Anyone have experience with the Girl Scouts ~ beyond eating the cookies?

[mzmolly]

;)

I'm considering the group for my daughter, but want to be sure it doesn't have a RW slant. I'd be interested in any/all experiences with this group.

Thanks! :hi:

[trotsky]

1. They are the anti-boy-scouts, mzmolly.

Totally open, don't have to swear to God (as a family of nonbelievers, that's huge for us), and have no policy excluding ANYONE.

My daughter will be 5 next year and old enough for their first group, the Daisies. Can't wait.

[mzmolly]

3. Thanks Trotsky.

:hi:

I learned the RW doesn't like them, that's a huge PLUS in my book!

http://www.nationalreview.com/23oct00/lopez102300.shtml :D

[elehhhhna]

28. Just remember : When the Cub Scouts ask for "more Brownies"

they ain't talking 'bout chocolatey cake snacks.

[Arugula Latte]

54. Glad to hear that.

We had to start up our own liberal, gay-parent-inclusive group when our son came home wanting to join the Cub Scouts. We told him that we wanted no part of a group that excluded certain people and forced people to submit to a diety.

My daughter is five and we have started thinking about a group for her.

[wakeme2008]

2. Grrrr little green girls ATTACKING me and FORCING ME to

eat their wonderful cookies.... :evilgrin:

I like the Girl Scouts. And last time I saw the figures, the local United Way gave more money to the Boy Scouts than the Girl Scouts. One of many reason I do not give to them.

Good organization. But like all groups like that, the local leaders can make or break an otherwise good thing.

[mzmolly]

4. Thanks for the tip. I think I'll ask about the leaders when I consider

a group. :)

[LostinVA]

36. Mzmolly -- seee my post #35 n/t

[imenja]

5. I was a girl scout

many many years ago. The group I was in did some camping but far too much domestic training for my liking. The groups doubtless vary greatly from one troop to another.

I was also a bluebird, which I recall liking better.

[mzmolly]

15. What is a bluebird?

:shrug:

[Coexist]

17. Bluebirds aren't girlscouts, they are sort of a "rival faction!"

[mzmolly]

21. I can't find any info about them? I wonder iff they're national?

:shrug:

[Habibi]

26. Bluebirds are to Camp Fire Girls

as Brownies are (were?) to Girl Scouts. Back in Ohio in the sixties we had both groups. I know: I was a Brownie, my sis was a Bluebird, and we haven't stopped competing since.

:hi:

[mzmolly]

29. Ahh, thanks.

;)

[imenja]

20. I think FlaDem5 is right. They are separate.

I don't know the hierarchy of power. I just remember going to meetings and camping trips many eons ago. Bluebirds might be for younger girls than the girl scouts are.

[dddem]

31. Another former bluebird here.

Blue birds were to "Camp Fire Girls" like Brownies are to Girl Scouts. Sort of a "Junior" division, as it were.

Remember the song? All I remember are the last couple of lines:
"Sing Wo-He-Lo, Sing Wo-He-Lo, Work, Help, Love."

Oh my God - I have no idea where that came from. It's frightening, this getting old crap.

[no_hypocrisy]

6. It depends upon the leader of the GS troop.

Several decades ago, I was asked to leave my troop by the leader (actually I was told to "go outside and not come back in until you can act like a lady"). Seeing that there was no badge in the manual for "acting like a lady", I decided it wasn't possible at that time, and left. Sort of like constructive eviction.

HOWEVER, my friend's daughter recently finished the Senior program and loved the Girl Scouts. They did a lot of civic duty stuff and donations to the community and had fun too.

So, make appropriate inquiries.

[mzmolly]

10. I hear they've evolved? I am considering volunteering as well

so I can scope things out a bit more?

Thanks. :hi:

[liontamer]

59. you should

and my troop did badges like computer science, aerospace, horse riding etc. It was really cool.

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. Definitely depends on the troop leader

[coffeenap]

7. I am a troop leader--became one to ensure no RW slant to my

daughter's troop. One good thing abaout GS vs BS is it is for EVERY girl--no religious or sexual orientation comments in any literature. As a matter of fact, all major religious holidays are published in the leader literature because it is against the rules to schedule any activity on someone's holy day--Islam and Buddhism included.

I recently attended an adult training session and was concerned that I might see the RW stuff there. There was absolutely none! This was a gathering of suburban women and it was free of limited thinking of any kind. I was happy and relieved.

