The decision to welcome girls into the Boys Scouts of America has garnered mixed reactions across the Hudson Valley.

The Boy Scouts of America said Wednesday that allowing girls will help busy families consolidate programs for their children. It also said that allowing girls to join will give older girls the opportunity to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.  The Gold Award is the Girl Scouts’ highest distinction and is on par with the Eagle Scout award, but not as recognized.

Local Girl Scout leaders say that females are underrepresented in society, so sometimes their achievements and contributions are not as valued as those of male counterparts.

Patricia Page, the CEO of the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson council, says she is ready for the competition.

"I think that parents who are looking to build leadership skills in their girls will continue to put their girls in Girl Scouting,” she says.

Pleasantville mom Lianne Piscitello says she'd have no problem if her daughter wanted to join the Boy Scouts, but Shazzia Hines see things differently.

"It may not support girls’ empowerment as much,” she says.

The Boy Scouts will start allowing girls in the Cub Scout program next year. A program for older girls is expected to be available in 2019.