For many years the Boy Scouts of America’s leading program has simply been known as the Boy Scouts.
However, the program is getting a new name as they prepare to welcome girls into the organization.
According to Time, on Wednesday the organization announced that they will now be called Scouts BSA, which will go into effect come next February.
Mike Surbaugh, the Chief Scout Executive said, “We wanted to land on something that evokes the past but also conveys the inclusive nature of the program going forward. We’re trying to find the right way to say we’re here for both young men and young women.”
The parent organization will remain the Boy Scouts of America, and the Cub Scouts (program for 7-10 year olds) will keep their titles. So far girls have already been admitted into the Cub Scouts, with more than 3,000 girls already joined.
Both the boys and girls will refer to themselves as scouts, and “will largely be divided along gender-lines, with single-sex units.” They will participate in the same activities to earn their badges.
Leaders from the Girl Scouts say they were unaware of the change, and are now preparing for an aggressive campaign to recruit more girls into their organization.
Sylvia Acevedo, the Girl Scouts’ CEO said, “Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development organization for girls. We are, and will remain, the first choice for girls and parents who want to provide their girls opportunities to build new skills … and grow into happy, successful, civically engaged adults.”
Sounds like the Scouts BSA and the Girl Scouts are gonna have to battle it out to recruit the most girls.
Source: http://time.com/5262842/boy-scouts-girls-name/
