The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are both 501(c)(3) organizations but are filed as separate entities. Therefore, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are not the same organization.
There are several differences between the two organizations. While both organizations have a youth-based focus, the specific missions of each organization are also different. The programs and activities in the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts have contrasting operations and goals.
Differences Between the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts
While the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts serve many purposes, both organizations are driven by specific mission statements.
Boy Scouts
The Boy Scouts’ mission statement is to “prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices” and is driven by the “Scout Oath” and “Scout Law.” While the Scout Oath is a verbal commitment, Scout Law is a set of twelve principles Boy Scouts aspire to live up to in day to day life. These principles are to be:
- Trustworthy
- Loyal
- Helpful
- Friendly
- Courteous
- Kind
- Obedient
- Cheerful
- Thrifty
- Brave
- Clean
- Reverent
The Boy Scouts mission largely revolves around outdoor-based programs and activities children can participate in. There are different parameters for earning merit-based badges and climbing the ranks by completing different tasks. The rankings are the Cub Scouts for young children, the Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts, the Venturing Sea Scouts, and career-based programs for adults. Both boys and girls are welcome to participate in the many programs the Boy Scouts offer, although this was not always the case.
Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts is a group of approximately 2.5 million individuals, including both children and adults. The organization estimates that roughly 1.7 million girls are active members, with an additional 750,000 adults engaged. The mission of the Girl Scouts is to build “girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”
Girl Scouts also incorporate a verbal commitment, although theirs is a “promise,” rather than an oath, like the Boy Scouts’. There is also a governing law, but the principles are different than the Boy Scouts.
The programming and activities of the Girl Scouts are also unique to this organization. Their program consists of four different paths: STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills, and Entrepreneurship.
The STEM program focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math, hence the acronym “STEM.” The Outdoors program utilizes outdoor activities, workshops, and experiences to foster growth aligned with the organizational mission. The Entrepreneurship program helps idea-driven girls and women cultivate their ideas guided by the organization’s leadership. There are also many sub-programs available within each of these four paths of involvement.
Like the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts also utilize a badge-based merit system to allow members’ advancement within the organization. Although there are many similarities, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are distinctly different organizations and operate independently.
Financial Standing of the Boy and Girl Scout Organizations
Non-profit organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts often rely on donations, grants, and corporate partnerships for funding. The Girl Scouts also famously sell cookies to create revenue for the organization.
While both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have been around for decades and in good financial standing, the Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy in 2020. This was largely due to a number of sexual abuse lawsuits against the organization, most of which were filed since the year 2000. Many of these sex abuse lawsuits allege the sexual abuse of minors who were affiliated with the organization. The bankruptcy was filed in a manner that will allow the organization to continue to operate while dealing with the growing financial tension.
Victims of sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts have filed sex abuse claims against the organizations and abusers. Sexual abuse survivors often suffer severe physical and emotional trauma that can result in life-long detrimental effects. Medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma are among the many ways victims are affected. Some of these survivors can recover financial compensation, awarded by courts based on their sex abuse claims.
Contact a Boy Scout Abuse Lawyer From Pintas & Mullins Law Firm
If someone affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America sexually abused you or someone you know, and you would like to learn more about available legal options, a sex abuse lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is available to discuss your case. Call (800) 794-0444 today for more information.