(BSA #33674 1996 printing) 

Pictorially, and by a ratio of 18 to 16, male type people outnumber female type people in this publication. One can tell by length of hair and whether they have earrings!

It is a mischaracterization, of course! So is the statement: "Exploring is the Boy Scouts of America program for men and women ages 14 through 20.", or later speaks to "...involvement...in all activities." Oops! Perhaps that is why there are no words to address advancement, and membership is, at best, ambiguously addressed because young females can neither become members of a Post nor advance through any ranks nor receive awards.

Neither is there anywhere quoted Article XI, Section 3, Clause 19 (below), because it inelegantly speaks to the "...registration of young adults...participation...in the respective advancement programs...."

Article XI, Section 3, Clause 19 of the BSA Rules and regulations reads, in part: "...under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed upon consultation with appropriate medical authorities, registration of boys who are either mentally retarded or severely physically handicapped...as Cub Scouts...over age 18 as Boy Scouts, or Varsity Scouts, and registration of young adults...over age 21 as Explorers, and the participation of each in the respective advancement programs while registered, is authorized."

Exploring is described as a social activity (I will not touch that one with a ten-foot pole) for young men and women designed to build character, citizenship, and fitness. Exploring is a program in which like minded youth can match their interests be that community service, recreation, or career orientation. For those Post members (?) who are not disabled (and that is the focus), it describes how they can do things for the disabled: build, teach, train, decorate, instruct, etc. And, for those members, there are two pages designed to raise sensitivity and increase disability awareness through role-play.

So when do we get to Explorers with disabilities? Well, there is very little about actually having a person with a disability actively involved in the Post. The term "Noblesse Oblige" comes to mind, as does Marie Antoinette's famous quote.

Do not spend your $5.00 on this one. I hope my summary is unambiguous.