New Survey Out, October 2025

[InquisitiveScouter]

 

 

 

Dear InquisitiveScouter, [name change 😜 ]

Scouting America, in collaboration with the Harris Poll, is conducting a landmark study to better understand the values that define our nation — where they come from, how they evolve, and how they influence our lives today.

As a valued Scouting America alumnus, you've been randomly chosen to participate in this exclusive survey. Your insights will help illuminate the role Scouting has played in shaping the character and values of generations of Americans.

  Your responses are completely confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.
  The survey takes less than 20 minutes to complete.
  This study is only conducted once every 10 years — and only a select group of alumni are invited.

 

<SURVEY LINK>  [REDACTED]

Please note: This survey link is unique to you and can only be used once. Kindly do not forward it to others.

Your perspective matters. By participating, you'll be contributing to a deeper understanding of the values that unite us — and how Scouting continues to make a lasting impact.

Thank you for being part of this important effort!



Patricia Wellen
Research Director, Scouting America
Pat.Wellen@Scouting.org

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Patricia!

Question... if my survey is to be completely confidential, then why issue a survey link that is unique to me?

To my regret, I believed BSA once before on this.   After giving my opinion on what could be fixed in the organization, particularly with regards bloated and unresponsive staffing, poor IT support, and an unnecessary number of councils with overpaid council employees at the higher levels, our local council executive blacklisted me and removed me from all district and council positions.

No, thank you!

Regards,

Inquisitive Scouter

[HashTagScouts]

I won't respond to surveys that won't share the summary of responses with participants. Drives my employer nuts I won't respond to semi-annual employee surveys, but such is a qualifier for my participation

[mrjohns2]

On 10/30/2025 at 3:25 PM, HashTagScouts said:

Drives my employer nuts I won't respond to semi-annual employee surveys, but such is a qualifier for my participation

Huh. I work for a fortune 50 company. They share the corporate, corporate subsection, and facility results each year. Then, when shared, they share a plan to improve the results. 

[Eagle94-A1]

On 10/30/2025 at 4:07 PM, InquisitiveScouter said:

Question... if my survey is to be completely confidential, then why issue a survey link that is unique to me?

To my regret, I believed BSA once before on this.   After giving my opinion on what could be fixed in the organization, particularly with regards bloated and unresponsive staffing, poor IT support, and an unnecessary number of councils with overpaid council employees at the higher levels, our local council executive blacklisted me and removed me from all district and council positions.

No, thank you!

Regards,

Inquisitive Scouter

 

At this stage of the game, I could care less if the council blackballs me. I already removed myself from district/council activities to focus on my unit. They cannot punish me via my sons, as I have heard some pros have done.  

 

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

4 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

punish me via my sons, as I have heard some pros have done. 

What!!  If true, then very, very low... lower than a snake belly in a wagon wheel rut.

And thanks for your continued service at the unit level.  That is the heart of Scouting, and where things really matter most

[Tron]

What sort of questions are they asking in this survey? 

[InquisitiveScouter]

LOL... didn't take it.

I'll look at it in a bit, but doubt it will let me advance through without answering questions and recording answers.

Please stand by.

Edited Monday at 02:40 PM by InquisitiveScouter

[skeptic]

4 hours ago, Tron said:

What sort of questions are they asking in this survey? 

Ones that likely will be shrugged off if answered with good options for growth and change.  

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

The survey asks questions primarily about demographic information (including religious and political leanings), values, Scouting background, and a smattering on your perception of the impact of Scouting on your values and lifestyle.

Nothing about Scouting operations at any level.

So, I submitted my answers.

[Tron]

So sounds like Scouting America is trying to determine if their core/base membership has changed. I wonder if this is going to be aggregated to council level or something else. I would love to see this data and compare it to my geographic area.

 

[InquisitiveScouter]

43 minutes ago, Tron said:

So sounds like Scouting America is trying to determine if their core/base membership has changed. I wonder if this is going to be aggregated to council level or something else. I would love to see this data and compare it to my geographic area.

 

The survey instructions say they have done this every 10 years. But last one was conducted in 2010.  (Fifteen years ago for those of you who are mathematically challenged 😜 )

From current NESA feed: "Scouting America is partnering with the Harris Poll to update a major outcomes study last conducted in 2010. This research will help us better understand the long-term impact of Scouting.

Who’s Involved? Randomly selected Alumni, Eagle Scouts, and Volunteers will receive email invitations to participate."

But, from BSA's own website ( https://www.scouting.org/about/research/the-scouting-edge-study/ ) , there was this, in a Scouting Edge Report  "These findings comprise results from two parallel studies fielded online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America between November 29th and December 14th, 2023."  https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/marketing/pdf/Final-File-The-Scouting-Edge-8-5x11.pdf

That pdf report covers many of the same questions asked in this survey.  @Tron, you could perhaps compare there from the 2023 study.

So, BSA paid Harris to conduct another poll within 2 years?  Seems odd...

[Eagle94-A1]

16 minutes ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

But, from BSA's own website ( https://www.scouting.org/about/research/the-scouting-edge-study/ ) , there was this, in a Scouting Edge Report  "These findings comprise results from two parallel studies fielded online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America between November 29th and December 14th, 2023."  https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/marketing/pdf/Final-File-The-Scouting-Edge-8-5x11.pdf

I noticed the second page has a photo of Green Bar Bill on it. I wonder if he is spinning in the grave with what is going on at national?