The Boy Scouts of America was formed more than 100 years ago to meet the needs of boys. It’s estimated that more than 2.4 million boys participate in the organization in the United States. The Boy Scouts’ mission is:
“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.”
Until January 2014, homosexual youth were not allowed to join the Boy Scouts. The National Council lifted the ban on openly gay boys. There was concern that the Boy Scouts of America would face serious legal challenges to the policy, which was considered “unsustainable.” The following year, the ban on openly gay adults serving as volunteers was lifted.
Just recently, the Boy Scouts changed its position on gender identity. The Boy Scouts has programs which serve boys and girls, but the scouting program has always deferred to the gender identity listed on an individual’s birth certificate for entry into Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. On January 30, this policy changed to accept transgender boys into the clubs.
How Is the Decision Affecting Troops Organized Within Churches?
Although the Boy Scouts are accepting gay leaders and gay boy scouts, each chartered organization within the Boy Scouts may “establish criteria for their units’ adult leaders consistent with the organization’s values.” Some churches are evaluating how the transgender decision will affect the troops. There is concern about compromising situations on outings. However, there is also concern about allowing individual groups to discriminate. There will be a lot more discussion on the topic in the next few months.
Both the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ praised the move by the Boy Scouts. The groups are excited about steps toward inclusion. Local councils will monitor applications to make sure that boys are directed to the unit that can provide services in the best interest of the child.
Other Options for Boys
The Boy Scouts of America might be one of the oldest and largest organizations for boys, but there are many other groups open to different memberships. Although some of these groups are exclusive and do not encourage LGBT+ boys to join, these groups are alternatives to the Boy Scouts.
- Trail Life USA – from its website, TLUSA advertises itself as a “Christian Outdoor adventure program that emphasizes and teaches biblical moral values and requires all adult members to agree with, sign, and abide by the Trail Life USA Trinitarian Statement of Faith and the Statement of Values.”
- Royal Rangers – formed by the Assemblies of God, the Royal Rangers have “outposts” for grades kindergarten through twelfth.
- Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders – for boys and girls aged 10 through 15, with an emphasis on camping.
- Calvinist Cadet Corps – a biblical program for boys aged four through eighteen. The Cadet Corps encourages practical application of the Bible and how God is revealed in nature.
- The Knights of Columbus’ Columbian Squires – the organization for Roman Catholic boys aged 10 through 18.
- The Baden-Powell Service Association – a newer group founded in 2008 with an inclusive and coed membership policy.
- Camp Fire – a secular organization which became coed in 1975. Camp Fire is inclusive and welcomes diverse families, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, sexual orientation, gender, creed or disability.
- Navigators USA – this program grew out of the Boy Scouts in 2003. Even though there are few chapters outside of New York, the group is inclusive and coed.
Transgender girls are welcome in the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, but the GSUSA is not a coed organization that accepts boys.