A Historic Change in Scouting: Girls in Scouts BSA

The scouting movement is about building confidence, strong self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, and most importantly it is about FUN! Scouts learn to make good choices and take responsibility for their actions so that they are prepared for life. Whether you think this sounds like being a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout you are right. As of February 2019 though there will be a new opportunity for young women ages 1-18. That is when the Boy Scouts of America launches Scouts BSA. Today's bog is about why scouting is important to me and why my daughter will be part of this historic change.

Above is the sticker on the back of my car window. It does not read "Girl Scout" or "Boy Scout." Not because I do not support either, but rather because I support BOTH. It's no secret that I am active in both youth organizations. Both of my children are in the organizations and soon my daughter can join both. I am a leader in both. My parents were leaders in both. My grandparents were leaders in both.

I was a Girl Scout and my brother was a Boy Scout because at that time that was the only options we had. I wanted to be a Boy Scout and do the things my brother was able to do. As a tomboy, I felt more tuned into activities that my male friends did. My daughter, is also a tomboy.

The Strength of Scouting

I am proud to be a scout, and prouder still that my kids have chosen that route. Each program has its strength. Girl Scouts has strong financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs. Boy Scouts has offered my son some stellar leadership options and more than 130 merit badge options. Did you know that many men have their adult hobby or career because of a merit badge they did as a Boy Scout?

As a leader I use the best tools to work within my Troops. I try bringing in the stronger financial literacy aspect to my son and boys I work with, so they understand what they are spending money on. I also try very hard to bring in much of the Boy Scout program to the girls I work with, whether that is through camping or an activity that is non-badge specific. Starting in February however, I will be ending my role as the Scout Master of my sons troop to start a new Scouts BSA Troop for my daughter.

My Decision

The decision to start the new troop was really born as a result of my daughters desire to join Scouts BSA. She wants to earn her Eagle Scout rank like her brother did and her Papa did. It's something that is in her blood. I considered simply finding a new troop, but I knew that my experience as a Scoutmaster would be invaluable in the new troop. I do enjoy scouting and have camped many times without my son, but since he is not camping as frequently, I thought it would be good to support my daughter too.

Ready for the Change?

Not everyone in the United States is ready for the change. The Girl Scouts recently filed a lawsuit against the BSA and many social media posts I have read bash those who are progressive enough to accept the change. I have some good friends who do not support the change, but I will never condone them for their beliefs. The World Organization of the Scout Movement has only a handful of scouting programs that are for "boys only" including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Botswana and Pakistan.

When the announcement was made about girls joining the Scouts BSA I have read, and personally faced a lot of backlash. I have seen many overly-negative comments about not supporting the Boy Scouts now that girls an join. To not support the organization the scouts though is to not support tomorrow's leaders. We want these youth to gain  leadership skills, give service to their communities and grow up with a strong moral compass. While I recognize that some girls will flourish in Scouts BSA, some will also flourish in Girl Scouts and some will flourish in both. Technically my daughter is ALSO gaining leadership in 4H and although she is joining Scouts BSA, she will remain a Girl Scout so that she can continue with some of the programming they offer.

So the next time you read an article about girls joining the Scouts BSA, please try and stay open minded. These young women will already be sent through the ringer. They are making history. For years I have had my scout Troops - My Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts camp together, cook together and do service together and the world has not ended. These kids are fantastic and I cannot wait to see where Scouting will take them.

Scouting: Step Up and Be a Leader!

Anyone who knows me knows that we are an active scouting family. Many of our weekends are spent camping or on scout outings, as are several days during any given week. That is to say that I am an active volunteer for both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and I love it! I truly do think that anyone can be a great leader, whether as a den leader, product sales parent, field trip driver or simply as an active, involved parent.

This months piece "Scouting: Step Up and Be a Leader!" will focus on leadership in scouting.

Who I Am

For my son, I have been a Tiger Cub leader, Cub Scout leader and Webelos leader. When he crossed over to Boy Scouts, I stepped up to be an Assistant Scoutmaster (which is really more of a mentor than actual leader, but the age of the scouts will really determine what I am doing). Since I enjoy the mentoring aspect, I have been acting as a Merit Badge Councelor for several subjects, as well as leading up a Roundtable program for adults for several years. In addition to that I have been my daughters Scout Leader since she was a Daisy! I have also volunteered for several great one-day programs and activities for scouts.

I suppose this is something that is in my blood; I do like to volunteer. My grandfather was a scout leader and Scoutmaster for many generations and my mother was a den mother and Girl Scout leader for many years as well.

Yes, I am "one of those" adult scouters. My scouting has let me help plan and participate in so many great programs, take several fantastic trips, and do some amazing service projects with all my boys and girls. While I enjoy it, I also firmly believe that scouting can help develop youth leadership in a way that is unlike other opportunities. It would be remiss of me though not to mention that I could not have done much of this without the many fantastic parents and other leaders that have been on this journey as well. Parents truly help make the program what it is!

You and Scouting

That is not to say that every parent needs to be as active as I am. I do this because scouting speaks to me. I receive fulfillment from seeing the growth and development of all the youth - I truly like helping to guide our future generations. What fulfills you? Would teaching a group of youth to cook a meal on an outdoor campfire be cool? Do you have a technical background you can share? Are your artistic? What skills do you have that you would love to share with others?

