Conference turris::womannotes-v1

Gee, Holly.  I wish I was in your troop!!!!  I was a Girl Scout for
MANY years until I got to the point where fighting them had gotten
to be too much of a chore -- and not very successful.

In our troop,  we inked leaves and cooked meals and put on plays and
hunted bugs... while the boys camped and rode horses and built
things... until I got a few of my fellow scouts up in arms.  Our leaders
were mostly housewives who thought that paper mache puppets were
the best things to prepare us for life.  

My two small victories were conning my Mom into taking us to the Bunker
Hill monument, (which she did because I goaded her into it as she had
sponsored my brother's Cub Scout den just 2 years before.  Plus, she
had a car and few other mothers did) and engineering a medal (honorary
only) for baseball.... I started our own team and we toured Medford,
playing whoever we could find.  We got no support from the leaders or
the parents... and I finally decided that I was bored with inking leaves.

Camp Fire Girls was worse, and I'd decided to quit these functions
entirely.  I even gave one season to The Rainbow Girls, but found
the same problem.

I wish I had your experiences -- I would have stayed because I liked
all the kids in my troop.

bugsy

    I was a girl scout for seven years, but it was a pretty mediocre
    experience - nothing as bad as in reply 1, but nothing nearly as
    good as Holly's experience.  Maybe it had more of a positive impact
    on me than I had thought at the time...
    
    	-Ellen
   

re .0

Holly, I'm so glad to hear that your Girl Scouting experience was
positive!  I was a leader several years ago, and I tried to help the
girls act as independently as your leaders did.  Sometimes I wonder
if they carried anything away with them.

In case any former Scouts are interested, GSUSA is celebrating its
75th anniversary next year.  The kick-off to the celebration will be
a nation-wide (actually world-wide, when you consider the TOFS program)
Promise Circle.  Girl Scouts past and present will gather at 4:00 PM EST
(I believe I got the time correct) to recite the Girl Scout Promise.
This will be done in the towns, cities, and associations (groups of 
towns) that have Girl Scout troops.  There should be some sort of advance
publicity, and all interested former Scouts will be welcomed.

    I was a Brownie when they celebrated their 50th anniversary!  How
    time flies...thanks for the info on the 75th.

	    I was a Boy Scout.  Due to my broken home life, I moved
	around a lot when I was a child, and I was in several different
	troops.  One thing I noticed was that the quality of the scout-
	ing experience varied widely from troop to troop.
	    I imagine that the same is true of the Girl Scouts:  it
	depends on the troop.
			<_Jym_> (An Eagle Scout)

    
    It's great to hear what Scouting is like across the waters.  I'm
    from the UK and we have a slightly different set up in Scouting.
    
    To start with - girls join Brownies at 7, then Girl Guides at 10
    and Rangers at 15.  Boys join Cub Scouts at 8, Scouts at 11 and
    Venture Scouts at 15.
    
    BUT, about 10 years ago they decided to open Venture Scouts to girls
    as well as boys.  That's was the best part.
    
    I went through Brownies and Girl Guides and had a great time.  I
    learnt all the camping, singing, and 'girl-type' adventures in guides
    and eventually got my Queens Guide.  Then I joined Rangers.  They
    were a bit boring - knitting squares and staying in having speakers
    and not very exiting.  I then heard about Venture Scouts.  They
    were great fun, and I learnt alot more outside activities - Camping,
    climbing, caving, hiking and generally much more fun, travel and
    adventure.  I was in the Venture Scouts for about 4 years and achieved
    my Queens Scout (the highest UK award in Venture Scouts).  As Girls
    hadn't been in Venture Scouts for long, I was one of the earliest 
    Queens Scout, and felt very proud of it.
    
    That's a little of what I've done in Scouting in England - I'd be
    interested in what other people do or have done in Scouting around
    the world.
    
    Happy Scouting
    
    Sue
    
    

    I was a Girl Scout for 12 years.  It was truly one of the better
    life experiences .  I was a badge collector, so therefore I did
    a lot of varied activities.  I did everything from first aide to
    trail blazing.  As a senior scout I did a lot of mountain climbing.
    I was selected to represent my state (RI) at an All States Jamboree.
    This was quite an honor, as the compition was stiff.  This was where
    being an all around scout was important. Our troop was definetly a
    well rounded one.  The state compitition was narrowed down to three
    of us in the same troop. My final feat was to cook a complete meal
    over an open fire, reflector oven and all.  I got to go to Cody,Wy.
    for three weeks.  This is where I found out what scouting was all
    about.  My parents told me that they were real proud of me, but
    they couldn't afford to send me.  When I told my leader, she got
    busy.  Before I could bat an eye, the whole town was involved. 
    I went to camp with a hand made camp uniform, brand new light weight
    sleeping bag, brand new (state of the are Kodak camera), souviners
    from several jewerly manufacturing companies, and many other items
    too numerous to mention.  My two older brothers, who were in the
    army at the time, sent me $100 spending money (1953 that was a lot
    of money) and the town gave me a round trip train ticket. That was
    an experience I will never forget. Getting ready was almost as
    thrilling as the trip itself. I got a big send off at the train
    station, with speeches from town officials, newspaper photographers
    and the works.  
    
    trip itself.
    
