I recently read the story of 15-year-old Sydney Ireland, of New York, who had petitioned the Boy Scouts of America to allow girls into the organization.

Sydney had attended Cub Scouts with her brother “unofficially” since she was very young. She was not able to earn any of the recognition or badges her older brother earned because she is female.

Her brother is now an Eagle Scout.

According to news reports, Sydney went as far as she could with Cub Scouts, later joined the South African Scouts and then achieved the highest rank with the Canadian Scouts.

However, Sydney started a petition on change.org in September 2016, now with over 6,700 signatures, to allow her to join Boy Scouts of America because “girls can’t earn Eagle Scout rank, which has tremendous opportunities attached to it and job opportunities, scholarships that wouldn’t be available otherwise.”

While I commend Sydney for her steadfastness in attaining a goal, I believe her efforts could be better spent.

I’m a huge proponent of gender equality and support programs that assist both boys and girls in their young years. However, as the mother of two boys and the aunt of three girls, I know there are huge differences in the way boys and girls grow and learn.

I was an adult leader for both my boys’ Cub Scout dens, and we followed a program of interest to boys. As the boys matured, they bonded with their fellow Scouts and leaders, went camping and hiking and participated in other outdoor events as well as a number of humanitarian activities that help mold them into adults. Sometimes, the boys come from homes where there is no male influence, so the time in Scouts is certainly beneficial in developing role models.

I’m not saying girls can’t or shouldn’t do those activities, but there is a huge difference in boys and girls as they mature and how they approach activities and events.

The Boy Scout oath is as follows: “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

The Scouts I know have become honorable men not only through the influence of their families but through Scouting.

Alista Blose, with Minsi Trails Council of Boy Scouts of America, said there is no indication of a request from a girl wanting to join the Minsi Trails Council but noted, as did a national Boy Scouts of America representative to Sydney, Scouting has two coed programs for teens 14 to 20.

“Venturing is our high-adventure, common-interest program and Exploring is our career-focused program, again with both being available to young men and women,” Blose said.

In news reports, Sydney has said she was encouraged to join the Girl Scouts to work toward the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts; however, she said the two programs are different and it is about choice.

According to the Girl Scouts website, a girl who has earned the Gold Award can distinguish herself in the college admissions process, earn college scholarships and enter the military one rank higher.

I would rather see Sydney refocus her efforts on working with the Girl Scouts to create a program she feels is comparable to what she would receive by being a member of Boy Scouts. She could be known throughout history as the person who created additional opportunities for all young girls to come in the Girl Scouts organization.

Imagine the possibilities.

Debbie Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press