Fist of all, I want to say that it is called BOY Scouts. Should it be changed into a co-ed program? I don't think so.

The Boy Scouts of America is a program designed to help boys become men. Yes, a lot of the skills learned such as camping, cooking, hiking, etc. are good for girls too. However, we don't want girls to become men. Besides the skills, Boy Scouts provides an environment for boys to learn and grow with the guidance of men, the adult leaders. Putting girls into the mix will only distract from the goal of men helping boys grow into men. Especially when the ages range from eleven to eighteen.

Sounds excluding? Don't be so harsh. There is a branch off Boy Scouts that accommodated the co-ed situation. It is called Venturing. Venturing is a co-ed program for young adults sixteen to twenty-one years old with an emphasis on high-adventure activities. I have never got involved in Venturing myself, but I think it is a great program. It involves girls into the outdoor skill learning, but is for an older age group so that the emphasis can be more on outdoor skills rather than growing boys. This is the way to do it. Including girls without tampering with the great program of Boy Scouts.

I have been in scouts since tiger cubs all the way through Cub Scouts, earned my arrow of light, went all the way through Boy Scouts and am now an Eagle Scout. I can say that it will be a sad day when someone tampers with the legacy of the Boy Scouts of America.

Learn more about this author, Mitchel Roy.
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