The Boy Scouts of America announced on Wednesday, Oct. 11 plans to accept girls into the organization as of early 2019. The Boy Scouts has a rich tradition engraved in American history that dates about a century back, of being the foundation for raising young leaders. But as many know, these leaders are only men. Being a former Girl Scout, I see the introduction of girls into the Boy Scouts as a great turn of tides for all people to be seen as equal, but this is done at the risk of hurting the Girl Scouts.

I was a Girl Scout from about second to eighth grade. Within that time, I learned how to be just as good as everyone else, despite my gender. I learned I was just as qualified as boys through various lessons and adventures.

On the other hand, I see the introduction of girls into the Boys Scouts as a beneficial transition because of certain shortcomings of Girl Scouts. When I was a member, there were many times I wanted to participate in certain activities that the boys were holding but could not. I totally agree with Danelle Jacobs, whose daughter plans to join the Boy Scouts, that girls should have the choice.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the Girl Scouts, but they weren’t the right fit for our family. Girls should have the choice,” Jacobs said, in an interview the New York Times.

I appreciate the idea to incorporate females into Boy Scouts, yet, I do not appreciate its abrupt entrance to resurrect its organization and its lack of acknowledgement for the damage it may cause to the Girl Scouts’ future.

The Boys Scouts’ online report states they have 2.3 million members, as of 2015. But, these numbers are far less than they were during the Boy Scout’s peak in the 1970’s, when its population was about five million.  So one should be suspicious the announcement for females into Boy Scouts was just a way to increase their membership numbers in troubling times. The tactic will definitely work. But, to what degree, we must wait to find out.

Now, the announcement sends the Girl Scout organization into a little frenzy. The organization must now prepare for possible outcomes like declining membership, constant questioning from the media and potential negative feedback from members who decide to join the Boy Scouts.

My only hope is that the transition of girls joining Boy Scouts does not ruin the history of Girl Scouts. It is because of Girl Scouts I am passionate about being a better person and making an impact this world. My girl scout leader use to tell my sister and I that we should make it our mission to leave the world a little better than how we found it. The goal of Girl Scouts is to “build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” I trust and believe it has succeeded with this mission with me and millions of females all over the United States.