The LDS Church and the Boy Scouts have been partners for more than a century, and the move is not believed to be tied to the Boy Scouts of America's decision to remove limitations on openly gay leaders.
The LDS Church will shift its focus from scouting for boys ages 14 to 18 to the church's young men program beginning January 1, 2018.
Thousands of Mormons are leaving the Boy Scouts of America in order to create their own program.
"Although thousands of youth and leaders who participate in Venturing crews nationwide embrace and support the program, we recognize that not all programs are a ideal fit for all partners", the BSA said in a statement.
David Kemper, Scout executive for the organization's Boise-based Ore-Ida Council, said it will certainly have an impact on membership in Southwest Idaho and eastern OR - the council counts 14,500 members among that age group. The Mormon Church claims to want a more simplified program that is tailored to Mormon teenagers.
In one of the first signs of the Church following through on its threat, the Mormon leadership this week confirmed it would be pulling the plug on its formal involvement in programs for over-14s.
He said "time and money" was being spent on activities that did not engage the Mormon scouts. "After 23 years of working with and for scouting, I can tell you there's a lot of evidence that scouting works within the LDS church". The Snake River Council oversees all Boy Scout units in south-central Idaho.
Sangamo Therapeutics Inc (SGMO) Rating Reiterated by Wedbush
Analysts have placed a $6.67 price target on Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc ., suggesting a -18.66% decline from recent close. Opaleye Management Inc . acquired a new position in Sangamo Therapeutics during the fourth quarter valued at $1,220,000.
The Mormon church announced today it is no longer participating in two Boy Scouts of America programs for older teenagers.
Brother Dahlquist, former Young Men general president (2004-2009), said chartering organizations such as the Church can choose which Scouting programs to utilize.
"Although thousands of youth and leaders who participate in Venturing crews nationwide embrace and support the program, we recognize that not all programs are a ideal fit for all partners", BSA said in a statement. This decision will affect 180,000 of those Boy Scouts. These programs are for Boy Scouts between the ages of 14 and 18.
For its part, the BSA said that it "deeply appreciates" its relationship with the LDS church.
Despite worries that that policy change would cause Boy Scouts membership to dip even farther, the organization reported a strong 2016 with youth membership on the verge of stabilizing after a prolonged decline. Mormon children younger than 14 will continue to participate in Scouting, a church news release stated.
"I'm not interested in what the church says, but in what the church does", he said. All young boys who attend Mormon congregations are automatically enrolled as Boy Scouts.
She said her son, who is an Eagle Scout, doesn't like going to church or morning seminary classes. "We will keep some of these kids and continue to serve others in a different way".
Comments