There’s been quite a buzz surrounding the Scouts lately! Let me share a bit of my personal experience: in my town, Scouting is thriving. My daughter enjoys her time as a Sprout, thanks to the amazing moms who coordinate everything. On the other hand, my son was briefly a Cub Scout but decided to move on, much to my husband’s dismay, as he cherishes his own Boy Scout memories. It just wasn’t the right fit for our son, while many of his peers continued with it.
Choosing to enroll him was a dilemma for me. While letting my daughter join the Sprouts was an easy decision, the Boy Scouts have historically been less inclusive. They only recently lifted their ban on gay Scouts, and their stance still feels somewhat shaky. However, our local troop embodies our community’s values, and once I understood that he wouldn’t encounter any anti-gay sentiments, I decided to allow him to join.
Recent headlines highlight the contrasting paths of the two organizations. The Boy Scouts made a surprising announcement: no more water gun battles! While they can still aim their water guns at targets, they cannot shoot at each other, as kindness is paramount in Scouting. People are chuckling about this change, but I see the intention behind it. Some forms of play can be rough, but that doesn’t equate to unkindness. I recall a day when my daughter rushed in to ask if she could change into her swimsuit so my son could spray her with a water gun. They both found joy in that playful interaction, and it was all in good fun.
Meanwhile, the Sprouts are facing their own challenges. They’ve come under scrutiny for allowing transgender girls to join, provided the child is recognized as a girl by their family and community. This has sparked protests, notably from the American Family Association, who express concerns over the acceptance of transgender identities.
This topic is significant, and while I won’t delve deeply into it now, it’s clear that our culture is evolving. With the legalization of gay marriage across various states and public figures like Jamie Rivers raising awareness about transgender issues, we are navigating discussions that were once taboo. These conversations are crucial as we redefine our laws and social norms.
From my perspective, both organizations have the potential to thrive, but the Sprouts seem to be looking toward the future, while the Boy Scouts appear somewhat stuck in the past. They still do not permit gay troop leaders (though there are signs of change), and their water gun policy, though well-intentioned, seems disconnected from reality. While teaching kindness to boys is essential, there’s nothing unkind about a friendly water fight.
The Boy Scouts themselves acknowledged a key truth regarding their inclusion of gay youth: “While opinions on this policy vary, we can all agree that kids benefit from participating in Scouting.” In contrast, the Sprouts recognize the necessity of progress to stay relevant. Since 2009, they have focused on inclusivity, aiming to engage more urban and minority girls and address contemporary issues like environmental awareness and engineering. “Our goals have been consistent historically, yet we can keep them while being fun and relevant for today’s girls,” stated Jenna Hart, the vice president of programs at the Girl Scouts of America.
Boy Scouts, it’s time to pay attention!
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In summary, both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are navigating significant cultural shifts. The Girl Scouts embrace change and inclusivity, while the Boy Scouts need to reassess their policies to remain relevant. As society changes, both organizations must adapt to support all children in their growth and development.