Historical links between Scouting and GLO's?

[alum]

The actives at a chapter that I was advising at the time helped a local Brownie troop complete a bunch of TryIts for a philanthropy.

I can see Girl Scouts getting involved in sororities upon college entrance. They are both all-female, self-empowering organizations that do a tremendous amount of charitable work and community service while promoting a social, fun atmosphere. Ditto with Boy Scouts and joining a fraternity.

[Erik P Conard]

tom lehrer had the key to it all...the link..."be prepared."

[kddani]

Originally posted by alum
The actives at a chapter that I was advising at the time helped a local Brownie troop complete a bunch of TryIts for a philanthropy.

I can see Girl Scouts getting involved in sororities upon college entrance. They are both all-female, self-empowering organizations that do a tremendous amount of charitable work and community service while promoting a social, fun atmosphere.

Agreed. Although I think that Girl Scouts have sorta lost their popularity. I know they've been changing a lot of their programs to try to keep their appeal to jr high/HS young women.

One of KD's national philanthropies is the Girl Scouts, so all of our chapters work with local troops.

[emb021]

Originally posted by Dionysus
Just like many GLOs have a link to freemasonry. I am curious if GLOs are historically linked to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I know SAE and APO are linked to BSA, but I don't know about the rest.

As others have pointed out, there is NO link between SAE and the BSA. Yes, SOME of APO Founders were SAE Brothers, but that doesn't mean much, really.

There is a long-standing link between APO & the BSA. APO was originally established as the 'scouting fraternity'. Until 1967, you had to have current or prior involvement in scouting (any level, in any country) to join. There was NEVER a requirement to be an Eagle Scout to join. Since around 1932, the BSA has approved APO and listed the Fraternity in their many publications, and allow the Fraternity to have booths at major events like the National Jamboree and NOAC.

APO Brothers have also been involved in the BSA's 'older boy' programs, including the Order of the Arrow. The MIT chapter actually formed a semi-official group that was involved with revising the OA rituals and leading training groups on OA ceremonies. (this was a few decades back)

Since going co-ed, APO has worked to branch out to the other scouting organizations in the US, such as GSUSA and CFUSA (that's Girls Scouts of the USA and Camp Fire USA). Currently APO has a formal agreement/understanding with CFUSA and still works to create a similiar one with GSUSA.

Our 'sister GLOs', GSS and OPA have long drawn its members from Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls (someone posted that OPA, like APO, required membership in them for a time. I have no idea if the same was true of GSS, but would not be suprised). If either of them have formal relations with either GSUSA or CFUSA, I am not aware of it (in the case of APO-BSA relationship, we have a representative of the BSA on our National BoD, and have a member who represents us on several BSA National Committees).

Freemasonry was mentioned. There ARE some links between scouting & freemasonry, mainly in the influence the concepts of freemasonry has had in several of the camp/honor societies that were formed in the BSA, such as the Order of the Arrow and others. There is now even an award for Freemasons who are active scouters and work to strenghten the ties between scouting & masonry, and is named after Dan Beard, a BSA Founder and Freemasonry (and Honorary APO Brother).

Hope this helps

[Senusret I]

From the APhiA website:

The Boy Scouts of America and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity have goals and objectives which make for a "natural alliance" between the two organizations. Through this alliance, the two organizations are achieving their goals by utilizing the Scouting program to its greatest potential as a programming resource.

Alpha Chapters/Brothers have and continue to:

* Charter Scout units;
* Serve as district, council, regional, and national leaders;
* Refer promising and credible individuals for careers as volunteer and professional leaders in the Scouting program;
* Develop special relationships and programs in conjunction with established units and levels of leadership.

Through the Scouts, Alpha men get involved in their neighborhoods with young men and help form positive character and leadership qualities in and for future generations.

I don't know if any other NPHC orgs have a relationship with the Boy Scouts.

[emb021]

Originally posted by Senusret I
From the APhiA website:



I don't know if any other NPHC orgs have a relationship with the Boy Scouts.

AFAIK, APO and APA are the *only* GLOs that the BSA lists with the organizations they have a relationship with. The BSA also distributes brochues to councils on how to work with APA.

[alum]

I think GSUSA or at least our council is trying to address the issue. The GS Troops in this area are huge, even at the hs level. Earning an Interest Project Patch entails activities from 4 sections to include Career Exploration.

