Local Boy Scouts have been upping their numbers since August, but still need more members and leaders to grow the organization.

The Boy Scouts of America is a 107-year-old organization based on the foundation of teaching young boys morals and survival skills.

“The pack was really strong years ago,” Emily Brooks, Tiger Den leader, said.

Brooks says there are six Tiger Scouts and six Wolf Scouts in Andalusia Pack 64.

“From there it sort of fell off, there wasn’t a lot of support after the last leaders left. There was no one to do the program.”

The one thing the group needs is people willing to lead the groups, Brooks said.

“People really need to step up if we want to keep this for our community,” she said.

“It’s really beneficial to educating our young boys.”

The main goal of Boy Scouts is to start community involvement at a young age.

“Boy Scouts teaches accountability, good morals, volunteer work and gives boys a sense of pride in their community,” Brooks said.

“Starting out at a young age really helps them. They learn how to talk to one another, maintain eye contact and be courteous.”

Out of 30 Cub Scouts, three will earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Brooks said.

“Our community is changing and we need community accountability,” she said.

Brooks hopes that with more involvement the program will grow.

“With more kids, we’ll have more parent involvement and more funding to really have a good program,” she said.

“This is something that looks good on resumes, helps your child learn people skills and survival skills.”

In October of 2017, the Boy Scouts of America announced that girls will be allowed to become Cub Scouts and even go on to earn the coveted rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor within the organization.

Starting in 2018, girls can join local dens. But dens will be single-gender, no mixing of boys and girls.

“I think that girls need this much learning as boys do, although boys and girls learn completely different, I think it could be extremely beneficial to the packs,” Brooks said.

“I remember growing up watching my brothers in Boy Scouts and wishing I could join.”

For more information or to join the Boy Scouts of America, call Brooks at the Andalusia Public Library or email Lacresia Whitaker at andalusiapack64@gmail.com