The problem is that too many troops and leaders (and even most Catholic Dioceses) are believing that they can have a “Christian” GS troop. Those leaders need to wake up and realize that this is not going to be possible.

The GSUSA has streamlined their councils (by going from over 300 down to 105) in order to have less resistance as they deliver their newest curriculum. (See Jane’s aritlce on 7/17/08 and 7/24/08). When GSUSA eliminates the badges (by 2010), and this new “Journeys” curriculum is all that is left, these same Christian leaders will no longer have any choices. They will be forced to teach the new age program.

AHG provides a CHOICE for Christians. AHG provides an opportunity for parents to place their daughters in a Christ-centered program. AHG accepts girls of all faiths. Only the leaders need to subscribe to the AHG Statement of Faith. AHG provides another means for parents to have Christian values instilled in their daughters.

Christ called us to be in the world, but not of it. If that translates into the world believing that we are “bigots” or “hateful” then so be it. We won’t be answering to the world on Judgement Day – we’ll be answering to the Almighty God. Parents, will you be one to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant?” Our children reflect our legacy. What imprint do you want to leave on this world?

uliette Gordon Low was known to be inclusive of girls from all backgrounds, therefore, I think it is quite presumptuous of you, without knowing her, to think that she would limit scouting to only those girls whose families believe in God as you define God.

GSUSA is neither a church nor a religious organization; it would be outside the scope of its mission and a huge undertaking (considering the number of religions in the world.) Of course, it is the parents’ responsibility to frame religion for their young; it is definitely not the responsibility of GSUSA.

NATIONAL HONORARY PRESIDENT — LAURA BUSH
Chair National Board of Directors – Cynthia B. Thompson

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GIRL SCOUTING
Girl Scouts in the United States was founded by a remarkable woman named Juliette Gordon Low. In the late 1880′s, before most of today’s great-grandmothers were born, JULIETTE LOW was a REVOLUTIONARY. She was an ENVIRONMENTALIST, a CRUSADER, a woman DEDICATED TO SERVICE TO OTHERS. Above all, she was certain the future belonged to the young.

Juliette was born into the wealthy Gordon family of Savannah, Georgia on October 31, 1860, a few months before the start of the Civil War. Known to her family and friends as Daisy, she was a person of MANY TALENTS, DIVERSE INTERESTS, and a STRONG SENSE OF DETERMINATION. She REFUSED TO LET ADVERSITY STAND IN HER WAY. A hearing problem that eventually developed into almost total deafness never stopped her from pursuing her goal.

Juliette married an Englishman named William Low and went to live in England and Scotland. The marriage was not a happy one and Juliette was in the process of getting a divorce when her husband died. After that, she traveled for several years and settled in Paris to study sculpture. She met a man who started her on a venture that would become her life’s work. That man was Sir Robert (late Lord) Baden-Powell, an English General and war hero who had founded the Boy Scout Movement only three years earlier.

The Boy Scout Movement had spread to several countries. In England, it resulted in the formation of a similar organization for girls. IT WAS THE GIRLS THEMSELVES WHO TOOK THE INITIATIVE, FORMING GROUPS SIMILAR TO THOSE THEIR BROTHERS JOINED. THIS NEW MOVEMENT WAS JUST THE SORT OF THING THAT APPEALED TO JULIETTE LOW, and she was soon back in Scotland leading a Girl Guide group of her own. As her interest in Girl Guides grew, JULIETTE WAS EAGER TO INTRODUCE THE PROGRAM TO AMERICAN GIRLS. Back in America, she telephoned an old friend to say, “Come right over. I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.”

The time was 1912. WOMEN LED FAR MORE RESTRICTED LIVES THAN THEY DO NOW, BUT CHANGE WAS IN THE AIR. WOMEN WERE BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT MANY ACTIVITIES WERE BARRED TO THEM THROUGH CUSTOMS AND PREJUDICE. THEY WERE BECOMING CONVINCED THEY COULD DO HUNDREDS OF THINGS THAT UP UNTIL THEN ONLY “RADICALS” AND “ECCENTRICS” HAD SUGGESTED WOMEN COULD ACCOMPLISH. IT WAS TIME TO LAUNCH A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP GIRLS LOOK BEYOND THEIR SHELTERED LIVES. MOST IMPORTANT, GIRL SCOUTING POINTED THAT WAY TO INDEPENDENCE THROUGH FUN EXPERIENCES THAT BROADENED INDIVIDUAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL.

The first meeting of Girl Scouts was in Savannah on March 12, 1912. In no time, troops were forming in many areas. By World War I there were enough Girl Scouts to make a real contribution to the war effort. Girls helped realize Juliette Low’s dream of becoming active, vital citizens.

GIRL SCOUTS OF THE USA is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls – all girls – where in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skill for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth.

Today there are 3.6 million Girl Scouts 2.7 million girl members and 860,000 adult members. Through membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), GSUSA is part of a world-wide family of ten million girls and adults in 140 countries.

WHAT WE DO:
IN GIRL SCOUTS, GIRLS DISCOVER THE FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND POWER OF GIRLS TOGETHER. THROUGH A MYRIAD OF ENRICHING EXPERIENCES, SUCH AS EXTRAORDINARY FIELD TRIPS, SPORTS SKILL BUILDING CLINICS, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, CULTURAL EXCHANGES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, GIRLS GROW COURAGEOUS AND STRONG. GIRL SCOUTING HELPS GIRLS: DEVELOP THEIR FULL INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL; RELATE TO OTHERS WITH INCREASING UNDERSTANDING, SKILL AND RESPECT BY TEACHING VALUES TO GUIDE THEIR ACTIONS; DEVELOP A FOUNDATION FOR SOUND DECISION MAKING; CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY THROUGH THEIR ABILITIES, LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND COOPERATION WITH OTHERS.