Scouting America · Episode 6 of 13 · 20 min
The Outing Out of Scouting
In 1972 the Boy Scouts of America hit a record 6,524,640 members and its leadership correctly diagnosed trouble: a suburban, mostly white organization shrinking as a share of boys. The remedy, a handbook that dropped camping and swimming from Eagle requirements, coincided with the loss of over two million members by 1979. A retired Scouter, Hillcourt, persuaded leaders to put the outdoors back.
Who's who
- Alden G. BarberChief Scout Executive 1967-1976; led Boypower 76
- Frederick L. HinesAuthor of the 1972 eighth-edition handbook
- William Hillcourt'Green Bar Bill'; criticized the redesign and wrote the 1979 handbook
- Harvey L. PriceChief Scout Executive 1976-1979 who brought Hillcourt back
- Norman Rockwell+2 more episodesPainter of the 1979 handbook cover
Timeline
- August 1, 1965William Hillcourt retires from the BSA
- 1972Peak total membership of 6,524,640
- September 1972Eighth-edition Scout Handbook removes camping, cooking, nature, swimming and lifesaving from required Eagle badges
- 1976Boypower 76 target year arrives; Barber resigns
- 1979Membership falls to 4,284,469; Hillcourt's handbook restores outdoor skills
- 1980Membership about 4.3 million, roughly a third below the peak
Still debated
How much of the decline the 1972 program caused is unquantified, since demographics, falling institutional trust and youth sports were all shifting. A reported mid-1970s roll-inflation scandal could not be verified.
