Page 33 - AUG 2018 The Castle Pines Connection proof 1

School Scoop
New opportunity for young women in scouting
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Article and photo by Amanda Brauchler, RCHS intern writer
By February, the quintessential American Scouts group will have undergone major changes for its new members. Boy Scouts of America (BSA) will change its name to Scouts BSA and usher in a new generation of Scouts, allowing girls to join their program in an announcement in May 2018. The policy change will not only increase the program’s membership, but it will help families consolidate their scouting commitments, and will
o er the prestigious Eagle Scout award to new female members.
Female-involved scouting organizations are not an anomaly. The famous Girl Scouts of America (GSA) is a prominent scouting organization for girls and BSA also has a “venturing” program, a co-ed group for boys and girls. Neither organization o ers awards as well-known as the Eagle Scout Award, however.
The rst all-female troop in the BSA Denver Council was formed in the Highlands Ranch/Castle Pines area in early 2018. The Troop’s number is 1920, representing the year that women were allowed to vote in the United States. Carissa Sigler, a sophomore at Mountain Vista High School and one of the co-founders of the Troop, also participated in GSA and Venture Crew before the BSA policy shift. Sigler grew up in a household immersed
in scouting because of her brother’s involvement and wanted access to the same opportunities that he had.
“I believe the experience Scouts BSA provides will allow young women to break away from common stereotypes, push their limits, learn new things, and become leaders,” Sigler said. “I want girls in our community to have that same experience and ful ll their leadership potential.”
Troop 1920’s goal is to present new opportunities to young women in the community and advance new members through to the Eagle Scout award before they age out at 18 years old. They will begin meeting at the beginning of February 2019 at Mountain Ridge Middle
Sigler, one of the founders of Troop 1920, the rst female BSA troop, shot a ri e at Centennial Gun Club as a part of her Venture Crew 563. Venture Crews were the rst co-ed opportunity in BSA before their policy change that will allow females to have access to the same opportunities as males.
School, hosting distinguished female leaders in Colorado as a way to o er connections to troop members and insight into badge topics.
Rock Canyon High School student Issy Kiefert joined Troop 1920 because of the focus on nature and potential opportunities. “Boy Scouts gives members real life knowledge that isn’t normally taught to girls,” Kiefert said. “Knowledge is so vital for young girls growing up in this day and age.”
Robbie Reinhardt, a former Boy Scout and an 80108 resident, is ready for the change in the scouting community. “I believe that the change will widen Scouts’ perspectives,” Reinhardt said. “Meet new people, make new connections; that’s what I always say.”
For more information about Troop 1920, visit www. bsatroop1920.com or email info@bsatroop1920.com.
AMERICAN ACADEMY
American Academy Charter (AA) 6971 Mira Vista Lane
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades K - 8, Calendar: Individual www.americanacademyk8.org 720-292-5200
TIMBER TRAIL
Timber Trail Elementary (TTE)
690 West Castle Pines Parkway
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Grades K - 5, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-5700
SAGE CANYON
Sage Canyon Elementary (SCE) 2420 Autumn Sage Street
Castle Rock, CO 80108
Grades K-6, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
720-433-0110
BUFFALO RIDGE
Bu alo Ridge Elementary (BRE) 7075 North Shoreham Drive
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades K - 5, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-5575
OCKY HEIGHTS MIDDLE
Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) 11033 Monarch Boulevard
Highlands Ranch, CO 80124
Grades 6 - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-3300
MESA MIDDLE
Mesa Middle School (MMS)
365 N. Mitchell Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Grades 7 - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-4750
DCS MONTESSORI
DCS Montessori (DCSM)
311 Castle Pines Parkway
Castle Pines, CO 80108
Grades Pre - 8, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsmontessori.org
303-387-5625
ROCK CANYON HIGH
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) 5810 McArthur Ranch Road Highlands Ranch, CO 80124
Grades 9 - 12, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-3000
CASTLE VIEW HIGH
Castle View High School (CVHS) 5254 N Meadows Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80109
Grades 9 - 12, Calendar: Conventional www.dcsdk12.org
303-387-9000
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