My daughter wanted to do it, but there were no troops in our area and I did not relish driving 20 mins or more when I already have everything from piano to football. So I (gasp) volunteered to be a brownie leader and the GS people were ecstatic. They needed a leader for the town close to me wher emy son does scouts - there hasn't been brownies there for years I guess, so I could get a TON of girls or only the few of my daughter's friends who want join. Is it as much work as it seems up front? Do you have a lot of fun with it? I remember it from when I was in 1st grade, but that was YEARS ago. The really cool part is cost - in a way. As leader, I have to have all this stuff (the books, my daughter wanted a uniform or something) Ebay here I come! yay discouted merchandise!
I want Jeannie in Daisies, but I can't seem to find a local contact. I called the main GS number and they are sending me info, I hope!
Yes, it is a lot of work being a leader. The good news is, is that is is also a lot of fun. One thing I would recommend: make it clear up front to the other parents, that they will have to help out - I got a co-leader, cookie parent, camping parent, etc. You can't do it all; well, maybe you can, but you won't enjoy it as much if you have to. If you are not well organized, have a parent help with the paperwork. Hope I didn't scare you; I had a blast with my daughter's troop for 6 years.
I also would caution you to give careful consideration about involvement with the Girl Scouts. Last year a friend came to my house very upset over some things that were going on with her 6yo daughter's troop. I had already read some articles from the American Family Association concerning the Girl Scouts and a pro-lesbian agenda. Together we did some research, and she chose to take her little girl out of Girl Scouts. I'm sure a lot of it directly relates to your community's leaders. But even here in a rinky-dinky little town where everybody knows everybody, some questionable things were going on. If I can find some of the links we used to find articles, I will post them. I know we started with the AFA site.
I second Melissa's comments. While I'm not a leader, the co-leaders of my daughter's brownie troop require that each parent sign up to help at two meetings and bring snack for one of them. They also have parent drivers for field trips. On the other hand, for activities beyond the regular meetings, they are very flexible on if you participate or not. If its something my daughter isn't interested in or we don't feel she should participate in, it's just fine. For example, the troop went for a "make-over" at a local mall. However, a few us felt that 7 and 8 years old is a little young for that, but the leaders understood. Since you're the leader, you can set the tone for the troop. Good luck. Carol
A feminist agenda?? Cool! I can't wait until the meet and greet at our library next week!! Today Daisies, tomorrow Washington!!!
I knew you'd feel that way, Becky! (I'd put a smiley here if I knew how!) That's the exact reason I won't have my girls in scouting. We're way past the days of sufferagists. The feminist agenda isnt about equal rights, but is decidedly anti-male. Personally, I appreciate the differences between male and female, and want my daughters to appreciate them, also.
Okay, here are some links I found to some recent articles. I hope they work for you. I don't have a daughter, but I as I mentioned, I was made aware of all of this through a little girl I love. Read them prayerfully and then decide. www.cwfa.org/articles/8808/CFI/family/index.htm http://family.org/cforum/feature/a0037840.cfm http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/132005g.asp I just wanted to add that I'm not trying to judge or condemn anyone who is involved in Girl Scouts. I'm sure there are some wonderful women whose intentions and motives are good. I just wanted to share the information for you to make your own judgement call. :-D
But, it needs to be equal. I'm reading The Greatest Generation, by Tom Brokaw. I'm up to the chapter about women in the military in WWII. He talks about two ladies who fought to have equality for women in the services. How equal is it today? Yeah, women can even be sent overseas, but it wasn't long ago there were reports of at least one woman who got raped by men in training wih her. Are the men raping each other?? NO. I think even at Annapolis there was a rape committed. It's not fair, it shouldn't happen. I don't think there will be any problems at all. I'll be surprised if there is.
dcook, I wasn't antagonizing anyone, and I'd be surprised if any of these ladies did more than roll their eyes over my post. They know me, that's why Jackie said she knew I'd say what I said. Do you h.s.? There's nothing- absolutely nothing- in your public profile, so I ask. Usually it means trouble when an unusual poster comes by. Not that new members aren't welcome,but usually it's other h.s.ing moms looking for like minded individuals.
Let's not get in a fight, ladies!!! Dcook, we all know Becky and know how to take her comments and love her. She's very nice, even if she IS "submissively challenged" (her words!) And Becky, if we DIDN'T know you, we'd probably respond similar to Dcook's response. So just give her time to get to know us! I know there are some wonderful GS leaders out there. The attitude of an individual troop depends on the attitude of the leader. But eventually the attitudes of the "higher" leadership will come through. I don't want my daughters with a "screw all men" attitude. Fortunately, we're too busy for them to even consider it!
Jackie, dcook is a man, that's why I wondered why he posts here. I'm not trying to keep people out or any such thing, but it's like I said, there's mostly women here. I wouldn't congregate on an all male site. I actually posted on a men's weightlifting board to get advice and I was clearly not welcome. No one was rude but you could sense that I was an interloper.
We've had homeschooling dads before, and have tried to make them feel welcome. And he WAS accurate in his initial remarks, even though his being a dad got past me!
Maybe there have been others, but not many. It also seems they don't stay around long. At atoz there was a man who caused a lot of trouble and threatened to hurt one of the ladies, so from now on i'm a little wary of males who come here. Josh was questioned by a few here in the same way I'm talking about. You don't know who someone is just by how they present themselves on a board. Why, Jackie, I could be just as demure and submissive as you are, girl!! LOL. I only sound like Roseanne....... maybe.
Actually, Becky, I only realized tonight why it is I like you. You remind me of my best friend...HONESTLY!!! She and I haven't been in touch for YEARS, since she moved somewhere in the midwest. She's a lovely gal, but there's SO MUCH we disagree on, especially when it comes to submission/women's issues, etc. I was constantly rolling my eyes with her, and her with me.
Men should be welcome here if they homeschool their kids. That is what this board is about. If it is Christian it should stay on that site too. That is why there are different areas.
