Local girls change US Scouts policy

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 521, 1 February 1994, Page 3

Local girls change US Scouts policy

When the Ohakune Scout Group accepted an invitation to attend an international rendezvous in California this coming August they did not think they

would be creating a huge upheaval in one of the largest male bastions in the United States - the Boy Scouts. Scouting in New Zealand

has been fully integrated with both males and females since the early 1980's, and the Ohakune Scouts have had girls in their group since 1990 . Two of these girls

wanted to go to the Rendezvous next to Yosemite National Park so an approach was made to the Santa Clara Scout Council to see if permission could be obtained.

Because Boy Scout camps normally only have facilities for boys, a special application had to be made to the US National Headquarters in Texas - and the Ohakune girls are the first overseas female scouts ever to be invited to an American camp. A formal change to the Boy Scouts of America camping policy has been granted which, following the expected success of this camp, will allow girls from all over the world to attend future camps. Kelly Evans (15), and Loui sa MacKay- W ood (13) are certainly going to make a great impression on the Americans said Laureen Hays, the Venturer leader who will be accompanying them. "It's not just the fact that these two have got permission to go - the Americans will see that girls can do anything their male counterparts can and the boys should get a whole new perspective of scouting in another country," said Mrs Hays. The girls will participate

fully in the camp programme that is based on a Mountain Man theme that includes activities such as black powder shooting, primitive American Indian cooking and handicrafts, canoeing, rock climbing and repelling, archery and gold panning. It's not just the Americans who will benefit either, said Grant Hays, the Ohakune Scout leader. Although most of the European countries that are participating also have fully integrated programmes, many of the Asian and Middle Eastern scout associations are still for boys only. The Australian Scout Association declined the US invitation in 1992 saying that either all their Scouts should be eligible or none would go. "Maybe they just need our persistence," said Laureen. Fundraising is progressing well for the $3000 that each need, althought further work offers for the nine scouts and three leaders going to the event would be appreciated, said Laureen.