Boy Scouts of America camp opens doors to all-girl troops on Delmarva

GALESTOWN, Md. – Girls and boys working hand in hand at camp this summer is something boy scout leaders say has finally become a reality on Delmarva.

“They had talked about it a lot about bringing in girls,” said Tammy Selby, an instructor at the Henson Scout Reservation.

“We were all for it,” said Selby.

The new Scouts BSA Program gives girls the same opportunities to become an Eagle Scout, the highest and most prestigious rank at Boys Scouts of America, all while maintaining balance.

“Both scout set are boys and scout set are girls participate in programs together,” said Ryan Teat, the camp director at the Henson Scout Reservation.

“So, they are taking merit badge classes together and they are camping in completely separate camp sites,” said Teat.

And even though the camp sites are separate the scouts, boys and girls, will get the chance to work together, to canoe, swim and even climb. Things Angelina Aguilar says she did not get to do as much in the Girl Scouts.

“There’s actually a lot more things to do in Boy Scouts because in Girl Scouts we almost never went camping, and here we go camping at least twice a month,” said Aguilar.

Some Boy Scouts believe having girls at camp is a huge milestone. They say girls are teaching them new things.

“In rock climbing, I couldn’t do it and this girl taught me how to tie a knot and everything, so that helped me a lot,” said Tarik Harris, Jr.

The camp director tells 47ABC, he is just excited for what is to come.

He hopes more girls will join the Boy Scouts and take steps towards becoming leaders in the community.

“Scouting in general is a wonderful organization for young people instilling leadership skills, knowledge and things of that nature so we are excited to expand our program for as many youth as possible,” said Teat.

Teat says there is still a need to recruit and organizers say they hope to see more girls participating in the future.