Boy Scouts of America

What Boy Scouts of America does

Scouting America (legally Boy Scouts of America) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization founded in 1910 and chartered by Congress, headquartered at the National Service Center in Irving, Texas. The organization serves over 1 million youth members aged 5-20 through a portfolio of age-graded programs: Cub Scouts (grades K-5), Scouts BSA (ages 11-17), Venturing (ages 14-20), Sea Scouts (ages 14-20), and Exploring (ages 10-20). Programs are delivered through a decentralized network of more than 250 local councils and thousands of chartered organizations (religious institutions, civic associations, schools) that host volunteer-led units, supported by four owned National High Adventure Bases (Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Sea Base in Florida, Northern Tier in Minnesota, and Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia).

Revenue is generated through three principal streams: recurring annual membership fees ($85 per Scouts BSA youth annually at the national level, with additional local council and unit fees), retail merchandise sales through the Scout Shop (the exclusive retailer, with 35% of every purchase supporting Scouting), and grants and donations including a multi-year Lilly Endowment grant supporting the Impact365 national service initiative launched in February 2026. Digital infrastructure includes the My.Scouting member portal and Scoutbook advancement tracking platform. The organization rebranded from Boy Scouts of America to Scouting America in 2024 to reflect an inclusive mission welcoming all youth, while preserving its 1910 Congressional charter and 130-million-strong historical alumni base.

Operationally, the organization emerged from a February 2020 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing with a $2.46 billion abuse-related settlement plan approved in 2023. Ongoing Supreme Court challenges from abuse survivors seeking to overturn the bankruptcy plan's third-party litigation shield constitute residual legal overhang. Strategic priorities in 2025-2026 include the Impact365 service initiative (targeting over eight million service hours), the America250 civic-leadership partnership, the 2026 National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve, and the June 2026 divestiture of the 284-acre Babcock-Hovey Scout Camp to New York State for $5.9 million. The organization is governed by a National Executive Board, is not owned by any parent company, and has no venture capital or private equity ownership.

Name

Boy Scouts of America

Legal name

Boy Scouts of America

Website

https://scouting.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Scouting America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization, founded in 1910 and chartered by Congress, serving over 1 million youth aged 5-20 through age-graded programs delivered via 250+ local councils, four national high-adventure bases, and chartered organizations across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Youth Multi-Sport Camps (General Athletics, Summer Camps) (MPAKAJAA)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Scouting programs
• Outdoor adventure education
• Leadership training
• Character development

Headquarters

HQ city

Irving

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from youth members and adult volunteers. Scouts BSA annual fee is $85 per year with additional fees charged by local councils and units.
2. Scout Shop Sales: Scout Shop is the exclusive retailer of Scouting America merchandise. 35% of every Scout Shop purchase supports the future of Scouting.
3. Grants and Donations: Multi-year national service program Impact365 supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Boy Scouts of America (now operating as Scouting America) delivers structured youth development programs across multiple age tiers, including Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring. The organization supplements these programs with four National High Adventure Bases, advancement and recognition systems (culminating in the Eagle Scout rank), and digital member platforms such as My.Scouting and Scoutbook. Merchandise is sold through the exclusive Scout Shop retail channel, and fundraising is supported by donations and grants.

Product overview

Scouting America operates a multi-program youth development platform organized by age and activity level. The core programs include Cub Scouts (grades K-5), Scouts BSA (ages 11-17), Venturing (ages 14-20), Sea Scouts (ages 14-20), and Exploring (ages 10-20), each representing distinct program tracks with their own advancement systems. Supporting the core programs are four National High Adventure Bases (Philmont Scout Ranch, Sea Base, Northern Tier, and The Summit Bechtel Reserve) offering specialized outdoor leadership training experiences. The organization also maintains digital platforms including My.Scouting Portal for member management, Scoutbook for advancement tracking, and Scout Shop as the exclusive retail channel. Impact365 is the national service initiative driving community service across all programs, while Awards Central catalogs the comprehensive recognition system culminating in Eagle Scout, Venturing Summit, and Sea Scout Quartermaster ranks. The organization serves over 1 million youth members and 628,000 volunteers through a network of 250+ local councils plus a National Service Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cub Scouts: Program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade focused on developing leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through fun family activities.
• Scouts BSA
• Venturing
• Sea Scouts
• Exploring
• Impact365
• Scout Shop

