Since 2018, Troop 248 has been showing how girls excel in the BSA. 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”. Scouts BSA is a program of Scouting America which also operates the Cub Scouts (K-5), Sea Scouts, Venturing, and Exploring.
If you are ready to sign up, see this page: How to Join
There is no residency requirement to join Troop 248. We are centrally located to members who live in DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Troop 248 is open to:
1) Girls who are between ages of 11 – 17.
2) Girls who are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade, and register on or after March 1st.
3) Girls who are at least 10 years old who have earned the Arrow of Light Award as a Cub Scout.
If you have a girl in 3rd through 5th grade, they are eligible to join our Cub Scout Pack 248, which also meets at All Souls.
Most Scouts BSA troops are not co-ed. They are either all-boy or all-girl and meet and conduct their meetings and campouts separately. Troop 248 is Washington DC’s proud and accomplished all-girl troop. There are many existing all-boy Scouts BSA Troops in the District of Columbia for boys to join and we encourage them to do so.
Scouts BSA has 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.
For adult leadership we do accept both male and female leaders. Scouts BSA and Troop 248 takes youth protection as its highest priority. There are multiple layers of protection. All leaders have received a background check and regular youth protection training as a baseline. There are always at least 2 adults at each meeting, event, or campout including one female.
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!