Girl Scout Law:

I will do my best to be honest and fair

Friendly and helpful

Considerate and caring

Courageous and strong, and 

Responsible for what I say and do,

Respect myself and others,

Respect authority,                     

Use resources wisely,

Make the world a better place,

And be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Boy Scout Law:

A Scout is

Trustworthy    Obedient

Loyal               Cheerful

Helpful            Thrifty

Friendly           Brave

Courteous        Clean

Kind                Reverent

           Millions of boys and girls across the country recite the core values of the scouting organizations after each and every meeting. I myself have said the Girl Scout Law countless times with my troop ever since I was six years old and I’ve seen my brother do the same at every family picnic or awards banquet that his troop has held ever since he joined the Boy Scouts. Being friendly, helpful, caring, and kind, these ideas are encouraged in young scouts and can be seen through the everyday good deeds that they do for others in their communities. Today I will be discussing the similarities between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, some key differences between the two groups, and finally how we can bring them together as one.

When it comes down to it, both organizations have very similar messages to the youth of America. After looking at the laws of both organizations you will notice that while there are some differences, both The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts promote the same core values to the young scouts and encourage them to serve themselves and others through their everyday actions. Not only this, but both of the organizations are run very similarly. Girls can join Girl Scouts in kindergarten as Daisies and then move up through the ranks all the way to the end of high school. Boys can also join the Cub Scouts in elementary school then move up to the Boy Scouts in middle and high school. Another similarity between the two organizations is the earning of badges. Throughout their time in the scouting programs, kids can earn badges from a variety of topics such as outdoor skills, home skills, STEM, volunteering, and much more. Each badge has a specific set of requirements that need to be filled in order for a Scout to earn it. Once completed the scout earns a badge that they can then display on their uniform.

            While the two organizations have many similarities, they have some key differences that make the two organizations unique. One of these is the way that one moves through ranks. In Girl Scouts, a girl is promoted to the next rank based purely on grade level. Once a child reaches 6^th grade they are automatically a junior and once they reach freshman year they reach the senior rank and finally the junior year they are the highest rank in the Girl Scout program, an ambassador. This ranking system gives very little honor to be a higher rank than someone else because it is purely based on age. On the other hand, after reaching Boy Scouts, a boy must earn their way up through the ranks. Each rank has a certain set of requirements that must be met in order to move on such as specific number merit badges that the scout must earn, he must demonstrate a level of proficiency in specific skills, and he must demonstrate leadership within the troop. This means there is actual work required to move through the ranks of boy scouts, giving boys a sense of pride when they reach the higher ranks in the organization.

            One of the most coveted ranks in Boy Scouts is the Eagle Scout. This is the highest possible rank you can reach in Boy Scouts and it is recognized as a huge accomplishment for the rest of the recipient’s life. In order to receive the Eagle Scout rank, a boy must complete an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages as well as earn a total of 21 merit badges, hold a position of leadership within the troop for 6 months, and go through an extensive board review. The Girl Scouts have an equivalent to the Eagle Scout called the Gold Award, though it is a lot less nationally known. In order to get the Gold Award, a girl must have completed two Senior or Ambassador Journeys, then they must plan and lead a Gold Award Project that makes a lasting difference in the girl's community, is sustainable, and put the Girl Scout promise and law into practice. This is similar to the Boy Scout Eagle Scout project but is significantly less recognized and known about than being an Eagle Scout.

            Though there are a few main differences, the similarities these programs have their successes and flaws. And that brings me to my final point. We should combine these two organizations into one. Over the past several years, both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts have lost vast amounts of membership. The Girl Scouts currently have 2.66 million members, down 30 percent from their peak membership of 3.8 million in 2003. The Boy Scouts are in a similar predicament with about 2.35 million members, less than half of the almost 5 million boys in the organizations peak in 1973. With both organizations working to get their membership numbers up, why not just go ahead and merge the two programs. This would mean that the two existing would no longer be competing for members. This has been most recently seen by the Boy Scouts recent decision to allow girls into their program.

            This brings me to my second point, the switch is already starting. The Boy Scouts have allowed girls to join their ranks through their many programs such as the Venture Scouts and depending on the troop, some already let girls participate in all of their activities except the girls aren’t allowed to earn any of the badges or ranks such as the coveted Eagle Scout. Due to the fact that both of the scouting organizations are built on the same core principles, the merging of the two organizations would be an easy transition. Also, due to the fact that both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are family organizations, this would allow siblings to be in the same troop and would make it easier for parents instead of having to deal with different and often conflicting schedules of two organizations. Some people may be concerned that bringing girls into scouting with boys might decrease the amount of camping or adventure activities that occur, but often it is up to each individual scout to sign up for these adventure activities and you can participate in these activities if you want to.

            Finally, bringing the Scouting organizations together into one would allow both systems to adopt the Boy Scout ranking system and the rank of Eagle Scout. This would allow both girls and boys to earn this special rank. As it is already nationally recognized, there wouldn’t have to be any extra publicity about how much work is put into becoming an Eagle Scout.      

            In conclusion, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts have many similarities and differences, but the two organizations could be brought together as one. It is the time that we follow the lead of many countries such as Canada and France and create the Scouts of America. I will leave you with a quote from Juliette Gordon Low, “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.” It is time to make a change and there is no better time than the present. Thank you.