Message
Dear Everyone:
I am the Scoutmaster of a Scouts BSA Troop to which my daughter and 26 other young women belong. We have 18 adult involved, and the majority are women. I am glad there is so much interest in this topic, because it reflects that youth service organizations are as relevant and important as ever. Otherwise there would not be such passion in the discussion.
The BSA is no longer a reasonable proxy for any particular political or religious point of view. It has culturally returned to what it was in the late 70’s — a non-denominational and non-discriminatory organization helps young people make good ethical choices. The BSA is no longer a good organization to attack for cultural reasons. The right and the left vigorously attack us for either “abandoning values” or “stealing” female membership and perceived accompanying financial support away from other youth service organizations. Both are wrong for fundamental reasons beyond the scope of this posting.
What I do know is that other youth service organizations are expending significant professional time and treasure attacking the BSA as a matter of formal organization policy. The BSA is not responding in like manner, preferring to provide the young women of America an option to select a different option, if they wish. And what is the result in the first 60 days? 1,800 new Scouts BSA troops. And, we now have over 90 thousand girls enrolled in our Cub and Scouts BSA programs.
The BSA will continue to fulfill its mission for young men and women long after the current disputes are forgotten. It will continue to urge young people to develop skills to that they can choose what is good and decent for them, their families and our Country. For those who are disappointed that the BSA has re-focused on its essential mission, I ask you to re-examine your views.
Our girls and volunteer committee do not care who you are or what you believe. They welcome you unconditionally to fully explore the great outdoors and learn skills that girls can use to guide their lives.
I am the Scoutmaster of a Scouts BSA Troop to which my daughter and 26 other young women belong. We have 18 adult involved, and the majority are women. I am glad there is so much interest in this topic, because it reflects that youth service organizations are as relevant and important as ever. Otherwise there would not be such passion in the discussion.
The BSA is no longer a reasonable proxy for any particular political or religious point of view. It has culturally returned to what it was in the late 70’s — a non-denominational and non-discriminatory organization helps young people make good ethical choices. The BSA is no longer a good organization to attack for cultural reasons. The right and the left vigorously attack us for either “abandoning values” or “stealing” female membership and perceived accompanying financial support away from other youth service organizations. Both are wrong for fundamental reasons beyond the scope of this posting.
What I do know is that other youth service organizations are expending significant professional time and treasure attacking the BSA as a matter of formal organization policy. The BSA is not responding in like manner, preferring to provide the young women of America an option to select a different option, if they wish. And what is the result in the first 60 days? 1,800 new Scouts BSA troops. And, we now have over 90 thousand girls enrolled in our Cub and Scouts BSA programs.
The BSA will continue to fulfill its mission for young men and women long after the current disputes are forgotten. It will continue to urge young people to develop skills to that they can choose what is good and decent for them, their families and our Country. For those who are disappointed that the BSA has re-focused on its essential mission, I ask you to re-examine your views.
Our girls and volunteer committee do not care who you are or what you believe. They welcome you unconditionally to fully explore the great outdoors and learn skills that girls can use to guide their lives.
I am going to cease further comment on this thread. The issues concerning BSA membership policy changes and the disappointments expressed by competing youth service organizations and others have been fully discussed on other threads over the past two years. Scouts BSA for Girls and Cub Scouts for Girls have clearly found an enthusiastic number of members. I am an informed and directly-involved volunteer in that effort and invite parents of potentially-interested children to visit a Cub Scout or Scouts BSA unit for your boy or girl. You can find one at www.BeAScout.org.
We now have over 50 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls in the DC metropolitan area. 1,800 nationally. In two months. The marketplace of girls has spoken loudly and clearly, and young women these days immediately recognize Scouts BSA as a first-ranking youth program of tremendous relevance to them. It is all about options for young people and not about competition with other organizations. I am a cheerleader for any organization that pulls together volunteers to serve young people, including those mentioned on this thread.
Organizations that well-serve their members evolve and the BSA is no exception. One commenter above notes that our change will be good for our membership and finances, which is correct. We have made the right decisions and are an a better path.
