This is a guest article from Boy Scouts of America Youth Protection Executive Glen Pounder.   While criminal background and reference checks can be valuable tools in helping to prevent abuse, no organization should ever rely on them alone. Youth-serving organizations, schools, sporting organizations, houses of worship – every institution where adults interact with kids – must remain vigilant and bolster the use of criminal background and reference checks along with a set of policies, awareness, training, and implementation measures that are always applied.    “Stranger Dang ..read more

Plan to join the leadership of the BSA at the Scouting Forward: 2023 National Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, May 30 – June 1, 2023, as we look to the future of Scouting.   During the first full face-to-face meeting since 2019, attendees will discuss the key imperatives critical to BSA’s ongoing work on behalf of America’s youth. Please review the NAM Registration Guide below for further information.   REGISTRATION:  To register for the National Annual Meeting please click this link: Registration  To book your hotel reservation please click this lin ..read more

BSA National Colleagues, We are writing to you today to provide some exciting news about our national organization’s financial restructuring case. Today, the District Court has ruled to uphold the order confirming the BSA’s Plan of Reorganization, which is poised to establish the largest sexual abuse compensation fund in the history of the United States—currently valued at $2.4 billion, with the opportunity for significant additional contributions from non-settling insurance companies and other parties.  This ruling brings us one step closer to emergence from bankruptcy. In addition to th ..read more

Robert Ridgeway has been selected as the Vice President and General Manager of the Summit Bechtel Reserve, effective October 1, 2022.   Robert Ridgeway Rob began his journey with the Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR) in 2009 as lead consultant for the State of West Virginia search committee. After the site was selected, he transitioned to Trinity Works as Project Manager for the development of the SBR. In October 2013, Rob began his BSA career as the Director of Facilities. In this role, he directed the maintenance and further development of the site along with leading the entire facilities ..read more

Leslie Thibodeaux has been selected as the General Manager of the Northern Tier High Adventure Base, effective Sept 24, 2022. After many years serving on summer camp staff, Leslie began her Professional Scouting career in 2001 as a District Executive in the Longs Peak Council in Greeley, CO.  She served as District Executive in two rural districts in Wyoming as well as the director of the Council’s Cub Scout resident camp. In 2003, she was promoted to Camping Director, where she managed the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, eventually becoming the Director of Camps and Operations for the cou ..read more

Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and Boy Scouts of America (BSA) have entered into an agreement to end the ongoing trademark infringement litigation between the two parties. Both organizations are looking forward to focusing on their respective missions to serve youth. The agreement is subject to approval by the Court overseeing BSA’s bankruptcy proceedings. Under the agreement, GSUSA permanently withdraws all of the trademark claims made in the case and agrees not to appeal the summary judgement ruling of the District Court. In return, BSA relinquishes its claims for legal ..read more

The value of Scouting is undeniable for those within the program and the greater public, and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is committed to continuing to offer this unmatched opportunity to young people and families nationwide. As costs on many daily goods and services continue to rise dramatically, the BSA has worked to keep its membership fee as low as possible. However, these external pressures continue to have an effect, and the annual membership fee must be increased to address the fiscal realities necessary to continue delivering a safe and quality Scouting program.   To ensure the ..read more

Originally planned for May 23-27, 2022, the BSA National Annual Meeting has been postponed to a later date (to be announced) in 2022. The BSA National Executive Board recently approved the postponement of the National Annual Meeting to accommodate for date changes in the ongoing bankruptcy process.   Rescheduling the National Annual Meeting to occur after the BSA emerges from bankruptcy will help to allow sufficient time to prepare to transact all required business. The meeting will be scheduled within 120 days following the BSA’s emergence from bankruptcy, and all business required ..read more

Last year, upon the completion of the BSA National Annual Meeting, the BSA announced that its intention would be to hold an in-person National Annual Meeting in San Diego on May 23-27, 2022. Due to uncertainties connected with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteer-led National Executive Board has made the decision to hold the meeting virtually again this year. Look for additional updates in the weeks ahead with further details on registration, meetings, breakouts, sponsors, and more. The post Update: The 2022 BSA National Annual Meeting Will Now Be Held Virtually appeared first on Scout ..read more

Anna Marie Moran has been named Supervisor, Alumni Relations Annual Support for the BSA Office of Development effective June 1, 2021. Alumni Relations focuses on increasing and improving alumni involvement, supporting the BSA Alumni Association and members of the esteemed National Eagle Scout Association, and working closely with Alumni and NESA volunteer committees. Program areas under the auspices of the Alumni Relations department include the NESA Scholarship platforms, the many alumni award programs including DESA, NOESA and the Adams awards, as well as Alumni and NESA communications chann ..read more