Local Cub Scout Pack 165 in Rockaway,
New Jersey is one of the first across the nation to welcome girls into the Boy
Scouts of America. They are one of the
first packs in the nation to participate in Family Scouting, a program that
welcomes girls into the Boy Scouts of America and aims to serve the whole
family. Starting in the 2018 program year,
families can choose to sign up their sons and daughters for Cub Scouts.
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| Photo Credit: Chirag Shah |
Anika has wanted to be a Cub Scout
since she attended her brother’s first meeting at age 3. “I saw all the fun things
my older brother did in Cub Scouts, and now I get to do the same things too!”
she says. Soniya agrees, “I wanted to be
part of history and be like my brother.
The Webelos do more fun things in the outdoors.” Madison sums it up: “I joined Cub Scouts because
we get to do fun activities like the Pinewood Derby, using pocket knives, and
going camping!”
Existing charter organizations may
choose to establish a new all-girl pack, establish a pack that consists of girl
dens and boy dens or remain an all-boy pack.
The question remains, why join the Boy
Scouts when there is the Girl Scouts? The two programs are different and unique
in their own ways. It is also about the convenience of sisters and brothers being
in the same den or pack.
“Our girls are thrilled to join Cub
Scouts while they continue as Girl Scouts; they now have twice the
opportunities to build their leadership, service, and outdoor skills,” says
Nisha Zoeller, leader for the new Webelos Den.
“Like athletes that have always had the opportunity to play more than
one sport, our future leaders now have multiple Scouting programs to help them
develop into responsible, thoughtful citizens. The girls are very excited at
the prospect of becoming Eagle Scouts in a few years, something that was not
possible for any girl until this past October.”
