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The following was written by Scott Taylor for the Deseret News. To read the full article, click here.
Embracing a historic change, the Boy Scouts of America announced Wednesday plans to admit girls into the Cub Scouts starting next year and to establish a new program for older girls using the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts.
Under the plan, Cub Scout dens — the smallest unit — will be single-gender, either all-boys or all-girls. The larger Cub Scout packs will have the option to remain single gender or welcome both genders. The program for older girls is expected to start in 2019 and will enable girls to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout.
The Boy Scouts board of directors, which approved the plan unanimously in a meeting at BSA headquarters in Texas, said the change was needed to provide more options for parents.
“We believe it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children,” said Michael Surbaugh, the BSA’s chief scout executive.
“The values of Scouting — trustworthy, loyal, helpful, kind, brave and reverent, for example — are important for both young men and women,” Surbaugh added.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which already has an activity program for girls through its Young Women and Primary programs, acknowledged the BSA announcement with its own statement Wednesday morning.
To read the full article on the Deseret News, click here.
Neal GrasteitOctober 18, 2017
I have seven sons and all are Eagle Scouts, well we are DONE with the BSA for good. This is the most stupid thing that BSA could have ever done. So sorry for this decision. It just lets us know the end is near and the great program of the BSA is just another example that it is getting very close.
LaurieOctober 13, 2017
I feel it is important to remember that the BSA is only a program, not a doctrine. Church programs change over the years as needed, based on inspiration. Perhaps the church association with BSA will also change.I hope the BSA does change their name to Scouts of America. How many girls have "earned" the cub scout awards, due to their mothers being called as den leaders, but never got the awards and recognition the boys did? I know my daughter has. I fully support the church leaders looking at these programs with a critical eye to determine if they will meet the needs of the rising generation of the church throughout the world. If we need to separate, so be it. However, in this particular regard, I do not fault the BSA for recognizing that the values and skills they are trying to teach are not gender specific. Also they are not violating their own oath and law in this instance as being a girl is not morally wrong.