That said, I am sure each troop is different because each leader brings her own perspective.

[mzmolly]

14. Thanks I am becoming quite encouraged!

:hi:

[JustJill]

37. actually, the Girl Scout Promise contains God - but with a disclaimer!

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God* and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

* The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.

[Drifter]

8. My wife is and has been a leader ...

for about 10 years. I don't believe there is anything political about it. All three of my daughters either are or were active in the GS.

Remember, these are kids that are just looking to have fun.

Cheers
Drifter

[mzmolly]

12. Good thing to remember.

I just want to be sure she's not gonna be recruited to deliver flyers for Bush or something? ;)

[Modem Butterfly]

9. My mom was a Girl Scout all through high school

I was in until Jr. High. They're a good group, with an emphasis on independance and, at the time I was in, a definite feminist message. We learned things like cooking and sewing, but we also learned outdoor skills and wood carving. The message I got was that it was important to have traditional "girl" skills, but that we could and should have "boy" skills too. I understand that the Girl Scouts have even more of an emphasis on so-called "boy" skills today.

[LynneSin]

11. I was in Girl Scouts until I was in 9th grade

then again, back in the 70's and 80's scouting (boys & girls) wasn't all political. I have no idea now

[In_The_Wind]

13. I was a girl scout many years ago.

It was a positive learning experience for me.

However troop leaders do add their own personality to the group. You could assist the leader for a while until you're sure that this is the group you want for your daughter as friends in her future.

:hi:

[Coexist]

16. I was a leader for 5 years

and I have to tell you, what your daughter gets out of it is TOTALLY dependent on her leader.

Our troop did a lot of badge work, because that girls all agreed that they wanted lots of them for some reason. We camped twice a year (we have awesome camps here in Florida). There is a slight religious slant, but since I am not that way, I didn't highlight it and no one complained. Cookie money was nice, because we camped "indoors" with the cash, like the Museum of Science and Industry here (we got a late night constellation show included), overnight at the zoo in the manatee building (with a fantastic after-hours tour of the kitchens, hospital, etc).

All in all, it was a great experience for me and my daughter. I had to quit when I had baby #3, and the troop disbanded, but well worth the zillion hours of effort it took.

Oh - and they have dirt cheap, well-run summer sleep-away camps for registered girl scouts. My daughter went on a two-week canoe and kayak camp for about $200 - everything included.

[mzmolly]

18. Sounds wonderful.

:hi: You sound like a good former leader.

[Coexist]

19. thanks - I hope your daughter has a good time as a scout

[dddem]

22. it's a cult.

That's what a friend told me.
Seriously, we tried it, and it wasn't a great fit for us. Don't get me wrong, my daughter's leader was fantastic, but it was more of a commitment than I originally thought. When we signed up, it was supposed to be a meeting 2x a month, but they did so many extra activities in addition to the regular meeting, that my daughter missed out on a lot. In addition to Girls Scouts; my daughter, at that time, was dancing twice a week, had choir once a week, karate 2 or 3 times a week and softball in the spring. I think girl scouting is a great activity for a girl who isn't doing so many other things, but my poor kid missed out on a lot of fun activities (and badges - from what I gather, as they get older, it can become a little competitive over the number of patches a girl has) because of other obligations. At meetings, the girls would all talk about the fun they had, and I felt bad that she couldn't participate. If that's not the case for you or your daughter, I say go for it. Please understand, I'm not trying to be negative, I just wanted to shed light on a potential problem. Hope I helped!

[mzmolly]

27. Our daughter is homeschooled and has not much else going

currently so I think we could really involve ourselves.

You bring up great points, thanks! The competitive stuff scares me a bit, but if it's a matter of attendance I think we'll be ok?

[Bridget Burke]

40. With so many activities....

You hardly have to see your kid at all.

Girl Scouting is not a cult.

[dddem]

50. I was kidding!

I think scouting is a great activity, but for us, it was one too many. As a matter of fact, the girl scouts was the only activity my daughter participated in that was a drop-off. All the other stuff, I got to hang out and watch, which I love. Of course, things like housework and laundry suffer, but oh well!
Believe it or not, I'm one of those weird moms who hates the end of summer because I can't hang out with my kids anymore!
Peace.

[noamnety]

23. It didn't work out for me

I was a brownie for a little bit, but we had to do the pledge to God and Country, which was very uncomfortable for me. Aside from that, I was not impressed by the projects - gluing macaroni to milk cartons and spray painting them gold, making "sit-upons" - plastic scraps sewn together so your butt doesn't get damp if you sit on the ground.

I saw the projects as being insulting (even as a 7 year old), and resented that the boys were doing the cool stuff while we did that nonsense.

I would talk to the existing troop leader in your area and see what they actually do in their group - I imagine a good leader makes all the difference, like most classes.

[mzmolly]

25. LOL. Oh goodness, that's humorous.

I hope to heck we don't do the macaroni project?!

I think I'll question a few leaders and try to find a good fit as you suggest.

[rox63]

24. I was a girl scout until I was 14

It was a lot of fun. They teach girls leadership, self-esteem and outdoor skills. The experience does depend somewhat on who the leader is. But there is no implicit or explicit right-wing or religious tone in their policies. It's been a long time since I was involved with the girl scouts. But if they are anything like when I was a kid, I'd recommend it.

[all.of.me]

30. i think GS is great

but i live in an alternative town and the troop leader is not super mainstream. the girls do have a song with 'the lord' in it that ends 'amen,' but that is the most offensive thing about it.

GS is an opportunity for all girls. it is the only place in my town where a girl can go camping, swimming, horseback riding, ice skating, on overnights and field trips for free. if i had to pay for these experiences what the camps and after school programs charge, we'd be sitting at home! it is the most fair program around.

i am sure that in a differentn part of the country with a different troop leader, it would be different, but we lucked out.

[mzmolly]

33. I thought financially it sounded like an amazing alternative to

other options as well! I'm in a blue state, so I think I'll check out a few local troops. :)

[jody]

32. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other similar youth groups mirror their

troop leaders.

I suggest you visit a troop meeting, observe adult leaders in action, ask to see a list of what the troop did last year, consider who the primary sponsor is for the troop, etc.

Girl Scouts are not for every girl but the right adult leaders can make it a life enriching experience.

My wife was an active GS leader and my daughter had a wonderful experience. :hi:

[tyedyeto]

34. In my vast experience as an Adult Girl Scout...

it is the leaders who make an impact on the girl's lives.

A few favorable points about the program:

1. As the years go by, a well run troop will become more and more self-governing. I always turned the decision making over to the girls. Starting with small steps until, by the time they reach Cadettes (middle sschool age), they basically run the troop.

2. They are all-inclusive. No one is turned away from the troop. Econimic aid is provided to those who need it. I was also very active when GSUSA took 'God out of Girl Scouts'. That made the headlines nationally. What they did was to allow members to insert whatever faith they believe when reciting the Promise not just the Christian 'God'.

3. Many of badges they can earn today are learning experiences. Some domestic stuff is still there but that is not the focus these days. In order to earn the equivalent of the Eagle rank in Boy Scouts, a girl must show leadership ability, earn badges that use your brain power and be the organizer of a project that benefits the community.

4. Community service is encouraged. Canned food drives, planting trees, singing Chrismas songs at assisted living homes, etc.

5. Their Wider-Ops program starts at the Daisy level. Going on a trip to the zoo, a sleepover at a museum, or just a small walk in a nearby park. By the time they are Seniors, they can save the troop's money to take out-of-state or even out-of-country trips. Again, girls learn the planning processes as the council requires the troop to show what planning is being done at various time intervals before the trip is even taken.

6. Meeting new friends. My daughter, who is now in her 20's, has long lasting friendships with other ladies who she met at camp over the years.

Kind of long winded reply but I believe Girl Scouts is a good organization for girls to expand their horizons!

[mzmolly]

57. Thanks for the information. It sounds like it could foster

a healthy self esteem and a regard for others. That's what I'm interested in. :hi:

[LostinVA]

35. Both sides of the coin on the GSA; they can be anti-gay

I was a Brownie, Girl Scout, and Cadet and my Mom was my GSA troop leader. I had ALL of the badges. I loved it. I'm 40, btw. Yes, Nationally they are really cool and great, however.....

They PUBLIC ALLY are the ant-BSA, although this may not be true on the local level. Let me tell you a quick story: I know the GSA always needs leaders and assistant leaders, and I emailed them about 18 months-two years about becoming a leader. I told someone I work with I was doing it, and she looked at me funny. I was like, "What?" She said, "You know I don't care, but they won't let you help because you're gay." I was like, WTF? This is the GIRL SCOUTS. She said the local council didn't want homosexuals in the troops. So... I emailed the National office and asked them. They said it was up to local councils toi decide this. Nice lip service.