Products and services

• Cub Scouts Youth development program for boys and girls in kindergarten through 5th grade that develops foundations for leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through fun activities involving parents and guardians.
• Scouts BSA Traditional Scouting experience for youth ages 11-17 where participants develop outdoor survival skills, self-confidence, and ethics through youth-planned activities with emphasis on service, community engagement, and leadership, culminating in the Eagle Scout rank.
• Venturing Youth-led coed program for ages 14-20 that builds adventures and develops essential skills like leadership, event-planning, organization, communication, and responsibility through high adventure outdoor activities and real-world projects.
• Sea Scouts Maritime program for boys and girls ages 14-20 providing a safe environment to learn, build friendships, and develop character while earning advancement in paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and SCUBA activities.
• Exploring Career-oriented coed program for ages 10-20 that connects youth with mentors, businesses, and agencies to discover future career paths through real-world work environments and hands-on experience.
• Philmont Scout Ranch National high adventure base in Northern New Mexico offering legendary backpacking treks in the rugged hills, providing outdoor leadership training experiences.
• Sea Base National high adventure base in Florida offering maritime adventures including snorkeling, ocean kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing experiences.
• Northern Tier National high adventure base in the Great North Woods of northern Minnesota and Canada offering scenic canoe journeys and wilderness camping for water-based exploration.
• The Summit Bechtel Reserve National high adventure base in West Virginia offering super-charged outdoor adventures including whitewater rapids, ATV backcountry tracks, and archery at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
• Scout Shop Exclusive retailer of Scouting America merchandise including uniforms, camping gear, Pinewood Derby kits, and Scouting accessories. 35% of every purchase supports the future of Scouting.
• Impact365 Multi-year national service initiative that encourages Scouts to make a positive impact 365 days a year through local, flexible, community-driven service projects. Annual themes include Environment (2027), Schools (2028), and Safety (2029).
• 2026 National Jamboree Scouting's biggest event bringing together thousands of Scouts for a multi-day national gathering featuring high adventure activities and leadership development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Compared to non-Scouts, Scouts are more likely to embrace positive social values
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• America250coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Scouting America has partnered with America250 to promote civic leadership and historical awareness among youth in the United States. The collaboration aims to involve young people in service, community projects, and reflection on American history throughout the year.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPADI offers a multilevel scholarship program to introduce Venturers and Sea Scouts to scuba diving. Recognizes that adventure is one of the key elements of the Scouting program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Fire: National co-ed youth development nonprofit that traces its roots to Camp Fire Girls and now serves all youth with outdoor, camp, and after-school programming. Comparable in mission, co-ed youth development focus, and council-style local delivery.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: The other major U.S. youth scouting organization, also a 501(c)(3) with a membership-fee model, council-based structure, badge/advancement system, and retail cookie program. Direct comparability on scale, mission, and operating model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit network of local clubs serving school-age youth with after-school and summer programming. Comparable in scale, youth-development mission, and decentralized council/club affiliate model.
• YMCA of the USA: Large national youth and community services nonprofit offering camps, sports, and youth programs through a federated local-branch model. Comparable in mission, camp programming, membership structure, and community-based delivery.
• National 4-H Council: U.S. youth development organization operating through cooperative extension, focused on STEM, agriculture, leadership, and civic engagement. Highly comparable youth-development mission, badge/project structure, and broad volunteer base.

Broad incumbents

• National Guard Youth Challenge Program: Federally-funded residential program for at-risk youth, providing structured education, leadership, and mentorship. Comparable in its youth-development/leadership-training focus, though government-operated and not membership-based.

Emerging players

• Civil Air Patrol: Congressionally-chartered youth aviation and aerospace program, with cadet training, rank advancement, and emergency services. Comparable on congressional charter, rank/advancement system, and youth-leadership development model.
• Jack and Jill of America: National nonprofit focused on youth leadership, civic engagement, and educational enrichment for children of member families. Comparable on youth-leadership mission and chapter-based local delivery, though more selective in membership.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing youth with adult mentors, with similar volunteer-driven, affiliate-based delivery. Comparable on youth-outcomes mission and volunteer infrastructure, though narrower in programming.

Regional players

• Police Athletic League: Network of locally-operated youth enrichment programs typically affiliated with law enforcement, offering sports, education, and recreational activities. Comparable on youth-development mission though smaller in national scale and primarily urban-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/boyscouts
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BoyScoutsofAmericavideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/113441755297
• Instagraminstagram.com/scouting.america
• Pinterestpinterest.com/boyscouts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/8118

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Boy Scouts of America