Should girls join the Boy Scouts, now that they can?

Last month, the Boy Scouts of America announced that girls will be able to join the Cub Scouts in 2018 and a program for older girls will use the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts.

According to the Associated Press, "Cub Scout dens — the smallest unit — will be single-gender, either all-boys or all-girls. The larger Cub Scout packs will have the option to remain single gender or welcome both genders. The program for older girls is expected to start in 2019 and will enable girls to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout."

MPR News host Tom Weber spoke with Liana Tessum, capacity building director for Girl Scouts River Valleys, and Kent York, director of communication at the Boy Scouts Northern Star Council, about how these changes will affect Twin Cities boy and girl scouts troops in our region.

Girl Scouts River Valleys covers the geographic area of southern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The Northern Star Council covers Boy Scouts troops in 21 Minnesota and four Wisconsin counties.

To hear their discussion, use the audio player above.

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