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Boy Scouts changes name to Scouts: BSA

By David Solano
By David Solano

TACOMA, Wash. — The Boy Scouts of America is changing the name of its flagship program, now that girls will be able to participate.

The new name is Scouts: BSA.

KIRO 7 wanted to find out what the historic day meant for Pacific Harbors Council, Boys Scouts of America.

It was a moment Amy Miseli from Lakewood had been waiting for.

"I think it means a lot, especially for people like me,” said Miseli. “I know a lot of people who are also in the same situation as me, where they have a sibling who's in Scouts."

Ralph Voelker, Scout executive for Pacific Harbors Council, Boys Scouts of America, explained what the change means.

"They're going to have the same opportunities as the boys are,” said Voelker. “They're going to have the same programs [and] the same requirements. We're going to keep it separate in different groups."

When the new program for older girls begins, it will allow them to earn the highest level of scouting in the BSA – the rank of Eagle Scout.

"I want to see lots of girls joining Scouts and also becoming Eagle Scouts,” said Miseli. “I think that would be very cool and that's one of my goals: to become an Eagle Scout."

The Boy Scouts board of directors said the change was needed to provide more options for parents.

"For every two girls that we're recruiting in, we're getting one more boy to join as well,” said Voelker. “I have a feeling that this is because the families are going to get that chance to participate."

And even though girls won't be able to participate until February 2019, Miseli is optimistic

"They can learn about it more,” she said. “It gives them time to think about it before they can join."

According to the Boy Scouts of America, more than 3,000 girls have already joined the Early Adopter Program.

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