Large scouting organizations (male, female or both) constantly undergo adaptations, changes, and reorganization, both big and small. For example, yesteryear’s Campfire Girls is now Campfire USA, which today has almost as many boys enlisted in its programs as girls. Also, the Boy Scouts and Explorer programs now have more female leaders and gender-mixed activities.

Additionally, the Girl Scouts of the USA recently realigned themselves by merging 312 councils across the country into 109. Several campgrounds were closed or sold through this merger, some of them popular ones. This merger also changed several district and regional boundaries, which caused a few frictional control issues at the local levels. Yet, their ingenious outdoor camping programs remain basically the same as they were before the merger, except they now take place in few campgrounds with larger attendances.

One Midwestern girl-scout leader was slightly frustrated by this merger, and claimed in a newspaper article that “when a girl learns how to pitch a tent, and cook a meal over a fire, she has learned skills that will do her well the rest of her life.” Truer words were never spoken.

Actually, the training of our youth in the worlds of nature and outdoor survival offers much more than these simple basics. It also teaches necessary teamwork, respect for nature and fellowmen, clear thinking, confidence, self-reliance, life-skills, and reverence toward forces greater than ourselves. Also, the recital of scouting oaths, codes, and mottoes instill worthwhile positive thinking. Furthermore, in certain summer camping programs, most electronic devices, especially the routine co-dependent, time-consuming games, are left at home.

Five causes behind these organizational changes

1. Outdated merit badges, dress codes, facilities, technologies, and customs. Today, for example, most young people wear well-made comfort shoes instead of the heavy hiking boots of yesteryear. Writing and typewriting merit badges have shifted toward computer and similar device usages instead.

2. Loss or gain of membership. Changing neighborhoods and/or demographics can affect organizational size and memberships, sometimes for the better.

3. Societal factors. Today’s youth have become more cosmopolitan by dealing with multiethnic issues routinely. They deal with such issues at school, and later, in their work places.

4. Loss of finances (poor cookie or popcorn sales; lawsuits). Losses of annual dues, regular donations, and sales revenues will affect organizational size and management trends. An occasional scandal or lawsuit will also affect these trends and their financial capabilities.

5. Need for new program options. Contemporary changes and lifestyles needs will bring about program changes. For example, increased single parenting has brought on the need for shared role-modeling in these organizations. Also, multiethnic memberships require specific program adjustments for all.

Conclusion

Although scouting organizations continually evolve for necessary improvement, modernization, and survival, their basic programs and teachings remain positive and enlightening for all their members. Thus, today’s scouting programs prepare their members for how to live and survive in an ever-changing world. To learn more about scouting and similar groups, see these websites.