Girl Scouts Accuse Boy Scouts of Recruiting Girls, Souring Century-Old Friendship
Around the time of World War I, two organizations set out to mold young Americans into resourceful and virtuous future leaders, instilling in them the admirable traits of citizenship, loyalty and courage. Members of both groups wore uniforms, explored the wilderness and swore to uphold their values.
There was one major difference: The Boy Scouts admitted young men, and the Girl Scouts let in young women — a fundamental distinction still largely true a century later.
But in a blistering letter this week, the president of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. accused Boy Scouts of America of trying to undercut the organization through a “covert campaign to recruit girls.” The letter became public on Tuesday, laying bare an exceptional and surprising fissure in what had been an amicable relationship between two ubiquitous organizations. . .