The Boy Scouts of America announced on Wednesday that, beginning next year, girls will now allowed to become Cub Scouts and to earn the organization's highest honor, Eagle Scout.
"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.
"We strive to bring what our organization does best – developing character and leadership for young people – to as many families and youth as possible as we help shape the next generation of leaders.”
The scouting board of directors voted unanimously to make a change to the organization that has been primarily for boys since its founding more than 100 years ago.
Local organizations may choose to have dens for girls and dens for boys. "Cub Scout dens will be single-gender—all boys or all girls," the organization said in a statement.
A separate program for older girls will be available in 2019, the Boy Scouts said, enabling them to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Boy Scouts said the moves reflect the changing nature of American life, adding to the appeal of a scouting program that can serve the entire family.
"Although known for its iconic programs for boys, the BSA has offered co-ed programs since 1971 through Exploring and the Venturing program... The STEM Scout pilot program is also available for both boys and girls," the organization said in a statement.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the Girl Scouts said “At Girl Scouts, we are the girl experts, and for more than a century we have provided millions of girls opportunities for adventure, inspiration, and valuable mentoring.”
The statement continues, "The benefit of the single-gender environment has been well-documented by educators, scholars, other girl- and youth-serving organizations, and Girl Scouts and their families. Girl Scouts offers a one-of-a-kind experience for girls with a program tailored specifically to their unique developmental needs."
The Girl Scouts say “the need for female leadership has never been clearer or more urgent than it is today—and only Girl Scouts has the expertise to give girls and young women the tools they need for success.”
“We’re committed to preparing the next generation of women leaders, and we’re here to stay,” the group’s statement says.
Many have reacted to the announced change via Twitter, and the opinions go both ways: