American Heritage Girls?

[leafette]

My daughter's Brownie troop has been something of a disappointment (they've done no camping, or even ANY GS activities at all, for the past 2 years because her leader finds all of the GS rules and required training "idiotic") and she's becoming as frustrated with it as I am. Last year, I signed her up for a bunch of Council-sponsored activities, but it was sad to see her there by herself when all of the other girls were there with their troops. She often asks me why her troop doesn't do anything.

Anyway, our church had an activities fair yesterday and there was a leader from American Heritage Girls there. It sounds a lot like GS. Does anyone have experience with them? My DD was excited when she saw their list of planned activities for next year.

 

[robinb]

From the Wikipedia entry for the American Heritage Girls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Heritage_Girls

The American Heritage Girls is a Christian Scouting group modeled after young women's organizations such as the Girl Scouts of the USA. They were formed in 1995 by a group of parents from West Chester, Ohio who were unhappy that the Girl Scouts accepted lesbians as troop leaders, allowed girls to substitute another word more applicable to their belief for "God" in the promise, and allegedly banned prayer at meetings

It's not the type of organization I would want my DD associated with. Can you find another Girl Scout troop?

 

[Hannathy]

Always remember that Wikipedia is unreliable as a true resource.....

I don't know anything about the organization, why not check it out and if your DD likes it give it a try! She is young now is the time to try out different things. And by they way I haven't been too happy with Girl Scouts lately either. Hopefully someone on here will know about them.

 

[DVCLiz]

Another possibility is to go yourself and take the training required by the Girls Scouts. It's very difficult for a leader to become everything - I took the training all the way to Mod 4, so I was officially a "camp" mom, but also the leader, and they wanted me to be the first aid person, too. Another mom who was a doctor was our first aid mom, and she pulled her daughter from my troop for the same reason - no camping, but she never once offered to arrange a trip, find out any of the regulations, or do anything to make it happen. Call your troop leader and tell her you want to become involved and are willing to get the "idiotic" training, and I'll bet you'll be making S'mores and using the la-la soon.

 

[Hannathy]

I just went to their site and it looks good. Looks a lot like girl scouts was 30 yrs ago. It seems to revolve around service to the community. Each troop must participate in 3 service projects a year and the girls earn merit stars for hours over the minimum. If my DD was younger I'd check it out a lot more and find out about joining.

 

[shirleyb]

Another possibility is to go yourself and take the training required by the Girls Scouts. It's very difficult for a leader to become everything - I took the training all the way to Mod 4, so I was officially a "camp" mom, but also the leader, and they wanted me to be the first aid person, too. Another mom who was a doctor was our first aid mom, and she pulled her daughter from my troop for the same reason - no camping, but she never once offered to arrange a trip, find out any of the regulations, or do anything to make it happen. Call your troop leader and tell her you want to become involved and are willing to get the "idiotic" training, and I'll bet you'll be making S'mores and using the la-la soon.

I agree with this! I've been a troop leader for 5 years, and I've wanted to take the girls camping, and could never get any of my co-leaders to agree. Everytime I mentioned it, they looked at me like I had two heads! Without two leaders to go, there wasn't too much I could do about it.

This is my last year as a GS leader . My daughter wants to join Venture Scouts (affiliated with BSA) when she is 14.

 

[fabshelly]

Raising our daughters to be narrow-minded little bigots. God bless America.

 

[sha_lyn]

I wouldn't go anywhere near American Heritage Grils. The Wiki article is very accurate. That group (at least the troops in our area) are very closed minded extremely fundemental bigots.

Please find another GS troop for your daughter, or start your own.
You can also look into Y-guides through the YMCA

 

[MrsPete]

I'd suggest that you contact your local GS council office and ask them to refer you to another troop in your area. Every troop is different . . . or, it might be better to say every leader is different. Some troops are very active, some are not. Ask to speak to your county/service unit's council liason person, and ask her which troops in your area are best. Then call the leader and talk to her to see if you seem to be a good "match".

I can't tell you how many girls have come over to my troop with a similar story: "We just did a little craft every meeting, and we sold cookies -- we never took trips or did anything fun." Or, "All our old leader did was make-overs and nail painting."

 

[sha_lyn]

just a little taste of the mentality of American Heritage Girls

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25503

Yep, how dare GSUSA teach girls such horrible things are equal rights, girl power etc.

 

[MrsPete]

From the Wikipedia entry for the American Heritage Girls:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Heritage_Girls


It's not the type of organization I would want my DD associated with. Can you find another Girl Scout troop?

