Being a girl in the Scouts BSA program (formally known as Boyscouts Of America) proves to be a lot less accepted then people think. My brother and my dad have been part of it since they were kids, however as soon as I could join, I’ve been confronted with questions and concerns from the masses. Even when we are trying to do something fun as a troop we are consistently mistaken for girl scouts or taken as a joke. However it’s not always bad. Being a girl in scouting offers unique experiences that sometimes even the boys can’t enjoy. Recently I got to go to the 2023 National Jamboree, and while I was a minority gender wise, I still had tons of fun and got to build a bond with my fellow female and male scouts. Not to mention, the skills that I get to learn such as camping are very useful, especially considering they aren’t traditionally taught to young women. Being a girl in scouting breaks the gender barrier traditionally associated with outdoor adventure and though it can be challenging at times, is very rewarding in the end Mable Bradshaw- You Don’t Have to Be A Boy to Be A Boy Scout
Mable Bradshaw is a 9th grade pre IB student at Lakeside High School. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and singing in choir. She also volunteers for Project Linus making blankets for hospitalized children. She runs cross country, and year round she is part of the LHS Dead Poet Society. She’s also a Boyscout in Troop 1615 and is working towards Eagle. She loves public speaking and is very excited for this year's TEDx so she can talk about her passion in scouting and her Eagle journey. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx