Stella Stobart recently joined Pelham Pack 4 as its first female Cub Scout.

“I wanted to join Cub Scouts this year because Girl Scouts was not on this year,” said Stobart.

She signed up as Pack 4 “becomes part of ‘family scouting,'” said David Sparano, cubmaster of the pack based at Siwanoy School.

In 2017, Boy Scouts of America announced girls could join Cub Scouts this year, and in 2019, the organization would “deliver a scouting program for older girls that will enable them to advance and earn the highest rank of Eagle Scout.” In February, BSA provided more specifics, saying in a year each local scouting organization would be able to run a male scout troop and a female scout troop.

“I feel so happy because I love all the activities they do!” said Stobart.

“We do a lot with the scouts…participate in town-wide clean up, fall tent camping, food drive community service, holiday caroling, Toys for Tots drive, winter cabin camping, museum sleepover and teaching scouts how to be good citizens,” said Sparano.

Stobart’s favorite activity is selling popcorn, which is a fundraiser.

“I am very excited to have Stella join our pack,” said Sparano. “Her brother has been part of Pack 4 since Kindergarten. Stella has been attending all the meetings and scouting events since she has been a baby.  It’s nice that she’s now able to join our organization and participate in a more meaningful way. Also, as a father of a daughter in Kindergarten, I’m excited that my own child will have the opportunity to join our wonderful program too, should she decide to do so.”

Dominic Stobart, Stella’s father, is den leader for the second-year Webelo den (fifth graders).