Tell me about your RECENT experiences with girl scouts

[ijack]

1. there is. God is definitely mentioned
2. not really
3. DD1 didn't like it and I think a lot of it had to do with the troop size (28 girls!!!). She was only in daisies (K and 1st) and they just weren't really doing anything.

[grumbledore]

Sept 2, 2014 15:45:06 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

DD1 had a pamphlet in her school folder today about Girl Scouts, and I want to hear about other people's experiences with their girls in GS. I did Brownies for a couple of years growing up and then quit because of too many other activities.
1) Is there any sort of religious component to it? I don't remember that growing up...
2) Do you think it's been a worthwhile experience for your daughter?
3) Why do you like it/don't like it?

Just curious to hear about others' experiences, thanks!

I've been involved in Girl Scouts for the past 5 years, a troop leader for the last 4 (not continuing as a leader this year, luckily someone else wanted to take it on) - Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors.

1)  Absolutely not.  GS does have special religion badges/pins for girls who want to pursue them, but they do it on their own time.
2)  Yes, it's been wonderful for her.  
3)  As a leader, I don't feel like there's a lot of support from our local Council - but I guarantee that varies greatly.  Also as a leader/volunteer, I am sick and freaking tired of selling cookies, but the kids like it.  Overall, I think GS is great.

[grumbledore]

Sept 2, 2014 15:50:26 GMT -5 ijack said:

1. there is. God is definitely mentioned
2. not really
3. DD1 didn't like it and I think a lot of it had to do with the troop size (28 girls!!!). She was only in daisies (K and 1st) and they just weren't really doing anything.

In the Girl Scout Promise.  Once.  

Just to clarify this.


The Girl Scout Promise
--


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.

One could certainly choose to omit the "God" part of this.

[joshlyman]

Sept 2, 2014 15:45:06 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

DD1 had a pamphlet in her school folder today about Girl Scouts, and I want to hear about other people's experiences with their girls in GS. I did Brownies for a couple of years growing up and then quit because of too many other activities.
1) Is there any sort of religious component to it? I don't remember that growing up...
2) Do you think it's been a worthwhile experience for your daughter?
3) Why do you like it/don't like it?

Just curious to hear about others' experiences, thanks!

Ok, so not my kid, but both my sister and I were in GS through HS. My sister's scouting ended just 4 years ago so that is fairly recent

1. No. The ONLY thing is the word God on the Girl Scout Pledge. But I knew of many troops that tweaked it. Girl Scouts are incredibly inclusive and have a strong focus on diversity (unlike Boy Scouts).

2. It was for both myself and my sister. I am still best friends from a girl that I met in my 1st grade troop, and my sister is still close with 5 or so from hers. Her troop stayed together from K-12, which was great. The badges, activities and learning are all feared toward self-discovery, empowerment and education. And really, it was just a lot of fun. My sisters troop did things like indoor skydiving their senior year, plus they earned their Silver and Gold awards, which look great on college apps.

3. I think I covered that above lol Hell, I liked it so much that I was a co-leader for my sisters troop for 3 years!

[alzi]

The cookies are delicious.

[my4girls]

God is mentioned in the pledge but nothing religious other than that
we love it. I was leader last year- I did NOT love that and won't do it again
She loves the crafts and the outings

Your troop leader will make or break the troop- it really all depends on what they want to/ can take on.

[joshlyman]

Also, the troop leader and local council makes a HUGE difference. We did so much fun and interesting stuff, but we had very active leaders and a strong council - I have heard if many troops that don't do much at all

[grumbledore]

One other thing - our troop has never been more than ten girls (with 2-4 volunteers at every meeting) - I am not a fan of huge troops.

[MDmomof2]

My daughter is entering her second year of Daisy Troop and loves it.
1. God is in the Girl Scout Law/promise but they never talk about it at meetings. We are a non-religious group. Some groups are religiously affiliated.

2. Yes! Her troop was pretty disorganized last year but she still felt a real sense of connection with the girls and liked meetings and cluster activities we went to.

3. Her troop leader was MIA most of last year and I think she'd be getting more of out it if she were more involved. I don't think she's going to be any more involved this year but a group of moms (I am one of them) are working together to give the girls a more complete experience this year. It's tough because most of us work and the meetings are after school but we're "co-oping" it and it seems to be working OK.

[Captain Serious]

My good friend is a GS leader, and had been for many years. She's really into it and I have watched as she lead one troop from middle school to graduation (they are now mostly in college). She's now leading her second group.

From what I've seen, it's all about empowering girls to be self-confident and able to advocate and work towards positive change in their community. We live in a very diverse area, with all sorts of ethnicities and religions, and not only have I never heard of a religious component to GS, I've never heard anyone complain about them pushing any kind of agenda on the girls. It's not at all affiliated with or run/organized like the Boy Scouts.

[ijack]

Sept 2, 2014 15:52:20 GMT -5 grumbledore said:

Sept 2, 2014 15:50:26 GMT -5 ijack said:

1. there is. God is definitely mentioned
2. not really
3. DD1 didn't like it and I think a lot of it had to do with the troop size (28 girls!!!). She was only in daisies (K and 1st) and they just weren't really doing anything.

In the Girl Scout Promise.  Once.  

Just to clarify this.


The Girl Scout Promise
--


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.

One could certainly choose to omit the "God" part of this.

Okay. Didn't know you were present during our troop meetings. But yes, god is mentioned.

[iamali]

Sept 2, 2014 15:45:06 GMT -5 @gabasaurus said:

DD1 had a pamphlet in her school folder today about Girl Scouts, and I want to hear about other people's experiences with their girls in GS. I did Brownies for a couple of years growing up and then quit because of too many other activities.
1) Is there any sort of religious component to it? I don't remember that growing up...
2) Do you think it's been a worthwhile experience for your daughter?
3) Why do you like it/don't like it?

Just curious to hear about others' experiences, thanks!

My experiences are second hand - my BFF is a troop leader for both her DD's.

1. The girls in her troop can say "God" during the pledge, but aren't required to. She doesn't do any of her activities that are religious, I'm guessing it varies by troop.
2. Both her DD's really enjoy it and get a lot out of it. The friendship aspect is important to them.
3. Cookie sales. She HATES them, esp. being a troop  leader.  It's probably different for a "regular" parent though, the pressure I mean.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

I hate them bc they're always taking my gym time.

This doesn't help you at all.

[bloom17]

My daughter is starting her 3rd year of GS. I was skeptical, but she seems to enjoy it enough to want to keep with it.
1. No mention of religion other than the GS Promise.
2. I think it's helped her to branch out from the handful of friends that she feels comfortable with. She doesn't much care for the actual meetings, but they have gone on many cool field trips. She also gained confidence with the cookie sales.
3. I like it fine. Mostly it's a drop-off activity so it doesn't really take up my time other than the Christmas Tea that I host.