by David Boatwright

Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is facing an alarming threat. A recently leaked memo suggests that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is considering cutting long-standing military partnerships with the organization. The memo criticizes Scouting America for embracing diversity, equity and inclusion and describes it as a “genderless” program that is no longer merit-based. It also claims that these policies conflict with the goal of “cultivating masculine values.”

As a parent of two boys in a local scout troop, I think it’s a great organization. While Scouting America has loose ties to the military and some overlapping practices (including some events at military sites such as the USS Constitution), the organization focuses on good values, respecting the environment, helping the community, and old-fashioned fun such as hiking and camping. 

Scouting America has relied on military partnerships for decades. These connections support financial aid, national events, and overnight educational programs at places such as the USS Massachusetts and West Point. Earning the status of Eagle Scout can even lead to higher military pay for new enlistees. If the proposal in the Defense Department’s memo moves forward, scouts could lose access to all of these opportunities. Some changes require action by Congress, but the memo hints that Hegseth may try to use national security exceptions to act on his own.

The leaked memo appears designed to pressure Scouting America to walk back its inclusive policies. It opens the door to demands such as reinstating the old Boy Scouts of America name, removing co-ed programs, banning LGBTQ+ youth and leaders, or weakening core values that emphasize kindness, respect, helpfulness and integrity. Anyone who has worked with the Scouts knows that the program is merit-based and deeply focused on building leadership skills and character — values that have guided generations of young people.

Moments like this matter. They remind us that healthy democracies protect spaces where young people can learn responsibility, courage and empathy. When authoritarian political leaders attempt to reshape youth organizations to fit narrow ideological goals, we risk losing the broad, civic-minded values that help communities thrive. 

Authoritarian regimes throughout history have created ideological youth organizations to push their goals and culture, as Germany did with its Hitler Youth program. That could happen here if we don’t push back hard.

Why this matters for all of us

Scouting America teaches skills and principles that strengthen our communities: service, leadership, honesty and a willingness to work with others across differences. These are traditional American values, and they reflect the kind of society most of us want for our kids.

The organization has not taken any action in response to Hegseth’s memo. This is our moment to encourage the Scouts to stand strong before pressure intensifies. Supportive voices from families, community members and advocates can help Scouting America stay true to its mission.

What you can do right now

Reach out to Scouting America’s leadership. Encourage them to remain firm in their inclusive policies and remind them that many families value these principles. Let them know that short-term political pressure shouldn’t override the long-term health and integrity of the program. Point out that public backlash could follow any decision to weaken the group’s values. This position paper provides talking points, and here is a sample letter/email or an alternate version.

Email your members of Congress using your own version of this sample message. Scouting America is one of the few organizations that is nationally chartered by Congress, so members have an obligation to care about the well-being of the organization. Ask your representative to block any attempts to cut military support for Scouts and to prevent political interference in Scouting America’s policies. Congress can stop efforts to misuse legal exceptions to remove funding or access. 

Mobilize your community. Share this issue with friends, family and local groups. Encourage others to write letters, make calls, or reach out to Scouting America’s leadership.

We can protect the values that shape future leaders.

This is a moment for proactive support. By speaking up now, we can help ensure that Scouting America continues teaching courage, kindness, service and integrity — values that help build a strong and inclusive democracy.

Revised and edited with the assistance of AI tools. 

Photos are online stock, and unless otherwise noted, courtesy, Scouting America. IndivisiBlog does not publish photos in which children are recognizable.

David Boatwright is a Scout parent and a member of Indivisible Weston.