I was at a Cub Scout meeting the other day. I was wearing my Den Leader uniform. A Tiger scout looked up at me and asked "Are you an Eagle Scout?" I looked back at them and said "No, I'm not an Eagle Scout. When I was your age girls weren't allowed to join." Internally I felt a familiar pang of sadness that I have felt many times over my Scouting career as an adult.
It is the same sadness that I feel when they ask anyone who has reached the rank of Eagle to come forward. It's a feeling of sadness that comes with being told you are less than because of qualities and characteristics beyond your control. It's the internalized feeling of being unworthy because you have been told you can't because "You're a girl".
My sister wrote a letter to The Boy Scouts of America petitioning for girls to be able to join in 1998. They responded to her letter with a polite no. My sister isn't the first person to petition for female participation in this Scouting program. In 2019 females were finally allowed to participate in the Scouting program and provided the opportunity to be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
In the fall of 2018 my oldest son, Nicholas, joined Cub Scouts as a Wolf. That fall I went camping in a tent for the first time in my life. I was 36 years old. As Nicholas learned outdoor skills I was there right beside him learning. We have been camping together more times than I have fingers and toes.
As Nicholas has progressed with is Scouting and so have I. Over the years I have become more and more involved as an Adult Scouter. I love all the things that I have learned in Scouting. I have learned how to tie a half hitch. I can confidently and easily start a fire. I can identify at least 10 plants when out hiking. I can identify animal tracks and signs of animals out in the wilderness. I spent 12 days backpacking through the New Mexico backcountry.
Today I stand before you as a Scoutmaster of a Girls BSA Troop, who does not have any daughters. I have two children, both are male.
The reason why I became a Scoutmaster is that I believe that Scouting America offers an amazing program. I'm here to provide the opportunity my sister and I weren't allowed to have. I'm here to support you in all of the adventures and opportunities that come your way. I'm here to encourage to you to grow in your confidence, encourage you to take up space and use your voice. I'm here to help as you to learn how to lead. I'm here so that you are supported, safe, and loved on this journey. Know that all of you belong here and are welcomed here however you show up.
I am here to make sure when you have a Cub Scout look up at you and ask "Were you in scouts when you were a kid?" You're able to respond back with a really big smile and say "Yes, I was! It was really fun!"