I really do encourage each parent to step into some part of scouting, whether that is through leading a group, sitting on a Troop Committee, being a merit badge councilor for skills that you have or as a field trip driver, event planner or product sales parent. Every person has skills that can be shared and every parent can do something to help.

I liked to always tell my parents that taking an active role kept things moving certainly, but it also shows their child what the parent can do. Often kids leave a meeting beaming after seeing their parent take on a project. Sometimes too the youth even get to help in the planning and implementing which they greatly benefit from as well.

Not a parent of a scout-aged youth, but still want to be involved? I really do strongly feel that having a non-parent leader would be a HUGE asset. Why is that? As a parent, I have my own child as well as the other youth to consider. The other kids all have the parent and only their parent, while my children have to split my time and interest. I have heard it said that the "leaders kid" does more, which is likely true since that kid goes to everything with he parent. I will disagree with the kid getting more since they have to share the experience unlike the other youth. That's where a non-parent leader would be an exceptional asset. Non-parent adults have just as much to offer as the parents of the youth. They should consider this leadership opportunity as much as parents should!

Whether it is one 2-hour project, a single meeting, or taking on a much more active role as leadership, the time you give creates memories like no other. For you AND for all of the youth involved. Step up and be a leader, you won't be disappointed!

To find a Scout Troop please visit the Be a Scout website
To find a Girl Scout Troop in your area or volunteer opportunities visit www.girlscouts.org.

Watch your Son Grow Through Participation in Scouting!

"Why is scouting important to me? As a Scouter mom I get to watch him grow into a wonderful, considerate young man... Why wouldn't anyone want this for their son?"

My son with his Papa at the
100th Year Anniversary Camporee.

Yes, that statement was posted as part of a Mom 2 Mom contest our local Boy Scout council promoted a few years ago. Guess what? It is still incredibly accurate several years later. My son went through the entire Cub Scout program and is now a Boy Scout. He is an amazingly involved and motivated young man who I admire greatly.

What Scouting Has Done for My Son

My son has always been a giver. Not necessarily in the monetary sense, but through participation in scouting he has learned to be an active part of the community. I often hear that he is the first to raise his hand to volunteer to help in some way, and I love that he is learning that giving does not always have to mean money, and that one person CAN make a difference. These are valuable life lessons.

Giving of ones self means that he will be able to relate to his greater community. Right now that is his class and school, but scouting has opened his eyes so that he can see the value of helping in the neighborhood, township and beyond. He has worked on conservation projects for the local watershed, and for the county, he has participated in food drives, at the animal shelter, and through soliciting funds for those in need. He has also volunteered at senior centers and food banks. These experiences have opened him up to people he may have never have met, and it has helped him understand that one person can make a difference.

This summer he went away to three camps. Since I ask my children to help pay for their fun expenses, like the canteen at camp, much of his summer slush fund was depleted. Regardless of that, when he heard that the local Humane Society was low on toys for cats, he and his sister counted coins to purchase $30 some to donate. They hunted down the best deals too, knowing fully well that more cats could have the toys if they could make their money go further.

My son helping serve at a
pancake breakfast.

One of the stories I like to share when doing Friends of Scouting presentations, is from the first year he sold Boy Scout popcorn. He was given a $20 to spend, but instead of using the money on himself, he asked me to put it in his popcorn money so that he could give it to the soldiers. Here he was, at just 7-years old, taking his money and giving it to others!

There are many other great stories of course but the point is that though scouting, my son has learned the value of hard work, teamwork and friendship. He has built up his self esteem and learned new skills.

Now that he has moved onto Boy Scouts he knows that hard work and perseverance can move mountains. Just this past year, while doing several class projects and the science fair, I have heard him say countless times, "Mom I don't want to be that kid who does the minimum." His hard work has paid off in many ways that makes a mom proud.

Could he have gained this without scouting? I'm pretty sure that he could have, but the experiences he has had, and what he is learning through participation in Cub Scouts and now Boy Scouts, is shaping him into a young man that I admire greatly. These experiences and skills are helping to shape him in amazing ways, ways that would make any parent proud.

September is a great time to look at scouting, as there are many open houses, scout nights and round-ups. Want to find a local Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop or Venturing Crew for your son to join?  Check out the Be A Scout website for more information on what is available to your child.

New Cub Scout Daycamp in Ypsilanti

Do you have a boy finishing kindergarten? Considering joining Cub Scouts next fall? Then  attending the NEW Cub Scout summer day camp would be an exceptional introduction to scouting.

This year, day camp is back for a week filled with fun as scouts enjoy a Knights of the Roundtable experience like no other. The camp is conveniently located too. On June 25-27, boys can join in the fun at the Washtenaw Sportsman's Club (Ypsilanti). Registration is now open so don't wait. Fees increase June 1!

• Fees are $50/participant & $10/Adult Walker until May 31st 
• Each participant & Adult Walker will receive a camp shirt & patch 
• Details/registration can be found at http://www.michiganscouting.org/Event.aspx?id=12017

I volunteered at the camp a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact I will be back this year leading the nature and weather stations! Your son will have a great time experiencing shooting sports (archery, BB Guns & wrist rockets), completing scout skills, skits & songs,making some fun craft projects and even experiencing a gigantic slingshot. Believe me you won't want to miss the sling-shot it's pretty cool.