Scouting America’s National Jamboree, a major gathering concluding this week in West Virginia, has removed dedicated spaces designed for gay youth, women, and scouts of color. The changes came after the Pentagon, under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, pressured the organization to scale back diversity initiatives, which Hegseth characterized as “woke” policies.
Hegseth had threatened to terminate the Pentagon’s century-long partnership with Scouting America unless the organization modified its approach. The organization had rebranded in 2024 to highlight inclusion and accommodate the increasing participation of girls in scouting programs. A Pentagon-Scouting America agreement reached in February outlined compliance monitoring mechanisms, with officials from both parties scheduled for regular check-ins. Hegseth indicated in February that the Defense Department would conduct thorough reviews of changes implemented by Scouting America and would withdraw military support if the organization failed to comply by late August.
Several scouts and leaders expressed disappointment with the removal of inclusive community spaces. Samuel Aronson, an assistant scoutmaster who had organized inclusive events at previous national gatherings, characterized the elimination of these spaces as detrimental to the safety and enjoyment of thousands of young people. James Dale, a gay rights activist who was expelled from the Boy Scouts in the early 1990s and subsequently sued over discrimination, obtained the Pentagon agreement through litigation and criticized the Pentagon’s approach as coercive.
Among those affected were scouts who had planned to staff the LGBTQ+ and Allied Scouts community space. John Andrew Segebarth, a 21-year-old Eagle Scout elected as a national officer in 2024, declined to attend the jamboree, describing the removal of inclusive spaces as a reversal of the organization’s stated values. Similarly, Layla Grace, a 21-year-old assistant scoutmaster who found community acceptance at a previous diversity-focused tent, initially considered not attending but ultimately chose to volunteer in other capacities at the event.
Scouting America stated it remains committed to welcoming all youth but did not directly address questions regarding the jamboree modifications. The National Jamboree draws approximately 15,000 scouts, leaders, and volunteers from across the country for a 10-day program featuring outdoor activities and educational sessions.
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