KOSCIUSKO — Earlier this month, Boy Scouts of America made the announcement that girls will soon be allowed to become Cub Scouts and earn the rank of Eagle Scout for the first time in the 107-year history of the organization.

The historic change will begin in 2018. Each pack will be allowed to decide whether to establish a new girl pack, form one that consists of girl dens and boy dens or remain an all-boy pack. Cub Scout dens, or small groups of scouts, will remain single-gender, which will allow for all-girl and all-boy groups.

“We believe it is critical to evolve how our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences for their children,” said Michael Surbaugh, chief executive of the Boy Scouts.

Not everyone is embracing the change. A statement issued by Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana, stated, “Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America are two separate organizations developed to meet various developmental and leadership needs of girls and boys, respectively.”

“Overall, there has been a sense of disappointment that the Boy Scouts would go this direction. Girl Scouts is the expert on girls and will continue to be so with our girl-led programming, girl-centered experiences and our very own research institute. When we develop our programming, it is with the girls in mind,” commented Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana Director of Brand & Strategy Management Ruth Strawser, CAPM.

The statement released by Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana read, in part, “While some BSA councils may consider offering some programs to serve girls, Girl Scouts is the best leadership experience for girls in the world, created specifically with and for girls. This inclusive, all-girl space empowers them to take the lead in all aspects of their lives.”

Bob Coffelt, troop leader for Boy Scout Troop 730 in Warsaw, feels this will be a positive change. Coffelt said, “I’m an Eagle Scout, my son is an Eagle Scout and I look forward to the day my granddaughter might be an Eagle Scout. I hear all the time when we have recruiting visits to elementary schools that girls want to be in Cub Scouts. I’ve been involved in scouting for over 25 years, and I’ve seen how scouting has evolved over the years to keep up with the times.”

According to Coffelt, the boys in his troop are on board with the change as well. “As far as my troop, I talked to the boys earlier this week,” said Coffelt, “They don’t have any problem with girls in scouting. It will not impact us until 2019, so it’s still a long time away in their minds.”

Mary Jane Prater, troop leader for Cub Scout Troop 3715 in Winona Lake, said, “I feel it’s a wonderful opportunity. I know that my Eagle Scout son had a friend that really wanted to join Boy Scouts. Now young ladies who wish to may learn the same values and have the same opportunities as their brothers. It also enables entire families to enjoy scouting activities as a family.”

“Research supports our premise that many girls learn best in an all-girl, girl-led and girl-friendly environment where their specific interests and needs are met,” said GSUSA Chief Girl Expert Andrea Bastiani Archibald, Ph.D., “It’s unfortunate that some people still consider belonging to a male membership organization superior to belonging to a female one.”