Any Girl Scouts out there?

[xmas74]

Past or present-anyone (or their daughter) a GS? I was wondering if you think it's a positive experience for girls.

Got into a recent argument w/ a fundie about GS. They stated that they would never allow their daughter to join such a group since it makes them "want to act more like men." You can guess what my response was to that asshat.

I'm a former GS and a current volunteer/leader. My daughter is a GS. I feel that their programs are very supportive for girls and teach girls about self sufficiency. I also feel that they give our girls the chance to explore things outside of their environment and offer them the support to go for their dreams.

Any thoughts out there about the Girl Scouts/Girl Guides (for you international posters)?

[xmas74]

1. kick

Maybe someone has a reply somewhere.

[blondeatlast]

2. I was years ago, at the peak of feminism.

I loved it, loved it, loved it. Nature hikes and vists to art museums? Can you beat that?

It probably kept me sane through my teens.

From me, an unmitigated thumbs up for the GS!

[xmas74]

35. One thing I have noticed from adult leaders in my area-

their views tend to be a bit more liberal than the general public. And I've noticed that former Girl Scouts tend to also be a bit more liberal, even if they identify themselves as conservatives.

[reyd reid reed]

3. I was one

For a long time, until it was either Girl Scouts or drill team.

I loved it...taught me everything from how to change the washer on a faucet and jump start a car, to baking cookies and embroidery. Taught me independence and self-sufficiency and that I can do anything I set out to do.

One thing it did NOT teach me was how to act like a man. Men do enough of that for everyone.

[Oeditpus Rex]

6. You were changin' washers and jumpin' cars

and you don't call that "acting like a man"?

:shrug:



And then... you go out and march around with guns!

Geesh. Moderene women. :eyes:




:hide:

[reyd reid reed]

11. Well, they did stop short of teaching me to spit

And scratch my balls.

Except for my fuzzy ones. Seems like there was some crafty little thing we did that involved tennis balls, pipe cleaners and pom poms...

(edited to add: And I mostly wore Class As when I marched with my gun. My WEAPON. Skirt and black patent leather pumps, thankyouverymuch)

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. This is my weapon

This is my gun.

One is for shooting.

One is for fun.

[reyd reid reed]

15. LOLOL

Gonna make me guess which is which?

[Oeditpus Rex]

17. I'll give you a hint

One of 'em's slung over my shoulder.

[reyd reid reed]

18. Ooooooh...

PreeeesENT



ARMS!!!

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. InspecSHUN...

HARMS!









(Not really...)

[xmas74]

36. Thank you!

I've never understood how it could teach anyone how to act like a man, unless it is the idea of teaching girls to speak up for themselves. Some men don't like that, even in our times.

[Robeson]

4. No, but I got kicked out of the Cub Scouts for eating to many....

...Brownies....


Sorry, couldn't resist....

:hide:

[reyd reid reed]

5. LOL!

:rofl:

[xmas74]

37. I figured Matcom would beat you to that one!

[politicat]

7. I was, and it was a great experience.

Didn't teach me to "act like a man" in the least. In fact, we had a few seminars on professionalism, and how to dress for success, walk in heels, etc - things that unfortunately, girls have to know.

I made it all the way, getting my gold in my last year of HS, and a big reason I stuck with it was because the locals hated it. I grew up in a Mormon area, and Mormons don't like the Girl Scouts for their daughters because it teaches them to stand up for themselves (Mormons have their own girls' program.) But it was good for me - I did the summer programs and the experience helped in getting into college. I still remember kayaking down the Colorado river from Laughlin to Yuma the summer I turned 14. If I could do that, I knew then I could do anything.

If I had a daughter, she'd be in GS. My sister will put my niece in Daisies when she's old enough, and Brownies, but they're Masonic, so my niece may end up in Rainbow instead of GS. (Though they're pagan, and DS doesn't feel entirely comfortable in the Masonic atmosphere...)

[xmas74]

38. Congrats to you for earning a GA!

I didn't make it that far-too many moves as a child. But my other leader and myself hope that our daughters will go all the way for the GA.

[RevCheesehead]

8. That would be me.

Surprised? I didn't think so. :)

[xmas74]

39. Especially since we were talking about it earlier

in reference to sewing badges!

