By: Ashley Quintella Valle
Everyone should have the opportunity to better themselves, which is why Jody Kirby is excited to announce the first all-girl troops Scouts BSA in the Omaha-metro area.
Last year, Boy Scouts of America announced it would be open to girls for the first time in more than 100 years and even changed the name of the organization to Scouts BSA.
As Scoutmaster of Troop 499 in Bellevue, sponsored by the Honor Guard of VFW Post 2280, Kirby said young girls should learn life skills.
“I think girls should be here,” Kirby said. “Girls need to be able to do everything that boys do.”
Through this program, young women learn team-building, leadership skills and responsibly through outdoor activities, teamwork and community service.
Before Scouts BSA welcomed girls into the program, those interested in community work as well as learning leadership skills joined Girl Scouts.
Though the programs are similar, there are differences.
While Boy Scouts must earn merit badges, many of which are focused on survival and outdoor skills, to move up in rank, Girl Scouts can choose what badges to earn from a large menu of options.
Though Girl Scouts offers outdoor activity, it is possible to move through the program without earning many outdoor badges.
“Scouts BSA provides character- and leadership-building experiences that give young people a solid foundation for their futures,” Mid-America Council Scout Executive Chris Mehaffey said.
“We celebrate all youth-serving organizations that build character and feel the most important thing is to allow parents the ability to choose which programs are best for their family.”
The new Bellevue troop, which has eight members, is open to girls ages 11 through 17 and is hoping to recruit more members, Kirby said.
Bellevue will add a second girls troop, Troop 231, in the near future, Kirby said, and Papillion Troop 461 began earlier this month.
For 22 years, Kirby has held leadership positions within Boy Scout troops and said she plans to do the same activities while leading young women in the new troop.
“I hope by following the program as written, we will be able to have fun and end up with young ladies that will be prepared, productive members of our society,” she said.
Though the program is new, Kirby said troop members are already looking forward to the adventures ahead.
Activities such as white-water rafting, sailing and camping are just some of the adventures Kirby said she has in mind.
“We are just going to charge ahead and have fun,” she said.
After completing the necessary milestones in Scouting, girls will be eligible to earn their Eagle Scout Award.
Those who earn the prestigious award, Kirby said, are often presented with more opportunities when it comes to scholarships and career advances.
Kirby said lending the same opportunity to young women is amazing.
“That’s really empowering,” she said. “I think it’s important to girls everywhere to have more options.”
Even if they don’t plan on earning the award, the skills they learn will last them a lifetime, Kirby said.
“All of the girls will gain confidence, skills in public speaking, leadership and team work which will certainly empower them even if they do not reach the rank of Eagle Scout,” she said.
