Eagle1993

Some are sisters which definitely helps. The three key attributes which helps us get through the program quickly: 1 - Small dens. Many of the adventures cycle through each scout. When you only have 3 in a den you can get through the adventures more quickly. 2 - Parents and Scouts are motivated. These are the girls and parents who really wanted to be in cub scouts. They don’t miss meetings and do the homework. 3 - Girls, in general, have better attention spans and more focus at this age. So while boys may need to get their wiggles out from time to time we can power thru. Again, not ideal and we won’t be looking to get scouts advanced in 2.5 months in the future.

There is no program change. Same program, just accelerated. Note that this will only occur this spring due to early adopter rules. That was a requirement for early adopter Packs. Other requirements include minimum of 4 girls, YPT female adult present at all meetings/outings with girls along with a few others.

It definitely can be done. I don’t recommend it as you don’t have time for any of the electives and the focus is simply completing required adventures. Some items require a bit more “homework”. Normally we wouldn’t push to have scouts who join at this time to advance, just enjoy the game Pack meetings and gain a few adventures during the den meetings.

It isn’t about bears going to the camp, it is about not enticing them to enter tents. Anything that had a “smell” would go in our food pack and be suspended appropriately on a tree limb. I would guess that used tampons would have to be included in a sealed bag. I don’t think those would belong in a back pack in a tent. Adult leaders who understand this type of camping would consistently remind our SPL to ensure policy was being followed. Not a major deal, but male leaders may have to feel comfortable talking with female SPLs or scouts about handling tampons in the back country areas. I know some Venturing groups already deal with this. Separate point, on one trip deep in the BWCA we had a camp location on an island with no trees. We were told that if we ever encountered that situation to lash our food Pack under a canoe and then put paddles, pots and pans on top of the canoe to scare away the Bear. Needless to say, at ~2am we found that bears do not scare that easily.

I do think it will be a topic to cover in bear country. I remember we talked about using non scented soap, etc. to prevent bears from being attracted to your tent. I think leaders (male and female) will be comfortable enough to talk to girls who may be having their period in the back country, especially with bears.

Update on more girl (and unisex) uniform options. (Olive green skorts) is on the list. Adjustments to the blue skort are already in the plans (like pockets). On the list is also a Capri pant and new unisex shorts made from a performance fabric.

Our council has interpreted the rule as March 15 is the deadline as all girls added now should rank advance by the end of May. Other councils have interpreted the rule as the last date early adopters can start.

We are shutting down registration for new girls tomorrow based upon our council’s interpretation of the March 15 deadline. I think we are done after registering three girls this week (11 in total out of a pack of 85 Scouts). So far no loss of any boys or complaints from parents, but it is still early. Several of the girls are either sisters of existing members or daughters of Eagle Scouts. One of the girl’s father was a scout in Northern Ireland. He said he remembered when girls wanted to join back then and he wasn’t a fan. We are definitely getting a lot more visibility from the council, which I expected. At our annual breakfast fundraiser the girls were invited to participate in speaking roles (and did a great job). Many of the donors commented on how excited they were that girls were finally going to be able to become Scouts. I think we may have underestimated the impact this may have to big financial contributions from United Way and other large donors. The Bear girls and boys are joining forces for the carnival and we have a few overnights upcoming. Will continue to monitor, especially as we enter the new Scout year.

BSA is one of the largest youth organizations in the USA in terms of revenue and membership. BSA won’t go away. It may be smaller, different and even have to restructure debt, but I don’t see BSA vanishing.

We’ll need something stronger than that.

#4 at state was also fired today. Was it phone calls, Tillerson backing the British over Russia or North Korea? Who knows, but I’ll go with blaming the British. They got us Tillerson fired AND girls in Cub Scouts. What’s next?? 😀 Historians will be busy for decades to come.

All but one of our dens have ADLs. Some of our ADLs also handle some Packwide activities (planning a B&G, etc). They have been immensely helpful.