Do you have any meetings at your church? Most of the churches in my area will not allow them usage of the building since GS are not sponsored by any organizations, compared to the BS.

[RevCheesehead]

52. No, but I just finished working with 2 on their "God and Church" award.

In fact, we had their presentation last Sunday. :)

[xmas74]

87. That's wonderful!

I wish we had more adults in my area that would assist our girls w/ their various badges and such.

[Wapsie B]

9. My daughter's a Girl Scout

and has been for quite a few years. I would agree that it's a very beneficial organization. Being older now she loves the summer trips they can take such as to Chicago or St. Louis. Don't know if she'll make it to Savannah, Ga. or not. There's also a nice GS camp near here with a very enthusiastic leader and great role model for the girls.

I've got my own ideas why some of the fundies may not want to associate with the Girl Scouts. I think a fair number of leaders may be a little to the left of center politically. Contrast that with Boy Scouts and their anti-homosexual crusades. I know not all Boy Scout parents or leaders are rwingers by any means. But they seem to draw the fundies from what I've seen.

[xmas74]

40. What year is your daughter?

I'm just wondering because the KS Cosmology Museum has a great overnight program for Juniors and up. From what I understand, they stay the night in the museum, study astronomy and astronautics and earn a badge in a great setting. It's not cheap but something the girls can do as a fundraiser.

I know you're up in Iowa so it might be a great weekender for the girls! If you are interested I can try to find the link for you.

[Wapsie B]

65. She's 16.

I forget whether that means she's a Cadet or Junior. She's not working towards her Star but still having fun. Yes I'd love the link. Thank you! Even from us it's only a 5 hour freeway trip to KC and only 3 from where she's at in Des Moines. I know the girls love the summer field trips at that age, seeing the big city and all. It would be a great weekender for them! :)

[Sisaruus]

66. Summer field trips

Does she like science? Here's a great Girl Scout summer field trip - and it's free!

http://www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations/event_details.asp?eventid=341

[Wapsie B]

67. Yes she does.

Thank you for the link!

[xmas74]

88. I don't feel like going through the whole link

but this is the info about the KS space museum. I know that, starting at the Junior level, they have overnighters that can earn a badge.

And at the age of 16 she is a Senior but many are now combined Cadette/Senior troops and are called Teens.

(edit: I forgot the link! http://www.cosmo.org/)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. I was a girlscout.

It was fun. I think it's a good thing for kids, but then I turned out to be a lesbian. I quit when the troop leadership changed. We had a single dad raising his kids as the troop leader. He was really nice and active with everything. A couple moms eventually started complaining about a man leading the girl scout troop. So they ended up taking over. We never did anything after that. They weren't interested in leading the troop, just interested in making sure a man wasn't doing it. It's not like he was a pedophile or anything just a single dad that was very involved with his kids. Girl scouts were fun with him. They were boring after he left. No activities. No nothing. Just a group of kids sitting in a classroom after school.

[xmas74]

41. Sometimes you get some lazy leaders.

I'm sorry you had one of those. And the moms should have volunteered to be assistants instead. He could have remained w/ one female assistant and there would have been no problems at all.

And lesbianism is one of the arguments that the stupid fundie gave me. Of course I blew that one off, knowing that I could never argue back. GS care about the girl; not her race, socioeconomic background, religion or sexual orientation.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

58. They actually did assist with the troop.

They just didn't want him around at all. Nice guy. I knew his daughter all through HS, lost track of her after that.

[xmas74]

89. That's too bad!

We need more male volunteers who are positive role models. Some of our girls do not have positive male role models in their lives. They need more who will step in and help out.

[LostinVA]

62. Lesbianism??? What, being around women makes you gay?

OMG! Maybe that IS what happened to me! All those camping trips in two-person tents...

[xmas74]

90. Well, if she was sexy and you were both of age...

Nevermind. You know that this is leading into a dirty thoughts thread.

Who really cares about what the leaders do in the privacy of their own bedrooms? I never did.

[LostinVA]

112. I know -- people are so.... weird

[xmas74]

122. I really think to falls back to

having rotten sex lives. They have a bad time in the bedroom and, out of jealousy and spite, want to make sure no one else is having a good time.

