GREAT FALLS – For more than 100 years, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has provided young men with training in leadership, wilderness skills and many other areas. But this winter, the organization ushered in a change— for the first time, girls were welcomed into the ranks.
Scout Troop 110 formed in Great Falls this February.
“My brother was in it and it looked super fun,” said Lilli, Troop 110 assistant senior patrol leader. This is not her brother’s troop, it’s hers, and it’s the first Great Falls girl’s troop to join Scouts BSA.
Scoutmaster Lisa Kiamas has been through years of campouts, meetings and projects with her son, who is almost an Eagle Scout, but she is not even close to done.
“My daughter is at that age now where I’m going to go through it all over with her now,” said Kiamas.
On Saturday, Troop 110 served up spaghetti to raise money for summer camping. But they’ve already learned much more than just how to serve food safely. They’ve gone snowshoeing and skiing, they’ve helped collect food for people in need and a lot more, doing everything the boys do.
“It’s the exact same program for the girls as it is for the boys, and they can earn the same Eagle rank,” said Kiamas.
Right now, Troop 110 has nine active girls, and for some of them, scouting is nothing new.
“I helped my brother with all of his campouts, and I stayed for like three of them,” said Lilli. “I just help out whenever they needed it.” Now, girls like Lilli will get the patches to prove it.
Troop 110 meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Falls YWCA. Girls who are interested in joining Scouts are welcome to attend.
-Reported by Joe Huisinga/MTN News
