Although the Boy Scouts are preparing to admit girls, Randell M. Bynum, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, said she is confident that the Girl Scouts will retain members and that membership will even increase.
As a third-generation Girl Scout, Bynum said that the organization will continue to strengthen with a centennial celebration in Nassau County this year.
“With 2018 marking the 100th year in Nassau County, we anticipate to continue being the first choice for girls and parents, and being the first in leadership for girls, in STEM and when engaging in their community,” said Bynum.
“We are motivated to continue to grow our presence,” she said.
The Girl Scouts of Nassau County has more than 19,000 members and 6,000 adult members, according to the group’s website.
Bynum said she has not heard feedback about the Boy Scouts’ transition or any membership decrease in the Girl Scouts.
The Girl Scouts will remain in a strictly female format. “We will continue to do what we’re really good at, which is to continue to be for girls and just girls … I haven’t had any reactions to the Scout BSA campaign. I’ve just spoken to some parents that are grateful and supportive of the opportunities that Girl Scouts has given their daughters.”
The Boy Scouts, who will change their name to Scouts BSA, are welcoming girls into Cub Scouts, where they will be in single-gender dens, but packs will be single-gender or mixed-gender.
Peter Shields, the commissioner for the Theodore Roosevelt Council of Scouts BSA in Nassau County, said he does not think the Boy Scouts’ Scout Me In campaign will affect Girl Scout membership.
“There’s really no conflict that you have to do one or the other, and we’re not putting kids in a position to have to choose that. We’ve always had a good relationship with the Girl Scouts and with Nassau County, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that this relationship continues,” said Shields.
When asked about the amount of interest of girls joining in the fall, Shields said that he expects a small number initially. “I don’t think they’re going to flood in, but I think we’re going to have steady growth … Girls have always been able to take part in our family programs. Now, girls will just be able to wear a uniform and to join and to get the patches and awards,” he said.
Steven Cahn, leader of Cub Scout Pack 267 and unit commissioner of Boy Scouts Troop 267, organized an open house event on May 15 at Temple Beth Sholom in Roslyn Heights, the pack’s sponsored charter organization.
The troops, dens and charter organization determined that girls will begin to be able to join Cub Scouts this September. The young girls, alongside the young boys, will then graduate into the Boy Scouts in February of the year when they reach fifth grade.
Cahn said that 11 girls have expressed interest in registering with Pack 267 in September.
“I think that [Girl Scouts] really contributed to myself and my leadership today, and I hope that it will contribute to the experience to all the girls involved in the county today,” said Bynum. “We’re the premier organization for leadership skills for girls and we anticipate to continue to be just that.”
