One of Scouting America’s largest gatherings has removed spaces dedicated to gay youth, women, and scouts of color. This move comes as the organization responds to pressure from the Pentagon to reduce its diversity efforts. The changes at the National Jamboree, concluding on Friday, mirror the adjustments Scouting America has made since being targeted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for what he terms as ‘woke’ policies. Some scouts, who initially intended to participate in the West Virginia event, opted out following the organization’s decision to eliminate the inclusion efforts it had earlier emphasized.
Hegseth warned of ending the Pentagon’s long-standing partnership with Scouting America if it failed to shift focus away from diversity drives. The organization, formerly referred to as the Boy Scouts of America, rebranded in 2024 to stress inclusion and the increasing presence of girls within the scouting community. ‘Scouting fundamentally is a safe place for young people to have fun,’ stated Samuel J. Aronson, an assistant scoutmaster who organized inclusive events at past national events. ‘Without these spaces, both the safety and the fun are denied to thousands of young people.’
This year, about 15,000 scouts, leaders, and volunteers from across the country are attending the 10-day event in the mountains of West Virginia. The gathering features activities like mountain biking and kayaking, along with leadership programs and educational sessions. A Scouting America spokesperson affirmed the organization’s commitment to welcoming and serving all youth, but avoided commenting on the jamboree’s changes.
The Pentagon made an agreement with Scouting America in February, but both sides have provided conflicting accounts of the arrangement. Recently, a gay rights activist obtained the memo detailing the agreement from the Defense Department after filing a lawsuit, citing public importance. The six-page document outlines how the Pentagon will oversee compliance, including periodic meetings between officials from each entity.
James Dale, expelled from the Boy Scouts in the early 1990s for being gay, equated the Pentagon’s tactics to bullying. ‘The Pentagon threatens constant pressure on the organization,’ Dale commented.
The longstanding relationship between the scouts and the military persists. The military provides logistical support for the jamboree, with some scout troops meeting on or near military bases. When asked about the deal’s implementation, a Pentagon spokesperson referenced past comments by Hegseth. In February, Hegseth posted a video stating the department’s intent to rigorously review changes made by Scouting America. He warned of ending the military’s support if the organization did not comply by late August.
John Andrew Segebarth, a 21-year-old college student and Eagle Scout, expressed dismay over the agreement. Joining the scout community in the first grade, he looked forward to staffing the space for LGBTQ+ and Allied Scouts at this year’s Jamboree. Segebarth, who is gay and elected by peers as a national officer for scouts in 2024, emphasized that the removal of inclusive spaces represents a significant reversal for Scouting America. National scouting events in recent years have featured community spaces for girls, scouts of color, LGBTQ+ scouts, and persons with disabilities, as noted by Aronson.
‘Scouting’s kind of walking back on its values, which they told me they believed in,’ remarked Segebarth, who, with Aronson, opted not to attend the jamboree this year.
At a community tent, Layla Grace found a welcoming environment to openly discuss her experiences as a transgender female. Now 21 and an assistant scoutmaster, Grace planned to staff the space for LGBTQ+ and Allied Scouts in West Virginia. Despite cancellations, Grace chose to attend to aid those in need. She volunteered in an area focused on mental health, food security, and education. Grace is striving to compensate for the lack of inclusive areas, saying ‘I am wearing so many rainbows, my nails painted to symbolize lesbian and transgender pride. I aim to fill the gap by amplifying my support.’
Associated Press reporter Ben Finley also contributed to this report from Washington.