Just my opinion, of course.

[bertha katzenengel]

12. It was positive for me. Positive for several daughters of co-workers.

Good friend at work is the leader of her regional area (or whatever it's called) -- no religion there. No politics period.

[xmas74]

42. I'm glad to find another person

that found GS to be beneficial!

[XemaSab]

13. Megan Pound was in my girl scout troop

I hated her more than anyone I ever hated until I met my ex-bf David.

Aside from that, it was pretty dull. We never did much. :shrug:

[xmas74]

43. Sounds like you had a sucky leader.

Some leaders are like that and they have no business leading.

We have a girl already begging to join our troop next fall. Her leader has turned it into a craft club while we like to camp.

[mykpart]

16. I was a Girl Scout in the 50s and early 60s.

I learned how to cook, embroider, crochet, set a formal table, among other things. All pretty girlie stuff, at least in my case. It encouraged fellowship among girls at a time in my life when we were all starting to compete with each other for boys. I made some great friends in GS. I don't have any daughters, but if I did, they would be Girl Scouts too.

Girl Scouts together, that is our song.
Winding the old trail, rocky and long
Learning our motto, living our creed
Girl Scouts together in every good deed.

Girl Scouts together, happy are we
Friendly to neighbors far o'er the sea
Faithful to country, loyal to home
Known as true Girl Scouts wherever we roam.

[xmas74]

44. Another happy GS!

I've noticed a couple on here bash GS. I've never understood why.

[orleans]

19. i saw a report on the girl scouts several years ago

it was 20/20 or nightline or something

basically it reported that they were really not like the boy scouts

the girl scouts were all about corporate crap--making those running the organization wealthy--the money the girls raised was not funneled back down to them like it is with the boy scouts--

i was horrified after hearing this report

my daughter was not a girl scout
i probably would not have let her be a girl scout if she had wanted to be

it was not a positive report--like i said, it was all about the money that mostly gets pocketed at the top of the org.

maybe it's changed but ???

i still buy a box of cookies from the neighbors, but i know the cut they're getting out of it is like 2 percent and compared to the boy scouts (i can't remember exactly what the difference was--but it was a huge difference) i would say the girl scouts definitely discriminate on the basis of gender. (and by that i mean they encourage or used to encourage these girls to sell sell sell and they gave practically nothing back to them)

[LostinVA]

27. The Boy Scouts don't get any money like that, either

It stays at the Regional and HQ level, NOT the local level.

If there was really a report like that, then that makes me sick... because the GSA is probably one of the best things a girl can do... high school age girls can ever do this "free lance" type program, where they do adventure sports, and can even become Eagle Scouts (yup... like the Boy Scouts). People always have to tear down stuff that help girls...

And, they stand up to Fundies, co-partner with Planned Parenthood, aren't homophobic, flag waving, Gog God God people..... learning tolerance is great.

I loved the Girl SCouts, even though my era had mainly homey-type badges.

[Xithras]

132. Nope, Cub Scouts get 50%

My son is a cub scout. 50% of the sales go directly to his pack. 30% goes up the chain, and 20% covers the cost of the goods.

Fundraisers that happen exclusively at the pack level stay 100% with the pack.

[China_cat]

33. I don't know about other councils

but I do know our cookie sales here not only give money back to the troops (and no, it doesn't seem like much until you look at a troop of 12 girls making over $1000) but goes to support the council itself. Our cookie sales bought a 153 acre historic plantation with 8 buildings and a barn. Cookies support our horse program and mounted drill team, as well as the upkeep and the taxes on the property. I don't know how it is where you are but Girl Scouts here have to pay property taxes on both the Plantation and the office. Boy Scouts are exempt.

The council has to have paid staff, there's just no way around it, but none of them are getting rich here, that's for sure.

[orleans]

109. why are the boy scouts exempt and not the girl scouts? n/t

[China_cat]

110. That's something we've been trying to find out

for the last 35 years. All we get is 'pay the taxes and we'll investigate'.

[LostinVA]

113. WTF? I never knew that about taxes...

I'm writing off to my two Freeper Senators, and my Freeper Rep, today.

