All-girls Boy Scout troop in Wellington closing the gender gap

WELLINGTON, Fla. (CBS12) — The Boy Scouts of America is closing the gender gap in our area, opening its program to girls.

The latest move dropped the word "boy," now calling themselves Scouts BSA.

It’s something members of the Wellington-based Scouts BSA Troop 4125 tell CBS12 News they had hoped to experience for years.

This all-girls BSA troop is the first of its kind in the county, according to scout leader Randy Lane.

“I believe scouting is one of the best character-building youth organizations that there is,” he said during their meeting at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church on Tuesday night.

His daughter, 11-year-old Kitty Lane, is quickly embracing this opportunity, proudly wearing a founder’s patch on her sleeve.

“A founder’s patch because we’re the first girls in this troop,” Kitty said.

On Feb. 1, the boy scouting program revamps its policy to allow girls ages 11 to 17.

Lane says the name is different, but the program will continue to offer priceless lessons.

“The BSA program is second to none," he said. Now, it’s open for my daughter, the same opportunities we had for my son."

Troop 4125 has about eight members now.

They are looking forward to their first adventure outdoors.

“We are the first Scouts BSA troop to go on an official camping trip as a unit,” Lane said.

What these girls are looking forward is the chance to earn the prestigious Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank.

Girls could not earn that honor before.

“It’s service-based, so they give back to the troop and the community as part of their growth experience,” Lane said. “You have to achieve everything that you earn.”