HobcawChaos

The REI Outlet has Scouter backpacks on-sale right now for $50. ho ho ho

Our local newspaper is very supportive of scouting - both BSA and GSUSA. They run almost everything we submit and love pictures. Speaking for GS, the Service Area has a committee position for Public Relations. She has fostered strong relationships with the paper editors that have really helped. Next month they are doing a "How the Cookie Crumbles" feature on GS service projects in the community to kick off cookie season. There website seems to be down right now but it is www.moultrienews.com.

Here's what the demographics look like in our GS service unit in SC. Schools in our particular area are roughly 50:40:10 white:black:hispanic. Troops tend to divided along racial lines but there are a handful of more mixed - say 80W:20B - troops. The AME church (African Methodist Episcopal) sponsors several large, active troops. These are composed of predominately African American girls. Catholics are found througout but the local Catholic church sponsors strong troops as well. The Jewish and Muslim populations are very small so I have no idea on them. When we get together for service area or council activities, they all mix and work well together but the troops are still rather segregated.

Funny you should mention Venturing. Two girls in our Junior troop were waiting until they were old enough to join a Venturing troop. Thought GS was too "girlie girl". We have a little of both in our troop. Absolutely nothing against VCs, but they are great girls so I hope both stay in our troop;-) That just means its on me and them to plan and execute fun adventures!! You hit the nail on the head via your wife's troop. Good program = good retention.

That article is totally wacked. But it probably is also in keeping with GSUSA right now. Several things from Council have me saying "huh". Although programming certainly depends on the group of girls, many of them do want a mix of activities. My troop was very eager to go tent camping and loved it! We had one at-first-reluctant-later-had-a-blast other mom and two dads go. The biggest challenge while there was that the girls kept disappearing into the marsh and coming back covered in pluff mud ;-) Most of the badges they've selected have been outdoor and animal oriented. They're also excited about going to see a local high school production of The Wiz next month....so a little of everything. Nothing prevented girls from doing service projects before the Journeys and most troops do several throughout the year.

Say "Thanks for the gear" and "Thanks even more for your service". Then find out what the units mailing address is so that the troops can "adopt them" while deployed and send cards, pictures with said gear, and letters!

As a compliment, it seems that uniform is one of the things that BSA does very well and serves to set them apart from other youth groups. It is also something that GSUSA struggles mightily with. This year they are moving back to full uniform being khaki bottoms, white polo top, and vest or sash. Thankfully, the khaki and white go along with our local public school uniform colors so everyone has them. I've tried to encourage wearing the full uniform for indoor ceremonies and more formal trip occasions (i.e. maybe only vest to the zoo but full uniform to the nursing home). Gradually the girls have gotten use to it and even expect it. Keep at it Amethyst - they'll get there.

There is a 4-H youth conference center in Chevy Chase MD, one mile away. They reportedly have reasonable rates for groups. It also has a cafe that can fill your meal needs with all-you-can-eat buffets. Rooms either have 2 bunk beds or 2 double beds. Might be worth calling for pricing but will definitely be more than camping. www.4HCenter.org

Museum of Science is a definite do. Check out a Duck Tour that goes into the Charles River in addition to around town. Make sure to jump on and of the "T" as the local subway is known. It's safe, color-coded, and easy to use. Plus great fun! Walk to first car to pretend like you're driving. If near Copley Square (on the Green Line) scare the pigeons, check out the cool church, and go to the top of the Hancock Building for a great view of the city. Go over to the Charlestown Navy Yard to see the USS Constitution. You may also add a visit to Fenway Park. Depending on the age of your group, a visit to MIT or Harvard could also be in order. Chinatown is lots of fun and the pizza in the North End - Italian section - can't be beat.

There are also many people who will donate to have Scouts come to their house (with an Adult Leader present of course) and retrieve lights, ornaments, etc from the attic or basement and hang on said Scout tree.

First off...OMG wow! You have seriously put a lot of thought into this. Reading through you have some wonderful ideas and activities put together. There also seems to be a great variety of focus: arts, science, etc. As a disclaimer, I've never been a Daisy leader - only Brownie parent helper and Junior leader. Two things came to mind reading your post. First, the Juniors I have would be hard pressed to do as many activities as are listed on some days. They get excited to see each other and the first 10-15 min of any meeting is snack and social (we meet just after school). Second and more importantly, even at this level the girls will have interests and a lot of things that they want to do. Encourage them to share what they want their troop to be doing - then mix up your plan to meet those dreams and wishes. For example, let the Daisies be involved in the planning of their Investiture. So between the Parent Meeting and Investiture, you may have a couple of meetings where you learn the GS promise/sign/motto/handshake, talk about the law, interspersing it with games and relays. Plan and rehearse the ceremony with the girls. Whose saying what? Where are they standing? If using candles, practice and a safety review is needed. Let them make invitations to give to their parents and decide what kind of reception food to have. You get the idea. Anyone can certainly tell that you are going to be a wonderful leader! Welcome to the Girlie side ;-)

This one from NOVA has the square, bowline, and sheepshank on it: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/3410_01_nsn_02.html Seems Cub Scout level - but what do I know (GS). This one is more detailed with many more knots and their uses: http://www.noonelike.us/~rhys/Class%20Handout%205%20Tying%20Knots.pdf Animated knots by Grog (www.animatedknots.com) has also been really helpful for me! A laminated trifold on knots can be found at the local bookstore - handy in the backpack but probably too much for a handout.

I live just off Hobcaw Creek which flows into the Wando River. Packsaddle got the Chaos part right!

Greetings from the Girl Scouts of East Cooper (aka Mt. P & DI)!

Greatings from Mount Pleasant, SC! Just over the Cooper River from Charleston and home of the USS Yorktown. Don't throw me out, but I'm a Girl Scout Junior troop leader and Service Team member. Interested to learn what I can on the forum. Special shout out to ClemsonScout....Go Cocks Go!