Boy Scouts began accepting girls in 2019. The organization serves more than 176,000 girls and young women, including over 6,000 Eagle Scouts. Flashback: More than 80,000 people have said they were sexually abused as children within the Boy Scouts organization. The claims dating back decades resulted in a lawsuit that ended last year with the country's largest sexual abuse settlement of $2.46 billion. The settlement allowed the organization to go through with its reorganization plan to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy. What we're watching: How Boy Scouts' transition to a more inclusive name will affect Girl Scouts of America.

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Tech skills

Scouting America, the organization formerly known as the Boy Scouts, offers hundreds of merit badges — from fishing to fingerprinting. Now kids will have a chance to earn two new ones based on modern technology.