A group of six Lewiston girls will be among the first girls to join the Boy Scouts of America as a new troop when they are officially registered Friday, the state’s organization said Thursday.
Friday is the day all newly chartered troops are officially registered, the Pine Tree Council of Boy Scouts of America said.
Feb. 1 represents the date the national organization, which has only allowed boys for its 109-year history to date, will accept girls’ troops for the first time under its new Scouts BSA brand.
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Girls were first allowed to participate in the younger Cub Scouts program last year.
Representatives of the newly formed Troop 2019 hand delivered their charter to the council office in Raymond Thursday morning, the council said.
“Scouting is all about connecting our boys and girls to the community, getting them outside, having fun with their friends, and living our oath and law,” said Troop 2019 Scoutmaster Casey Arsenault in a statement.
Arsenault’s daughter, Hannah, officially handed the charter to Scout District Executive Jack Waite Thursday, the council said.
[I’m a girl. I’ve been part of the Boy Scouts for years. It’s time I become a member.]
“I am excited about being in scouting and look forward to doing things I love like camping and archery,” the girl said in a statement released by the council.
Both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the United States of America have reportedly faced declining enrollment in recent years. The Girl Scouts have filed a lawsuit challenging the Boy Scouts’ new direction, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Troop 2019 will hold meetings at the Calvary United Methodist Church in Lewiston and is planning a series of indoor and outdoor events in the weeks and months to come, including a traditional scout pinewood derby.
