The four second-grade girls looked at each other Friday evening in the Schoo Middle School auditorium, confused, because their Cub Scouts badges were pinned upside-down. Could it be a mistake?
A few seconds later, parents of the first Cub Scout girls in Lincoln explained that the badges would remain upside-down until their next good deed.
“Once you have earned it, they will be sewn the right way,†chapter representative and den leader Casey Wicks told her daughter EmmaClair.
The 8-year-old girls earning their first badges as Cub Scouts made history without realizing it. For the first time in Lincoln, girls were recognized for their work as Cub Scouts.
At Friday's ceremony, the girls earned the Bobcat award, the first award Cub Scouts earn after learning the scout oath, law, handshake and skit. These girls also earned the Cyber Chip award, after completing an internet safety program.
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Following the Boy Scouts of America’s decision in the fall of 2017 to open scouting to both genders, Emily Storant, Jordyn Bornholdt, Josephine Walker and EmmaClair Wicks of Cub Scout Pack 97 were able to participate in activities only their brothers were allowed to do in the past.
As of Jan. 15, girls were invited to join three Cub Scout packs in Lincoln that are part of Family Cub Scouting, which offers scouting to both boys and girls.Â
“Over a year ago, we had to break it to our daughter that she could not be a Cub Scout like her brother and she was heartbroken,†Casey Wicks said. “The day girls were finally allowed, you should have seen her smile.â€
Field director Rob Gilkerson said the Boy Scouts of America decided that taking the initiative to allow girls was an important step at adapting to modern family dynamics.
“When we started in the '50s, this didn’t exist, because things were different,†Gilkerson said. “By participating in this change, it’s helping us transform it into a family thing, both brothers and sisters can join.â€
Gilkerson said the values taught to the Cub Scout girls are identical to those taught to boys.
“We’re instilling the values that these young ladies may use as future leaders of their community,†he said. “It gives them the opportunity to experience and learn things they may not learn in a school setting.â€
JW Walker, father of three Cub Scouts, said he's content with the decision to include girls.Â
“It has become a family thing,†he said. “Being involved in the community gives them the service mentality and I am glad my daughter can form part of that.â€
Walker says being involved in the Boy Scouts is a tradition his family has had for generations.
“Scouting is a tradition. Hopefully, my kids will enjoy their journey and adventures as scouts and pass it onto their own kids.â€
Walker’s daughter, Josephine, said she felt excited to be recognized.
“I’m making history, being the first girl,†she said.
Casey Wicks said having her daughter involved will help her become a better leader.
“These values will carry onto their future as professionals and citizens,†she said. “It will give them the values they need to respect their country and members of their own community."