The local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America has started a drive to increase its membership this year.

Dallas County is part of the Crane District with Perry and Wilcox Counties, combining for 600 members. About 550 of those members reside in Dallas County.

Selma has four units: Elkdale Baptist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Church Street United Methodist Church and Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

For Boys Scouts Membership Chairman Corey Bowie, the search begins with meeting the Pastors and Churches in Dallas County.

“It’s important to extend opportunities to our youth and maximize the opportunities that Boys Scouts can offer to young men and women,” Bowie said.

Boys Scouts District Executive Leith Wilson would like to see more adult participation. 

“It’s about making a difference in a youth’s life,” Wilson said. “The biggest thing we need is having more adult leaders to make the scouts possible. We have offers to use buildings for scouts, but there aren’t enough adult volunteers.”

For Wilson, the plan is to reach all 26 elementary schools in the three district counties about joining the boy scouts before fall begins.

A big change is girls can now be members of the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts’ name will remain the same as well as its mission. The mission “is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.”

Cub Scouts are divided into Dens from kindergarten through fifth-grade, both boys and girls. The Boy Scouts Troops are for boys ages 11 through 17. Starting in February, girls will be part of the Scout Troop. Boys and Girls have their own age groups.

Wilson doesn’t see a problem with girls joining the Boy Scouts.

“Girls in Boy Scouts is nothing new,” Wilson said. “Girls have been part of the scout program since 1972. The mission didn’t mention no girls. Families wanted to have one location and work under one umbrella.”

Bowie, also Selma City Council President, is a former Boy Scout. He knows the importance of being a Boy Scout.

“Boy Scouts give the youth an opportunity to expand and fellowship with young men and women,” Bowie said. “It helps with team building and teaching them respect. Boy Scouts also give back to the community.”

For more information, call either Jonathan Brown at (334) 872-3456 or Leith Wilson at (334) 419-0567.