Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, has expressed a desire for the United States Government to split from Scouting America.
Formally known as the Boy Scouts of America, in 2019, Scouting America allowed girls to join their ranks. Previously, Scouting had been an all-boys organization for over 100 years.
Seven years later, this switch is still being met with criticism. Hegseth has accused Scouting America of “Attacking boy-friendly spaces.”
The official proposal calls for the United States to pull all support from the National Jamboree in 2026. The National Jamboree is a scouting event that pulls over 20,000 scouts from across America.
Hegseth has stated that he believes that “The organization once endorsed by President Theodore Roosevelt no longer supports the future of American boys.”
Isabella Serna is a 16-year-old scout from Strongsville, Ohio. She is a member of Troop 7407 and an active member of Scouting, having earned the rank of Eagle Scout. She is also a staff member at Camp Manatoc, a Scouting America camp in Peninsula, Ohio. Serna believes that Hegseth is wrong for his comments against women in scouting.
“It’s ridiculous how blatantly sexist someone like Pete Hegseth can be and get away with it,” Serna said.
Serna joined Scouting after watching her brother be a scout and achieve the rank of Eagle.
“The majority of the time, boys and girls troops are separated into completely different troops,” Serna said.
This is true for the Wadsworth troops, 402 and 7402, which have separate charters and separate Scoutmasters. However, the troops work together, often attending the same events and holding meetings in the same building.
Erik Hamilton is a 16-year-old scout out of Wadsworth’s troop 402. Hamilton believes that the government should not split from Scouting America.
“I don’t like it,” Hamilton said on the situation, “It’s a good way for people to learn life skills and a way to grow up around good morals.”
As of now, Scouting America troops are chartered by Congress, and the U.S. Government is still committed to supporting the National Jamboree in 2026. However, the comments by the Secretary of Defense are concerning for Scouting America’s future relationship with the U.S Government.
