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Everyone Can Join the BSA

Scouts BSA Troop 248 is happy girls are now being admitted to all BSA programs. You can join our Troop if you are a Girl age 11 to 17 years of age. This is what used to be called the “Boy Scout” program — which is now “Scouts BSA”. You can also join our Troop if you have earned the Cub Scouting Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10.

Scouts BSA Troops are not co-ed. They are either all-boy or all-girl and meet and conduct their activities separately. Our Troop is all-girl. There are many existing all-boy Scouts BSA Troops in the District of Columbia for your brothers and other boys to join and we encourage them to do so.

The changes have opened to girls the huge sweep of programming and lifetime privileges that were previously reserved for boys, including massive local and national camp properties, professional and volunteer networks, and access to the world-famous BSA advancement system of skill and character development – plus alumni connectivity. Girls are now eligible to earn the rank of Eagle Scout – a highly-recognized award presented to young Americans of distinction.

Current and past youth and adult members of other organizations offering programming to girls, (such as Camp Fire, 4-H, American Heritage Girls and the Girl Scouts of the USA) are welcome to join us and participate in Troop 248, as there is no rule in Scouting or any of these organizations that would prevent anyone from belonging to more than one organization. Troop 248 does not duplicate what these separate organizations provide. We admire these other organizations and encourage continued participation in their activities.

A few years ago the national BSA organization voluntarily discontinued a “don’t ask – don’t tell” policy adopted in the 1990’s that prevented openly gay or lesbian youth or adults from being members. Similarly, the BSA national organization clarified that it will not treat members differently on a transgender or gender identity basis. Yes – Everyone is welcome to join the BSA.