Renamed Scouts BSA welcomes girls Troops in Menifee

Members of the new girls Troop 8222 gather for their first meeting at Archibald's recently.

By Tommie Brown, Staff Writer

For over 100 years, the Boy Scouts of America included only males in their membership. However, as the summer of 2017 unraveled into 2018, the famously exclusive group broadened its horizon into female inclusion.

It has been a common misconception that the Boy Scouts would become an all-inclusive club, merging both genders into each Troop. But in speaking to a few leaders of the Scouts programs in Menifee, the general confusion of the incorporation was quickly cleared up.

"Girls are not coming in to take over what the boys are doing," says Taya Yoakum, Troop 584’s Scout Master. "That’s not what this is about. Just think of the two groups as brothers and sisters."

In simple terms, the Boy Scouts are dropping the "Boy."

While the other original groups still very much exist – Cub Scouts (which has become co-ed) and Girl Scouts - the new remodeled scout system for older boys is simply called "Scouts BSA."

Though framed to function exactly as the Boy Scouts did, Scouts is a place for young women and young men alike to learn the same skills and lessons, as well as earn the same title of Eagle Scout -- a rank that only young men have attained for over a century.

"Troops that have boys are going to stay all boys. Troops that are girls, such as 584 that we are starting, are going to be all girls," says David Boring, committee chair. "The only thing that has changed is the name and that girls have the opportunity for the first time in 109 years to earn Eagle Scout."

Kick started by Yoakum, one of Menifee’s first girls Scouts BSA Troops has opened its doors to girls aged 11 to 18 as of January 2019.

Four of the five members of Troop 584

"My husband is the leader for [Cub Scout] Pack 374," says Yoakum. "And since those are the little ones, everything is family related involvement. My daughters would come to the events to be along for the ride, but they had no way of earning anything from that.”
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Yoakum’s daughters, like many other young women, waited for their opportunity to be involved in Venture Scouts, one of BSA’s very few co-ed programs previous to the new evolution. However, while Venturing offers physically demanding and adventurous activities, ethics is not the sole focus and no merit can be earned from attendance. There is also the struggle of having to wait until members are 14 years of age to join.

Knowing the new policies that developed within BSA, Yoakum decided to do something about this.

"Taya initiated the new all-girls Troop," says Boring. "Her daughter was waiting to be in Venture Club but [it] doesn’t offer the same character development and leadership as what was Boy Scouts. As soon as she knew she had the opportunity to start a troop, Taya approached me and asked if I would help. And of course I said sure!"

From there, Yoakum and her family started to hand out fliers, her daughters telling their friends and getting information out there. Joining in was Michelle Cheley as assistant Scout Master. Within the first weeks of their new Troop, the girls had five members to start with.

In addition to Troop 584, Troop 8222 in Quail Valley is the first all-girls Troop in its area. With seven girls already members from the start, the Troop has hit the ground running.

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We are one of the first all-female troops in the Menifee area," says Sheree Magee-Johnson of Troop 8222. "We are excited to begin our journey getting these young ladies to the rank of Eagle Scout. We look so forward to watching them progress and grow as young adults learning these great outdoor skills that will carry on through their lives."

The girls in the Troops share the same excitement and dedication the adult leaders do.

"I wanted to join because I’ve watched my brother and dad do Scouting, but there wasn’t really the same thing for me to do," says Isis, a 13-year-old Troop member. "I’m excited to now be able to be an Eagle Scout one day because my dream job is to be a scientist or an astronomer. I could even join the military and Eagle Scout would give me that advance and earn a higher rank."

Members of the new Troop 584 take a break during a recent hiking trip to pose for a photo.

Assistant Scout Master Cheley explained that girls can still be in Girl Scouts while partaking in Scouts B.S.A. Her own daughter is a long -ime Girl Scout and now participates in both Troops.

"I have been in Girl Scouts for almost three years, but I saw my brother having so much fun in Scouts, I wanted to have fun too," says Caitlin, age 11. "I think everyone should always try their best and be kind and make new friends. And if that’s what you want to do, then I think Scouts is the best place for us."

While the name and members may be new, the teaching and service of the Scouts remains unchanged.

"The handbooks are literally exactly the same," says Yoakum. "All that’s different between the two books are the pictures. Girls can relate to girls better and boys can relate to boys better. We all still believe that.”
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Using gender neutral pronouns and two versions of the exact same photo are the only detectable adjustment to the text. Word for word, the Scout handbooks align.

Troop 584 Scouts enjoyed a great day on their recent hike.

From community service to cooking meals to family life and first aid, boys and girls alike will now get the opportunity to learn and become masters of what Scouting has taught since 1911.

"Scouts B.S.A is designed to help prepare young people make ethical and moral decisions over their lifetime. There is nothing about gender specification in that," says Yoakum. "Take a look at the Scouts Oath and Scout Law. Why wouldn’t we as parents want both our daughters and sons to do this?"

If you are interested in involving your son or daughter in the Scouts B.S.A programs, call or text
951-445-0692 for more information.