Just for the record, that Wikipedia entry makes untrue statements about GSUSA. Sexual orientation is a non-issue among Girl Scouts, and prayer is certainly not banned. In fact, our troop has a custom-embroidered troop crest which includes a Christian cross.

 

[cybrkitn]

Our church does the usual Brownies and GS. I googled American Heritage Girls and found their web site: http://www.ahgonline.org/

Here is what their "Our History" states:

"The History of the American Heritage Girls
American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome scouting program for their daughters. These parents were disillusioned with the increasing secular focus of existing scouting organizations for girls. They wanted a Judeo-Christian focused organization for their daughters and believed that other parents were looking for the same for their daughters. This became the catalyst for the birth of the organization we have come to know as the American Heritage Girls.

American Heritage Girls began its first year of programming in the fall of 1995 with about 10 troops and roughly 100 members. Most of the troops met in the West Chester area and worked on badges written by the founding parents. Organizational events were started that year which assisted the organization in tying city-wide troops together.

American Heritage Girls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. The organization offers merit badge programs, service projects, girl leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences to its members. This program of character building has successfully served thousands of girls since its inception and will continue to do so long into the 21st century.

The founders of the American Heritage Girls and the volunteers of today give all credit for the success of AHG to God for His constant hand upon the organization and His unceasing blessings."

Their Creed is:

"Compassionate - Understanding others in fellowship, empathy, kindness, and caring. Respect others' opinions and emotions.

Helpful - Willingly serve others.

Honest - Always tell the truth and keep my promise.

Loyal - True to God, family, friends, community and country.

Persevering - Continuing to strive toward a goal despite obstacles.

Pure - Keep my mind and body pure.

Resourceful - Wisely use my time, materials and talents.

Respectful - Honor my country, be obedient to those in authority and courteous to all.

Responsible - Accountable for my own actions. Reliable in all situations.

Reverent - Faithful and honoring to God. Respectful to the beliefs of others."

I don't see anything wrong with their Creed. The Boy Scouts of America have a similar one. The GS OTOH, is different from what I just read (and was shocked over). But I'm not getting into that here.

 

[DVCLiz]

What shocked you about the Girl Scouts? I'm really curious.

I wouldn't touch the Heritage Girls with a ten foot pole, but that's because they sound too fundamentalist for my taste.

 

[TPCShauna]

To the OP, I would recommend calling your local Council office and asking if they can refer you to another troop.

I am a GS Leader and I have had a parent call and ask to be moved into another troop because my troop "doesn't do enough outdoor activities". My Council put her daughter's name on the waiting list but also explained that my troop is the most active in our area. We've been working towards our first camping trip for three years which is how long it has taken us to follow the recommended Girl Scout progression for outdoor activities and camping. (I actually have a waiting list for MY troop - the girls and parents have said they are willing to wait even though I don't have space and keep trying to put them in other troops.)

Part of the reason it has taken us so long to prepare for camping is because I can't get parents in my troop to agree to spend the night on the trips! We need at least two additional parents besides myself and my assistant leader and we had to cancel a camping skills day, a day hike and a backyard camping trip because none of the parents wanted to go. We are first year Juniors and started a program where we require each girl and Mom to plan and teach a badge. The parents are complaining that it takes too much of their time.

I would recommend that you try talking to your leader. She might want to do more activities but is overwhelmed and could use a hand. If there is somewhere in particular that your daughter wants to go, you and she can research and bring the info to the troop meeting. Yes, there are leaders who just want to do crafts or girly things or have a social club. OTOH, there are leaders (like me) who encourage the girls to plan, set goals, budget their earnings, go on field trips they want to do and earn the badges THEY are interested in. I'll be honest when I say that I do it all for the girls but I could DEFINITELY do without the parents most of the time and I have "good" parents!

BTW, I don't have children and I spend at least 5 hours a week on Girl Scouts. In addition to being a troop leader, I am the local Service Unit Manager (like a volunteer manager for other leaders in my area), I start up new troops and mentor new leaders and I am a trainer for my Council. Sometimes, (like during the cookie sale), I spend well over 10 hours a week. I spent 42 hours at cookie booth sales last March and that doesn't include any of the rest of the volunteer work I did for GS that month. My parents complained that they had to do a total of 3 hours at a booth in 3 weeks.

I know that you and DD are frustrated but please try to remember that your leader is a volunteer who has stepped up to this position because she wants to provide this opportunity for girls. I'm sure she would appreciate some support and maybe a little help.

