The BSA is a large and diverse organization. There are many troops out there and each one is a world unto itself. It takes some time to find a good fit for your

The BSA is a large and diverse organization. There are many troops out there and each one is a world unto itself. It takes some time to find a good fit for your child, but it is very much worth the efforts. Many troops and councils have openly bucked National's policies for a while now [0] [1] [2] with varying repercussions. Like any large bureaucratic group of people, change takes time. But I think you can see that change is happening within the BSA. I think that you would be surprised at the inclusiveness of some troops (not all, by any means). Importantly, if you want the scouts to change, doing so from inside the organization is the most expedient way to do so (frustrations are bound to occur though). Please, give Scouts a try! Interview local scoutmasters and attend some troop meetings. I promise that they will be happy to talk with you. If you are in the Bay Area I know of a few troops that may fit your family well. I think you will find a troop that aligns fairly well with your priorities (nothing is ever 100%). If that fails, please consider starting your own troop! [3]. Scouting is a great opportunity for young people. It's a fantastic 'grit' builder, leadership trainer, and social experience. It teaches uncountable lessons to your children and helps them prepare for later life like no other thing [4]. Many people [5] cite their one-of-a-kind scouting experiences as the nucleus of their future careers and passions. Personally, I cannot wait to see what becomes of the first female Eagle. Whomever that young woman will be, I am certain that she will have a unique place in her community and world. The lessons of Scouts are uncountable, the friends are innumerable, and the food is, well, usually inedible. [0] https://www.glaad.org/blog/local-boy-scouts-council-approves-gay-scout-ryan-andresens-eagle-application https://www.glaad.org/blog/local-boy-scouts-council-approves... [1] http://www.scoutingforall.org/data/layer02/store.html http://www.scoutingforall.org/data/layer02/store.html [2] https://www.vox.com/first-person/2017/7/27/16049924/boy-scouts-trump-speech https://www.vox.com/first-person/2017/7/27/16049924/boy-scou... [3] http://www.bsa-grc.org/membership/how-to-start-a-new-unit/54591 http://www.bsa-grc.org/membership/how-to-start-a-new-unit/54... [4] https://www.scouting.org/discover/parent/benefits/ https://www.scouting.org/discover/parent/benefits/ [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eagle_Scouts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eagle_Scouts