I believe that it should be mixed! I quit Chinese fan and ribbon dancing for dragon dancing (which is meant for boys, the fan and ribbon dances are usually the girls' activity) in Chinese culture camp when I was in the age range.  I think that the groups should be allowed to mix, just because there are girls who would rather hang out with boys and vice versa.  

And I'm sure I'm old enough to become a scout, but I'm not that kind of person. 

I wouldn't mind it. It would definitely change the atmosphere, and might make some things awkward, but I would love to do archery and hiking, first aid, canoeing, camping, whatever else the Boy Scouts do... But what would you call a female Boy Scout? That's one of the big things for me. I also feel like my presence would make the boys uncomfortable, and there's nothing that can change that. Similarly, I'm not sure I'd be as comfortable doing stuff when surrounded by a pack of boys, or even mostly boys and partly girls. But then what about non-binary kids? I guess that's another matter.

I can think of two alternative solutions. One, allow the Girl Scouts to do what are traditionally Boy Scout activities, and vice versa. Two, create a new division of Scouts, a co-ed one, perhaps called the United Scouts. It's a little silly but also a little not? Can you imagine kids going around asking people to support the United Scouts? Does that seem weird? Anyway. The new division would be inclusive of boys, girls, and probably non-binary kids as well, and combine activities and traditions from both pre-existing Scout divisions. I don't know what the details of this would be, given that I've never been in either the Boy or Girl Scouts, but I'm sure someone could figure it out.

Mexi says arrk! 

I'm against it. And I'm saying that as a girl who has always wanted a Boy Scout-like program to be in. (I do realize that Girl Scouts exist, but I never joined for a few reasons) I think that part of what's great about Boy Scouts is that it teaches boys to be men. That will get destroyed if girls join. It might be able to teach children to become adults, but you've still lost something huge. I get the point of it, I just think they're going about it the wrong way. i think a better way would be to make a sister program that could be called that's all girl but does Boy Scout things and can go to Boy Scout camps etc. There is also Venture, so it's not like girls are even entirely without a cool program. 

To add another layer to the debate, do you think it's good that it get to be decided on a troop by troop basis?  I think it is. For one thing, it makes there be a chance of there being all boy troop, but even putting that aside I think it's still good. For instance, if there was only one girl who wanted to join, that could casue problems, and it's easier to make a blanket no-girls rule then to say no girl until we have x-many girl interested in joining.

I don't think they should be mixed, but I think Girl Scouts should always be able to do Boy Scout activities and vice versa, without fear of feeling like an outcast. We should definitely try to get rid of gender stereotypes, especially around people of that developmental age, but mixing teenage boys and teenage girls might not be such a fantastic idea. Hormones and such.

I think part of the appeal of Boy Scouts is the all boy factor. However, as a girl who wanted to do camping and such, I was disappointed when all we did was arts and crafts. I think girls can do all the "manly" things that the Boy Scouts do!

Okay, everyone. I understand this issue really well, because my dad is in charge of one of the first Cub Scout packs in the country that has girls, and for us, it's going great. But I think it might be a bit different when kids get older. When we're little, boys play with girls and boys, and girls play with boys and girls. There's not too much gender seperation. Kids just do what they like. But when w're older, being around members of the opposite gender can be uncomfortable. my personal opinion is that Scouting should always be equal. My Girl Scout troop is pretty stupid, because mostly we cook stuff, iron on our badges, and go on trips with the money that we raise. I joined Girl Scouts because I wanted to go camping and hiking and canoeing and other outdoorsy things with people I could relate to, but most of the girls in my troop are the type that spend the entire meeting chatting about what they're going to wear tomorrow. These aren't like-minded people. If I can join a Boy Scout troop, I'll get to go camping, and hiking, and canoeing, all the stuff I joined Scouts for. I think troop gender demographics (look at me, using big words!) should be made up by interest levels. If there are a bunch of kids, boys, girls, non-binaries, whatever, who want to do the things tha Boy Scouts do, they should go for it! If some of those people want to be in a troop with only people of their own gender, then they can form their own troop. But no matter what, no one should be excluded from doing something they love, whether it's hiking, biking, swimming, camping, sewing, cooking, sleeping, etc. 

I hope that I managed to get my point across clearly. It's hard online, when you can't see my expression and hear my tone, but in straightforward terms, NO ONE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED. Ever. 

I'm super excited!  I'm going to my first Venture meeting in a week, and I'm joining an all-girl Scouts BSA troop come February.  Is anyone else a part or planning/hoping to be a part of either of these groups?

I agree with most of everything that has been said so far.  Along with the troops, there are also Lone Scouts.  Just throwing that out there.  It wouldn't be the same as a troop, of course, but it would certainly be better than nothing.

I think that as long as the girl and boy troops are seperate, the only ones who will be really affected by this change are the girls.  In the troop I am joining, everything that the girls and boys do will be seperate except for campouts.  That said, I do acknowledge the reasons for not letting the girls in and they certainly are valid. I can also understand wanting everything to be together, but in my personal opinion I think that keeping them seperate for the most part is probably a good idea.

I did enjoy Girls Scouts while I was a part of it, but I can definetely agree with Hermione that they are not really the same as Boy Scouts at all.  I have wanted to be a Boy Scout pretty much ever since my older brother joined the Cub Scouts.

Also, I really am excited about getting to wear a uniform.  I don't think I've ever had a real uniform before, and I've kind of always wanted one.