Boy Scouts See Increase in Membership in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY - Membership in the Boy Scouts of America is up in Utah since its ranks were opened to gay youths a year ago.

gay-scoutsFileThe state's three Boy Scouts councils all reported membership increases since the organization's national council approved the new policy.
The Deseret News reports Scout numbers in the Great Salt Lake Council grew 1.5 percent in 2013, while membership in the Trapper Trails Council increased by 2.1 percent last year.

The Utah National Parks Council, which includes small portions of Nevada and Arizona, reported a 4.5 percent increase in membership last year.

Dave McCammon of the Great Salt Lake Council says the past year has been relatively free of controversy over the new membership policy.

The organization's largest sponsor is the Mormon church.