Scouting America: Faith and Community Rebuild After Crisis

Wed Sep 17 2025 22:45:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America, emerges from a turbulent decade, focusing on its faith-driven roots and increasing youth engagement.

Despite facing significant challenges, Scouting America is seeing a resurgence in membership, attributed to the unwavering support from religious organizations. The organization continues to integrate faith into its activities while adapting to modern needs, showcasing its commitment to values-based development in youth.

Scouting America: Faith and Community Rebuild After Crisis

NEW YORK (MetaWorld.Media) — After overcoming a tumultuous transition period, Scouting America finds itself regaining footing with a slight uptick in membership, buoyed by faith-based support. The organization, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, rebranded following challenges including the opening of its doors to LGBTQ+ members and girls, coupled with a bankruptcy declaration in 2020 linked to claims of past sexual abuse.

Despite serving fewer youths than during its peak, Scouting America is stabilizing due to the loyalty from major religious groups which see its mission aligning with their own. Bill Guglielmi, chair of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, emphasizes the current value of being part of a values-centric organization.

Guglielmi lauds the integration of traditional scouting activities with modern experiences, such as indoor skydiving and merit badges focused on artificial intelligence, while maintaining a focus on communal prayer and worship, which remains an integral part of scouting activities.

The Role of Faith in Scouting

Data indicates that 42% of the nearly 40,000 Scouting America units are affiliated with faith-based organizations. The Catholic Church alone oversees over 3,500 units, serving more than 87,100 scouts. Guglielmi notes that the sense of community and shared values fosters deeper engagement among parents and scouts alike.

Former scoutmaster Bill McCalister articulates the importance of worship within the scouting experience, with many scouts viewing the organization as their ‘church.’ This sentiment echoes across diverse faith groups, including Muslim, Jewish, and interfaith units, which embrace the character development focus inherent to scouting.

Scouting America’s president and CEO, Roger Krone, acknowledges that while the organization welcomes everyone, it retains its commitment to religious principles at the core of its mission. The Scout Oath emphasizes duty to God, and will remain a foundational aspect of the program.

Inclusion and Community Engagement

Troop 228 in California exemplifies this inclusive approach, chartered by a Catholic church, where scouts of various faiths actively participate in religiously-themed events without pressure to conform to specific beliefs. Leaders encourage an environment of curiosity and respect, inviting discussion about different faiths while nurturing the tenets of scouting.

However, the organization has faced challenges in maintaining its member base in light of its 2013 policy changes that allowed gay youth and girls to join. Notably, the withdrawal of over 400,000 scouts by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2020 marked a significant loss. Nonetheless, Krone remains optimistic, encouraging families to explore Scouting America’s offerings, emphasizing an inclusive atmosphere.

Looking Ahead

As Scouting America forges ahead, the commitment from leaders involved in faith-based units remains unwavering. With a renewed focus on character development, inclusivity, and spiritual growth, the organization continues to adapt, aiming to resonate with broader community values and build a stronger future for its youth.