Girls Join Boy Scouts; Erma Troop Forms

ERMA – When the Boy Scouts of America moved to accept girls into its program Feb. 1, one local mother said, “It was the right thing to do,” acknowledging “it’s not a fit for everyone,” but gives girls a chance to do activities many can’t find with Girl Scouts.
Kim Pyatt, of Villas, will be the leader of a new all-girls troop forming at the Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 702 Seashore Road. The first meeting is scheduled for Feb. 28. Subsequent meetings will be held Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. Girls ages 11-17 can join.
For Pyatt and her 13-year-old daughter, it’s a natural outcome since both have been involved in scouting since Pyatt’s son joined Cub Scouts.
As a single mother, Pyatt became a committee person, helping lead the boys. Her daughter attended meetings and participated in many activities, learning to love the outdoor activities of tent camping, campfires, cooking outdoors and learning survival skills.
It’s for those reasons – women serving as leaders, sisters attending meetings and participating in activities, and opportunities not offered through other channels – that the scouting organization opened up to girls.
Younger girls have been able to join Cub Scouts for nearly a year, and more than 77,000 have joined nationwide. On Feb. 1, the Boy Scouts program became Scouts BSA, allowing girls to join with an opportunity to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
Cub Scout dens are single gender, and Cub Scout packs can include any combination of dens. Troops are also single gender.
“We have females involved on committees, interacting with boys at camp, sisters attending meetings with their brothers, participating in some of the activities, so what’s the concern?” asked Scout Leader Tom Conrad,  acknowledging the national controversy that may filter down to the local level.
“Many families have kids doing things in all different places. This will help consolidate some of those activities and make it easier for families to do things together,” he added.
Conrad has been a scout leader since 2007 when his son joined. Despite having three daughters and his son eventually leaving the troop, he continued leading and wanted to be “a lightning rod” and “do the right thing” about opening his troop for a sister troop.
“A female Girl Scout leader asked me what her girls should bring tent-camping because she couldn’t find any information with Girl Scouts about it,” he recalled. “I gave her a list, and during our conversation, we realized our outdoor activities seemed better. Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization, but we can fill a niche that doesn’t seem to be filled in our area.”
While the male and female troops may share equipment, opening pledges and announcements, the majority of activities and outings will be separate.
Because of national controversy about the change, Conrad discussed the issue of a sister troop with his troop, their parents, and the church that sponsors them.
“Most of the boys accept it,” said Conrad. “The parents are aware and understand this is about outdoor skills. I’m not into the politics of this change; I saw a need for girls who are interested in outside activities to have a chance to learn them.”
“I’d like to see the girls develop and progress like I’ve seen the boys do,” added Pyatt. “There can be girl Eagle Scouts. Girl Scouts don’t have the same things for girls, so this gives them a chance to do outdoor activities that girls like my daughter are passionate about.
“I think it’s the right thing to do, but it may not be for everyone,” she said.
Conrad said only 4 percent of scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout, and in “most cases it’s the mom driving them. Females have always been involved in scouting,” he noted.
“I just want them to have fun and an enjoyable experience,” Pyatt added.
Conrad believes he is the only scoutmaster currently opening a girls’ troop in the area.
Those interested in joining may contact him at (609) 675-6046 or by email at TVconrad@gmail.com, or Pyatt at (609) 224-9119 or kap820@yahoo.com.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.