By Michael Smith
Correspondent, The Alabama Baptist
IRVING, Texas — The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) board of directors on Wednesday, Oct. 11, unanimously decided to welcome girls into its iconic Cub Scout program and to deliver a Scouting program for older girls that will enable them to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout.
“This decision is true to the BSA’s mission and core values outlined in the Scout Oath and Law. The values of Scouting — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, brave and reverent, for example — are important for both young men and women,” said Michael Surbaugh, the BSA’s chief scout executive, in an Oct. 11 news release. “We believe it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children. We strive to bring what our organization does best — developing character and leadership for young people — to as many families and youth as possible as we help shape the next generation of leaders.”
Starting in the 2018 program year, families can choose to sign up their sons and daughters for Cub Scouts. Existing packs may choose to establish a new girl pack, establish a pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens or remain an all-boy pack. Cub Scout dens will be single-gender — all boys or all girls. Using the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts program, the organization also will provide a program for older girls, which will be announced in 2018 and projected to be available in 2019, that will enable them to earn the Eagle Scout rank.
Although known for its iconic programs for boys, the BSA has offered co-ed programs since 1971 through Exploring and the Venturing program, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2018. The STEM Scout pilot program also is available for boys and girls.
Earlier this year, the BSA announced that it would accept transgender members, no longer basing eligibility for its programs on a child’s birth certificate but on the gender identity designated in applying for acceptance.
In 2013, the BSA voted to permit openly homosexual scouts, and in 2015, it approved the inclusion of openly gay and bisexual adults as unit leaders and employees.
In response to the BSA announcement, Trail Life USA pledged to remain a place “where boys can be boys.” To read more about Trail Life, click here.
Share with others: