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Requirement of Women at BSA Activities
Women must be present during any BSA activities that include girls. That is a requirement that applies to all BSA programs — from Cub Scouts BSA through Venturing BSA. Scouts BSA Troops for Boys events at which no girls are present do not require the presence of women. I was overly-broad in my use of language and stand corrected.
Women must be present during any BSA activities that include girls. That is a requirement that applies to all BSA programs — from Cub Scouts BSA through Venturing BSA. Scouts BSA Troops for Boys events at which no girls are present do not require the presence of women. I was overly-broad in my use of language and stand corrected.
Thanks to Scouts BSA Troop 666 for Boys
We are so thankful to Scouts BSA Troop 666 for Boys (National United Methodist Church in DC) for having given us a very complete wilderness first aid kit. It is the kind a physician or nurse could do surgery with. We are starting from scratch, and are assembling our equipment. With many under-resourced girls who will need sleeping bags, etc. our volunteer committee has it’s work to do.
We are so thankful to Scouts BSA Troop 666 for Boys (National United Methodist Church in DC) for having given us a very complete wilderness first aid kit. It is the kind a physician or nurse could do surgery with. We are starting from scratch, and are assembling our equipment. With many under-resourced girls who will need sleeping bags, etc. our volunteer committee has it’s work to do.
Non-discrimination Policy
Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls welcomes everyone. Potential adult volunteers need to pass a background check and must be approved by a representative of our Chartered Organization, which is All Souls Episcopal Church. Because our Troop welcomes everyone and this posting is about what we will be doing, further comment on my part is probably beyond the scope of this posting.
I am not a part of the BSA national organization and do not want to speak for them, but their full BSA policy is here: https://www.scouting.org/about/membership-policy/.
If people want to discuss this in more detail, I invite them to start their own posting. And, I note there was some discussion on those issues on postings earlier last fall.
Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls welcomes everyone. Potential adult volunteers need to pass a background check and must be approved by a representative of our Chartered Organization, which is All Souls Episcopal Church. Because our Troop welcomes everyone and this posting is about what we will be doing, further comment on my part is probably beyond the scope of this posting.
I am not a part of the BSA national organization and do not want to speak for them, but their full BSA policy is here: https://www.scouting.org/about/membership-policy/.
If people want to discuss this in more detail, I invite them to start their own posting. And, I note there was some discussion on those issues on postings earlier last fall.
First Year of Summer Camp
My experience is that the first year of Summer Camp should be a fun, action-oriented experience for new Scouts BSA members that introduces them to the essentials of scoutcraft. That is certainly the way we will make in in our Scouts BSA Troop for Girls. The Summer camp we will attend all-together (Camp Olmstead on the Goshen Scout Reservation) has a special program to assure just that, where first year campers experience the program elements that are especially appropriate. Any written requirements for badges are done in advance of summer camp, so there is a minimum of "classroom" type activity. 95% is dedicated to hands-on action. Our advancement co-chair gave me the schedule of activities for these first year girl-members: https://www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2019-Camp-Olmsted-Trailshead-Schedule.pdf.
My experience is that the first year of Summer Camp should be a fun, action-oriented experience for new Scouts BSA members that introduces them to the essentials of scoutcraft. That is certainly the way we will make in in our Scouts BSA Troop for Girls. The Summer camp we will attend all-together (Camp Olmstead on the Goshen Scout Reservation) has a special program to assure just that, where first year campers experience the program elements that are especially appropriate. Any written requirements for badges are done in advance of summer camp, so there is a minimum of "classroom" type activity. 95% is dedicated to hands-on action. Our advancement co-chair gave me the schedule of activities for these first year girl-members: https://www.gotogoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/2019-Camp-Olmsted-Trailshead-Schedule.pdf.
Gender Composition of Adult Leadership
We currently have 18 adult leaders and 10 are female, 8 are male. This last weekend we had 3 additional women apply to join us, so if they follow-through it will adjust further. Scouts BSA requires that at least one male and one female adult leader would be present on any activity, and that includes camping, backpacking, zip-lining sailboating and any other kind of activity inside or outside. We have female leaders (including our female Assistant Scoutmasters) who have extensive outdoor experience, including backpacking, extreme hiking/mountain climbing, etc. One of our female committee members if an Olympian who has a highest-level capability in these areas. Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls believes that girls need to have female as well as male role models to look up to and we will provide it. Here is information on volunteering for Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls: https://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/information-for-volunteers/.
Willingness to go outdoors
Scouts BSA does not exist to teach children how to camp, hike, or other outdoor activities. It exists to teach ethical decision-making and leadership, inspire confidence and upgrade personal fitness in children -- all in a manner that assists families as they form the character of their child. The outdoors is one of our principal classrooms to achieve this. If a girl is confident in how to exist comfortably in the outdoors and has a mastery over scoutcraft skills, she will be more confident in school and significantly upgrade her social interactions and life prospects. Any girl who joins us is going to be exposed to these things -- and very soon (our first overnight outing starts March 8). Adult volunteer leaders of out Troop do not have to be experienced in the outdoors, but we have found that most will participate and learn how to be confident in the outdoors themselves.
During out welcome event this last weekend a parent in the presence of her daughter asked me "does she have to go outside to be part of this Troop?" I replied that she would be welcome under any circumstance, but that she would miss-out on too much if she were to restrict herself to our indoor activities. Turns out the daughter was actually quite interested in testing herself in the outdoors after all. If a girl (with coaching) can lead her peers through the woods using a map and a compass, she is going to have the confidence to do a lot -- and that daughter decided she did not want to miss out on that.
Here is the link to our website that discusses our outdoor program: https://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/camping-and-hiking-in-the-outdoors/.
And, we have one more Welcome party before we start-up in February. Please see the event posting for that information.
We currently have 18 adult leaders and 10 are female, 8 are male. This last weekend we had 3 additional women apply to join us, so if they follow-through it will adjust further. Scouts BSA requires that at least one male and one female adult leader would be present on any activity, and that includes camping, backpacking, zip-lining sailboating and any other kind of activity inside or outside. We have female leaders (including our female Assistant Scoutmasters) who have extensive outdoor experience, including backpacking, extreme hiking/mountain climbing, etc. One of our female committee members if an Olympian who has a highest-level capability in these areas. Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls believes that girls need to have female as well as male role models to look up to and we will provide it. Here is information on volunteering for Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls: https://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/information-for-volunteers/.
Willingness to go outdoors
Scouts BSA does not exist to teach children how to camp, hike, or other outdoor activities. It exists to teach ethical decision-making and leadership, inspire confidence and upgrade personal fitness in children -- all in a manner that assists families as they form the character of their child. The outdoors is one of our principal classrooms to achieve this. If a girl is confident in how to exist comfortably in the outdoors and has a mastery over scoutcraft skills, she will be more confident in school and significantly upgrade her social interactions and life prospects. Any girl who joins us is going to be exposed to these things -- and very soon (our first overnight outing starts March 8). Adult volunteer leaders of out Troop do not have to be experienced in the outdoors, but we have found that most will participate and learn how to be confident in the outdoors themselves.
During out welcome event this last weekend a parent in the presence of her daughter asked me "does she have to go outside to be part of this Troop?" I replied that she would be welcome under any circumstance, but that she would miss-out on too much if she were to restrict herself to our indoor activities. Turns out the daughter was actually quite interested in testing herself in the outdoors after all. If a girl (with coaching) can lead her peers through the woods using a map and a compass, she is going to have the confidence to do a lot -- and that daughter decided she did not want to miss out on that.
Here is the link to our website that discusses our outdoor program: https://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/camping-and-hiking-in-the-outdoors/.
And, we have one more Welcome party before we start-up in February. Please see the event posting for that information.
Thank You from our Troop Committee and Scoutmaster Staff
It has been a pleasure to answer your questions on this posting. I appreciate the seriousness of your inquiries and hope my direct responses have informed you about how Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will operate in our City. We have the first of our 2 open house "Welcome Parties" on Jan 12 (see the event posting elsewhere on this blog), and I will let you know on how the first one goes. On behalf of our 18 adult volunteers and 14 girl members we have so far, thanks for your interest. If you need to contact me or other adult volunteers with individual questions, please send an email to: ScoutsBsaDcGirls+Scoutmaster@gmail.com. And, you can always make an inquiry for your girl as a potential member or yourself as a potential volunteer leader at: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/.
It has been a pleasure to answer your questions on this posting. I appreciate the seriousness of your inquiries and hope my direct responses have informed you about how Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will operate in our City. We have the first of our 2 open house "Welcome Parties" on Jan 12 (see the event posting elsewhere on this blog), and I will let you know on how the first one goes. On behalf of our 18 adult volunteers and 14 girl members we have so far, thanks for your interest. If you need to contact me or other adult volunteers with individual questions, please send an email to: ScoutsBsaDcGirls+Scoutmaster@gmail.com. And, you can always make an inquiry for your girl as a potential member or yourself as a potential volunteer leader at: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/.
Financial Reorganization
I am a leader of a local Scouts BSA Troop and not a national leader in the BSA, so these comments are my own. It is well written-about in the media that organizations like schools, athletic clubs, churches and the BSA have experienced levels of inappropriate and even criminal behavior on the part of some adults who engaged in inappropriate behavior with children. As I understand it these organizations have a financial reorganization option under federal law to assemble insurance proceeds and some of their own assets to pay financial damages to victims. When this happens, victims make their claims, payments are made, and the organiztion can move forward from that time without having to defend aginst claims on an ongoing basis. This allows significant payments to victims. It also allows the organizations to retain the facilities and finances necessary for them to continue their educational, religious, athletic or youth serving services. If the BSA national organization goes through that process, our local programming and facilities will remain unaffected.
Of key importance to those of us volunteering to provide services to youth and the parents who are considering having their children participate, are the rules and practices we follow today. These are appropriately rigorous and absolutely mandatory. The "Safe Church" requirements of the Episcopal Church and the "Youth Protection" regulations of the BSA are elaborate and strict. In Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls we have women and men adult leaders who must pass a required Youth Protection Training program efore they can serve. Out parents and guardians will be given a thorough orientation to these requirements during our first Troop meeting on February 2. A link to these requirements hs here: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/policies/. This is what we tell the girsl: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/the-buddy-system/.
Here is an excerpt from my letter to parents posted on our web site. Whether you have your child join our group or any other, you should alway inquire how the specific group operates to protect our children:
"Our Troop follows the BSA’s Youth Protection policies and the Safe Church policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to protect your girl and others involved in Scouting. Our Troop Committee and the Scoutmaster Staff follow mandatory practices, which I summarize below:
Two Leaders on Outings. A minimum of two registered and Youth Protection trained BSA leaders or the combination of one registered BSA leader and the parent of a participating Scout must be present. Both persons must be at least 21 years old and at least one of these people must be a female.
Two Leaders on Cyber Communication. There are no one-on-one online or digital activity or electronic communications. Two Troop Leaders and a parent or guardian are always included in any electronic communication with a youth member, ensuring no one-on-one contact exists in text, social media, or other forms of online or digital communication. The “Scoutbook” web and app system (discussed below) generates these copies and is our exclusive means of cyber communication with youth members and families.
No One-On-One Contact is allowed between Youth and Adults. When a situation requires a personal conference, the meeting is conducted with knowledge and in the view of other adults and youth.
Separate Accommodations for Youth and Adults. No youth is allowed to sleep in a tent with an adult other than her own parent or guardian. Separate shower and bathroom facilities are used for adults, youth and girls. The only exception is when separate facilities are not available and scheduled and posted times are used to separate adults from youth and males from females.
Buddy System. Self-selected groups of 2 or 3 girls assure girls are never alone on Scouting activities.
Privacy is Maintained. Girls and adults respect privacy in situations like changing clothes or taking showers. Adults are not allowed into such areas unless a health or safety issue requires it. In such cases two adults are required.
No Inappropriate Digital Use. No use of digital devices is allowed in circumstances where privacy is expected or requested.
No Secret Organizations. These are prohibited in the BSA and in our Troop.
No Hazing or Bullying is permitted.
Girl leaders are carefully advised. We monitor and advise our girl leaders to assure safety and compliance with BSA policies.
Discipline. This is always positive and constructive. No corporal or negative activities are allowed.
Appropriate Clothing Required. Bathing suits are required and no revealing clothing is allowed.
Mandatory Reporting. All Troop Leaders are required by law, BSA and Episcopal Church policy to report youth protection-related incidents. Any good-faith suspicion or belief that a child has been abused or exposed to any form of exploitation or obscenity is required by law to be reported to local law enforcement. We will also notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive and the Chief Executive (Rector) of the Church.
Parent Reporting. Any parent who has reason to believe that BSA youth protection policies are not being followed should notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive by calling (248) 530-9360 and the Rector of the Church by calling (202) 232-4244. Instances of actual abuse should be reported directly to law enforcement, as well as the BSA Scout Executive and Church Rector."
That is my summary of many of the principal points of the Youth Protection Program and how we implement it. You can read my entire letter (a bit long, but provides all of our operating details) here: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/scoutmasters-letter-to-prospective-parents/.
I am a leader of a local Scouts BSA Troop and not a national leader in the BSA, so these comments are my own. It is well written-about in the media that organizations like schools, athletic clubs, churches and the BSA have experienced levels of inappropriate and even criminal behavior on the part of some adults who engaged in inappropriate behavior with children. As I understand it these organizations have a financial reorganization option under federal law to assemble insurance proceeds and some of their own assets to pay financial damages to victims. When this happens, victims make their claims, payments are made, and the organiztion can move forward from that time without having to defend aginst claims on an ongoing basis. This allows significant payments to victims. It also allows the organizations to retain the facilities and finances necessary for them to continue their educational, religious, athletic or youth serving services. If the BSA national organization goes through that process, our local programming and facilities will remain unaffected.
Of key importance to those of us volunteering to provide services to youth and the parents who are considering having their children participate, are the rules and practices we follow today. These are appropriately rigorous and absolutely mandatory. The "Safe Church" requirements of the Episcopal Church and the "Youth Protection" regulations of the BSA are elaborate and strict. In Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls we have women and men adult leaders who must pass a required Youth Protection Training program efore they can serve. Out parents and guardians will be given a thorough orientation to these requirements during our first Troop meeting on February 2. A link to these requirements hs here: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/policies/. This is what we tell the girsl: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/the-buddy-system/.
Here is an excerpt from my letter to parents posted on our web site. Whether you have your child join our group or any other, you should alway inquire how the specific group operates to protect our children:
"Our Troop follows the BSA’s Youth Protection policies and the Safe Church policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to protect your girl and others involved in Scouting. Our Troop Committee and the Scoutmaster Staff follow mandatory practices, which I summarize below:
Two Leaders on Outings. A minimum of two registered and Youth Protection trained BSA leaders or the combination of one registered BSA leader and the parent of a participating Scout must be present. Both persons must be at least 21 years old and at least one of these people must be a female.
Two Leaders on Cyber Communication. There are no one-on-one online or digital activity or electronic communications. Two Troop Leaders and a parent or guardian are always included in any electronic communication with a youth member, ensuring no one-on-one contact exists in text, social media, or other forms of online or digital communication. The “Scoutbook” web and app system (discussed below) generates these copies and is our exclusive means of cyber communication with youth members and families.
No One-On-One Contact is allowed between Youth and Adults. When a situation requires a personal conference, the meeting is conducted with knowledge and in the view of other adults and youth.
Separate Accommodations for Youth and Adults. No youth is allowed to sleep in a tent with an adult other than her own parent or guardian. Separate shower and bathroom facilities are used for adults, youth and girls. The only exception is when separate facilities are not available and scheduled and posted times are used to separate adults from youth and males from females.
Buddy System. Self-selected groups of 2 or 3 girls assure girls are never alone on Scouting activities.
Privacy is Maintained. Girls and adults respect privacy in situations like changing clothes or taking showers. Adults are not allowed into such areas unless a health or safety issue requires it. In such cases two adults are required.
No Inappropriate Digital Use. No use of digital devices is allowed in circumstances where privacy is expected or requested.
No Secret Organizations. These are prohibited in the BSA and in our Troop.
No Hazing or Bullying is permitted.
Girl leaders are carefully advised. We monitor and advise our girl leaders to assure safety and compliance with BSA policies.
Discipline. This is always positive and constructive. No corporal or negative activities are allowed.
Appropriate Clothing Required. Bathing suits are required and no revealing clothing is allowed.
Mandatory Reporting. All Troop Leaders are required by law, BSA and Episcopal Church policy to report youth protection-related incidents. Any good-faith suspicion or belief that a child has been abused or exposed to any form of exploitation or obscenity is required by law to be reported to local law enforcement. We will also notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive and the Chief Executive (Rector) of the Church.
Parent Reporting. Any parent who has reason to believe that BSA youth protection policies are not being followed should notify our local professional BSA Scout Executive by calling (248) 530-9360 and the Rector of the Church by calling (202) 232-4244. Instances of actual abuse should be reported directly to law enforcement, as well as the BSA Scout Executive and Church Rector."
That is my summary of many of the principal points of the Youth Protection Program and how we implement it. You can read my entire letter (a bit long, but provides all of our operating details) here: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/scoutmasters-letter-to-prospective-parents/.
Camping Logistics for Girls
We are only going to camp at places where there are adequate and separate showering and bathroom facilities dedicated to women (as well as men). The BSA long ago built-out facilities at their own camps for women when their high school-aged programs admitted women. In those instances where only a single facility is available at a camp, the BSA and Episcopal Church require us to dedicate times for single sex use as well as related signage.
Girl Scouts
I am not very familiar with Girl Scouts and can't really comment on their operation. Those issues were very thoroughly discussed in earlier postings this past fall, so I am encouraging people who want to discuss those issues to start their own posting if they want to go in that direction. Personally, I am happy their program serves so many girls. I also think it is great that we are adding an additional option for families in DC.
We are only going to camp at places where there are adequate and separate showering and bathroom facilities dedicated to women (as well as men). The BSA long ago built-out facilities at their own camps for women when their high school-aged programs admitted women. In those instances where only a single facility is available at a camp, the BSA and Episcopal Church require us to dedicate times for single sex use as well as related signage.
Girl Scouts
I am not very familiar with Girl Scouts and can't really comment on their operation. Those issues were very thoroughly discussed in earlier postings this past fall, so I am encouraging people who want to discuss those issues to start their own posting if they want to go in that direction. Personally, I am happy their program serves so many girls. I also think it is great that we are adding an additional option for families in DC.
High School Girls Joining to Make Eagle
If you have a girl age 15 or older who wants to make Eagle Scout, the detail concerning how to do that is beyond the scope of this blog posting. You would want to send an explanatory note to our Troop Committee at ScoutsBsaDcGirls@gmail.com with the particulars. Our advancement people would be in contact with you.
If you have a girl age 15 or older who wants to make Eagle Scout, the detail concerning how to do that is beyond the scope of this blog posting. You would want to send an explanatory note to our Troop Committee at ScoutsBsaDcGirls@gmail.com with the particulars. Our advancement people would be in contact with you.
Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls anticipates that the preponderance of girls joining us will be age 11-13. However, we have made a specific arrangement to closely advise girls 15 and older who are joining. We are fortunate to have two women who have served as advancement chairs of other Scouts BSA Troops serving as advancement co-chairs. And our 7-member Scoutmaster Staff is ready to help them. Frankly, making Eagle in anything less than three years is an extraordinary challenge, but the one-time extension for both new girls and boys to make Eagle referenced by Aaron makes it possible. Incidentally, there is no waiver of any requirement during that extension time. But if a girl out there wants to do it, we are ready for her. We encourage these high school girls to consider joining us. They would be great role models for our younger girl members.
Merit Badges
The national BSA organization regularly surveys youth members about what topics they would like to see covered by a merit badge. The current list of merit badges is on this page, along with the requirements to earn the respective merit badge: https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/.
Merit badges are established and updated when the national BSA organizations assembles national experts on the particular career, academic field, hobby, sport or other topic. Often a national professional association plays this role. With so many girls joining the BSA and its Scouts BSA program, there may be interest in topics especially requested by girls that are not adequately covered by current merit badges. I am sure the BSA would either establish new merit badges or revise/expand the coverage of existing merit badges in response. I looked over the list of the current merit badges and believe there will be strong girl interest in all of the existing ones. And boys will be interested in any new badges as well.
My choice of wording (girl-specific) was poor. I should have said something like girl-requested.
I'm a little beyond the scope of this posting, which is supposed to be about what our own Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will be doing. I am not part of the national organization, can't speak on their behalf and don't want to get into their operations.
The national BSA organization regularly surveys youth members about what topics they would like to see covered by a merit badge. The current list of merit badges is on this page, along with the requirements to earn the respective merit badge: https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/advancement-and-awards/merit-badges/.
Merit badges are established and updated when the national BSA organizations assembles national experts on the particular career, academic field, hobby, sport or other topic. Often a national professional association plays this role. With so many girls joining the BSA and its Scouts BSA program, there may be interest in topics especially requested by girls that are not adequately covered by current merit badges. I am sure the BSA would either establish new merit badges or revise/expand the coverage of existing merit badges in response. I looked over the list of the current merit badges and believe there will be strong girl interest in all of the existing ones. And boys will be interested in any new badges as well.
My choice of wording (girl-specific) was poor. I should have said something like girl-requested.
I'm a little beyond the scope of this posting, which is supposed to be about what our own Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will be doing. I am not part of the national organization, can't speak on their behalf and don't want to get into their operations.