Organizations that well-serve their members evolve and the BSA is no exception. One commenter above notes that our change will be good for our membership and finances, which is correct. We have made the right decisions and are an a better path.
The BSA adopted the Clinton-era “Don’t ask don’t tell” policy of the military. The policy, while upheld by the Supreme Court, was quite problematic. We were continuously sued by individuals and city/state human rights commissions. We had sponsors dropping because of the policy. The crazy thing is that other than a few high-visibility situations, people were neither excluded nor asked to leave because of the policy, which our members would not enforce. We are a youth service organization and had become a punching bag for non-members seeking to make political and religious points. That is now over, because we now welcome everyone. The commenter appears to be interested in more exclusionary organizations, and there are organizations out there that can cater to his preferences.
Hello. I am the Scoutmaster of DC’s Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls. I conducted an exhaustive thread earlier this year and answered over 80 questions from people about the BSA now including all-girl troops. If you are interested in learning about the program you can look at that thread or go to our web site at www.ScoutsBsaDcGirls.org.
A few clarifications about things raised in this thread. Scouts BSA is not Co-Ed. The commenter who opposes girls being able to participate can rest assured that the all-Boy troops will continue on as before. The BSA decided it would be an all-welcoming organization and has ceased embracing or enforcing the religious dogma of any particular faith. So yes, gays and girls are welcome. People offput by this have other choices, and that is great. We just determined that it did not well-serve American youth to continue some of these past policies. Product sales in Scouts BSA are up to the individual Scout unit. In our troop in DC we do not do any product sales - preferring to have our girls spend 100% of their time doing program. We price our dues to cover all costs and have community sources to offset dues for under-resourced families. We are growing each week. We are now up to 26 girls organized into three “patrols” and have a volunteer committee of 18. All Souls Episcopal church is the organization that makes this possible and is where we meet twice a month on Saturday mornings. If you have an interested girl, stop by with her at our next meeting on April 13 from 10 to Noon. This is a splendid group of girls who have fully-embraced this wonderful program.
A few clarifications about things raised in this thread. Scouts BSA is not Co-Ed. The commenter who opposes girls being able to participate can rest assured that the all-Boy troops will continue on as before. The BSA decided it would be an all-welcoming organization and has ceased embracing or enforcing the religious dogma of any particular faith. So yes, gays and girls are welcome. People offput by this have other choices, and that is great. We just determined that it did not well-serve American youth to continue some of these past policies. Product sales in Scouts BSA are up to the individual Scout unit. In our troop in DC we do not do any product sales - preferring to have our girls spend 100% of their time doing program. We price our dues to cover all costs and have community sources to offset dues for under-resourced families. We are growing each week. We are now up to 26 girls organized into three “patrols” and have a volunteer committee of 18. All Souls Episcopal church is the organization that makes this possible and is where we meet twice a month on Saturday mornings. If you have an interested girl, stop by with her at our next meeting on April 13 from 10 to Noon. This is a splendid group of girls who have fully-embraced this wonderful program.
I am a 30-year BSA Scouter and wish to clarify that parents are not required to attend Cub Scout meetings with their girls. This is from the BSA national web site :
“May parents attend meetings? Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individual girls. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parental involvement is not forbidden and all meetings should be open to your participation.”
Parents are encouraged to attend the monthly Pack meetings, when all of the all-girl and all-Boy dens participate. Of course the Scouts BSA Troop meetings for ages 11 -17 are open to parents for observation, but they typically do not attend. You can learn about our Scouts BSATroop 248 for Girls at www.ScoutsBsaDcGirls.org. We meet on Saturday mornings and have 25 girls.
Looks like you have some fine recruitment efforts under way. Best of luck.
“May parents attend meetings? Cub Scout den meetings are intended to be an activity for the individual girls. They are not a family activity, and the presence of parents can be a distraction. However, parental involvement is not forbidden and all meetings should be open to your participation.”
Parents are encouraged to attend the monthly Pack meetings, when all of the all-girl and all-Boy dens participate. Of course the Scouts BSA Troop meetings for ages 11 -17 are open to parents for observation, but they typically do not attend. You can learn about our Scouts BSATroop 248 for Girls at www.ScoutsBsaDcGirls.org. We meet on Saturday mornings and have 25 girls.
