Editorial Note: The evidence is posted at the end of the story.

Scouting America’s proposed "Pathway to Eagle" program is a deeply flawed and inadequate attempt to address the injustices suffered by victims of childhood sex abuse within Scouting. The very tone of this program is laden with arrogance, as if Scouting America is bestowing a generous favor rather than righting a grievous wrong. The organization dares to speak of 'honor' while failing to exhibit even the most basic tenets of the Scout Oath and Scout Law themselves. If an Eagle Scout is supposed to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, and brave, then Scouting America has failed at every turn. This initiative reeks of self-congratulation rather than genuine restitution, and the burdens it places on their of childhood sex abuse victims only further demonstrate the organization’s failure to uphold the very values it claims to instill.

This statement alone exposes the sheer hypocrisy and moral bankruptcy of Scouting America. They speak of "honor," yet they refuse to take full accountability for the devastation their coverup and negligence has caused. They demand their victims of childhood sex abuse relive their trauma to prove they are worthy of an honor that was stolen from them, an act so grotesque in its cruelty, that it betrays any pretense of goodwill. Scouting America itself does not measure up to the standard of an Eagle Scout; instead, it hides behind bureaucratic formalities, evading the true responsibility of making its victims of childhood sex abuse whole. 

The organization's arrogance is an insult to the very principles it claims to uphold, and its failure to recognize the magnitude of harm it has inflicted is a testament to its moral decay. Rather than serving as a meaningful form of restitution or validation, this program imposes unreasonable burdens on their victims of childhood sex abuse while failing to acknowledge the depth of their trauma. The structure of the program suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the damage inflicted on these individuals and risks further harming those it purports to help.

“Your organization should fully understand that you are dealing with extremely fragile human beings, who just so happen to be your victims. And while rebranding yourself, in a desperate attempt to recover your reputation and protect your assets, that you would have blood on your hands if you were to disseminate and promulgate the document you have sent to me. I do not approve or otherwise endorse this document, in the strongest possible terms, and do not put my name on it. And don't forget to tell the "Scouting America (AKA BSA) Youth Protection Committee" that I said "Back to the drawing board...Life experiences demonstrating their leading an Eagle Life? All of my adult life I have exemplified what it means to be an Eagle. I am the Eagle. I do not need a certificate from my own abusers to convince me that I am not anything less." - Richard G. Windmann

Photo credit: Scott S., Survivor, Eagle

First, the requirement that their victims revisit and document their Scouting history, including details of how their abuse prevented them from achieving the rank of Eagle demonstrates a callous disregard for their well-being. Many of their victims have spent years attempting to heal from their experiences, and compelling them to relive those painful memories as part of an application process is not only retraumatizing but also unnecessary. This is particularly egregious given that Scouting America already has access to much of this information from prior records.

Additionally, the demand for their victims to undergo a criminal background check and meet the same standards as adult volunteers is both insulting and dehumanizing. Their victims are not seeking leadership positions within the organization; they are seeking the recognition they were unjustly denied. The implication that they must prove their moral worth to receive what should be an automatic honor is an appalling shift of responsibility. This requirement only serves to place further obstacles in their path, reinforcing the idea that their abuse somehow tainted them rather than acknowledging the failures of the organization. As of this writing, Scouting America does not demand background checks (that is publicly advertised or available as of this writing) on their own Scoutmasters, yet, they demand it of their victims.

“I, for one, worked in law enforcement (Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Badge No.2526), where I had an extensive pre-employment background check, including polygraph. I was also appointed as a bonded fiduciary and public trustee to the Mendocino County Employee Retirement System (a $700 million pension system), where I passed every conceivable background check. So, background checks for whom? For us? Their victims? Really?” - John Sakowicz

Photo Credit: Scott S., Survivor, Eagle

The merit badge requirements and Eagle project stipulations further illustrate how out of touch this program is with reality. Expecting victims, many of whom are now well into adulthood, to "self-study" merit badges they were unable to earn as children due to they were too busy being raped is an absurd and bureaucratic exercise. Similarly, requiring them to demonstrate leadership and service in their adult lives as a prerequisite for recognition disregards the fact that their ability to complete these requirements in their youth was stolen from them. The burden should not be on the victims to prove they have lived an "Eagle life," they were entitled to this recognition years ago, because the child-raped merit badge trumps all other "merit" badges combined.

Most disturbingly, this program fails to recognize the profound psychological and emotional toll that Scouting-related abuse has had on many of their victims. For some, the harm runs so deep that any attempt to re-engage with the organization, even for something as seemingly positive as receiving their Eagle rank, could trigger overwhelming distress. By forcing their victims to navigate an arduous and retraumatizing process, Scouting America is actively discouraging participation rather than facilitating healing. Some deal with addictions, most, if not all, have CPSTD, clinical, Treatment-Resistant Major Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder. Many, many have committed suicide already. This document could push some of their victims further into despair, exacerbating mental health struggles, and in extreme cases, even encouraging their suicidal ideations.

Instead of this deeply flawed program, Scouting America should offer an automatic conferral of the Eagle Scout rank to any of their victims. None of their victims should have to relive their trauma, prove their moral worth, or complete arbitrary tasks to receive an honor they rightfully earned. Anything less is yet another betrayal of those who have already suffered enough.

Furthermore, Scouting America has led a criminal organization since its inception, founded by a pedophile, meticulously documenting abuse in copious notes and records while doing nothing to stop it. This legacy of complicity and negligence is an indelible stain on the organization. Norman Rockwell, who memorialized Scouting America in his iconic works, is rolling in his grave knowing the depth of corruption and betrayal Scouting America represents today. In fact, Scouting America was formed in England, not the United States of America. Scouting America was never, nor is it the fabric of this nation, and their Congressional Charter should be immediately rescinded by the Continental Congress of the United States of America.

Scouting America is the Boy Scouts of America, and no matter how desperately they try to rebrand (hide) themselves in a sinister attempt to protect their organization and protect their assets. Now you finally know the truth. How evil is Scouting America that it would make their own child sex abuse victims work towards something they already possess?

And finally to the current Scouts and Eagles:

This article is no way a reflection of you or your efforts and good works - your service to scouting is not inconspicuous. You are different from the leadership of the organization. While your national leaderhip stumbles, all of you are worthwhile. All of you are the Vanguards of the future of Scouting and America. Your great works are not lost on me, and I cannot wait to see what you will do in this life. I would encourage you to continue scouting and live the Oath in all of your years. To always lean forward when confronted with challenges in your life, and to address them in the most productive ways possible. I have a nostalgic yearning that one day both the current Scouts and us older Eagles would get together one night, roast marshmallows and hotdogs at the campfire, and tell a good ghost story or two. And I will be profoundly proud when inevitably some of you will be the leadership of Scouting America. Praeparet! And until then, may God bless and keep you, and I remain,

Respectfully yours,

Richard G. Windmann
Troop 137, New Orleans

About the author: Dr. Windmann has been an activist and advocate for chilldhood sex abuse victims and survivors for over a decade. He is one of the co-founders of Survivors of Childhood Sex Abuse, and is currently the president of the organization. He is also a prolific speaker and writer on the subject of childhood sex abuse, and appeared in the Netflix documentary "Scouts Honor: The Secret Files Of The Boy Scouts Of America." You can contact him at [email protected].

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