Allowing girls to be Boy Scouts has confused and angered some scouting supporters nationwide, but local chapters are supportive of the change.

“The Moraine Trails Council leadership is not surprised by the decision of the National Council to add programming for girls,” said Ray Tennant, the scout executive for the Moraine Trails Council.

Tennant said that of the 900 Moraine Trails Council volunteers, he has received only two complaints about the situation.

Since last week's announcement that Boy Scouts of America would begin allowing girls to officially join the organization, only the Cub Scouts, which serves boys in kindergarten through fifth grade, is set to begin admitting girls starting in January.

Existing packs can choose to become a girl-inclusive pack that consists of girl dens and boy dens, or remain an all-boy pack. All dens will remain single-gender, the organization said via news release.

“This unique approach allows us to maintain the integrity of the single-gender program model while also meeting the needs of today's families,” Boy Scouts of America said in a statement.

In the same release the organization said it plans to develop a program for older girls that would allow them to achieve Eagle Scout status. However, the program is still in development and would debut in 2019 at the earliest.

Tennant said most of the concerns he has heard are about having co-ed programs, but he said the organization is always thorough with its plans. He said he trusts his volunteers would be able to handle co-ed programs.

“Most people are wanting to see what happens,” Tennant said. “I think the biggest concern is how it's implemented and not the fact that we've done it.”

While the organization's national staff works on the details of the integration, Tennant said the Cub Scouts integration already shows promise. He said it gives recognition to the sisters and daughters of boys and parents already participating.

Tennant said some of these girls had already been attending meetings and participating in activities in recent years — something that was encouraged by the organization's national leadership.

“For many years, entire families of a Cub Scout have been encouraged to attend meetings and activities in most packs,” Tennant said. “Some parents finally asked the question: 'Why can't my daughter earn the same recognitions as my son, if they attend and complete the same requirements?”

Since the announcement some have opposed the decision and voiced their concerns on social media. But Tennant said in a news release that local chapters have all expressed support for the change.

Dr. Henry Sinopoli, an executive board member and past board president of the council, said he remembers past changes in Scouts that received criticism at first.

“More than 30 years ago, the Boy Scouts of America decided to allow women to be Scoutmasters,” Sinopoli said. “There were people then who rejoiced in the decision, and some that were dismayed by the change.”

Sinopoli said the change is about bringing families together in a healthy way.

“This change represents a similar situation, except that now all family members are affected in being able to participate in Cub Scouting as a family,” he said. “Change is very difficult; more for some people than others. But overall I believe most people want what is best for their children.”

Tennant said the new change will also allow for busy families to fit scouting into their schedules.

“In our busy society where youth are in numerous extra-curricular activities, many parents desire one program for all their youth,” he said. “One-family programs also appeal to single-parent families.”

Tennant said he thinks the changes will be well received in this area because of the support he's seen in the council's Family Camp Weekends. He said nearly 1,000 people attend the weekends each year. The event encourages full-family participation.

Tennant said the council offers opportunities for children to build character, and character has no gender.

“This decision is about our families in scouting and those who may join in the future,” Tennant said. “We support a family's decision to enroll their child in any character building program that they believe serves their family in the best way.”