Looks like you have some fine recruitment efforts under way. Best of luck.
Incidentally, we now have 30 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls across the metropolitan area showing on the BeAScout website and will add about 10 additional ones over the next week or so. https://beascout.scouting.org/. So, there are now plenty of opportunities to get your girls into Scouts BSA.
I agree. Venturing is a great organization for high schoolers who are interested in a vigorous outdoor program targeted to that age group. Venturing "Crews" are fully co-ed and have been that way since 1969. Venturing has its own advancement system, but youth who have started their Scouts BSA advancement activity in a Scouts BSA "Troop" can finish it off within a Venturing "Crew". All of these programs can be accessed by identifying a unit to join by clicking: https://beascout.scouting.org/.
Some of you contacted me over the weekend to ask how the overall formation of Troops for Girls is going in the DC area and how you can get your girl involved in a Scouts BSA Troop for Girls. I'm the Scoutmaster for the Troop in the District at All Sould Episcopal Church ( http://www.ScoutsdBsaDcGirls.org. ). There are now 70 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls being formed across the DC metropolitan area. So, there will be one near you. Just look on http://www.BeAScout.org for the list of troops as they are formed -- contact information on each Troop will be included. Best to find a Troop and have your girl signed-up well in advance of summer camp at Goshen Scout Reservation. And, our girls are especially excited because the Scout Shop now has the new uniform shirts and bottoms in girl and adult female fit (same colors, but a lot better fit according to our people).
Of course. Young women age 14-21 have been in the BSA since 1972, when they joined the older-youth programs (Sea Scouts, Explorers and Venturers). The recent openings have girls now joining the elementary school Cub Scout program and now the iconic 11 - 17 year old "Scouts BSA" program, formerly known as Boy Scouts. The Cub Scout and Scouts BSA programs are not co-ed, whereas the older youth programs have always been fully co-ed.
Thanks to everyone who asked questions and had helpful comments in the posting a few weeks ago about Scouts BSA for Girls. I met several of you these past few weeks during our open houses and several of you now have your daughters in our Scouts BSA Troop. Scouts BSA for Girls in the DC metropolitan area had a huge start this weekend. Our own Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls at All Souls Episcopal Church in the District now has 24 girl members and is growing rapidly. If you girl lives in the District you can learn about us at http://www.ScoutsBsaDcGirls.org. Stop by any Saturday morning we have scheduled meeting and we will be happy to greet you and your girl. Here is our picture in the paper: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/feb/2/first-all-girl-troops-welcomed-boy-scouts/ and we will be the featured segment on the national NBC Nightly News on Sunday night (today).
The BSA professionals who showed to our opening ceremony (along with the many community leaders, including the Episcopal Bishop on Washington) told us that they have formed 28 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls in the greater DC metropolitan area. Click here to find one nearby your family: https://beascout.scouting.org/list/?zip=20008&program%5B0%5D=scoutsBSA&scoutsBSAFilter=GirlsOnly&miles=20.
Happy to answer any more questions out there about Scouts BSA for Girls, although the huge string a few weeks ago nearly wore me out. Finest wishes getting your girls into youth groups that provide assistance to your families and meaning to their lives.
The BSA professionals who showed to our opening ceremony (along with the many community leaders, including the Episcopal Bishop on Washington) told us that they have formed 28 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls in the greater DC metropolitan area. Click here to find one nearby your family: https://beascout.scouting.org/list/?zip=20008&program%5B0%5D=scoutsBSA&scoutsBSAFilter=GirlsOnly&miles=20.
Happy to answer any more questions out there about Scouts BSA for Girls, although the huge string a few weeks ago nearly wore me out. Finest wishes getting your girls into youth groups that provide assistance to your families and meaning to their lives.
I guess you got me there! I recall seeing directions on how to make bedrolls in the Scout Handbook of my youth, but never saw or heard of anyone actually using one. And, sleeping bags are fairly inexpensive these days.
