By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
Jul 7, 2021
Barry Bedlan I AP
In this June 10, 2021 photo provided by Barry Bedlan, members of
Troop 298 of Frisco, Texas are among the first to embark a 12-day
trek across the Philmont Scout Ranch, outside Cimarron, N.M. Boy
Scout and Girl Scoutsâ leadership say their summer camps are full,
special events are sold out, and theyâre expecting many thousands
of families â some new to scouting, some who left during the
pandemic â to sign up now that activities are occurring in-person
rather than virtually.
Americaâs most iconic youth organizations the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA â have been jolted by unprecedented one-year drops in membership, due partly to the pandemic, and partly to social trends that have been shrinking their ranks for decades.