By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The Boy Scouts of America is changing its iconic name to welcome girls into the organization, but it’s unclear how the change will be received locally.

Starting next February, the flagship program will be known as Scouts BSA.

In generally conservative Central Illinois, not everyone is on board with the change, according to Katie Jurgens, marketing and development director for the W.D. Boyce Council, which covers McLean County.

“Just like with any decision that comes down from national, you get people who are all in, some people who don’t quite agree with it, some people who are still waiting to see how it goes once it happens, but for the most part, a lot of positive feedback because a lot of our programs now are family oriented,” Jurgens said.

Jurgens herself was a member of the Girl Scouts, another iconic organization now directly competing with BSA for female members.

“Each year, we’re always hoping to raise membership,” said Jurgens.

“We definitely hope bringing girls will raise it as well, but every year we do strive to bring in more kids to introduce them to scouting and what it offers young boys, and now girls.”

BSA is launching a “Scout Me In” campaign for families to participate in various scouting activities.

More than 3,000 girls nationwide are participating in Cub Scouts, according to the BSA.

Jurgens says the W.D. Boyce Council is not part of the early adopter program, and no girls locally have enrolled yet in Cub Scouts.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]