The Girls Scouts, which sees the changes as a threat to its own organization, has advocated for single-gender scouting.
Advertisement
The Boys Scouts of America (BSA) will change the name of its largest program to Scouts BSA as the push continues to welcome girls into the organization. They are trying to convey that they are here for both young men and women. Though girls have been allowed to participate in the Venture Scouting program for over twenty years, girls will now fully be able to participate in all levels of BSA scouting. Last year, BSA opened that organization up to girls, and Scouts BSA will do the same starting next year. The Cub Scouts, the BSA’s program for 7 to 10-year-olds, will keep its title.
Lauren Vlachos, assistant Scout executive and chief operating officer for the Boy Scouts of America Suffolk County Council in Medford, said the new name signals that girls now have a choice.
Changes were announced on Wednesday for the Boy Scouts of America, changing its name to “Scouts BSA”, with more girls joining the program. The program that was formerly Boy Scouts, and is now Scouts BSA, is for children ages 11 through 17. “I’d say, “Don’t be afraid to do what boys do”.
Surbaugh said he believes that boys and girls in Scouts BSA both will call themselves “scouts” only as opposed to adding “boy” or “girl” in front, the outlet said.
Jurgens says the W.D. Boyce Council is not part of the early adopter program, and no girls locally have enrolled yet in Cub Scouts. The Boy Scouts began offering co-ed programs in 1971.
“I think it will be just fine when there are girls who enjoy the same activities as boy scouts”, said Cindy Lyons.
Scout leaders here say they’ve already gotten negative feedback because of confusion.
The Boy Scouts of America are apparently serious about progress and inclusion. “We want you to join!'” It had 2.6 million members five years ago, down from its peak of four million. The race for inclusivity at any cost started with Boy Scouts having a policy against gay staff members – a policy that quickly died.
Advertisement
Scouting programs under the Boy Scouts of America have about 2.3 million members, while the Girl Scouts claim a membership of about 1.8 million, according to websites for the organizations.
