Iowambu

GSUSA is releasing a new older girl program this month! I don't know all of the details, but it will emphasize three areas, one being travel/high adventure. Many older Girl Scouts go on high adventure trips already; there are just fewer adults willing to help them do it. There is no need for your girls go give up on GSUSA; they can plan any travel they want as long as they follow safety-wise requirements. It is important to respect the individuality of the Girl Scouting program. Unlike BSA, GSUSA stresses that all programming comes from what girls want. Therefore if a Girl feels there isnt' enough high adventure, then they need to speak up and things can change. I do not support a troop double registering as a venturing group. First of all it doesn't put the girls in the group on the same level as boys because the boys come in with the knowledge of the BSA program and more support systems. (For example this year women ventures who attended Jambo were secluded and placed with OA helpers - not other venturers or their group) If BSA and GSUSA want to come together and form a co-ed, high adventure group than it needs to be on equal terms. Having BSA say "we've got everything perfect in our program, come join" would be like GSUSA saying that Cub Scouting should start in Kindergarten, and all boys should join Daisy Scouts because BSA isn't providing supports for younger boys.

You're in luck! GSUSA is releasing a new older girl program this month! I don't know all of the details, but it will emphasize three areas, one being travel/high adventure. Many older Girl Scouts go on high adventure trips already; there are just fewer adults willing to help them do it. There is no need for your girls go give up on GSUSA; they can plan any travel they want as long as they follow safety-wise requirements.

Last summer I attended Jambo and had a blast, however now I am stuck with a ton of Scout uniform parts. I have about 12 pairs of shorts (some mens and womens) ranging in about a 32"-36". I also have a pair of hemmed but unused pants and several pairs of socks. If you're in need of cheaper uniform parts for the summer send me an email and I'll forward you the complete list. Thanks! Abigayle Abigayle-hutten@uiowa.edu

I just wanted to wake everyone up to something. The term Male nurse is considered discriminatory because a person's gender does not affect thier ability to be a nurse. In the same sense, saying "Scouter" or "Scout" and assuming it's a Boy Scout or affiliated with BSA is also discriminating. Girls/Women are Scouts and Scouters too. I'm tired of so many people, companies, websites and resources promoting Scouting and only doing it for the male half.

I've checked out the uniform exchange page, thanks for the link!! I'm attending Jamboree this year and need a few pairs of shorts (34 waist) and class A shirts (no patches, men's med/woman's large). If you happen to have some of these around please let me know.

I remember when GSUSA decided that "to serve God" meant whatever that girl chose to serve as God, even if that meant she didn't believe in a god and chose to exclude that line of the promise. To my knowledge the BSA has never published a statement saying that it too accepted this idea. So, while the BSA is not excluding those who chose to worship other gods, it has not accepted them either. I feel it takes the same position on agnosticism and other religions/practices: it won't exclude them, but they won't fully accept them either.

The official list is published, here are the badges to be offered: American Business,Cit. in the Community, Energy, Law, Rep. and Amphibians, American Cultures, Cit. in the Nation, Engineering, Medicine, Weather, Architecture, Cit. in the World, Environmental Sc., Pulp & Paper, Art, Crime Prev., Fingerprinting, Family Life, Public Health, Astronomy, Disability Awareness, Fire Safety, Safety, Aviation, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid, Salesmanship

Clarkc- I just need you to email me at iowambu@yahoo.com and I can send you a flyer either through the mail or via email. Thanks, I hope you can make it!!

I have a very different view in this matter. I have been a Girl Scout for many years and became a brother of Alpha Phi Omega three years ago (the fraternity based on BSA). My chapter hosts approx. 750 Scouts each year (see Huge Merit Badge University thread for info) and we bring a lot of community resources together for this event. Can you imagine how a gay APO brother feels? They would like to teach and volunteer but the recent controversy makes it hard. Because of our distinct differences in membership policies we will be voting later this month whether to keep our affiliation and to keep the BSA chair on our national board. We all hope that our voting delegates will make the best choice for both organizations. I don't agree that BSA is doing the best thing for the scouts, but that is not my decision. It is resulting in school districts and churches pulling support and resources and strong leaders not feeling welcomed to serve their community through BSA. I am afraid that more support will be withdrawn before this is over, I hope that each of your councils is working together to battle the misunderstandings on both sides and pulling together, remembering to do what is best for the Scouts. Yours in leadership, friendship, service and scouting

I'm a brother of Alpha Phi Omega (the fraternity based on BSA) and our annual Merit Badge University has been scheduled for Feb. 17. Over 30 badges will be offered including 7 that are required for Eagle Scout. The local district is offering adult training classes for the adults (youth protection, safety afloat, safe swim defense, leave no trace, Weebolos to Scout, Life Scout to Eagle Scout, Youth advancement and Adult Recognition.) Shelter can be arranged for troops traveling the night before. Please email us at iowambu@yahoo.com for a flyer

You might want to look into the congressional service awards. there are three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold and two divisions, medals or certificates. there are four catigories he would need to work on including community service and physical improvement. The program is set up so that he needs a sponsor (like you) and he sets goals. Winners are recognized on a local, state and national level. I know ther are websites available...just do a search for it.

I'm VP of scouting and youth services for a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega in Iowa. We host programs for GSUSA, BSA, and campfire every year called merit badge university. Last year approx. 700 Boyscouts attended. We're always looking to improve our program and I would like to know what you would like to see at this type of program. Since we distribute the funds raised back through camperships the more scouts the better! What badges would you like offered? How would you like discipline handled? How involved should the scoutmasters be? Thanks! ~Abigayle