Have you ever tried to get anyone like NOW to help with this?

[China_cat]

131. We've tried for over 30 years.

Don't get anybody to take us seriously.

[xmas74]

45. You can donate directly to the troop instead, if

you would like. We have a few who choose to do just that.

And most goes to the national level. We have men and women both who make careers out of GS so salaries have to be paid. Most are not paid as well as you would think.

Plus, what I'm sure the report did not touch on is the fact that some of that money is sent into areas where the girls cannot afford to do activities. GS offers many scholarship programs-money is never considered to be an option on whether or not a girl can be involved. And the money also goes to supporting the various camps all across the US.

[Sisaruus]

54. Cookie revenue stays at the local level.

I'm not sure if you were implying as such but none of the cookie money goes to the national organization. All cookie revenues stays at the local level which is governed by a local board of directors.

Our local office, which serves only 18 communities, has only 20 full-time staff (and compared to the local job market, they are low-paid staff) but over 10,000 girls participate in the programs and activities. Last summer, they provided more than $100,000 in camper scholarships (more than half the girls attending the camp received financial aid). Cookie revenues were also used for high school girls to go on week-long college bus tours. The cookie revenue is being used wisely to help girls locally.

[xmas74]

70. Thank you for clearing that up.

What I did mean about the donating directly to your troop is in ref to a few who complained about cookies a month or so ago. (Sorry, but this happens every year on DU).

They can choose to make a direct donation to their local troop instead of purchasing cookies. Some feel better about flat out donating money instead of purchasing empty calories.

[LostinVA]

63. I do that

[xmas74]

91. So do I.

Besides my time I also donate a small amount of money every year. Plus, some of our supplies cost comes directly out of my pocket.

[amitten]

21. All I learned was how to sell cookies. And more cookies.

We never did anything fun. Just cookies.

So they pimped me out for cookie profits--I was a cookie whore. And I saw not one penny, and reaped not one fond memory. :cry:

Those cookies are really fucking good, though.

[xmas74]

46. I've had to say it to a few on here.

Sounds like you had a bad leader.

I'm sorry for that. No one should have lazy leaders.

[Sisaruus]

22. Was a Girl Scout/still a Girl Scout

I owe the Girl Scouts a lot. Back in the 1960's, when I was 15, I attended a national Girl Scout summer program on urban issues at Yale University. Instead of campfire songs, I learned to sing the classic civil rights ballads. I came out of that experience with a lifelong commitment to social justice and became a professional feminist.

In contrast to the Boy Scouts position on LGBTs, our local Girl Scout office has domestic partner benefits for the lesbian and gay employees. And the Girl Scouts believe that one's adherence to religion (or lack thereof) is the business of the individual girl and her family. You don't get kicked out of Girl Scouts for being an atheist. They've embraced diversity since they were founded (and if you think about it, Girl Scouts was teaching girls about civic leadership before women had the right to vote - and had girls trekking around the outdoors at the height of the cult of domesticity.)

As for the cookies, wouldn't it be nice if the corporations and foundations would support women's and girls' programs so girls wouldn't have to self-fund their activities? Last time I looked at the figures, less than 5% of the funding in this country was designated for women and girl programs. Our local office is spending the cookie money on girl programs in juvenile detention centers, on dating violence prevention programs, on college prep programs for low-income girls, etc. I renew my Girl Scout membership every year, I buy lots of cookies AND I write out a big (for me) donation check every year to the Girl Scouts. Like the Girl Scouts, I believe in helping girls grow strong.

[LostinVA]

29. Good for you

The Boy Scouts have this huge corporate old boys network that gives the BSA a huge endowment... the Girl Scouts don't have that.

I always give money to local troops directly, specifically a local one that is composed primarily of very poor minority girls... many of them immigrants. OOPS! Another immigrant thread! Many are Hispanic, so I guess they are Illegals Girl Scouts (yeah, I'm being sarcastic).

My mom was my troop leader, She rocked!

[xmas74]

47. Your sentiments about the cookie sales are dead on!

We have groups all around my town that do fundraisers for the BS to go to camp, purchase new equipment, etc. No one does the same for the GS-we fund everything ourselves.

Sounds like your experiences were fantastic and are the kind that are girls should be exposed to.

And thank you for your emotional and monetary support!

[lakemonster11]

23. I was a girl scout until high school.

I liked it a lot, but the experience depends a lot on the troop leaders.

When I was little, the mother of one of my friends was our leader, and we mostly did a lot of art projects. Later on, my mom and another like-minded mom took over and we basically did nothing but camp, hike, canoe, and do other outdoor activities. We also learned related skills like first aid, knife safety, tying knots, emergency wilderness survival, etc.

I also went to Girl Scout summer camp twice in junior high. One year I did a watersports-themed program and the next year I did a longer horseback-riding program.

We didn't put too much emphasis on earning badges or selling cookies. We mostly just took advantage of our access to the awesome Girl Scout camps in the area.

Girl Scouts was a great experience for me as a kid, though I felt like I sort of outgrew it by high school. I learned a lot, made lifelong friends, and had some fun adventures. I'm also proud that the Girl Scouts are a liberal organization---they have never barred gays or atheists, unlike the Boy Scouts, who stubbornly continue to do so today.

[LostinVA]

30. I loved Girl Scout camp...

I went to one in Maryland.

[xmas74]

48. You've said exactly what I've said upthread:

the experience varies from volunteer to volunteer.

Most of the girls in my area love the horseback camp. We are hoping to do the Space Camp sponsored by a local museum when the girls are older.

[wildhorses]

24. guess Brownies don't count?

I was all BALLET as a child...dancing was all I dreamed about

[Sisaruus]

26. Brownies count

That's just an age/grade-based level of Girl Scouts.

[xmas74]

49. Brownies is just a level.

The organization is referred to the Girl Scouts and includes all levels.

[LostinVA]

25. Brownie, GS, Kadet, etc.

Loved it, and it's even better now than it used to be. Very affirming for girls, imo. And, none of that crazy God/gays/etc. stuff.

More like men??? WTF??? The GSA has been around forever! Morans.

And, did you know that most female Amazing Race contestants were once Scouts? You didn't??? Maybe that's 'cause I just made it up!!!

[Sisaruus]

28. not making up statistics

You might be right about the contestants. :)

In the U.S., 2 out of every 3 women of accomplishment - and 80% of female elected officials - were once Girl Scouts.

[LostinVA]

31. Really? That's interesting! Makes sense

Because, until recently, I'd say that the Scouts were the best team-building, confidence-building group for girls... many sports leagues help do that now, too.

I had ALL the badges. Every single damn one... my mom was our troop leader, and made me do it... even the icky ones... she still has my sash somewhere will all the badges sewn on...

[xmas74]

50. They probably were!

Just another reason for us to apply and compete on TAR!

[LostinVA]

60. I know! And --

We can make the producers use our DU names, too, instead of our RL names...

[xmas74]

92. Hell yes!

That would so rock.

And we'll wear our DU shirts on the show!

[LostinVA]

115. That would be soooo cool.....

[xmas74]

121. We'd be the coolest racers ever.

And we'd have a ready supply of Plath comments to use on the first team that seems to be more than a bit overdramatic.

[LostinVA]

124. hehehehehe... that would be so fun

Hey, just ONCE could I wear my, "I'm a Librarian, Bitch!" shirt? PLEEEEAAAASSSSSE???

I do miss Desiree... she was my Reality Show Girlfriend... *sigh*

[xmas74]

125. Yes you may.

As long as I may wear my NIN tshirts on the same days.

And I know your gf is no longer on the show but we still have the Nerds and the Stoners for comic relief.

[China_cat]

86. I have to correct you on the abbreviation

It's GSUSA...Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

In the 70's, Boy Scouts registered 'Scouts of America' as a trademark and Girl Scouts are no longer allowed to use that wording. (They also tried to register 'scouting' but got turned down on that one.)

[LostinVA]

116. OMG...

[China_cat]

32. Cadette leader/Senior advisor

TPD, Service Unit Chair, Trainer, Wider Op co-ordinator (2nd chair for a Wider Op we held here), was a delegate to the committe that formed both silver and gold awards and sat on the local committee to evaluate gold award applications and documentation.

Proud holder of the Thanks Badge.

