Girl Scouts vs. Sororities

carnation · #1 06-18-2006, 07:50 PM

The director of the Scout camp where my daughters go just told me that several councils are being forced to combine. In Alabama, for instance, it'll be Cahaba, Cottaquilla, North Alabama, Tombigbee, and I think one other. Northwest Georgia will band with Concharty and a couple of others. We're afraid that this will mean that several camps will be dumped. I hear that Camp Adahi in Chattanooga has already been sold to Coca Cola.

notyouraverage · #2 06-20-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnation

The director of the Scout camp where my daughters go just told me that several councils are being forced to combine. In Alabama, for instance, it'll be Cahaba, Cottaquilla, North Alabama, Tombigbee, and I think one other. Northwest Georgia will band with Concharty and a couple of others. We're afraid that this will mean that several camps will be dumped. I hear that Camp Adahi in Chattanooga has already been sold to Coca Cola.

Carnation, I just found out that my home council is being combined as well! Nationals wants Licking Valley to combine with Great Rivers, but we're a Kentucky council and Great Rivers is in Ohio so they're at least trying to get together with another KY council. My camp is being dumped too, I'm completely heartbroken over it. It's been a while since I've been up on all the national politics. Any thoughts on why all the change?

carnation · #3 06-20-2006, 09:18 AM

All I can figure is money. Back in the day, practically every little girl was a Brownie and usually she was a Junior as well. Around the late sixties, it became uncool to be an older Scout in many areas.

Anyway, now numbers are really down because girls have all these options that they didn't have before, like sports, and the money coming into Scouting must be way down as well.

notyouraverage · #4 06-20-2006, 09:38 AM

I can totally see why the money would be down in Licking Valley, I mean, who has heard of Erlanger, KY? But in Atlanta? When I was involved in that council, my advisor told me they got all their money from Coke, Delta, Home Depot, ... you get the idea. Are they really hurting that much?

alum · #5 06-20-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyouraverage

Carnation, I just found out that my home council is being combined as well! Nationals wants Licking Valley to combine with Great Rivers, but we're a Kentucky council and Great Rivers is in Ohio so they're at least trying to get together with another KY council. My camp is being dumped too, I'm completely heartbroken over it. It's been a while since I've been up on all the national politics. Any thoughts on why all the change?

Combining councils across state lines is not necessarily a huge issue. The Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital includes all of the District, parts of MD and parts of VA. It works for our area.

notyouraverage · #6 06-20-2006, 12:02 PM

you're completely right, it's not a huge issue. I just happened to visit my old council's website and read about it from their Spring Annual notes. They were making a big deal about it and trying to combine with a group in KY. Honestly, it has more to do with existing stereotypes from that Northern KY / Cincinnati area. Some people act like you're leaving the country by crossing the river. I wish I were better informed about what is going on, though. It's only been four years, but I feel like I've lost all my contacts there!

alum · #7 06-21-2006, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyouraverage

you're completely right, it's not a huge issue. I just happened to visit my old council's website and read about it from their Spring Annual notes. They were making a big deal about it and trying to combine with a group in KY. Honestly, it has more to do with existing stereotypes from that Northern KY / Cincinnati area. Some people act like you're leaving the country by crossing the river. I wish I were better informed about what is going on, though. It's only been four years, but I feel like I've lost all my contacts there!

There are major socioeconomic, political and other differences between District, VA and MD residents which are mirrored in the Girl Scouts membership. This is not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. I don't know how the GSCNC can meet the needs of its Girl Scouts but it does.

BTW, when I cross the Potomac, I do feel like I'm in another world!

DGMarie · #8 08-09-2006, 05:04 PM

I read today of a new DG-Girl Scout initiative that combine service for sight programs with the Scouts. The program is described on the DG website (check under What's New). Scouts earn a special DG badge for completing the program. It sounds like a nice way for alumnae and collegians to get involved in a different spin on service for sight.

http://www.deltagamma.org/dg_news.shtml:)

alum · #9 08-10-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGMarie

I read today of a new DG-Girl Scout initiative that combine service for sight programs with the Scouts. The program is described on the DG website (check under What's New). Scouts earn a special DG badge for completing the program. It sounds like a nice way for alumnae and collegians to get involved in a different spin on service for sight.

http://www.deltagamma.org/dg_news.shtml

I really think this is wonderful! If DGM's link doesn't work, try this:

http://www.deltagamma.org/forms/girl_scouts.pdf

sugarplumfairy · #10 09-13-2006, 01:42 PM

I hope Girl Scouts stays around forever...it was an important part of my childhood and who doesn't want to be a Brownie?!

Any group that works with them is A+ in my book

jadis96 · #11 08-01-2006, 03:06 AM

Just as a side note one of my sisters in my alum chapter works with our local council. She has organized a group called "Lady Scouts" to do things like help mentor and work with local troops. Since I was a junior for 2 years she asked me to help, but I was not able to make the time commitment. After reading this maybe I should shoot her an email and make the time.

Lady of Pearl · #12 06-26-2006, 12:55 PM

I too have fond memories of Girl Scouts, the camping -the cookies, the badges for community service- ceremonies

I only made it to the junior level and coveted that cadette uniform ;but it had disbanded before I could get to that level -and still ask my mom why? to this day. I still support their cookie sales annually-love those tag-a-longs, thin mints and trefoils!

DreamfulSpirit · #13 06-27-2006, 01:43 AM

I was a girl scout from 2nd to 7th grades. I left in cadettes, when apparently it was still called that. My sorority, Omega Phi Alpha, which is a national service sorority, my chapter each semester does Girl Scout Badge Day where we set up stations and help girl scouts earn 2 badges. Its one of my favorite service projects!

AngieWashU · #14 06-27-2006, 07:35 PM

The Council realignments really have to do with fiscal responsibility. A Council serving a small number of girls has a much higher administrative cost per girl than a Council serving a larger number of girls does. It will be a struggle for everyone to adjust to the changes, but this may also bring new opportunities to our girls.

Stef the Pef · #15 07-05-2006, 01:22 AM

Wow...the only time I was ever a Girl Scout was when lived near Waco. I was a Brownie back in the day. I dropped it when I moved and never had time to get involved in Girl Scouts again, but now that I'm back in Waco for college, I get to be involved with my old GSUSA council through KD.

As for the changes, I'm sad that they went to the khaki uniforms for the older girls. The blue was so much prettier! Oh well.