The LDS Church announced on May 11 that it will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America’s Varsity and Venturing scouting programs.
“Beginning January 1, 2018, young men from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will no longer participate in the Varsity and Venturing programs offered by the Boy Scouts of America,” the press release said.
The Church said Varsity and Venturing programs were not adequately meeting the needs of the scouts in the Church programs.
“In most congregations in the United States and Canada, young men ages 14–18 are not being served well by the Varsity or Venturing programs, which have historically been difficult to implement within the Church,” the press release said. “This change will allow youth and leaders to implement a simplified program that meets local needs while providing activities that balance spiritual, social, physical and intellectual development goals for young men.”
LDS scouts will continue to use the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs for ages 8-13.
After that age, young men will be encouraged to follow a program for spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth directed by the LDS church. Boy Scouts in the Church are still able to achieve Eagle Scout ranking if properly registered with the Boy Scouts of America organization.
The First Presidency said they are grateful for those who support the Boy Scouts programs within the Church, and to the Boy Scouts as a whole for their partnership with the Church.
