How has the Boy Scouts of America changed over the years?

The obvious answer is that it has become more inclusive. Since its founding in 1910 it has accepted girls (as Venturers), women leaders, younger scouts (Cub Scouts), older scouts (up to age 21 as Venturers) and is now actively welcoming minorities.

It has always had a focus on building moral character and teaching values and part of that has always been a belief in God, but it now is more accepting of religions other than main stream Protestantism. In the past the BSA was supportive of the church whereas now many units (about half) are owned by churches and are seen as a mainstay of their youth programs.

People, in general today, are less in touch with nature and so the BSA's mission to teach a comfort and competence with the outdoors is both more difficult and more vital than in the past.

The image of the BSA has changed, and not necessarily for the better. It is not considered as cool as it used to be. In previous decades scouts proudly wore their uniforms to school on meeting days, which does not happen any more. Scouting is more out of line with some common cultural values than it has been in the past. Regarding homosexuals it has not changed along with the views of popular culture and regarding youth protection it is ahead of any other organizations I have seen.

If anything, its role in teaching leadership and life skills is more relevant than ever. Scouts are more likely than their non-scout peers to graduate high school, college and earn advanced degrees. They are more likely to start and lead a business. They are more likely to be class president, captain of their sports team and hold elected office. They are more likely to serve in the military and more likely to attend one of the military academies (Eagle Scouts are over-represented in the academies by over 100:1 - >10% in the academies vs. <0.1% of the population). The majority (57%) of astronauts are scouts (Eagle Scouts are over-represented amongst astronauts > 200:1). Scouts are more likely to be satisfied with their lives and their relationships. Scouts are more likely to exercise, recreate out doors, volunteer, and give to charity. They are more likely to describe their lives and relationships as satisfying and to exhibit ethical attitudes.

See related links for studies and statistics on adult outcomes of scouting.