The Boy Scouts of America is now allowing girls into its program, and all-female troops are appearing around the country, including in Southern Oregon.
Ryan Schnobrich of Ashland has been in the Boy Scouts almost all his life. He’s part of the third generation of his family to achieve the top rank of Eagle Scout.
Now his daughter can carry on the tradition. He has helped form an all-female Boy Scout troop based in Ashland.
For Schnobrich, it’s not about Girl Scouts versus Boy Scouts. It’s about sharing the same childhood experiences he had with his daughter.
“When I found out that Boy Scouts was rebranding as Scouts BSA and welcoming girls, I ran right over to the Ashland YMCA and asked what they thought about chartering our new troop,” he said.
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its Boy Scouts program name to Scouts BSA in February as part of its ongoing efforts to appeal to girls.
Schnobrich got a warm welcome from the Ashland YMCA, as well as from parents. A dozen girls have already committed to joining, and another twelve are thinking about it.
The new troop will start in February with a long list of trips, including forest hikes and camping around the region and a trip to British Columbia for training.
For more information about Troop 211, email scoutsbsatroop211@gmail.com or visit the Ashland YMCA.
