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Sunday, May 13, 2018

Scout Letter to the Edior

Joe,

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I’ve read the articles you shared about the Boy Scouts and I was somewhat surprised by the comments from your readers. There appears to be a sense that the move by the Boy Scouts to include girls is in some way watering down the program. This could not be further from the truth.

Boy Scouts have included girls since 1971 through the Explorer program. Since then, girls participate in Venturing, Sea Scouts, and STEM Scouts. The current move will make available the BSA’s character and leadership building experiences to more young people, and allow parents to choose what scouting program best suits their family.

Over the last few years, there have been several surveys, studies, and discussions about this change. The BSA determined that there is a strong demand from parents and girls to participate in the same program that their brothers do. Also, as families face less free time, quality time with children becomes a precious thing. Many families, when faced with the prospect of one child participating in Cub Scouts, and one in Girl Scouts, will choose to do neither.

Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops are “chartered” by non-profit organizations. Because the BSA wants to provide an experience that works well for all families, there will be several models that Cub Scout Packs can follow. Chartering organizations can choose to have an all boy pack, a family pack, or an all girl pack. For family packs, boys and girls will be in separate dens and each girls den will have a registered and trained female leader. The program and activities will be the same for all dens. In Cub Scouts, the majority of current volunteers are moms; and for most packs, any sibling is already welcome to attend campouts and other activities.

Once a child reaches Boy Scout age, there will be separate troops for boys and girls. This will enable girls to do the same work, have the same opportunities to achieve rank, including Eagle, maintain the integrity of the single gender model, while meeting the needs of today’s families.

The decision to welcome girls into expanded programs of the BSA presents opportunities for more families to participate in Scouting. Youth who participate in scouting show strong moral values and positive character attributes, allowing them to embrace new opportunities, overcome obstacles and become better prepared for future success. In my opinion, the more youth who have that opportunity, the better.

~ Anonymous

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice letter, thank you

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the letter I learned a lot. Unfortunately there will always be people who complain about more inclusion. Just look at Brown vs. Board of Ed and segregation.

Anonymous said...

then why the name change?????

Anonymous said...

One simple question (again). What do we do with the Girl Scouts now? I don't see where they are needed anymore.

Anonymous said...

An admirable goal, but in real life it will be a lot different. Onward and upward into the unknown!!

Anonymous said...

11:08 cookies man, cookies

Anonymous said...

Scout me out. As a someone who did attain the rank of Eagle, I agree this organization offers boys some very valuable lessons. BSA has for a while now slowly moving away from core values they once inspired. Yes most den leaders were moms, as most cub scouts are elementary school age. Fathers took more of that responsibility once they graduated from Webloes to scouts. It was a great arrangement, how many moms actually want to spend a weekend camping with a bunch of boys where you know hygiene won’t be at the top of their list. It was a time where boys learned to tolerate one another and constructively working out differences. Just look up the scout oath. Why does everything involving boys have to be completely watered down in this day and age. You can have family events, but why sacrifice values BSA can offer boys. Boys are different from girls (strange concept I know), quit trying to be all inclusive.

Anonymous said...

1034 I agree with you 100 percent men are BETTER then women obviously they should allow girls to join the boys club?!! The GOLD award Allows a girl to skip ranks in the military I just hope that won't be effected.

Anonymous said...

11:08 You are assuming that all girls will now want to pursue the avenues and training of the Boy Scouts. My guess is that only a small percentage of girls will pursue the Boy Scout teachings and that the majority of the girls will want to be taught the lessons and ideas of the Girl Scouts. Not every girl is a tom boy you know.

Anonymous said...

I'm still mad about Brown vs Board of Ed, and now this too? What is this world coming to...

Anonymous said...

Shut your mouth 1108 - GS cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

11:44 Not every mom in the world is soooo concerned with camping hygiene. My pack leader was a mom when we were kids. And guess what, we didn't think twice about it.

"Quit trying to be all inclusive" brilliant. Your insecurities need not apply to others.

Anonymous said...

You are not being obedient, cheerful or brave.
-Fellow Eagle

Anonymous said...

Ummm.....

Anonymous said...

GS cookies are a big scam, the troop only gets 25 cents out of every box sold! BS popcorn at least gives the troop half.

Anonymous said...

11:44 AM Valid points, thank you