An Eagle Scout shows off his merit badge sash. Photo: Al Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Boy Scouts of America will change its name to Scouting America in an effort 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 name change comes in an effort to reflect the organization's inclusivity, the organization said Tuesday in a statement.
- "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.
- The name change will go into effect in February 2025.
Context: More than 80,000 men have said they were sexually abused as children within the organization prompting a lawsuit representing victims, including some of whom are elderly.
- Last year, a federal judge upheld a $2.46 billion settlement with the organization and the litigants.
- This allowed the organization to go through with its reorganization plan to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Zoom out: The organization began accepting girls to join in 2019.
- More than 176,000 girls and young women are currently served by its programs, including over 6,000 Eagle Scouts, the organization said in a statement