MORGANTOWN — Among the dozens of Cub Scouts running around Camp Mountaineer this weekend are three girls — their official participation a result of the May 2 announcement from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) that it is dropping gender restrictions on participation in its Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs.
Monongalia County falls within the four-county Mountaineer Area Council — one of the five smallest BSA councils in the country and the only one located entirely within West Virginia. The council opted in January to become an early adopter of the new participation guidelines prior to nationwide implementation, June 11.
All told, there are currently 11 girls included in the 946 or so BSA participants in the council — eight Bear Scouts (third grade) and three Webelos (fourth grade).
Alex Stout, Mountaineer Area Council district executive, explained that the Cub Scout and Boy Scout (now Scouts BSA) programs were the only two under the BSA umbrella that were not coed. He added the U.S. was one of few countries that divide scouts based on gender at all.
Further, he said, the only thing that’s really changed is that the girls who are participating can now be recognized.
“If you’d come to any of our Cub Scout events over the last
10 years, this weekend for example. We do this every year. It’s a Cub Scout weekend. Last year, 25 percent of our participants girls were, simply because they were the siblings being dragged along,” Stout said. “They’re doing all the activities, they just couldn’t wear the uniform or get any of the rewards. In that respect, not much is changing except those girls are now wearing a little blue uniform.”
Stout explained that at the Cub Scout level, boys and girls can be in the same “pack” but separate “dens,” which are the individual groups that make up a pack. Starting at
11-years-old, there is further separation.
“At the Boy Scout level, which is now called Scouts BSA, they’re in separate troops,” Stout said, explaining that a chartering organization that wants to sponsor a troop can sponsor a “linked” troop for girls — or vice versa — utilizing the same committee, meeting space and resources.
Lori Ludas‘ daughter was all-in when she got the news that she could join her twin brother in the Cub Scouts. She’s also a Girl Scout and hopes to one day achieve the highest rank in both organizations — the BSA’s Eagle Scout designation and the Gold Award from the Girl Scouts.
Ludas is the Pack 52 Cubmaster and den leader for her son’s bear den as well as den leader for her daughter’s bear den. She’s also troop leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
She says she envisions a rapid increase in the number of girls participating in BSA programs.
During the early adopter period, a minimum of four girls is required to form a new unit — the names vary depending on age.
“Really, within no time, just through the word of mouth, that expanded to eight third graders. Then we picked up two fourth graders. I think you’re going to really see this take off,” Ludas said, explaining that it’s not negative if a kid is participating in activities like scouting — regardless of the organization.
“All of these organizations have positivity about them. These kids are learning from everything. There’s no negative side, to me,” Ludas said. “If people are putting out negativity about Girl Scouts or 4-H, why? Kids are benefiting from these things and learning valuable characteristics and integrity. Isn’t our ultimate goal to make great human beings?”
Ludas, Stout and representatives of the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, which serves more than 8,100 girls in
61 counties across West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio and Maryland, all respond similarly when asked if scouting will eventually be combined under one organization — “No.”
“Many don’t realize that Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America are very different organizations, with very different programs,” Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council CEO Beth Casey said.
Stout agreed.
“There’s a real misconception that the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are basically the same program, but they’re really not,” Stout said. “Just like 4-H is different than we are and we’re different than FFA [formerly the Future Farmers of America].”
That’s really where the agreeing ends.
While the BSA is presenting the new participation guidelines as simply providing options, Casey said girls across West Virginia and the country have long had access to the best possible scouting experience.
“Research shows that girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led environment in which their specific needs are addressed and met. The single-gender environment offered by Girl Scouts creates an inclusive, safe space in which girls are free to explore their potential and take the lead without the distractions and pressures that can be found in a coed environment,” Casey said. “Our focus has always been and always will be girls.”
Further, when asked if there was a fear that the BSA’s changes would hurt enrollment in the Girl Scouts, Casey said the organization is going to move forward as it always has.
“Competitors come and go — but Girl Scouts focuses on moving forward at the pace of girls. We remain as committed and focused as ever before when it comes to serving girls within our council’s jurisdiction in new, exciting and future-focused ways,” Casey said.
“No other organization is bringing together time-tested, research-backed methods with modern programming that speaks to today’s girls and is designed to cater to the strengths of girls’ leadership development.”
