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Girls welcomed to local Cub Scout pack

The Boy Scouts have made many changes over the past few years. Last year, they announced a decision to welcome girls.
Pack 121 welcomes girls into the Cub Scouts

Pack 121 is what the Boy Scouts of America calls an "early adopter." It means the cub scout program, which falls under Mount Baker Council, has been selected to test out new rules that welcome girls to join the ranks.

Nicole Leboutillier says her mom heard about it and immediately signed her up. She is excited to be apart of the all-girl scouting den "because you can learn how to be loyal to your country and how to help out."

"It just seemed a good inclusive fit for our family," said Leslie Leboutillier, Nicole's mom.

Cub scout leader, Emily Davis, says the national office for Boy Scouts of America made the decision to welcome girls in October 2017.

It was not well-received by everyone. Some questioned if it was an attempt to boost membership.

That same month Girl Scouts of the USA posted to its website that it, "believes strongly in the importance of the all-girl, girl-led, and girl-friendly environment that Girl Scouts provides."

Davis says the all-girl scouting den is about convenience and providing activities that are available to boys and girls.

"I think what it comes down to is, they are looking at it as what does the modern family do," said Davis. "My daughter was asking since the time she was two, when do I get to be a cub scout? And I finally get to say now."

In 2013, the organization lifted the ban on openly gay youth. Two years later, openly gay adults were able to be troop leaders. Last year, Boy Scouts of America, said transgender troop members are welcome. Now nationwide, cub scouts will have girls officially join in August 2018. A scouting program for older girls will roll out in 2019, allowing them to earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

The Mount Baker Council serves youth in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom counties.

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