Family Scouting


Our priority is to bring the benefits of Scouting to more youth while remaining true to our mission.

The BSA’s mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. We are excited to announce that our Cub Scouting program is now open to boys and girls. By welcoming both girls and boys into the program, even more youth will have access to the character development and values-based leadership that Scouting promises. 

As we begin to expand our Scouting program to serve the entire family we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us for girls to finally experience the Scouting program just as their brothers did.  For those who have been participating in the community forums and roundtable discussions, thank you.  Your advice and feedback has been most helpful and appreciative.  For those who are jumping into this discussion mid-stream, lets bring you up to speed on the highlights.

In October, the National Executive Board of the BSA announced that they approved a plan to have girls to participate in all levels of Scouting.  Shortly after that announcement we put together a task force of key volunteers to help guide the implementation of that program here in the Council.  Our task force has been meeting monthly and along with support from our National Office working to roll-out information that is helpful to leaders.

Key focus areas:

Develop a plan to recruit girls into Scouting in all locations where we currently recruit boys (excluding sites where Scouting is part of the young men’s youth ministry of their Church).

Implement guidelines that maintain the positive attributes that boys currently receive from the program, while delivering those same qualities to girls.

Key Dates:

February 1st – New Youth Protection Program rolled out reflective of changes.

September 1st, 2018 – Cub Scouting program opens to girls.

February 1st, 2019 – Boy Scouting program opens to girls.

Twelve Key items to be aware of:

  • Cub Scouting program content stays the same – no changes
  • Packs can be all-boy, all-girl or blended.
  • All-girl Packs and all-boys Packs may share a sponsor and a committee if so desired.
  • Boys and girls may not participate in the same den.  Packs may have boy dens and girl dens.A minimum of 5 girls is required to offer the program – either as a new group or as a blended Cub Scout Pack.  There is no minimum den size.
  • Two-deep youth protection trained leadership required (just like boys), one of the two adults must be a female for activities where girls are present.
  • Girl dens must have a dedicated den leader who is position specific trained (the den leader of a Boy Tiger Den can’t also be the Den leader of a Girl Tiger Den).
  • The decision of whether a pack will stay all boy or go blended belongs to the sponsoring organization.  All sponsoring organizations have had the opportunity to share their preferences for their program.
  • Youth Protection Training has changed to reflect the new program – all registered adults need to take it again by October 1st.
  • The Scout Program – standards are expected in 4th quarter of 2018 – although no content changes are expected.
  • Boys and Girls will not be allowed in same Scout Troop.
  • Just like Packs – All-girl troops and all-boy troops may share a sponsor and a committee.

Cub Scout Program Resources

Infographic

“What’s Changing, What’s Not” Infographic

FAQ

Current Packs In Council Accepting Girls

 

Scouts BSA Program Resources

 

Current Girl Troops in Council:

District Unit Sponsoring Org First Name Last Name Position E-Mail
Polaris Troop 630 St Stephens RC Church, Grand Island NY Christina Lewis Scoutmaster teachzanzibar@hotmail.com
Polaris Troop 824 Sanborn Fire Company, Sanborn NY Melissa Moore Scoutmaster Mmissmm7932@gmail.com
Onondaga Troop 261 Amherst Middle School & HS PTSA, Amherst NY Brian Reigelman Scoutmaster bereigelman@gmail.com

 

Scouts BSA Interest Page

Family Scouting Overview Infographic

“What’s Changing, What’s Not” Infographic

FAQ

Program Updates

Scouts BSA Photos and Videos

Order of the Arrow Membership Changes Info-graphic

 

*New name effective February 2019.