It pissed me off. I emailed the Advocate about it, in case they wanted to write a story about it, but I never heard from them. It also upset me -- I have alot to offer, and I was in the GSA myself, and there is a real shortage of leaders and assistant leaders. I always bought about $150 worth of cookies every year, because I know the GSA needs it -- they aren't funded like the BSA. But, no more. I give that money to local charities instead.

So... just my story.

on edit: I emailed the local council about this, listed everything I could bring to the GSA, and told them my sexual orientation. gave ALL of my contact information. Never heard from them.

[tyedyeto]

38. Where I was a leader, there was no discrimination. n/t

[JustJill]

39. me neither, one of our "neighborhood" directors was gay

[LostinVA]

41. I am not saying the GSA IS anti-gay, only that the email

I received from the National office allows local councils/troops to be anti-gay. And I'm not saying every council or troop is. But why would it be surprising to have a Freeper, or even just someone ignorant, who may be in charge of a council or troop have a problem with someone's sexual orientation? It wouldn't be. I no longer have the email, it was too long ago.

I'm certainly not making this up! I spent some of the best years of my life in the GSA, including summer camps, and have always been proud that the GSA wasn't nuts like the BSA. That's why this shocked me so much when it happened.

[JustJill]

42. I believe you, local groups can slant things

that's why I am always a volunteer where my kids are concerned. It's bad enough I have to counter the abstinence garbage they learn in school now that they are older. I want to know who is leading them and what they are learning.

[LostinVA]

43. Thanks, Jill... sorry to be so touchy!

I guess it still stings, you know. As I said, especially since Scouting was such a great part of my whole family.

And, I don't think it's a cult, either!

[JustJill]

44. No thing at all!

[mzmolly]

60. I am sorry to hear that.

:(

[DemBones DemBones]

45. A you've already been told, the troop leader is the key to

the Scouting experience, whether you're talking GSA, Campfire Girls, or BSA. I loved being a Girl Scout, got tons of badges, etc., never glued macaroni to anything, did make some kind of a sit-upon, which is a good thing to have for outdoor activities where sitting directly on the ground will get your butt wet (not to mention that you can get larva migrans sitting on the ground.) I loved camping, learned how to build fires, cook over fires, do first aid, tie a bunch of different knots, and a jillion other things. I loved selling the calendars and cookies, too. I was very shy but made myself go out door to door and ask strangers to buy Girl Scout products, which helped me be less shy. ;-) When we moved, my next troop leader was not so great and that was disappointing.

My own daughter never enjoyed Scouting at all, didn't stay in too long. I could see why when I arrived at the Episcopal church where the meetings were held early one day to find that several of the girls were running up and down the halls and into the sanctuary, sliding up and down the pews, etc., while the leaders (TWO adult women) were cluelessly ditzing around in a Sunday School classroom with what was left of the troop. They couldn't count heads? They didn't know better than to let nine and ten year-olds run amok? Kids will be goofy in herds when given the chance; the leaders shouldn't have let them have the run of the church that kindly allowed them to meet there.

Definitely volunteer to help out so you can see how the troop is run. If I could have moved my daughter to a better troop, I think she'd have enjoyed Girl Scouts the way I did.

[Hamlette]

47. I was a scout, my mom a Brownie leader

I remember Brownies better, we studied different cultures which included my mom making us food from those cultures (I remember eating rice with chopsticks which I thought was so cool...we're more sophisticated now, then it was more rare of...not rice, silly, chopsticks).

this whole thread has brought back fond memories. I still buy lots of cookies cause I remember the thrill when someone bought lots from me.

[KansDem]

48. If I may chime in...

My daughter was in Girl Scouts for six years (grades 1-6). She had a good time and made many friends. They learned a lot and participated in many social/community events and projects (cleaning a nearby creek of litter, visiting a retirement home, etc.).

My son, however, just finished his first year of Boy Scouts (he's just finishing first grade). I don't think he'll be participating next year for a variety of reasons, but mainly because of the pseudo-military attitude and the "God and country" mentality. There were times I thought a bus was waiting outside to take them to the nearest military base for boot camp right after their meeting!