100% agree. I would add make sure you find the right den leaders. I’ve seen den’s collapse when we had a den leader who was overextended and did a poor job proactively scheduling/canceling meetings. I can deal with suboptimal CMs and committee members, good den leaders are critical.

I don’t disagree. I think the ADHD aspect is almost criminal. About 30 years ago I was with my dad (SM) and our Troop at camp. I remember one scout that was being picked up by his mother. At some point she found out my dad didn’t give he son any of the xyz drug that was prescribed for his ADHD. She said at home if he misses 1 dose he is off the wall. My dad told her we didn’t notice anything unique with the kid and I was shocked he was medicated (no HIPPA back then I guess). It has only gotten worse. I also believe too many boys and pushed into college as the trades no longer are respected (or funded in HS). I’m also not a fan of how National rolled this out. I don’t believe they have been fully honest and transparent. Even now I tend to agree they will push to have all units/committees include girls. It’s tough to discuss this online and will say the unit leaders I meet in person are all respectful on all sides of the issue. I do hope that we will still serve boys well, but I am a bit fearful that this change will bring others that would damage the scouting experience.

@Eagle94-A1 It is one thing to direct your anger at Nationals and the professionals. It is another when you decide that you can’t even be in the same area as an 11 year old girl who is signed up as a scout. When I see a scout, regardless of race, gender, politics or background, I would give them a scout handshake and engage in conversation. Some of the attitudes here are from scouters who may not be able to bring themselves to do that. When a scouter says he doesn’t even want his scouts to witness a female scout in any sort of official ceremony then it is time for them to leave. I do not want any child who has joined scouting to feel less than a full member. You can go ahead and write 100 more paragraphs, I won’t change my stance.

@numbersnerd This looks like a great idea. How long do you plan for this event? I’m looking to implement a RR but have no desire to make this another PWD.

Ever since @CalicoPenn went nuclear a few pages ago this thread seems unrecoverable. Agree to disagree 😀

To me this is what is critical going forward. If you are against girls joining, I understand. But if you cannot treat girls that are in BSA with the same respect and honor you treat other scouts then it is time to consider your future in scouting.

The BSA has made a decision that girls are going to be full members in Cub Scouts this year and BSA4G along with OA next year (Venturing/Explorers members eligible). They also are allowing units to decide to be unisex, which is great. If as a leader you cannot even stand to see other units that are accepting all scouts that are eligible, even as your own unit is not, then I do agree it is time to consider your further participating in BSA.

@CalicoPenn There are great scouters on both side of this issue. @gblotter should not be chased off. I don't see this change in the same light as I see discriminating against race, creed or sexual orientation. Girls have another option and the BSA has been serving many girls in various capacities. This is truly optional for the BSA and I'm not surprised that some scouters see this as a fundamental change where they can no longer continue. The fact that @gblotter recognizes he cannot support the program to the point he is willing to leave is honorable. I support the additional of girls but will be sadden by the loss of these expert scouters.

This is the one major concern I have and the only issue I have heard consistently raised by youth. If the activities remain the same and there are simply some groups that include girls I don’t see a major negative impact to boys. If the activities do change, I expect my son and I would also leave (I have no desire to lead a generic youth organization). I am hopeful and expect the activities will remain but have to admit there is a risk. I believe this will somewhat have to do with how many (and which) girls join.

@hawkins I agree, but if a scouter is to the point where they can no longer function as a leader due to this change, a new leader may be better for the boys to help them deal with situations where they see another Troop with girls. Each leader who is opposed to the change will have to make their own decision.

Same with our council. I’m not sure if Boy Scout camps will be treated differently next summer.

I’m not a Facebook expert and can’t seem to find the link. Go to Facebook and search on “Cub Scout Girl Den Early Adopters”. Great to hear that your taking on that role and good luck!

If anyone is interested, there is a Facebook page for Early Den Adopters. Several members from National are present and answer questions regarding policy. They typically give us files and info as soon as it is released to councils. You don’t need to part of a Pack to join. They do ask a few vetting questions.