I started my journey as a parent in scouting with my son in cub scouts. We were fortunate to be a part of a den lead by an experienced and excited leader. I put my daughter in Girl Scouts and she came home with crafts and songs...okay for a 6-year old, but it gets old quickly. I reluctantly agreed to lead a group of Juniors (4th-5th grade) and the girls were excited when I eschewed the Girl Scouts curriculum in favor of earning Whittling Chip, building fires and CAMPING IN TENTS IN THE WOODS. I had girls rejoin Girl Scouts to be in our troop, after quitting years earlier. I had girls transfer from other troops. Please, don't discredit the girls...they want this. They want outdoor skills and leadership. They want to have the exciting adventures the boys are having. My girls are almost ashamed to be called Girl Scouts; they are quick to inform people they are Girl Scouts, but not "Girly Scouts."
Unfortunately, my experience with our service unit and council is that they are only helpful when it comes to telling us how to do one of their fundraisers...which they'll gladly give us 15% of. Otherwise, I find the printed materials, staff, meetings and websites to be of no value. I feel that GSUSA has gotten too involved in raising money and has forgotten it's true purpose.
Girl Scouts Debate Their Place in a Changing World
in Girl Scouting
Posted
I started my journey as a parent in scouting with my son in cub scouts. We were fortunate to be a part of a den lead by an experienced and excited leader. I put my daughter in Girl Scouts and she came home with crafts and songs...okay for a 6-year old, but it gets old quickly. I reluctantly agreed to lead a group of Juniors (4th-5th grade) and the girls were excited when I eschewed the Girl Scouts curriculum in favor of earning Whittling Chip, building fires and CAMPING IN TENTS IN THE WOODS. I had girls rejoin Girl Scouts to be in our troop, after quitting years earlier. I had girls transfer from other troops. Please, don't discredit the girls...they want this. They want outdoor skills and leadership. They want to have the exciting adventures the boys are having. My girls are almost ashamed to be called Girl Scouts; they are quick to inform people they are Girl Scouts, but not "Girly Scouts."
Unfortunately, my experience with our service unit and council is that they are only helpful when it comes to telling us how to do one of their fundraisers...which they'll gladly give us 15% of. Otherwise, I find the printed materials, staff, meetings and websites to be of no value. I feel that GSUSA has gotten too involved in raising money and has forgotten it's true purpose.