“For the first time in its 100+ year history, the iconic program of the Boy Scouts of America is open to both young men and young women,” reads a statement on the organization’s website.
“This unique approach allows the organization to maintain the integrity of the single-gender model while also meeting the needs of today’s families,” the group said.
Boy Scouts of America has operated co-ed programs for the past 50 years. The Sea Scouts have been co-ed since their founding in 1953.
However, the Scouts BSA program uses the same curriculum as the Boy Scouts program and will allow eligible youth ages 11-17, to earn the Eagle Scout rank.
MORE: All-Girl Troops Join the Boy Scouts of America
In February, the first all-girl troops joined the Boy Scouts of America.
Some pundits criticized the decision to open up the organization.
Appearing on Fox News shortly after the Boy Scouts of America made its announcement, Wall Street Journal writer William McGurn said progressives’ “war on boys and masculinity” had forced the group to allow girls.