I think GS is one of the best things that can happen to a girl if she has a leader/council who is willing to support her and one of the worst things without that level of committment from the adults around her. (My niece actually had to take her Gold Award work to another council because her own wouldn't approve anything she...or any of the other girls...would come up with. Her project was on organ donation. The council that helped her submitted it to National, her own council thought it was a waste of time.)

[xmas74]

34. We have a council who supports our girls.

They plan activities, try to get every leader training in anything that is needed, etc.

And, for an area of my size(small rural area), we have an average of 3 girls earn their GA every year. The stats are pretty high for my area. Our leaders/council are very openminded and want the best for the girls. We also encourage the older girls to get more involved w/ the younger girls (such as having the Seniors assist the Daisy troop leader w/ special activities).

You are very involved in the program. I'd like to give a big Thank You from a Daisy leader!

[Texasgal]

51. Former Girl Scout here!

Girl Scouts was a VERY positive thing for me! Growing up in Austin was a good thing for a GS, we had plenty of natural areas to earn our patches!

GS made me realize my dream of becoming a nurse, while in nursing school we did a paper on what possessed us to become nurses, of course, I wrote that GS was my inspiration... I got all of my "medical" badges before the other girls did, it was kind of a natural thing for me!

I always by GS cookies every year because I believe in supporting the organization!! Plus they are yummmmmmmy!! :)

I can also build a fire from sticks and tie a mean square knot! :P

[xmas74]

71. I've never forgotten my first aid that I learned in GS!

That and my astronomy patch were my two favorites to earn.

[LostinVA]

117. Whenever I watch "Survivor" and they can't build a fire

even with flint, I sneer.... sissies...

[xmas74]

129. If I can't get on TAR I plan on doing Survivor.

I plan on being the first person to build a fire w/o any help.

I'd so rock on that show!

[LostinVA]

130. I think I would do okay if I took swimming lessons

Especially since I can look sincere when I actually hate the person I'm talking to...

However, I think I would hate it!!!

[AlCzervik]

53. i was a troop leader for 5 years and for me it was a good experience

and if i can say---i had the best troop ever. We did all kinds of things from learning sign language to learning how to change a flat tire. My troops also donated their cookie money to charity, i was and still am very proud of those girls.

[xmas74]

72. Sounds like you had some great girls!

[Left Is Write]

55. My daughter is a Daisy, so this is our first year.

My GS experience is pretty limited. I have seen no evidence that Girl Scouts makes girls "want to act more like men." What exactly does that mean, anyway?

[xmas74]

73. From what I gathered,

it offered young girls and women the chance to actually have a thought of their own and the ability to express it.

When I informed the gentleman that I was a former GS he stated "That figures. You have an opinion on everything and no one seems to want to marry you."

Now wasn't that just sweet of him?

I feel bad for his daughter who wants to be a GS!

[Left Is Write]

95. I don't think "gentleman" is the word I'd use to describe him.

[xmas74]

97. Trying to be nice.

It sounded better than f*ckin' bastard.

[LynneSin]

56. I was in it til my 2nd year Cadette

But Junior High School I pretty much lost interest

[LostinVA]

64. I stopped about then, too

[xmas74]

75. I look back and wish I had stuck w/ it.

A Gold Award is a great honor. I should have stuck it out and tried to earn it.

I'm hoping that my daughter does stick it out.

[Sisaruus]

57. Girl Scouts in prison

Did anyone see Troop 1500 on PBS recently? Similar troops are operating around the country.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/troop1500/troop.html

BUY MORE COOKIES!

[xmas74]

76. I haven't watched that one yet.

Thanks for the link! Sounds like a good idea.

[Gormy Cuss]

59. Scout from Juniors up

Maybe scouting is why I've never been good at knowing my place, now that you mention it.:)

[xmas74]

77. Sounds like we are in the same boat!

[noonwitch]

61. I was a Girl Scout in the 70s

It was fun. I learned camping skills, went camping, planned parties, went on trips to local businesses and museums, all the stuff you're supposed to do in scouting.

Fundies have a lot of issues with Girl Scouts, mostly because they don't discriminate agains lesbians when hiring leaders. In my book, that's a plus-if I had a daughter, I wouldn't want her to grow up hating gay people.

