Dear Chartered Organization Representative,

Thank you for your valuable partnership and commitment to bring Scouting to your community.

As you know, the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America recently made a unanimous decision to welcome girls to our iconic programs, based on feedback from our community and an understanding that the character and leadership qualities our programs develop grounded in the Scout Oath and Scout Law are as relevant and helpful for girls as they have been for boys.

It is important to note that the BSA did not decide to make the Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting programs co-ed; instead, the organization has introduced a unique model that builds on the benefits of a single-gender program while also providing character and leadership opportunities for both boys and girls. Starting in 2018, we invite our chartered partner organizations to choose if they’d like to establish a new girl pack, establish a family pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens or remain an all-boy pack.

Although our programs will officially launch to welcome both boys and girls in Cub Scouting during the program year, we are offering a soft launch for early adopters based on overwhelming demand from communities that will allow eligible packs to officially register girls (K-4) into Cub Scouts as early as January 15.

Pathway to Adventure Council stands ready to support Scouting in your neighborhood with our continued commitment to top-notch programs regardless of your decision.
 
If you would like your pack to participate in the Early Adopter Program and can meet ALL of the requirements listed below by January 12, 2018, please send an email with your contact information to [email protected] by January 5 th . No pack will be considered for the Early Adopter program after that time.

Early Adopter Program requirements:
1.      The Council approves your pack as being in “good standing.” Your district executive can let you know your pack’s current standing and help you get where you need to be.
2.      ALL pack leaders are trained in their positions.
3.      The pack submits a program plan that ensures all participants (current boys and new girls) can accomplish all rank requirements by May 31, 2018.
4.      The COR and a member of the pack committee activate the "Family" option on your pack’s BeAScout.org pin once it is made available.
5.      The pack agrees to do the following:
  • Register a minimum of four girls into your existing pack. (There must be at least four girls per den although the pack may create an "All Ages Den" during the Early Adopter Program if necessary).
  •  Use ONLY online registration during the Early Adopter Program and appoint a pack leader to monitor and approve/deny all online applications.
  • Have a trained female leader on site for all pack or den activities involving female members.
  • Uphold membership policies.
  • Use the current Cub Scouting program and resources.
  •  Provide regular input and feedback about pack activities and experiences to help improve the formal rollout; this information may also be used in marketing and earned media outreach.

Whether you are launching in January or this summer, the Early Adopter Program gives you a good idea what you’ll need to do to “Be Prepared” for Family Scouting. As with any soft launch, the Family Scouting Program will continue to develop and evolve as feedback is received.
 
Click here for a list of FAQs. If you still have questions or want more details, please reach out to us directly at [email protected] .
 
Thank you again for supporting local Scouting.