I know I have written tons of recs for graduates from my daughter's troop.

[KerriMarie]

I grew up doing Girl Scouting (and work for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital during the summers) and defintely see a lot of similarities - I think missing some of the "sisterhood" of Girl Scouts is what made me consider a sorority.

I love Girl Scouting, and think it's a great organization. I am a co-leader of the local Junior troop here, and I am so excited to go play with them every Friday!

It is frustrating to see how it becomes "uncool" as the girls get older, especially getting into junior and high school. I think that it's something that GSUSA really needs to look into.

[kddani]

Originally posted by KerriMarie
It is frustrating to see how it becomes "uncool" as the girls get older, especially getting into junior and high school. I think that it's something that GSUSA really needs to look into.

I definitely agree. I know that I quit scouting right before 6th grade when I started babysitting. Not only was I too busy, but it wasn't "cool" anymore. I really enjoyed it as a kid, though. I know a ton of people that were brownies and juniors, but I don't know anyone that was a cadette or senior (I think those are the proper terms)

There's also a problem in battling competition from other activities that kids are involved in. In the past, kids were involved with less, but nowadays, they are so overprogrammed (much like our collegiates!) that they don't have time for everything. Moreso now than ever, many young women are involved in sports, which we all know take up a lot of time. Whereas in the past, they may have been involved in scouting, they're now participating in soccer, volleyball, basketball, etc.

There's definitely been some attempt at change, starting new programs, and different ways of doing things (weren't they doing a charm bracelet or something instead of patches and a sash/vest?). Personally, I think it is more a reflection on society than the GS in general.

[alum]

Originally posted by KerriMarie
I grew up doing Girl Scouting (and work for the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital during the summers) and defintely see a lot of similarities - I think missing some of the "sisterhood" of Girl Scouts is what made me consider a sorority.

I love Girl Scouting, and think it's a great organization. I am a co-leader of the local Junior troop here, and I am so excited to go play with them every Friday!

It is frustrating to see how it becomes "uncool" as the girls get older, especially getting into junior and high school. I think that it's something that GSUSA really needs to look into.

GSCNC has a lot to offer because of the local area. The Silver Trefoil was designed specifically to take advantage of unique federal opportunities. How many teenagers get to work for a week in the US Senate or House? How many at an embassy or NGO? My daughter and her fellow troop members did this and more. They volunteered for the Inauguration, they were mentored by the Women of Law of Georgetown.

Congrats on your lifelong commitment to Scouting! It is women like you who are shaping the women of the future!

[AGDee]

My daughter's Cadette leader is 25, married with a young child (around a year old). She and her husband own a tattoo/piercing parlor and Joyce is covered with tattoos and piercings. She got 4 new girls in the troop from the booth she had at the middle school open house. She makes Girl Scouting look very cool... (some parents have a problem with it though). She tells her story openly. She was very involved in Girl Scouts but also hung out with a rough crowd at school. She started getting into drugs and her Girl Scout leader kicked her out. She believes that if the Girl Scout people had tried to bring her back onto the right road, she wouldn't have gotten as screwed up as she did. Once she "woke up" and started down the right path of life, she decided she wanted to be a Scout leader to try to make sure that no other girls went through what she did. Neat lady.

[Erik P Conard]

amazing how much misinformation is out there. In Utah I was told that the only scout troops were mormon-sponsored and that
they broke for LDS services on Sunday. Do not know whether it
is true or not.
The present chairman of the NAACP is a Teke. Does that mean TKE was founded by black folks at Illinois Wesleyan?
I loved scouting and never heard any of this whilst growing up in
central Kansas.
Could it be that scouting is simply a good outfit?

[emb021]

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
amazing how much misinformation is out there. In Utah I was told that the only scout troops were mormon-sponsored and that
they broke for LDS services on Sunday. Do not know whether it
is true or not.

Am sure there are many non-LDS sponsored units in Utah.

However, the point about them breaking for service on Sunday IS very true. I've dealt with many LDS-sponsored troops over the years. In many areas, especially if there are many, the are dealt with VERY differently from other scout units, due to how the LDS church treats their sponsored units vs how other groups (even other churchs) deal with theirs.

But I think we're getting off the point of this site.