Good luck!

 

[6TimeMomma]

The American Heritage Girls sounds like something I would be interested in for my girls. I wish my daughter would quit her Girl Scouts and find something different, but she hasn't yet. They don't do much other than ask for money.

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't see anything wrong with their Creed. The Boy Scouts of America have a similar one. The GS OTOH, is different from what I just read (and was shocked over). But I'm not getting into that here.

please elaborate

I see nothing shocking about

Girl Scout Creed


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.



Girl Scout Law:
I will do my best to be ...
Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, Considerate and caring,
Courageous and strong, Responsible for what I say and do,
To respect myself and others, Respect authority, Use resources wisely,
Make the world a better place, and To be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Girl Scout Motto:
"Be Prepared."


Girl Scout Slogan:
"Do A Good Turn Daily." from http://oldwww.nationwide.net/~troop3335/creed.html

 

[cccm]

Definitely speak with your council about locating a more active troop. Each service unit has a manager, that is the go to person. We did that and boy are we happy. We now go to everything and even went to American Girl Place in NYC last weekend with our troop. I love this troop so much that I am going to be a troop coleader next year and even thinking of going part time to do so.

BTW for anyone who wants to know, you can receive a religious award. The work is done with your family. That will be one of our projects next year. There is even a Scout Day at most churches.

 

[sha_lyn]

BTW for anyone who wants to know, you can receive a religious award. The work is done with your family. That will be one of our projects next year. There is even a Scout Day at most churches.

There is an award available for most religions too
Another mother and I have offered to lead the classes/activites for the Over the Moon Award (it is for Wicca and other earth/goddess based pagan religions). 5 of the girls in our troop are Wicca, and another 4 grils want to earn the award to learn more about our religion

 

[MrsPete]

just a little taste of the mentality of American Heritage Girls

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25503

Yep, how dare GSUSA teach girls such horrible things are equal rights, girl power etc.

Having been a member of the GS for more than 20 years, I can assure you that MANY "facts" in this article are outright lies. Just to set the record straight:

GS does not encourage or discourage homosexuality. It is a non-issue in GSing. Are there lesbians within the ranks of GSing? Statistics would suggest yes; however, this isn't a focus in GSing any more than the fact that some leaders are white, some are black, some are Asian, etc. -- GSs doesn't promote or condemn sexuality in any way. It is essentially never a topic. (And she fails to point out that, unlike the BSs, no GS leader has ever been accused of molesting a child.)

The GS promise DOES include God, and girls are allowed to substitute a reference to Allah or another God. (Oh, and she carefully left out the fact that every level of GSing has a religious award -- a pretty tough award that requires the girl to really examine her faith.) Furthermore, most troops meet in churches. Many troops are Christian based troops (mine's one) in which all members share that common bond. Oh, yeah, and every March GS Sunday /Sabbath is one of our big scout holidays.

Loyalty has never been a portion of the GS promise; it has not been changed. (The promise is "On my honor, I will try to serve God, my country, and mankind; to help other people at all times, and to live by the GS law.")

Singing Christmas carols /hymns is in no way against any GS laws; in fact, GSUSA manufactures fun patches that say Christmas Caroling.

I own all three age level's "badge books", and there is no badge called "Domestic Violence Awareness", nor is there a "Girl Power" badge.

Planned Parenthood is not a sponsor of GSing; however, they both fall under the United Way umbrella -- as do many other organizations. I've never been aware of any sex-ed programs within GSing.

I must admit that GSing does promote equal rights, and it does stand behind Title IX, which insists that girls receive an equal chance to play school sports. (These are bad things? I didn't know.)

It is also true that GSing no longer emphasizes homemaking skills, but the focus on environmental concerns (which she says is a "liberal" issue -- wonder where she's planning to live once we trash this planet) has always been a strong component of the program.

In closing, this woman's article cannot be trusted. She obviously didn't examine any GSUSA materials. I suspect she found a couple individuals who'd run into some rouge scout leader who was not following GSUSA regulations, and she assumed that they were "average scouts". I'm not often ashamed to be a Baptist, but I am right now. She's no journalist if she didn't examine these facts.

 

[sha_lyn]

Having been a member of the GS for more than 20 years, I can assure you that MANY "facts" in this article are outright lies. Just to set the record straight:

I never said the article was right. I said it was an example of the mentality of American Heritage Girls. I was a GS for 7.5 yrs and my DD is in her 2nd yr. I fully support girlscouts.