Editor,
I have chosen to talk to you about the decision to rename the Boy Scouts of America to “Scouts of America” on the first of the new year with the intention of letting girls join as well. I disagree with this decision.
Being a Boy Scout myself, there are multiple ways I can see why boys will do better in the male-only system that we have as of now. One of these is that I believe that boys, especially younger ones, will work better and acclimatize to group better if they are all male.
At this stage in their lives, and all the way up until adulthood, there can be tension between the two genders. This means that it could sometimes be difficult for scouts to work together effectively and/or could cause discomfort where it is not necessary.
Another way I look at this is that one of the great things about the Boy Scouts is the ability for young boys to grow and flourish in an environment where everyone has similar interests and goals.
The third thing I want to address is that the program we have is suited to males, not females. This isn’t going to be changed, either. Granted, the Boy Scouts is much less rough and gritty as it used to be, but requirements and activities just aren’t as suited to females as they are males.
Camps such as Camp William Hinds up in Raymond have many activities that they’ve done for years, that I can’t see the majority of girls being as enthusiastic as as boys, along with the way these things are run. Most counselors are male, and their way they express enthusiasm or different activities that they choose to have are great for boys, but might not be as suitable for females.
In short, I believe that the Boy Scouts should remain the Boy Scouts, for the good of our male youth.
Evan Smith
First Class Scout, Troop 304
Kennebunk
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