‘CBS This Morning,’ New York Times Examine What Scouts BSA Means for Girls Who Can Now Join

As young people continue to join Scouts BSA from coast to coast, national outlets like CBS News and The New York Times have taken note.

Both major media sources recently spoke with girls who have joined the iconic Scouting program about what it means to them to be able to participate in the adventures and activities that the Boy Scouts of America provides. 

Lora P., who is among the first girls join a Scouts BSA troop in the Greater New York Councils, shared her perspective with The New York Times.

“I didn’t necessarily think about it as creating history — because it’s not always about being first,” she said. “It’s about being involved.”

All the way across the nation in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, Sophia D., a new member of a Scouts BSA troop in the Orange County Council, echoed that sentiment when she spoke with CBS This Morning. 

Sophia’s twin brother Brandon joined Scouting years earlier, and when Sophia saw the fun he was having, she wondered why it wasn’t available to her. 

“When he would go on his campouts, it was weird, like, ‘I can’t go with him?’ I wanted to go,” she said. 

Back in New York City, Lora’s experience had been similar. She had been watching her older brother participate in Scouting activities for years but always wanted to be part of the full experience. 

When the opportunity to join a Scouts BSA troop for girls became available, Lora jumped at the chance. 

“We wanted to lead the change and show people that we could do Scouting, too,” she said. 

When CBS News reporter Carter Evans asked Sophia what she hopes other girls take away from the opportunity to join Scouts BSA, she shared her thoughts. 

“I hope they can see that they can do it, too,” she said. 

“Nothing holding them back,” the reporter, Evans, added. 

“Nope!” Sophia confidently agreed. 

Sophia’s mother, Dea, who is the Scoutmaster of her daughter’s troop, talked about both of her children each being able to be part of their own Scouts BSA troop. 

“They deserve to have the opportunity to both enjoy that Scouting experience as it was meant to be, and it was meant to be single-gender,” she said. 

Similarly, in New York City, Lora’s mother, Snazzy, is Scoutmaster for her daughter’s troop. She loves that Lora has the opportunity to be part of such a great experience. 

“It’s long overdue,” she said. “In American society, it’s all about women being equal and able to do everything they want to and are capable of. There are girls who love to be outdoors, who love learning new skills. And it will help them in life, in leadership and independence.”

Be sure to check out the full story in The New York Times, and watch the CBS This Morning piece in its entirety below.