Case in point: the last meeting we learned flag etiquette. No problem; but when the scout master was describing how the American flag was always situated on the right (right side of other flags for example) he used an incident in Iraq to illustrate his point. Referring to how the American flag is positioned on the right side of a car (i.e. President's limo), he described how the "terrorists" in Iraq tried to fool a US military checkpoint by dressing up a car to look like a US military vehicle. The "terrorists" however mistakingly fastened the US flag on the left side and this was noticed right away by the US personnel at the checkpoint, who foiled the "terrorists'" plan before they could do any damage.

Did this incident actually occur? I don't know--maybe, but what struck me was his use of "terrorists" to describe the Iraqis fighting the American occupation. I wanted to say "Why are you describing them as 'terrorists?' Is it because that's the term Bush uses? We invaded their country; we are bombing their children. Why can't we use the word 'anti-occupation forces?' Or 'freedom fighters?'" But I'm sure that would have met with indignation. Oh, and the "touchy-feely" thing at the end (we were all supposed to stand in a circle with our right hand over our heart and our left hand on the shoulder of the person standing to our left, in a kind of "spiritual circle" while a quasi-prayer was recited) left me a little cold. I felt like I was involved in some kind of secret-society ritual.

[JustJill]

49. You are right

I took my son out of Boy Scouts when it was required that he fulfill the "religion" obligation to move up, which required describing your house of worship, how often you go, etc. Christianity was WAY tied up in this sect.

[tyedyeto]

51. From what I understand...

Boy Scouts must have a sponsor for their troops. It seems like most sponsors are churches.

Girl Scouts do not have that requirement. You can have a sponsor but that is usually a business who donates to the troop yearly for supplies, etc. Where I was very involved, most troops met at school or in private (leaders) homes.

GSUSA does have a religion award but most girls who earn it do so individually, not as a troop project.

[Arugula Latte]

55. This is exactly why we decided against Cub Scouts ...

but formed our own group. We have two sets of gay parents participating, and about a dozen liberal "straight" parent families. We do community service, environmental education, and fun activities about once a month. It's fairly easy to organize through e-mail and occasional parent meetings (once every 4 to 6 months). We're very casual and don't go in for the 1950s/military BS that Boy Scouts pushes.

We've had many interested parents asking to join. You might want to consider starting your own group.

[KansDem]

62. Thanks! I'll talk to my wife about this...

What do you call your group? Did you organize it from the ground up, or is there an organization that helped you get started?

[Arugula Latte]

67. The group started

when I called some friends and asked them if they might be interested in starting a Cub Scout alternative. Almost everybody said yes. (Most said, "Oh, good. My kid was interested in Scouts -- he got the spiel in school -- but we don't agree with the philosophy." We live in Portland, so it's easy to find liberal parents at my kids' school.

We had a couple of planning meetings to talk philosophy and work out how often we'd do something (once a month in our case) and what types of things we'd do (so far we've done everything from working in a food bank to marching in a parade to completing a "challenge course" to picking up litter to touring a farm to getting backhoe rides from one of the parent's who's VP of a construction co., etc. etc. We also have sponsored needy families at the holidays and provided food and gifts for them.)

We thought of some terms that might be good for a name (like "Wonder Boys," "Adventurers," etc.) The boys voted for "Exporer Team."

We mostly communicate by e-mail. Usually a parent will have an idea, and e-mail everyone and say, hey, how about we go to X in this month? People reply by e-mail and then we all meet at the agreed upon location and time.

Good luck if you decide to do this! Feel free to PM me if you want more info. :hi:

[LizW]

52. It all depends on the leader

Prepare to be involved with your daughter's troop to get the most out of it.

My best friend has been a leader of her daughter's troop for many years, and they have had a great time.

I only have boys, and our brief experience with Boy Scouts was disappointing. Our leaders were lame. They seemed to have no experience or skill in dealing with children at all and let the boys run wild all the time. On the first overnight camping trip, one of the men was farting around with lighter fluid and caught his clothing on fire. While he was rolling around, the fire leapt to the can he had dropped and it exploded! Kids were scattering, screaming, into the woods in every direction!

It's funny now, but at the time I was incredibly pissed.

[tyedyeto]

53. Lame leaders = lame training

As a trainer for my Girl Scout council, hands on style training for the leaders to teach them planning from a regular meeting to and outing is essential to keep the girls occupied so they aren't just running amok. The other good training for leaders is one on conflict resolution: showing ways both girls and leaders can solve differences.

[mzmolly]

64. OMG ... LOL

I've heard nothing good about Boy Scouts, which is why I had trepidation about the GS, but I am so glad to learn that it's a different "egg."

