|
Pack 114 to welcome girl Cub Scouts in historic
roll-out |
|
January 14, 2018 |
 |
Cub Scout Pack 114 will welcome female Cub
Scouts this month as they launch a new era of
Family Scouting in Bonners Ferry. Thanks to its
current den leader training and its longstanding
charter partnership with Trinity Lutheran
Church, Pack 114 is ready to begin before Boy
Scouts of America’s official roll-out in
September!
In October, 2017, the Boy Scouts of America’s
volunteer-led board of directors on unanimously
approved a plan to welcome girls and young women
into all Scouting programs.
Through its early adopter initiative, Boy Scouts
of America chose packs whose leadership,
chartered partners and local councils
demonstrated readiness for a "soft launch" of
the program.
While Boy Scouts of America officially launches
the girls’ program in the fall for the 2018-2019
school year, the "soft launch" provides
opportunities for leaders and girls ages six to
nine to have a taste of what Cub Scouts has to
offer.
“Idaho has a long tradition of powerful,
independent women, and Pack 114 feels honored to
welcome girls into its ranks,” says Den Leader
Si Thompson. “As the oldest pack in the West,
we’re proud to share Scouting’s traditions with
Idaho’s future women.”
He notes such prominent women as Pulitzer
Prize-winning authors, politicians, artists, and
community leaders. Idaho even boasts the only
state seal designed by a woman, artist Emma
Edwards Green, whose emblem portrays women with
equal footing to men, depicting themes of
equality, liberty, and justice.
The soft launch of the program will initially
require some extra effort from its earliest
female participants. The boys had a head start
on completing requirements, but with motivation,
strong family support, and den leadership, they
will advance by graduation May 31.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the girls earn their
badges before the boys know what hit ‘em,” Si
chuckled.
It should be noted that Boy Scouts of America is
not launching a co-ed program, but a hybrid
program. BSA sees great value in maintaining
single-gender dens; thus, boys and girls will
have separate dens with trained female den
leaders guiding their female Scouts.
The program will give Scout sisters, who have
been excluded up until now, an opportunity to
explore the same lessons in Pack 114 events as
their brothers. They will learn leadership,
outdoor skills, community service, duty to God
and appreciation of our flag and country.
Pack 114 also wants to make clear that in no way
do they seek to compete or solicit membership
from Girl Scouts of the United States of
America.
Both programs offer excellent
opportunities/mentorship with diverse approaches
for attaining their goals.
Boys Scouts of America simply intends to extend
options for membership to encourage a
whole-family approach and to limit exclusionary
practices.
As early as January 15, first through fourth
grade girls may enroll in Cub Scouts. Enrollment
forms will be available at the January 16 den
meeting, which takes place at 6 p.m. in the
basement of Trinity Lutheran Church, 6784 Cody
Street, Bonners Ferry.
For more information, visit
www.beascout.org, for questions or to learn
about signing up for boys or girls, email
cubscouts114@gmail.com. |
|
Questions or comments about this
letter?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
