The 115-year-old Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has officially changed its name to Scouting America in an effort to “meet the evolving needs of young people.” This follows its 2018 decision to allow girls to join, shifting away from its original mission of developing young men, and its 2013 policy change permitting openly homosexual leaders.

“The fact that we were going with a more kind of gender-neutral name, a lot of people kind of wanted to know more about it,” CEO and President Roger Krone told The Associated Press.

He said the new name will “ensure future generations have the opportunity to benefit from this transformative program,” according to this week’s statement.

But the truth is that the organization no longer offers what the neediest boys have long needed: a male-only, patriotic, morally upright environment.

Young boys growing up without a dad in the home are the ones who’ve most benefited from the attention, leadership and example of positive manhood.

When I was raising my sons as a single mom, I was well aware that boys raised without a dad around are more likely to commit crime, end up in prison, drop out of school, use alcohol and drugs, be depressed and angry, earn lower incomes, experience more social and psychological problems, and become unmarried (and uninvolved) teen fathers themselves.

I was also aware of another tragic correlation with boys raised without a dad: Compelling research shows they’re far more vulnerable to sexual abuse and other attacks on their innocence.

If openly gay men had been permitted to lead a Boy Scouts troop when my children were young, there’s no way I would’ve signed up my 7-year-old to go on camping trips, especially without his own father along.

“Whether it’s a camping trip, a pinewood derby car race or a trail hike, every adventure encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination,” the organization’s statement said.

“As we look to the future, Scouting America is dedicated to providing young people with the values, skills and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the values and skills instilled by Scouting are more critical than ever and the need for strong character, ethical decision-making and effective leadership remains paramount.”

The word “values” is used, but today’s definition of values depends on what group is speaking.

In 2023, the Boys Scouts held its “National Jamboree” in the hills of West Virginia. Reporter Mike De Socio attended and, writing in The Washington Post, described the shell of an organization he encountered: “The Jamboree drew only 15,000 scouts compared to 40,000 at the previous Jamboree in 2017. Between 2019 and 2021, the Boy Scouts lost 62% of its membership.”

De Socio, who identifies as gay, praised the “progressive palooza” the jamboree had become. Specifically, he touted the pride tent, complete with “LGBTQ Pride flags and a string of multicolored lights, tables covered with bowls of rainbow bracelets, pronoun stickers and diversity patches,” adding that a diversity merit badge is now required to become an Eagle Scout.

If you’re trying to raise a “morally straight” Catholic boy, Scouting America can’t help you. The group is no longer willing to promote churchgoing, patriotic, devoted husbands and fathers as role models.

“Scouting America has remained committed to providing youth with a safe environment where they can learn meaningful life skills, create lifelong memories and grow into tomorrow’s leaders,” the organization wrote in the statement.

But will it really offer a “safe environment?” The research suggests otherwise, with data pointing to a different reality.

In a tweet on X, theology professor and Eagle Scout Anthony Bradley called the Boy Scouts’ decision to become just “Scouts” an “absolute disaster”: “We’re at the peak of the #BoyCrisis. Girls are allowed to have single-sex contexts for formation but boys are not (and we’re going to suffer the consequences [of] dismantling these third-spaces for guys).”

Fortunately, there are new alternatives that remain true to God.

One such organization is Trail Life USA, founded around the time the Boy Scouts succumbed to ideology. Its mission is to raise courageous young men to “honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.”