    
    

    I just heard on the radio this morning that the Patriots Trail Girl
    Scout Council (Boston area) is urging all former Girl Scouts to 
    call the council office, and participate in 75th birthday celebration 
    activities.
    
    The PSA ad was clever: "The Girl Scouts are calling in the troops!".
    
    Phone number is (617) 482-1078.  I just called, and they will send
    me all the mailings to post here.  They were delighted that this
    was being discussed in a computer conference!  I understand that
    big events are planned for March 12, 1987 and April 11, 1987.
    
    I don't know if I will have time to participate, but I think I will
    try to receive any mailings they might be sending.  
    
    They also have a "former Girl Scout" questionnaire they will be
    mailing to me--if I can post it, I will.

    
    	I was so glad to hear some people had good Girl Scout experiences.
    I attribute alot of my self confidence and independence to the great
    backpacking, canoeing, and primitive camping opportunities I had
    with the Scouts.  That's why I'm a leader today (even though I have
    no kids yet).
    
    	Here's the scoop on the BIG EVENT for the 75th Anniversary.
    	Saturday, April 11 at the Plaza Castle on Arlington Street in
    Boston is the biggest celebration Patriot's Trail GS Council has
    ever put together. From 9-5 there will be displays, demonstrations,
    and activities for scouts, and former scouts, of all ages.  They
    suggest you plan your visit around one of the 6 ceremonies during
    the day, and then brouse around for a few hours at all the neat stuff 
    they'll have set up.  Tickets ar $2.00/person.  You can call Sandy 
    Publicover at the Boston office (482-1078 or 1-800-882-1662) or send 
    them a note asking for tickets (Patriot's Trail GS Council, 
    6 St. James Ave, Boston, MA, 02116).  If the tickets are not sold out, 
    you can buy them at the door.
    
    Schedule:
    
    	9:00  The Big Event begins
    	10:00 Opening Flag ceremony
    	11:00 Rededication ceremony
    	12:00 Council Chorus Performs  (these are 6-12 grade scouts)
    	12:40 International Flag Ceremony
    	3:00  Rededication ceremony               
    	4:40  Closing Ceremony with Friendship Circle
    	5:00  The Big Event closes
    
    
    	Some of the things to see will be:  Lexington Drum and Bugle
    Corps, a Fashion Show of Historical GS Uniforms, Bedford Bell Band,
    Chinese Lion Dancers, English Country Dancers, Latin Dancers, Puppet
    shows, Carribean Steel Drums, Gospel Singers, Outdoor Skills, Hadicap
    awareness, American Sign Language for the Deaf, Printmaking, Weaving,
    Science Magic, Ethnic Dancing, Mime, Camping (past, present, and
    future), Our Heritage - town displays, Summer camp opportunities,
    Wider Opportunities, Calling in the troops Alumnae table, Have your
    picture taken with Juliette Low, and meet Susie Safety.
    
    	My troop is making a display about what they think Girl Scouting
    will be like in the Future.  The BIG EVENTS theme is "Girl Scouting,
    tradition with a future."  Alot of towns will make their own booths
    around this.  You'd be amazed at how creative the kids can be. 
    You may also be interested in how scouting has updated it's program
    with the times.  There's alot more emphasis on career exploration
    and self reliance.
    
    	Alot of towns are having thier own min-versions of the Big Event.
    Marlboro's is Sunday, March 22 from 2-5 at the Marlboro High School.
    We'll have a member of the first Marlboro Girl Scout troop there
    (Mrs. Hyatt) to cut the 75th Birthday Cake, and the girls will prepare
    booths and demonstrations.
                 
    	Schedule:
             

    I'm really glad to hear such good experiences in Girl Scouts.  I've
    been involved in scouting for 21 years.  Presently I am a Senior
    advisor in Southeastern PA. 
    
    Other activities for the 75th  ------->
    
    Our council sent three patrols of girls (Junior, Cadette, and Senior)
    to the National celebration in DC.  Two of my Seniors attended that.
    They had fun, but were disappointed in the ceremony down there.
    The comments were that they spent more time standing in line to
    get in and out than they did in the ceremony.  But it was something
    they'll remember.
    
    In addition, last Saturday (MARCH 21), my council had a big event at a 
    local convention center.  It was great fun.  The neatest part was seeing
    all of the old uniforms.  Everyone that had access to an old uniform
    was asked to wear it .... Some of them were really sharp!.  There
    were display booths and activities going on all day.  My troop did
    a display of what they thought camping would be like in the future.
    They made a uniform and a really unusual backpack.  They had a lot
    of fun with it.  
    