That is great to hear. Eight of the 14 girls we already have signed-up to join Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls were Webelos Cub Scouts at the Pack which meets at National United Methodist Church near American University. Girls in Cub Scouts BSA meet in either all-girl or all-boy "dens", which are 8-10 member groups. The girls had a splendid experience and several received their "Arrow of Light" awards (the top award in Cub Scouts). I highly recommend that Pack for girls not yet eligible to join our Troop. They also have a great all-boy Scouts BSA Troop. We had some joint Pack-Troop meetings there, and the Troop boys always treated the Pack girls with great respect.
We are an all-city Scouts BSA Troop for Girls, and look forward to one day welcoming your family. In fact, stop by one of our "Welcome Parties" this month so she can see what she has to look forward to!
We are an all-city Scouts BSA Troop for Girls, and look forward to one day welcoming your family. In fact, stop by one of our "Welcome Parties" this month so she can see what she has to look forward to!
Will the Boys accept the Girls?
That is a great question. It is important to keep in mind that Scouts BSA Troop 248 is not co-ed and is all-girl. We meet at a church where there is no other Scouting organization. So, as a matter of practicality we will not be interacting with boys as fellow Troop 248 members during our meetings or other activities, such as campouts. Girls will elect their own girl leaders and they will lead only girls.
Scouts BSA troops that are all-boy will certainly be camping in other campsites when we are visiting BSA camp facilities and during "camp-o-rees", which are events when a large number of troops camp at the same place and have scouting skill contests with each other. In those circumstances I believe the all-boy troops will respect our girls. The girl members of Troop 248 will experience the same program as the boys and will be respected for their competency at scouting skills and character. Of course Youth Protection guidelines of the BSA and Episcopal Church mandate comprehensive protective measures related to matters such as privacy.
The BSA's high school-aged co-ed programs include Venturing BSA and Sea Scouts BSA. These programs have included girls age 14 (or having finished 8th grade) and above since the late 1960's. There has never been a problem with the acceptance of girls in those programs as either members or youth leaders. I was involved in those programs as a youth and adult and personally experienced how well-accepted girls are in the BSA. I think that long, positive track record of girls succeeding in the BSA is a great way to forecast success for how girls in Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will experience our program.
That is a great question. It is important to keep in mind that Scouts BSA Troop 248 is not co-ed and is all-girl. We meet at a church where there is no other Scouting organization. So, as a matter of practicality we will not be interacting with boys as fellow Troop 248 members during our meetings or other activities, such as campouts. Girls will elect their own girl leaders and they will lead only girls.
Scouts BSA troops that are all-boy will certainly be camping in other campsites when we are visiting BSA camp facilities and during "camp-o-rees", which are events when a large number of troops camp at the same place and have scouting skill contests with each other. In those circumstances I believe the all-boy troops will respect our girls. The girl members of Troop 248 will experience the same program as the boys and will be respected for their competency at scouting skills and character. Of course Youth Protection guidelines of the BSA and Episcopal Church mandate comprehensive protective measures related to matters such as privacy.
The BSA's high school-aged co-ed programs include Venturing BSA and Sea Scouts BSA. These programs have included girls age 14 (or having finished 8th grade) and above since the late 1960's. There has never been a problem with the acceptance of girls in those programs as either members or youth leaders. I was involved in those programs as a youth and adult and personally experienced how well-accepted girls are in the BSA. I think that long, positive track record of girls succeeding in the BSA is a great way to forecast success for how girls in Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls will experience our program.
We will be delighted to welcome you to our event and our girls will be pleased to meet your daughter. If you are wanting to get a more detailed view of what the Troop will be doing you can read the Scoutmasters Letter on our web site: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/scoutmasters-letter-to-prospective-parents/. If that is too long for you, we have a simple one-pager that can allow your daughter and you to get a quick understanding: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/adults/information-for-parents/. If she specifically wants to learn what our girls will be doing in the outdoors, she can look at a page written for girls discussing that: http://scoutsbsadcgirls.org/about/camping-and-hiking-in-the-outdoors/.
As evidence of the appropriateness of reaching out to the homeschoolers, I note that within 30 minutes of the posting, there are already 22 views. I anticipate some questions about how homeschoolers can use Scouts BSA to directly satisfy homeschooling curriculum requirements. If Jeff sees it otherwise, I trust his judgement. The only part of the posting that is the same is the necessary description of the program.