Equipment and Uniform Contributions Welcomed
Yes. Our Children could use all of your used camping equipment. We already have applications from five under-resourced families who live in our City and who would like their girls to become Eagle Scouts someday. They have nothing. If you want to, swing by at 9:30 AM (just before our open house) this Saturday morning at the Church (All Souls Episcopal, 2300 Cathedral Ave., NW) and bring what you have. We have 2 Assistant Scoutmasters who are managing our equipment acquisition and they will provide it to grateful young Scouts. Anyone else reading this who has camping equipment in good shape that you want to contribute is invited to do the same. These girls also need clean BSA tan uniforms -- but in the smaller sized (BSA small and medium in shirt sizes).
Scholarships
As we grow Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls in our City we will be further building our scholarship fund to send girls from under-resourced families to Scouts BSA summer camp and provide other activities and things for them. Since we are new, we will not go to the community for support until later this fall, after we have a good track record and after our fall girl-member drive. We will not engage girls in product sales. Rather, we will have them concentrate on learning scoutcraft skills. We adults will raise money only for the purpose of supporting these girls during a one-a-year morning coffee reception.
Again, Thank You to Everyone
I am kind of overwhelmed by the interest and kindness shown by so many on this posting. Such a large number of very thoughtful questions and suggestions which keep on coming after a week.
Yes. Our Children could use all of your used camping equipment. We already have applications from five under-resourced families who live in our City and who would like their girls to become Eagle Scouts someday. They have nothing. If you want to, swing by at 9:30 AM (just before our open house) this Saturday morning at the Church (All Souls Episcopal, 2300 Cathedral Ave., NW) and bring what you have. We have 2 Assistant Scoutmasters who are managing our equipment acquisition and they will provide it to grateful young Scouts. Anyone else reading this who has camping equipment in good shape that you want to contribute is invited to do the same. These girls also need clean BSA tan uniforms -- but in the smaller sized (BSA small and medium in shirt sizes).
Scholarships
As we grow Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls in our City we will be further building our scholarship fund to send girls from under-resourced families to Scouts BSA summer camp and provide other activities and things for them. Since we are new, we will not go to the community for support until later this fall, after we have a good track record and after our fall girl-member drive. We will not engage girls in product sales. Rather, we will have them concentrate on learning scoutcraft skills. We adults will raise money only for the purpose of supporting these girls during a one-a-year morning coffee reception.
Again, Thank You to Everyone
I am kind of overwhelmed by the interest and kindness shown by so many on this posting. Such a large number of very thoughtful questions and suggestions which keep on coming after a week.
Equipment
Thanks for the reminder that camping equipment need not be expensive. The nature of camping equipment is much lighter, smaller and less expensive than is was even 10 years ago. We are adopting a best-practices approach right from the start with Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls, and are encouraging minimalism.
Thanks for the reminder that camping equipment need not be expensive. The nature of camping equipment is much lighter, smaller and less expensive than is was even 10 years ago. We are adopting a best-practices approach right from the start with Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls, and are encouraging minimalism.
Youth Protection
This posting is about what our Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will be doing. Because we have many fathers as well as mothers as registered leaders in our group, it will be rare for us to not have both a man and a women present during every actiivty. We will meticulously obey the requirements of the BSA youth protection program and the "Safe Church" requirements of the Episcopal Church. Further, we will follow the general health and safety standards of the BSA. They regulate things like who can drive a carpooling vehicle, etc. All of the policies are linked to this page: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/policies/.
Parsing the details of the programs is interesting, but probably beyond the scope of this posting.
This posting is about what our Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will be doing. Because we have many fathers as well as mothers as registered leaders in our group, it will be rare for us to not have both a man and a women present during every actiivty. We will meticulously obey the requirements of the BSA youth protection program and the "Safe Church" requirements of the Episcopal Church. Further, we will follow the general health and safety standards of the BSA. They regulate things like who can drive a carpooling vehicle, etc. All of the policies are linked to this page: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/policies/.
Parsing the details of the programs is interesting, but probably beyond the scope of this posting.