[xmas74]

79. Same here.

And they are supportive of reproductive rights, which the fundies hate.

[GreenPartyVoter]

68. I was a girl scout for many years and loved it. My sons are now joining

up with the local cub scout den.

[xmas74]

81. My brother is a BS leader.

We jokingly fight about it all the time and the kids love it.

[Dora]

69. I think it entirely depends on the troop leaders.

I was a girl scout and quit after less than a year. I was one of the "poor kids" who was bussed in to my elementary school, and the troop was comprised of girls from wealthier families in the neighborhood the school was located in. The troop leaders were petty and discriminatory. I did not have fun.

I do, however, think the GSA is wonderful organization and has a lot to offer young women. My experience was aberrant.

[xmas74]

82. That sucks.

I wish I had more girls that I could help w/ my troop.

Our troop tries to include everyone, including those w/ disabilities.

[tigereye]

74. I was one for about 12 years

with all the badges, etc. It was a lot of fun, I learned a lot and made good friends and went on some trips I would not have otherwise. I don't know where those crazy fundies come up with that shit. It's ridiculous.


And the organization is very pro-female and very interested in diversity and equality. What's not to like?

OTOH GLoria Steinem once said at a lecture I attended, "We have become the men we once wanted to marry." I suppose there are different ways to interpret that. ;)

[xmas74]

83. I haven't figured it out either.

Yet I do have one fundie family involved in my troop. The parents have both stated that they like the organization, even if they do not agree w/ everything. They think that it's a great idea for the girls to learn what they can so that when they marry someday they have the skills to involve their own children in similar activities. And they wholeheartedly approve of the camping skills, the sewing, the gardening, etc since they feel that this will benefit any future families.

Of course, they are not your usual fundies.

[skygazer]

78. I was a girl scout in the 70's

I loved it - we did so many fun things. Went camping and hiking a lot, did some fun craft projects and community service projects (I remember planting flowers in the traffic islands and picking up trash by the highway). It gave me a nice outlet for some energy and put me together with a fun group of girls.

When my daughters were old enough, they joined a local troop but I was disappointed - we all were - because the leaders were very disorganized and haphazard. The girls got bored and dropped out. At the time, it didn't occur to me to volunteer as a leader - at that time in my life, I probably wouldn't have been any better than the women who were doing it. I was sorry my kids didn't get the great experience I had.

[xmas74]

84. I volunteered after I heard about a friend's daughter's leader.

She was one of the lazy ones and I swore that I wouldn't let that happen to my child.

[TX-RAT]

80. No, but i'm addicted to their cookies.

I have a Caramel Delite monkey on my back.

[xmas74]

85. And it's so hard to break that addiction!

[onager]

93. "Act more like men?"

Asshat indeed!

Dammit, I like the Girl Scouts. OTOH, I'd like to say "F!ck the Boy Scouts." And I'm not even a Catholic priest...

Oh shit, did I say that? In my defense, your honor, I'm sitting in Alexandria, Egypt and I am drunk.

Also, I'm an atheist, which should give you a clue about my low opinion of the Boy Scouts. They don't want Our Kind. They don't want gays either. Or apparently any male slightly to the left of Bill Fucking Frist.

But here's one reason I love the Girl Scouts. When I'm not working in Egypt, I live in Los Angeles. Couple of years ago, I came out of a grocery store on a RAW day in March. Cold, wind, blowing rain. But outside the store was a few Girl Scouts and their female adult leader. Judging by the gorgeous curly red hair on Adult Leader and one of the kids, she was a mom helping sell cookies.

Not too many people were stopping, so I bought a bunch of mints and stuff. I got Adult Leader away from the kids and asked: "Why don't you have the same kind of trouble as the Boy Scouts?"

Adult Leader promptly replied: "Because we're interested in helping our kids. Not in making cheap political points with the damn Republicans."

Unfortunately she was already married...

[xmas74]

94. This quote says it all.

"Because we're interested in helping our kids. Not in making cheap political points with the damn Republicans."


That is exactly how most leaders feel.

[Iris]

98. great story!

Thanks for sharing!

