AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR SCOUT EXECUTIVE
This afternoon we received word that the BSA's board of
directors unanimously approved welcoming girls into our Cub Scouts program and
delivering a Scouting program for older girls that will enable them to advance
and earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout. It is important to note that the
program will remain a single gender program. Cub Scout Packs will have an
option of being an all boy pack, and all girl pack, or a mixed pack with boy
and girl dens. At the troop level, there will be all male troops and all female
troops, it will not be a co-ed program.
From feedback we have received from our own constituents, this
is a good thing! We have observed that overall, those in our Scouting family are in favor of the idea to include girls
in Scouting.
The
timing of the change will allow for Cub Scout aged girls to join beginning with
the fall program year, around September 1st. The Boy Scout program
option will become available in 2019.
The BSA thoughtfully evaluated how to bring the benefits of
Scouting to the greatest number of youth possible and adapt to the changing
needs of today’s families — all while remaining true to our mission and core
values, outlined in the Scout Oath and Law. It evaluated the results of
numerous research efforts, gaining input from current members and leaders — as
well as parents and girls who have never been involved in Scouting — to
understand how to offer families an important additional choice in meeting the
character development needs of all their children.
So, starting in the 2018 program year, families can choose to
sign up their sons and daughters for Cub Scouts. Using the same curriculum as
the Boy Scouts program, the BSA also will deliver a program for older girls,
which will be announced in 2018 and projected to be available in 2019, that
will enable girls to earn the Eagle Scout rank. Again, Boy Scouts remains
single-gender.
Linked below are some resources about today’s decision, for
which there is also a media contact at pr@scouting.org. I can also be reached
at dan.rogers@scouting.org if you have questions or concerns.
Official BSA news release
scoutingnewsroom.org
scoutingnewsroom.org
As always, the volunteers and staff at Georgia-Carolina Council look forward to supporting our families and Scouters in new ways with these expanded program offerings.
Yours
in Scouting,
Daniel
Rogers
Scout
ExecutiveWeclome