    Other stuff: ------> 
    
    If there are any other Senior advisors out there, My girls would
    like to get to know some other scouts their ages.  The girls in
    my troop are not your "average Girl Scouts".  They don't like to
    earn badges, awards and etc.  They are very active, but do things
    just to do them.     If you know anyone who might be interested,
    you could send me mail on NYJMIS::CHERYL.  I don't usually read
    this notesfile, but Holly mentioned it in the SCOUTING conference,
    so I thought I'd take a look.
    
    keep on scoutin'
    
    
    cheryl 
                                           

    Drat!  I wish I hadn't missed this!
    
    I was the world's hottest scout, but I did make first class.  I
    stayed in it through high school, although by then most everybody
    else's interests seemed to have cooled towards it, and it kind of
    degenerated into a social club.  Probably my favorite parts were
    going to a camp for 10 days in the summer, although the trips we
    planned were also good (unless the leaders interfered too much,
    but then I guess I learned to question authority a bit).  It gave
    me a chance to see places I'd never have been able to see on my
    own resources, and it developed my appreciation of the out-of-doors.
    It also supported my desires for achievement--the badges were small
    goals that could be reached.  And it was the only place I learned
    about being a team player, which has been very valuable.
    
    It involved me closer to life and death than any other experiences
    of my growing up.  It fostered some of my longer friendships.

    Lisa, I agree about the badges.  I think they taught me a lot about
    Project Management :-) !   To get the big rewards like First Class,
    one had to do a lot of smaller steps thoroughly, including badges.
    
    There were very few things in my life which I could methodically
    earn, and get some kind of tangible token in exchange.  I loved
    it!  I think checking off squares on my whiteboard as my project
    draws to completion gives me that same kind of satisfaction today. 
                                                   
    

    I loved Girlscouts, especially those three years of summer camp.
     I learned alot.
    
    But, the one thing I remember AND regret is falsely earning my cooking
    badge.  You are supposed to prepare, cook and serve a meal.  Well,
    I didn't actually "cook" anything.  My mother did and I helped (peel
    carrots).  She really got the cooking badge, not I.  So, I feel bad "now"
    that I deceived the scouts, but more importantly, it tainted my
    development (not having learned what is necessary to gain an award).
    You learn by doing, right?  Well, I learned how to deceive.  I'm
    trully sorry for this.  
    
    I used to envy the girls that had all those badges on their sashes.
     I didn't know how I would get those badges because I didn't have
    a mom that knew how to encourage and teach.  So, I think I only
    earned a few in three years as a Junior.  I flew up to Cadettes
    but there was no group I wanted to join (I had too many other things
    going on).  Now, if I could go back, I'd stay with the scouts and
    forget the cheerleading.
    
    Cathy

    
       I just read in the paper Sunday.  The Boy Scouts of America
    will now permit women to be Boy Scout Leaders, breaking the
    long standing tradition.  However, no girls are yet allowed
    to join the Boy Scouts.
    
                                 Mark

    Wait a minute, I belonged to an Explorer troop when I was in high
    school.  Are Explorers not considered real Boy Scouts or something???
    
    --bonnie

Re: .15 --bonnie

The Boy Scouts of America serve the youth of America (mainly male) from
the ages of 6 to 21.  They do this using three major programs,
Cub Scouts, ages 6 to 10;  Boy Scouts, ages 11 to 17; and Explorers,
ages 14 to 20.

  The Cub Scouts are restricted to males only and are subdivided into
three (or four, depending on viewpoint) catagories, Tiger Cubs, age 6;
Cubs, age 7 and 8; and Webelos ages 9 and 10.  A Cub Scout group is called
a Pack, and is subdivided into Dens, usually by age.

  The Boy Scouts are restricted to males only.  A Boy Scout group is called
a Troop and is subdivided into patrols.  There is a relativly new program 
called Varsity Scouting which is for males ages 14 to 17.  They are formed
in Teams, and specialize in advanced outdoor skills.

  The Explorers are for males and females ages 14 to 20.  An Explorer group 
is called a Post.   Most Posts specialize in some career-related subject.

  So, even though Explorers are part of the Boy Scouts of America, they
are not Boy Scouts per say.

Until this recent decision, woman could be Boy Scout Leaders but could not
hold 6 positions, Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster (for Boy Scouts);
Webelos Leader and Assistant Webelos Leader (for Cub Scouts); and two 
others that I can't remember.

Sorry for being longwinded.

-ken

    Ken, thanks for the clear and concise explanation.  That explains
    a lot.  Yes, our Explorer post was definitely oriented to exploring
    careers -- mostly in aerospace.  Lots of fun.
    
    --bonnie

    I have a quastion: please don't jump on me... :-)
    
    Some years back the British Boy Scouts decided that the term was archaic
    and inapropriate to the ideals of scouting, and officially changed their
    name to just "Scouts".

    Why do the American arm of this movement still use the term?
    
    /. Ian .\

    	Back when I was an Explorer (computer-programming post), B.S.A.
    (Boy Scouts of America) was on it's way to becoming "Scouting USA".
    This was almost 12 years ago, so maybe they got sidetracked.
    
    
    						--Doug
    						  (former post president)