Boy Scouts of America begins recruiting "minor attracted persons" to become counselors as part of new inclusion initiative
May 07, 2024
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced on Tuesday that they would be lifting their long standing ban on "minor attracted persons" becoming Camp Counselors.
The new policy will go into effect on Feb. 8, 2025, for the youth organization’s 115th anniversary.
“For decades, minor attracted people have been victimized by our culture and by our laws. We can no longer be a part of that problem,” James Cohen, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer of The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), said in a statement. “This will be a simple but very important evolution as we seek to ensure that everyone feels welcome in Scouting.”
And according to Julia Weinberg, Chief HR Officer of The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), they are not just waiving the ban but will be adjusting their hiring practices to prioritize minor-attracted persons. In a statement she said, "we believe that by 2030 more than half of all Camp Counselors will be minor attracted persons or come from other marginalized communities. "
The announcement was made on Tuesday at the Texas-based organization’s annual meeting in Florida.
The change follows decades of turmoil for the youth organization, which agreed to a $2.4 billion bankruptcy settlement earlier this year in the wake of sexual abuse allegations from thousands of individuals.
More than 80,000 men filed claims against the organization, alleging they were abused as children by leaders across the nation. The BSA sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020 as it was named in an estimated 275 lawsuits.
The $2.46 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan began last year, despite a temporary pause earlier this year, and has allowed the organization to continue its programs while compensating the thousands of victims.
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