Area Boy Scout officials say they’re optimistic and excited about the Boy Scouts of America’s announcement last week to begin officially allowing girls to participate in its Cub Scout program starting in 2018 and then a program identical to Boy Scouts in 2019. “This is probably the second most exciting time in the Boy Scouts, second only to the founding of scouting in 1910,” said Art Hawkins, who serves as scout executive for the Evangeline Area Council of the Boy Scouts based in Lafayette. The Chitimacha District, which covers St. Mary Parish, is part of the Evangeline Area Council. The Boy Scouts, along ...