[Iris]

96. Did you ask her in what way it makes them want to be like men?

It's the cooking badge, isn't it?

[xmas74]

99. It was the father.

He was being an ass, as usual.

[Iris]

100. oh, God. His poor daughter.

I'm just thinking of all the things she won't be able to do because it would be like she's trying to "act like a man."

[xmas74]

101. My thoughts exactly.

He even insulted me via the GS.

I gave him the basic info and he made a comment about how I was too opinionated, no man would ever marry me and that it was all due to the GS.

[Iris]

102. "too opinionated, no man would ever marry me"

And that's supposed to be a BAD thing?

[xmas74]

103. In his mind, yes it was.

In my mind-well, I'm 31 and a single mother by choice. You can guess what I think of that.

[Iris]

114. ah! Small minds.

They are just so silly!

[xmas74]

119. Quite!

But those small minds are what have made me worry about my daughter's future.

[Iris]

127. Yes, I know what you mean.

Enough to keep you awake at night, I'm sure.

[xmas74]

128. If you've read about what's going on in the

state of Missouri you would definitely know that everything here will keep you awake at night.

This state is going to shit.

[LostinVA]

118. Well, you ARE a lesbian magnet, so you should have told him

you'd have no problem finding a good woman to hook up with...

[xmas74]

120. I thought about it.

But I was a good girl.

There are a few in this community who already don't like me just because of my views. I don't want them to have the opportunity to add "smart ass" to the list.

I plan on being overly polite yet treating them like the children that they truly are.

[Skittles]

104. yes, I was in TOFS

"Troop on Foreign Soil", in England

[xmas74]

105. Can you say that your experience was positive or

negative?

[Skittles]

106. I enjoyed it but I felt I had to quit

it was too much a strain on my dad; he worked two jobs and my mum did not know how to drive

[xmas74]

107. That is understandable.

I felt like I had to quit after one of our many moves. I told my parents that I didn't like it anymore but the truth was that I knew they could no longer afford to send me.

I just didn't want to be a burden on them.

[Skittles]

108. yes, I didn't tell the truth either

I just told my parents I didn't want to do it anymore; I didn't want make my dad feel bad but he was always so tired.

[xmas74]

111. Then it sounds like we both understand each other.

I just knew we couldn't afford it. We couldn't afford the phone bill, we couldn't afford a vehicle. There was no way we could afford GS, no matter how much I wanted it. And I didn't want them to feel bad about it.

[distantearlywarning]

123. I was a Girl Scout from age 6 to about 14-15.

I even received my Silver Award.

It was a very positive experience for me. I went to camp every summer (horse camp, rock climbing, regular camp) and have very fond memories of those experiences. My troop leaders were very organized and motivated. We went on at least 2 or 3 different trips every year, including one to Washington, D.C. (all the way from Arizona!) where we toured the Capitol, Smithsonian, and colonial Williamsburg and met our state representatives. My favorite trip with my troop was to a huge national GS camp in Wyoming where we got to go on an extended camping trip with llamas - I still smile when I think about doing that! We did all kinds of stuff and I earned many badges. I still have my sash with all my badges in a box somewhere and am proud of it.

I think my experience in Girl Scouts helped shape me into the kind of woman I am today: competent, not afraid to take risks or stand up for myself, and athletic. And for the person upthread who said that a guy told her that being a GS was the reason she wasn't married, well, I'm happily married to a man who loves me BECAUSE I am a strong, smart, independent woman (and he tells me that almost every day). I think my experience in GS contributed in some small way to my very happy marriage of equals. Only men with small dicks and small minds are threatened by a competent woman, and who wants to marry them anyway?

[xmas74]

126. I was that woman.

And I only want a man who can handle my confidence and, at times, outspoken nature. I want an equal. I want someone who can joke around and have a serious conversation at the same time. I don't want the kind of man that made that comment to me. I'd kill him in his sleep.

I want my daughter to be a strong, intelligent, independent woman. And I truly believe that her experiences w/ the GS will allow her to be just that.

[Sisaruus]

133. women acting more like men?

I attended a luncheon today featuring Dr. (and Astronaut) Mae Jemison who reminded the audience of the old quote "women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition."

[xmas74]

134. So true!