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03/04/2020 07:15 AMA new scout’s troop in Clinton is blazing a new trail: BSA Troop 55G is a new, all-girls scout troop that is officially open for members
Scouts BSA—formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America—officially began allowing girls to join the scouts last year. The troop formed in October 2019, according to Troop 55G Committee Chair John Whittel.
“My daughter was always following in her brother’s shadows and coming to scouts’ events, so when she was allowed to do it, we jumped in,” Whittel said.
In order to qualify, the group needed at least five girls, and the troop currently has seven.
“Anyone from 11 to 17 is more than welcome to join us,” Whittel said.
The troop meets Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at the Clinton United Methodist Church at 12 Commerce Street. The troop accepts members from other towns besides Clinton.
The troop has the same charter, committee, and equipment as its male counterpart, which is BSA Troop 55.
“We do the same activities as the male counterparts,” Whittel said.
While BSA allowed girls to join last year, other countries with scouts have allowed girls to join the scouts for years.
Whittel acknowledged there has been some pushback from people wondering why the girls should be admitted to the BSA. He tries to highlight the positives of the group.
To the question “Why don’t they just join the Girl Scouts?” Whittel replies that the Girl Scouts and the Scouts BSA are two very different programs with different sets of activities.
“A girl may want to do activity XYZ that is offered by the Girl Scouts, but a different girl may want to do activity ABC, which is not offered by them. It’s not taking away from [Girl Scouts]—we do have girls in both programs and we want that. It’s about the individual girl and what activities they like best,” Whittel said.
On Feb. 9 the troop was officially presented with its troop flag that signifies their official involvement with different events and activities.
More information about the troop can be found its Facebook page BSA 55G Clinton, Connecticut or by emailing ScoutsBSA55G@gmail.com.