SCOUT News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The first girls in New Mexico stepped up, received their badges, and officially joined the Boy Scouts of America’s flagship program, Scouts BSA, for the first time at a Great Southwest Council ceremony today in Albuquerque.
Scouts BSA is the name for the Boy Scouts of America’s new program for older youth. This program leads to the well-respected Eagle Scout rank.
“We are thrilled to recognize the first girls to join Scouts BSA and put many of them on the path to be Eagle Scouts,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who presided over the ceremony and gave out the first badges to the newly inducted girls.
Scouts BSA is the new Boy Scouts of America program launching nationwide this month offering girls access to the same Scouting curriculum that boys have enjoyed for decades, including a path to the coveted Eagle Scout designation.
“Now girls have the same opportunities as the boys to participate in all scouting activities and earn the same badges,” said Alison Martin, Scoutmaster, Girl Troop 17.
At a ceremony in Albuquerque attended by Gov. Lujan Grisham and U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, the first girls were inducted into Scouts BSA with a flag ceremony and the giving out of initiation badges for the girls.
“When we break down the barriers that keep young girls and women out of spaces that provide enrichment, education and opportunity, we empower them to grow up to be whatever they want to be. I commend the Boy Scouts for opening the doors to opportunity and building a more fair world for our kids,” Haaland said.
Girls from the ages of 11-17 are now eligible for Scouts BSA and can join up tomorrow at the Grace United Methodist Church, 420 San Lorenzo Ave. NW.
“Any girl who is interested in joining up with Scouts BSA should show up Saturday and check us out,” Martin said. “All girls 11-17 are invited to join. We will be signing girls up all day Saturday.”
Scouts BSA are accepting girls starting today all across the United States, and the Great Southwest Council is accepting girls in this area. Other troops are forming across the state starting soon, and more information can be found by going to https://beascout.scouting.org.
Boy Scouts of America has more than 2.7 million Scouts and 950,000 adult volunteers. Since its founding in 1910, 110 million Americans have participated in Scouting programs.
Now girls can participate in Scout ranks as the boys have, going through Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and ultimately Eagle Scout, the top designation. Given the time it takes to accomplish these designations, the first girl Eagle Scouts are expected in over a year’s time.
“Next summer, in 2020, we are expecting our first class of girl Eagle Scouts from all across the nation,” Martin said. “Girls are very excited about being in the first Eagle Scout class.”
The activity day is all day Saturday at Grace United Methodist Church, 420 San Lorenzo Ave., NW in Albuquerque. More information can be found at www.gswcbsa.org.