For more than a century, Scouting America has proven their dedication to creating opportunities for community service, outdoor exploration, and the development of strong character and citizenship. Over the past 15 years, those opportunities have been increasingly offered to every young American, including female and LGBTQ+ Scouts. The Department of Defense has recently insisted that Scouting America must sacrifice those values. Scouts and Scout leaders from across the United States urge Scouting America to refuse such demands.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has long been a supporter of Scouting America. They have provided financial backing for the organization and championed the presence of Scout Troops on military installations—including those overseas. Most significantly, the DoD annually provides the staff, equipment, and logistical support necessary to host more than 20,000 Scouts from across the country for Scouting’s National Jamboree. In fact, this support has become so institutional that it is now required by law: the 2005 Support Our Scouts Act (SOSA) mandates "the same level of support" from year to year. Despite this, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently stated that the DoD's continued support of Scouting America would be contingent on the reversal of a series of decisions made across more than a decade that expanded Scouting’s commitment to include all young Americans. This is not only unfair and illegal, but also calls for Scouting America to violate the core values of the Scout Law.

Before even achieving the rank of Tenderfoot, Scouts are taught to adhere to the Scout Oath and Law. This includes being friendly, defined as being "a friend to everyone, even people who are very different from you." Scouts are taught that everyone deserves the chance to serve and engage with their communities, to be equally prepared for the challenges of life, regardless of who they are or what traits they possess. A reversal of the past decade's decisions undermines this value.

Another aspect of the Scout Law is a commitment to "obey the laws of your community and country." SOSA clearly states that the DoD must continue to provide its support. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, coupled with the decision in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, clearly states that it is a violation of freedom of expression for the DoD to direct Scouting America's internal policies. In other words, the DoD is incapable of telling Scouting what it means to be a Scout. Capitulation represents complicitly in this violation of the law and a breach of everything that Scouting stands for.

We therefore petition Scouting America to:

1. Reject any agreement with the Department of Defense that restricts membership in Scouting, whether implicitly or explicitly.
2. Commit to continuing their policy of endorsing LGBTQ+ and female members of Scouting, both as Scouts and in leadership.
3. Reaffirm Scouting America's commitment to the core values of the Scout Law, Oath, Motto, and Slogan.

Contrary to the beliefs of Pentagon Leadership, Scouting has been an inclusive endeavor from the start. The organization's founder, Robert Baden-Powell, was known for championing the involvement of all young Americans in Scouting, stating that "a girl must be given equal chances" and that "the uniform [of a Scout] makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted it covers up all differences of class and country." While it took time to catch up, electing to reverse the wheel of progress represents a departure from the true goal of Scouting: an organization dedicated to preparing all young Americans as leaders, citizens, Scouts, and friends.

We ask that Scouting America remain committed to this goal.

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Note: Everyone is encouraged to sign this petition. If you are or were involved in Scouting at any point, it’s asked that you include your rank/role along with your name. e.g. “James Connor (Eagle Scout)”