The Girl Scouts have promised to accommodate and offer a safe place to transgendered youth, according to the organization.

From the website:

"Placement of transgender youth is handled on a case-by-case basis, with the welfare and best interests of the child and the members of the troop/group in question a top priority. That said, if the child is recognized by the family and school/community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, then Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe."

In reference to camping and other activities, the organization has a system to to accommodate any extra needs to make the scout most comfortable.

The policy has drawn backlash from several religious groups, prompting the Girl Scouts to address their stance on religion. Right Wing Watch cited American Radio calling the policy "a slap in the face to Christian parents."

"Girl Scouting supports girls from all backgrounds and beliefs," the Girl Scouts' website reads.

"While we are a secular organization that refrains from teaching religious or spiritual beliefs or practices, we believe that the motivating force in Girl Scouting is a spiritual one, and we greatly value our longstanding partnerships with religious organizations across many faiths that share the values of the Girl Scout Promise and Law."

An American Family Association petition to change the policy accused the Girl Scouts of "losing their moral compass."

"Boys in skirts, boys in make-up and boys in tents will become a part of the program. This change will put young innocent girls at risk," reads the petition. It also goes on to say that parents of children who claim to be transgendered are using their children to promote a "social agenda."

Approximately 17,000 people have signed the petition asking the Girl Scouts to discriminate against transgendered youth.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, denying a child's gender concerns can be harmful.

"Trying to change your child's gender identity - either by denial, punishment, reparative therapy or any other tactic - is not only ineffective; it is dangerous and can do permanent damage to your child's mental health. So-called "reparative" or "conversion" therapies, which are typically faith-based, have been uniformly condemned as psychologically harmful by the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and numerous similar professional organizations," HRC states on its website.

The Girl Scouts are standing by their policy.