Imagine the kids who learned how to survive in the wilderness from the idiot you describe?! LOL

[crispini]

56. I had a great time as a girl scout.

Lots of camping, had fun with badges and doing stuff, indoor camping functions, cooking over the campfire -- it was great.

[liontamer]

58. Girl scouting was amazing

If i had more free time and were less lazy I'd do some work for the organization. Girl scouting at its worse(poorly organized troop) is still a positive, enriching experience and at its best(very well organized, lots of parental involvement, including time money and resources) can be the best thing that can happen to a girl.

Very open and egalitarian (some troops even have boys)

The variety of badges is cool too.

[noonwitch]

61. Girl Scouts is very different than Boy Scouts

Conservatives don't like it, because they don't discriminate against gays.

I was a Girl Scout in the 70s. They stress a good mix of skills for girls to learn, from camping to cooking indoors, and safety skills for fire, swimming, sometimes things like CPR. Try to find a copy of the current Girl Scouts handbook to see if you like the basic philosophy of the organization.

You don't have to worry about the organization at large having any kind of right wing bias, it's quite the opposite. You may have local leaders who are biased in that way, but it's not all that likely. I had a leader who was gay in the 70s. She was cool, never made any kind of an issue about her sexuality, but was honest if asked, and we had a lot of fun camping and just hanging out with her. This was junior high/Cadette Scouts.

[Cleita]

63. I used to be a girl scout and sold cookies.

I went to their camp and generally had good experiences with it, well this was sixty years ago. I was surprised after I grew up that they were anti-Catholic. I don't know if this still is true, but you should look into it to find out if there is any religious proselytizing, or other indoctrination inappropriate for this type of organization.

[mzmolly]

65. Will do.

:hi:

[Dora]

66. My exp. was a bad one, but I'm sure each troop is different.

I was one of the poor kids who were bussed in to school, and my girl scout troop was less than welcoming. I lasted less than a year, but I sold more cookies than anyone else (because I was the only GS in my neighborhood).

Having said that, I'm sure the quality of the troop depends upon the quality of the people running it.

[Karenina]

68. I was the brown

in my Brownie Troop. Graduated to green, filled up that sash, went camping, did community service and had a good. old. time. I have nothing but the fondest memories of the organization and the peanut butter sandwich cookies!!!

[KitSileya]

69. Not that this is applicable to your daughter,

but I was a girl scout in Norway (or rather, since the organization was co-ed, just scout) and one of the things that I liked was the international angle. We went to camps in England with a friendship troop, and the international jamborees that are held every 4 years for the older scouts are excellent opportunities to get your horizons broadened.

I haven't the faintest idea how scouting is done in the US (in Norway, we have an incredible outdoorsy aspect to it, because Norwegian geography lends itself so easily to camping. Most every troop has a cabin in a nearby woodsy area, and when the weather permits, tents and snow caves work really well for hiking.) But as has been mentioned, the troop is flavored by the leader, and that is something that must be deliberated upon before joining.

[MsTryska]

70. well this whole thread just goes to prove.....

Girls are WAY cooler than Boys. :p

[wicket]

71. I was a brownie and then a girl scout

I loved it! Definitely not rw.

[madinmaryland]

72. My daughter is in the first year of Brownies/Girl Scouts.

There really has been no political slant at all. They have been corresponding with a serviceman in Iraq, sending him little things they have made, and he has sent them correspondence. Other than that, there is no RW Slant or religion involved.

[karynnj]

73. I have experience with them from my own childhood and more recently

when my 3 daughters were young. The troops are (most often) run by a mother or in some cases 2 moms. (One inovative troop was run by 2 mother, but they alternated meeting and the non-leader moms took turns joining them as co-leaders. THe co-leaders took responsibility for the activity. The activities are not co-ordinated nationally. Each troop's activities will include activities towards badges or in Brownies, try-its, which are simpler badges.

Of the 6 leaders, of my daughters's troops that I remember, I only know the politics of one - because she was a personal friend. There was no overt politics. That said I live in Suburban NJ, where most of our Republicans are reasonably moderate.

So, My kids had fun. They learned things and I had no problem with anything they did. The best thing you can do is meet some of the local leaders, find out about what troops are starting up and pick a leader you have no problem with. (All but one of the leaders my kids had interpeted official GS very loosely. _ which is my preference)