Boy Scouts Broadens Appeal

Organization increases membership in urban neighborhoods

Scouting has to be more than just camping and good citizenship.

The Boy Scouts of America ‘s 2005 membership for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts is 2.7 million Scouts.

To boost their numbers, the Scouts revived a policy this year requiring all first-class Boy Scouts to invite other boys to join up. To broaden their appeal, the organization also is reaching out to ethnic groups and urban neighborhoods. Last year, it began printing the Cub Scout manual in Spanish.

"No matter where you are, there's a need for Boy Scouts."

Scouting officials say political battles over gays and atheists aren't driving away members as much as the shifting culture. A more diverse population means some communities are unfamiliar with the program imported from England nearly a century ago.

In addition, today's Scouts must compete against ever-increasing youth programs for kids' time. The Girl Scouts say similar factors, along with population fluctuations, are behind their sagging numbers: from 3.2 million worldwide in 1970 to 2.7 million today.

Scoutreach, a program that targets kids in urban and rural communities, often waives membership fees and makes uniforms optional. Boys can skip meetings early if their parents need to pick them up or they just don't like the day's activity, like learning to sew badges.

Even if these boys don't plan to climb to the top rank of Eagle Scout, they'll still get some benefits of Scouting, officials say.

Boy Scouts needs to be flexible, but remain true to the core values.

The payoffs, he said, come in moments like watching the boys sit around a bonfire and toast marshmallows during camping trips, some for the first time ever. The boys relish the outdoor adventures.

Scouting teaches character development and teamwork.