Girls want adventures as much as boys

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

Sylvia Acevedo’s column “Girls always play the star roles in Girl Scouts” is entirely true, yet entirely misses the point. Many girls yearn for outdoor activities like the Boy Scouts of America enjoy. Instead of griping about the Boy Scouts recruiting girls, Girl Scouts need to encourage the formation of troops that focus on outdoor adventures. When she was 13, my eldest daughter resented the fact that she was working on crafts in her troop while her older brother was backpacking. At her prodding, I became the leader of a senior troop, which went backpacking every month, did a week-long backpack trip each summer, did a boating weekend, a snow skiing weekend and a rifle shooting weekend every year. My assistant leaders and I had as many as 30 girls at a time in our troop, and they stayed in ‘til they went to college. None of the girls in our troop wanted to join the Boy Scouts! Ray Waugh Volcano, Calif.

FACEBOOK USA TODAY OPINION

I was a Girl Scout for six years, and either a volunteer or troop leader for the past four, and I have to disagree with our CEO Sylvia Acevedo’s stance. We won’t be “supporting players” if we were to additionally join the Boy Scouts, we’d be pioneers. This isn’t a problem, this is an opportunity.

We shouldn’t be “disappointed” in Boy Scouts of America for the invitation to girls to join them. We should strap on some grace and say, “Thanks. That’s rather bold of you, and maybe you have something here.” There are inherent strengths and weaknesses in both organizations, and I for one would like to trade wisdom and learn more about how the other operates. I’m not looking to leave Girl Scouts. I’m hoping to make what we have better. A dual enrollment for our all-girl troop might help bridge the gap, and to expand the possibilities for our kids and families. Chelle Heiss Connor